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PRHSPSC MINS 10-10-2005 City of Federal Way City Council PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE Monday, October 10, 2005 5:30 p.m. SUMMARY In attendance: Council Committee members Chair Jeanne Burbidge, Jack Dovey, Deputy Mayor Linda Kochmar, Derek Matheson, Assistant City Manager, Anne Kirkpatrick, Director of Public Safety, Amy Jo Pearsall City Attorney, Donna Hanson, Director PRCS, Mary Jaenicke, Administrative Assistant. Excused: Council member Ferrell Guests: John Leskovar, Citizen. Fred Konkell, Parks & Recreation Commission. Chair Burbidge called the meeting to order at 5:33p.m. PUBLIC FORUM John Leskovar: Mr. Leskovar stated that in his mind Public Safety is not just department-wide; it is community wide. He thinks the city is failing to incorporate the Community working with the Police Department. The Council passes laws, but the Police Department and the community are not given the resources or the authority to enforce those laws. He is disturbed about the PRHSPS Committee, and whether or not it is a viable form for a citizen to make comments. Mr. Leskovar stated that if this Committee meeting is not the correct forum that should be used, is the City Council meeting the correct environment for him and his supporters to turn the City Council meeting into a Public Safety Forum? He would like to think that it isn’t necessary. Mr. Leskovar does not believe we need more police officers, he believes we need to manage the resources that we have. He is in full support of Chief Kirkpatrick, but the Managers in the City of Federal Way have not given the Chief the resources in terms of legal latitude. Mr. Leskovar is in support of using citizens for citizen patrols, to enforce low-level crimes. Deputy Kochmar requested that Chief Kirkpatrick put together a matrix of what other cities are doing with volunteers, and what it would take to manage citizen patrols. Chief Kirkpatrick stated that reserve officer programs can be very successful. The City would need to consider the increase in liability, expenses and overtime. The program must also be accepted by the Police Officers. Along with the matrix, Deputy Kochmar would also like the Chief to investigate whether or not City of Federal Way Police Officers would welcome this type of program. Chief Kirkpatrick will also include cost and liability in her report. COMMISSION COMMENT None APPROVAL OF SUMMARY Council members Dovey and Burbidge moved to accept the September meeting minutes as written. Motion passed. BUSINESS ITEMS Proposed Ordinance Updating Chapter 6, Criminal Code and Chapter 15, Traffic Code Ms. Pearsall reported that the Washington State Legislature has updated their statutes, and the legal department must update their codes to be more in accordance with state law. Council member Dovey moved to recommend approval of the proposed Ordinance and forward to full Council for first reading at the October 18, 2005 City Council Meeting. Council member Burbidge seconded. Motion passed. Ordinance Updating the Aggressive Begging Provisions of the Criminal Code Ms. Pearsall reported that there have been recent concerns regarding aggressive begging. The legal department reviewed what other cities have, and there are some improvements on aggressive begging Ordinances. Council member Dovey moved to recommend approval of the proposed Ordinance, amending Chapter 6, Article VIII, Section 6-188 of the Federal Way City Code, and forward to Full Council for first reading on October 18, 2005 City Council Meeting. Council member Burbidge seconded. Discussion was held. Council member Dovey asked if it is possible to require the people on the street corners to get a temporary permit so they can be enforced. Ms. Pearsall answered that there is concern that the City would be encouraging people to stand on the corner and beg for money. It is a constitutional protected activity, but is not considered a business. Because it is a constitutionally protected right, cities are very limited in what they can do to prevent begging on the street corners. Time, place and PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE Monday October 10, 2005 Summary Page 2 manner can be regulated, and that is what this Ordinance is attempting to do. If the begging creates a traffic or safety issue, Police can prevent people from begging at that location. Chair Burbidge informed Chief Kirkpatrick that the local community Caregiving Network has business cards with phone numbers of places to call, and places to go to for emergency assistance. She suggested that the Police Officers distribute those cards. Council member Dovey asked if the signs that the panhandlers use could be regulated under the sign code. Ms. Pearsall answered that she would look into it. Motion passed. PENDING ITEMS Deputy Mayor Kochmar would like an update on the Community Center Business Plan added to pending items. ANNOUNCEMENTS None NEXT MEETING – November 14, 2005 5:00 p.m. in the Hylebos Conference Room ADJOURNMENT - Meeting adjourned at 6:03p.m.