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PRPSC MINS 02-13-2007 City of Federal Way City Council PARKS, RECREATION, & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE Tuesday February 13, 2007 6:00 p.m. SUMMARY In attendance: Council Committee members Chair Jeanne Burbidge, Deputy Mayor Jim Ferrell, Council member Linda Kochmar; Jenni Snell, City Attorney, Brian Wilson, Director Public Safety, Iwen Wang, Director Management Services, Andy Hwang, Deputy Director Public Safety, Kyle Sumpter and Connie Shupp, Public Safety Department, Donna Hanson, Director PRCS, Betty Sanders, Park Planning & Development Coordinator, Mary Faber, PRCS Superintendent, Lynette Allen, Administrative Assistant. Guests: H. David Kaplan, Friends of Federal Way Parks Chair Burbidge called the meeting to order at 6:05p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT H. David Kaplan presented a layout of the proposed plaque at the community center for the banners and the playground. He also presented three pictures for the Council Committee members to choose from. Mr. Kaplan has also chosen a plaque. COMMISSION COMMENT None APPROVAL OF SUMMARY Council members Ferrell and Kochmar moved to accept the January meeting minutes as written. Motion passed. BUSINESS ITEMS Community Center Update Ms. Faber updated the Council Committee on the Marketing efforts for the Community Center. The Recreation Brochure’s front cover will display the Community Center. The date and the time of the Grand Opening will appear throughout the brochure. Flyers will be sent to local businesses and households, note pads are also being used for an advertising tool. The Grand Opening will be advertised through the Federal Way Mirror, and Channel 21. The Grand Opening Ceremony will be held in the Plaza, and will take place on March 31, 2007. The ceremony will take place at 10:30am and the building will be open until 5:00pm. On Sunday the building will be opened from 1:00pm- 5:00pm., and will be open for activities and public use of the facility. There will be a band, mini carnival, climbing wall demonstrations, synchronized swimming, tours throughout the building. The dedication will feature music, speeches, tree dedication and promotional giveaways. Ms. Hanson reported that we are within our construction budget, and we were able to include the four alternates. We were able to purchase the climbing wall, the kitchen equipment, lockers and telecommunication equipment. Ms. Hanson provided a summary of the budget and a list of additional revenues based on interest earnings, donations, transfers from the playground budget and the net proceeds from Klahanee Lake Community Center. She also reviewed the expenditures and uses. Councilmember Kochmar stated that she was amazed the project came in under budget. She also stated she would like a garden area that could be setup for weddings or photo events. Ms. Hanson answered that there potentially is space for something like that. Deputy Mayor Ferrell asked that because this is the most expensive project ever done by the City, that this item not be placed on the consent agenda, that it be placed on the agenda as a separate business item. He would like this to be presented at the February 20 Council meeting. He would like a Power Point presentation to show the Full Council and the Community where we are at with the budget. Council member Kochmar stated that this is scheduled to go to the next Finance Committee meeting, and then it could go to Council in March. Deputy Mayor Ferrell wants it presented to the Community in February. After discussion it was decided that a PowerPoint presentation showing pictures of the building will happen at the February 20 Council meeting, and a full budget discussion will occur at the March 6 Council meeting. PARKS, RECREATION, & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE Tuesday February 13, 2007 Summary Page 2 2006 Index Crime Comparisons Chief Wilson introduced members of his staff that were present at today’s meeting. Chief Wilson reported that index crime comparisons are broken into two categories; persons crimes, and property crimes. The persons crimes are homicide, rape, robbery and felony assault. The property crimes are burglary, larceny/theft, auto theft and arson. We have an overall reduction in index crimes of 14.78%. There are many factors that affect the increase and decrease of index crimes. Chief Wilson stated that the Department is very encouraged about the positive trend. Chief Wilson pointed out that auto theft has decreased 23.78%. Deputy Mayor Ferrell asked what attributed to the decrease in auto theft. Chief Wilson stated that there are many factors; there has been an emphasis placed internally within the department to have a strong focus on traffic stops, field interview reports, increased staffing levels, ProAct Unit targeted the top ten offenders of auto theft, Prosecutor efforts and the overall coordination and collaboration of all involved. Chief Wilson stated that 25% of the residential burglaries in Federal Way were due to unsecured homes; doors were unlocked, and windows were left opened. Interlocal Agreement Valley Special Response Team Operation Agreement Chief Wilson stated that the primary change to this agreement is adding the Des Moines Police Department. They will now be a partner in the Valley Special Response Team. Des Moines is smaller than the Federal Way Department. They will give one Commander and three Officers. The other partnering agencies involved give one Commander and six Officers. Des Moines has agreed to be a fully funded partner, and they will furnish the full funding and liability required by all agencies involved. Commander Sumpter stated that there is a Policy Manual that states what types of crimes SRT responds to. Deputy Ferrell moved to approve the Interlocal Cooperative Agreement Valley Special Response Team Operational Agreement and forward to full City Council for consideration. Council member Kochmar seconded. Motion passed. Temporary Occupancy License Agreement The Commons of Federal Way Chief Wilson presented the Commons Occupancy Agreement. Chief Wilson stated that the Officers that are assigned to the Mall are very busy, and they have good working relationships with the businesses within the Mall. They also have the capability to fully investigate and file felony cases from their offices in the Mall. The Federal Way Police Department occupies a licensed space, used by the Mall Officers in the Commons Shopping Center. The new Occupancy License Agreement is for a change in location of the Mall Officers licensed space. There is no charge to the City of Federal Way. Deputy Mayor Ferrell moved to approve the Temporary Occupancy License Agreement The Commons at Federal Way. Council member Kochmar seconded. Motion passed. Red Light Enforcement Chief Wilson reported that staff has done more research on the Red Light Enforcement. Chief Wilson stated that they are proposing to do a pilot project for one year. This would be for two intersections. The purpose of the plan is to enhance safety at intersections and enhance citizen compliance with traffic control devices. This does have an impact on safety and traffic flow. Lt. Connie Shupp stated this program provides additional enforcement. They want drivers to comply with the law. There are many agencies in Washington that have started red light photo enforcement. This is used to help reduce personal injury and reduce property damage to vehicles. The majority of the collisions occur in intersections. The cameras will take photos of the car license that is in violation; not the driver. Studies have shown that cities that have this type of program in place have drastically reduced their collisions and the amount of violations. Lt. Shupp stated that there is no installation fee or startup fees. For the Department to make this program pay for itself, they need to have two paid violations per day, per approach. Lt. Shupp stated that there needs to be good public information given out to the community. Deputy Mayor Ferrell stated that he is against the program, and wants to know if there is community support. He does not believe that the public will be behind the department when they start issuing citations through the mail. There could be a perception that this could be a cash cow. It puts a burden of the car owner proving they’re innocent. Chief Wilson stated that they could survey the citizens to get their reactions of the program. Council member Kochmar stated that she has had a strong response from citizens when this program is mentioned. She would like a pilot program without issuing tickets. Chief Wilson stated that there would probably be a cost associated with this. He also stated that as part of the pilot program, they would send out notices for the first three months as part of the education process. If they went a whole year without issuing tickets then they would need to pickup the costs that are associated with the equipment. Chair Burbidge stated that she does not share all of the same concerns with the committee. She see’s this measure as PARKS, RECREATION, & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE Tuesday February 13, 2007 Summary Page 3 potentially improving safety. She has heard numerous comments from citizens that are concerned about people running red lights. She would like to see the pilot project proceed. After discussion it was agreed to delay the program for six months, and during that time solicit support from the citizen’s via media, surveys, and educational outreach. Chair Burbidge moved to ask Chief Wilson and Staff to review this program and educate the Community on the Red Light Enforcement, and bring it back to the committee in six months. Council member Kochmar seconded. Motion passed. Deputy Mayor Ferrell voted No. He is against the program. Chair Burbidge stated that she would be in favor of going ahead with the program. Council member Kochmar stated she wanted to wait and see what happens. PENDING ITEMS - None NEXT MEETING – February 13, 2007 6:00 p.m. in the Hylebos Conference Room ADJOURNMENT - Meeting adjourned at 7:45p.m.