03-09-10 Public Safety CommitteeMinutes
Public Safety Committee Meeting
March 9, 2010
Elected Officials Present: Council Member D. J. Wilson, Committee
Chair
Council Member Adrienne Fraley-Monillas
Council Member Steve Bernheim
Council Member Diane Buckshnis
Staff Present: Assistant Police Chief Gerry Gannon
Public Present: Mike McGinnis, Police Foundation
Don Eager, Police Foundation
Bruce Witenberg, Police Foundation
Barry Brandt
The meeting was called to order by Chair Wilson at 6:55 p.m.
A. Styrofoam Ban
The Committee discussed the proposed ordinance for banning Styrofoam from
the City of Edmonds. At the February 5-6, 2010 Council Retreat, the Council had
expressed interest in moving forward with a Styrofoam ban.
Ms. Fraley-Monillas was interested in a grandfather clause in the ordinance that
would allow businesses that have Styrofoam products to exhaust their current
supply. Mr. Wilson stated that a one year run -out of Styrofoam products is what
he would like to see in the ordinance. That is similar to what is in the Issaquah
and Seattle ordinances, and in the proposed ordinance written by Mr. Bernheim.
Mr. Wilson suggested that the ordinance be moved directly to the Council for
discussion of the effective date of the ordinance. One suggestion was to have
the effective date at signing, but not enforce the ordinance until May 1, 2011,
giving businesses time to deplete their inventory of Styrofoam products.
Ms. Fraley-Monillas discussed the effective date and thought it best to follow the
proposed draft ordinance by Mr. Bernheim. Both Council members felt that
businesses needed time to reduce their supply of Styrofoam products, and one
year after signing of the ordinance was sufficient before enforcement started.
Ms. Fraley-Monillas also felt that having a waiver process in the ordinance was
important.
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The discussion then moved to the penalty portion of the ordinance. Ms. Fraley-
Monillas felt the fine language in the proposed ordinance was satisfactory at
$100 for a first offense and $300 for any further offenses. Ms. Fraley-Monillas
made the point if you have fines in the ordinance and don't enforce them, then
why have the fines.
Action: Move to full Council for discussion.
B. Contract with Orchid Cellmark for Touch DNA Testing.
ACOP Gannon discussed the reason for the request and how the Police
Department will use Orchid Cellmark to help identify suspects in property crimes.
The testing process used by Orchid Cellmark is sensitive enough to detect DNA
left at a crime scene on items touched by a suspect. The Washington State
Patrol Crime Laboratory has approved the scientific testing process that Orchid
Cellmark uses to enter DNA data into the national data base (CODIS).
The cost of the testing is based on the number of samples submitted by the
Department. There is no charge if samples are not submitted to Orchid
Cellmark. ACOP Gannon was asked what the State Crime Laboratory charges
for DNA testing. He responded there is no cost for samples submitted to the
State Crime Lab, but because of its backlog of cases, the State Crime Lab will
process few DNA samples for property crimes and the turnaround time can be
lengthy.
With no other discussion on the subject, ACOP Gannon asked that the contract
be approved for the next consent agenda. He also advised that the contract had
been reviewed and approved as to form by the city attorney. Mr. Wilson and Ms.
Fraley-Monillas approved the request to go to the consent agenda.
Action: Forward to City Council Consent Agenda with a recommendation to
approve.
C. Amendment of EMC 5.05, Animal Control
ACOP Gannon explained the proposed changes to EMC 5.05.121 and 5.05.123
(Potentially Dangerous Dog) to provide for an appeal process should a dog be
declared potentially dangerous. While this declaration is tantamount to a
warning, recent court decisions support a provision for appeal in the interest of
due process. This action is consistent with those taken in and by neighboring
jurisdictions. The amended ordinance was prepared by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wilson and Ms. Fraley-Monillas were further advised that the amended
ordinance had been reviewed and approved as to form by the city attorney.
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ACOP Gannon asked that the amended ordinance be placed on the consent
agenda for approval by the full Council. Mr. Wilson and Ms. Fraley-Monillas
approved the request to place this item on the consent agenda.
Action: Forward to City Council Consent Agenda with a recommendation to
approve.
D. Edmonds Night Out Supplemental Appropriation
ACOP Gannon reviewed the history of Edmonds Night Out, which had been
sponsored by local Edmonds businesses, and organized by the Police
Foundation. He explained that when the Crime Prevention program was cut from
the Police Department 2009-2010 budget, the funds for Night Out were also cut.
Edmonds Night Out was not held in 2009.
He explained that the Police Department supports the Night Out, and is asking
for a $3500 appropriation from Council Contingency or other designated General
Fund source to cover the costs of an Edmonds Night Out event in 2010.
The city has traditionally supported Edmonds Night Out by providing a limited
number of police officers to assist with event logistics. Some of that assistance
involved limited overtime (est. $1500) since there are insufficient regular on -duty
staff to attend Night Out, as well as to be available for 911 calls. The Police
Department had also included as part of its previous annual budgets a $2000
appropriation specifically for defraying some of the Police Foundation's hard
costs for the event.
If authorized by the Council, $2,000 of the appropriation would be used to defray
some of the Police Foundation's costs for the event. The remaining $1500 would
fund police officer overtime. Mr. Wilson felt the funding should come from
reserve funds (ending balance from the 2009 budget).
Both Ms. Fraley-Monillas and Mr. Wilson approved this agenda item for the
consent agenda at the next Council Meeting.
Action: Forward to City Council Consent Agenda with a recommendation to
approve.
The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
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