09-13-11 Public Safety and Human Resources CommitteeMinutes
Public Safety and Human Resources Committee Meeting
September 13, 2011
Elected Officials Present: Council member Stephen Bernheim
Council member D. J. Wilson
Mayor Mike Cooper
Staff Present: HR Director Debi Humann
Assistant Police Chief Jim Lawless
Fire Marshal John Westfall
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
A. Report on Marine 16
Mayor Cooper provided an update on the progress of the negotiations with
Fire District 1 regarding the transfer of Marine 16. He has spoken with Chief
Widdis, who has been working with the FD 1 Commissioners. The current
sticking point is a desire of the Commission that the City provide $5,000 per
year for a replacement fund. Mayor Cooper advised that this wasn't our
desire, as we are already providing separate funding for equipment
replacement. In addition, part of the negotiation involves discussion about
contracting with the District to provide maintenance service through our city
shop.
ACOP Lawless then gave a brief overview of the grant requirements,
including the lack of a requirement to replace the vessel once it exceeds its
working life. Mayor Cooper advised that the negotiations would continue.
Councilmember Wilson then requested a complete accounting of every
expense that is associated with the FD 1 contract in order to see if there has
been any real benefit to our contracting with FD 1. Mayor Cooper did remind
him that the biggest benefit was the immediate cash infusion that the sale
provided. Councilmember Wilson requested that the information be provided
at the next PSHR meeting.
Action: Request that staff return to the October 11t" PSHR meeting with a report
on all expenses associated with the FD 1 contract.
Public Safety & Human Resources Committee
September 13, 2011
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B. Interlocal Agreement between Snohomish County and the City of
Edmonds Relating to Prisoner Transport
ACOP Lawless gave a quick overview of the new ILA being presented and the
need for it. The transport service had been provided by Whatcom County, but
the service was discontinued due to budget constraints. Snohomish County took
over the service, but needs to recoup costs from participating agencies to
continue the service. Snohomish County will provide the service for $50/inmate,
compared to the $93/inmate that it cost Whatcom County.
Councilmember Bernheim made a few remarks as to the apparent cost savings
in both transport and booking fees and thanked the Police Department for their
efforts in that area. Both Councilmember Bernheim and Councilmember Wilson
voted to place the item on the consent agenda for the full council.
Action: Forward to September 20, 2011 City Council Consent Agenda with a
recommendation to approve.
C. Discussion Regarding an Ethics Board
Councilmembers D.J. Wilson and Steve Bernheim discussed the above agenda
item briefly. It was determined that the two Councilmembers wanted to review an
Ordinance that was created a few years ago to address a situation involving a
former City employee being hired by the City of Edmonds as a Consultant. The
Ordinance concerned conflict of interest. Councilmember Bernheim stated he
would do the research for this Ordinance. A general discussion took place as to
what other, if any, City policies, ordinances, or codes existed currently that
addressed ethics. Debi Humann, Human Resources Director, volunteered that
she was unaware of any other document outside of the City of Edmonds'
Personnel Policies. She further explained that it was her understanding that
Council members are not obligated to follow the City Policies but that they could
be adopted by Council if that fulfilled the need of this particular agenda item.
Further discussion will be held on this agenda item at an upcoming Committee
meeting. The Public Safety and Human Resources Committee went on to
address the other items on the agenda.
The meeting adjourned at 6:34 p.m.
Public Safety & Human Resources Committee
September 13, 2011
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