05-08-12 Public Safety and Personnel CommitteeMinutes
Public Safety and Personnel Committee Meeting
May 8, 2012
Elected Officials Present: Councilmember Michael Plunkett
Councilmember Joan Bloom
Councilmember Adrienne Fraley-Monillas
Staff Present: Assistant Police Chief Jim Lawless
Parks and Recreation Director Carrie Hite
The meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m.
Upon calling the meeting to order, Councilmember Plunkett recommended that
due to his impending departure from council in June Councilmember Bloom
should assume the role of chairperson for the committee. Councilmember Bloom
concurred.
A. Amendments to ECC 8.48 and ECC 8.52 (Parking)
The first agenda item discussed was the proposed revision to ECC 8.48 and
ECC 8.52. ACOP Lawless explained that the changes to ECC 8.48 address
situations where individuals move their vehicles in an attempt to avoid being cited
for violation of the 3-hour limit. In addition, the penalty portion of this section is
amended to increase the handicap parking violation penalties from $250 to $450
as authorized by changes to the Washington Model Traffic Ordinance.
The changes to ECC 8.52 relate to clarification of the language surrounding the
description of residential parking permits, their usage, and penalties. These
issues have been discussed at parking committee and the recommended
changes are a result of those discussions.
ACOP Lawless' recommendation was that the revisions be forwarded to the full
council for consent agenda approval. The committee concurred.
Action: Forward to City Council Consent Agenda with a recommendation to
approve.
B. Transfer of Marine 16 to Fire District 1.
The second agenda item discussed was language modifying the ILA between the
City and Fire District 1. ACOP Lawless gave a quick overview of the history of
Marine 16 and the need for the ILA modification. At the time that FD 1 and the
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City entered into the current agreement, the maintenance and replacement costs
for the vessel were placed on the Police Department. Over the past 2 '/2 + years,
the Police Department has used the vessel approximately 5% of the time,
whereas FD 1 has utilized it 95% of the time. During that same time, the Police
Department has spent $50,000+ on vessel maintenance and repair. In 2011,
then Mayor Cooper entered into negotiations with FD 1 to modify the ILA and
shift those costs to the district, with the city being responsible for costs
associated with any damage that may occur to the vessel while being operated
by the Police Department, as well $5,000 annually for the replacement fund. Ar
agreement was reached and approved by the FD 1 Commission after review by
the Edmonds City Attorney. ACOP Lawless' recommendation was that the
amended agreement be forwarded to full council for consent agenda approval.
The committee concurred.
Action: Forward to City Council Consent Agenda with a recommendation to
approve.
C. Dawson Place Child Interview Specialist
The third agenda item discussed was a change to the professional services
agreement with the Snohomish County Child Advocacy Center (Dawson Place)
that had previously been approved by Council on October 18, 2011. ACOP
Lawless advised that since that approval, several jurisdictions have asked for
slight modifications as they relate to section 7, regarding the removal of the
interview specialist should performance issues arise. There is no further
substantive change, and neither the payment schedule nor the City's financial
obligation is impacted. ACOP Lawless' recommendation was that the amended
agreement be forwarded to full council for consent agenda approval. The
committee concurred.
Action: Forward to City Council Consent Agenda with a recommendation to
approve.
D. Amendment to ECC 5.05 - re: Dog Parks
The fourth agenda item discussed was a proposed change to ECC 5.05. ACOP
Lawless explained that the changes impacted rules for the Edmonds off -leash
dog park and came about as a result of complaints received by both park
volunteers and the Edmonds Police Department's Animal Control Unit. The
complaints involved dogs running freely and unattended within the park and the
inability and unwillingness of certain owners to control their animals within the
park. In addition, there have been concerns that animals may not be properly
licensed and/or vaccinated while in the park.
Councilmember Bloom questioned language within the proposed changes that
exempted cats from the ordinance and why that would be since it was in direct
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conflict with the ordinance requiring that cats be leashed. ACOP Lawless
advised that he believed that it was meant to address that issue.
ACOP Lawless' recommendation was that the proposed changes go to full
council for discussion and action and the committee concurred.
Action: Forward to full Council for discussion and possible action.
E. Continued discussion regarding Ethics Board and/or City Code of
Ethics.
At this point, ACOP Lawless excused himself from the meeting and
Councilmember Fraley-Monillas joined the discussion. Councilmember Bloom
opened the discussion with an interest in expanding a code of ethics for the city,
not just the Council. There was also discussion about forming an ethics board.
There was a question of whether we have a code of ethics for the city. Parks
and Recreation Director Carrie Hite responded that we have parts of what a code
of ethics includes throughout the personnel policies, including code of conduct,
nepotism, conflict of interest, etc.
Councilmember Fraley-Monillas has an interest in having a code of ethics that
also cover the way citizens treat councilmembers. Councilmember Bloom stated
that there is nothing we can put in writing that can govern or control citizens. She
is interested in focusing on staff, Council code of ethics.
Councilmember Fraley-Monillas does not have an interest in governing the City
Council with this. Councilmember Plunkett stated there are already parts of
Washington state law that govern Councilmembers.
Councilmember Bloom stated that this is different from Washington state law.
She is interested in establishing a code of ethics for all officials and employees of
the city.
Councilmember Fraley-Monillas is interested in bringing all the information
together, into a Code of Ethics policy. Councilmember Plunkett agreed, and
stated that an Ethics Board would be above and beyond state law.
The recommendation from the City Council retreat was for Councilmembers
Bloom, Fraley-Monillas, and Petso to review this process and define the next
steps to go forward. The Public Safety/Human Resources Committee, along with
Councilmember Fraley-Monillas, agreed to follow the recommendation from the
retreat.
F. Public Comments
Kristiana Johnson spoke to the Committee: The Planning Board had the topic of
a code of ethics on the Planning Board retreat as well. The Planning Board
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would like clarity in what they can and can't do, so this would be helpful. They
requested assistance from the City attorney, who was unable to make the
meeting. So, this process would be helpful for them as well.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
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