Orting Public Safety Meeting

September 8,2015

ATTENDANCE Josh Penner, Orting City Council

Mark Bethune, Orting City Manager

Tod Gunther, Orting City Council

Chief Drake, Orting Police Dept.

The Meeting Opened at 6:32 PM

AGENDA ITEMS

Adopt/Amend September 2015 Minutes

Adopt/Amend October2015 Agenda

Old Business

  • The department is repairing the 2008 Charger. The department is still in need of additional vehicles. Purchase and financing options were discussed with the committee. The committee requested documentation regarding the maintenance and depreciation schedule for department cars.
  • The Twitter account is back “on-line” and the department is “tweeting” all cases drawn by officers.
  • The committee discussed the practicality of revising some of the City ordinances such as rabies control.

New Business

  • The department Records Management System (RMS) support contract for “Total Enforcement” will cost $3,500 a year. This contract will be discussed at the next council meeting.

Orting Valley Fire & Rescue Update

  • No report.

Orting Police Dept. Update

  • The police expense budget is currently invested at approximately 64.59%.
  • The jail budget is at 94.85% or $19,733 over the anticipated budget.
  • Overtime is at 60.49% or $7,465.70 under budget.
  • The gasoline budget is at 41.86% or $10,664 under the anticipated budget.
  • Legal expenses for the year have exceeded the anticipated budget of $2,000 and our currently at $14,093.20.
  • The overall expense budget is at approximately 64.59% or $34,521.39 under the anticipated budget.
  • A conditional offer of employment has been accepted by a lateral level officer pending a successful polygraph and background investigation.
  • On October 13th, dispatch services are tentatively scheduled to switch to South Sound 911’s Puyallup location. South Sound 911 dispatch services will be $71,030 per year which is $36,470 less than we are currently paying.

Council Committee Goals

Levels of Service

  • Councilmember Penner sent out a letter to all committee participants asking for ideas on level of service. Goal is to come back next month with a list of things to help define how resources should be allocated.

Education Opportunities for Crime Prevention & Public Safety

  • The police department is planning to offer a Traffic School geared toward juveniles for the fall. Chief Drake presented the class curriculum to the committee. In addition, the department plans to offer an additional course designed for senior citizens.
  • Rape Aggressive Defenseclass is tentatively scheduled for October/November.

Independent Review or Certification

  • Topic was placed on hold until funding strategies are determined.

Funding Strategies for the Police Department

  • The council Budget Retreat will be held next month. The council will get to review Mayor Pestinger’s 2016 budget proposal. The committee requested to have feedback from the police department/guild regarding budget priorities prior to the retreat.

Hazard Mitigation

  • No report.

Public Testimony

  • An audience member asked if it would be more cost effective to have a mechanic on staff. The City Manager, Mark Bethune, reported that our City fleet doesn’t necessitate the cost involved with hiring a full-time employee. He did indicate that the City has been communicating with the school district regarding a proposal for the district to provide our mechanic services.
  • Complaint about speeding on Kansas Street with a request for extra patrol.

Meeting Adjourned at 7:39 PM

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