City Council Committee Agendas

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING MARCH 1, 2023 Police Court Campus, 1805 Continental Place Council Member Mark Hulst called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. Present Mayor Jill Boudreau Council Members: Chairperson Mark Hulst, Melissa Beaton, Richard Brocksmith, Iris Carias, Mary Hudson, Gary Molenaar, Juan Morales Staff Present: Police Chief Chris Cammock, Development Services Director Darren Groth, Administrative Assistant K. Hall Citizens: 2 Order of Business: Motion to approve meeting minutes from 02/01/2023 meeting. First – Councilmember Hudson Second – Councilmember Beaton Motion approved. Topics: 1. Police Highlights for 2022 and Looking Forward into 2023 – Police Chief Cammock • Calls for service increased in 2022. Population also rose which is expected. • Serious crimes were up as a category. Looking at pre-Covid levels and taking into consideration the Covid year sheltering is important as to trends. o Legislative action resulting in public policy changes and corresponding public behavior have contributed to a higher number of incidents. • Total calls for the year showed an 18% increase in the first quester, but settled to a 6% increase by the year end. • Explanation of staffing coordination for the year was presented. • Additional highlights for the year: o Researching a command vehicle o Lieutenant Shackleton taking Leadership Skagit trainings. o Technology such as body worn cameras (BWCs), portable speed devices, and a bait iPad coming into use. • Looking ahead to 2023: o Hoping to fill 5 commissioned officer and IOS positions. o Multiple Legislative bills which will affect law enforcement up for floor votes, including qualified immunity, patterns and practice which would allow the AG’s office to open an investigation for any reason, and a traffic safety bill that would prohibit stopping anyone unless they have a DUI or DV warrant. o Mental health database JULOTA to be implemented in the county soon.  o Drug Task Force/Major Crimes task force – will bring SCSO Chief Criminal Deputy Tobin Meyer for a future meeting to speak more about the task force and their focus. o BLEA, the law enforcement academy, is considering a second regional campus, possibly at Skagit Valley College. 2. Northstar and HB1590 Funds Discussion - Mayor Boudreau • The County Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) options discussed, and Skagit County’s request to the City to allocate 1590 funding to Marthas Place for one year. • HB1590 allows the local sales and use tax for affordable housing. • Mayor Boudreau is meeting with Skagit County Housing Authority Board members to express significant concerns about lack of efficiency and effectiveness. • Opioid funding – 2024 Budget o The first settlement was $500,000 over 17 years = $32,352/annually o A second settlement was $434,000 over 15 years = $28,000/annually o There are still lawsuits remaining, but some have filed for bankruptcy. o Will have to wait for the end of the year to see where is stands. o See Exhibit A in the Council Drive for what the funds can be used for. 3. Design Review Board and Process – Development Services Director Groth • Design Review Board (DRB) changes discussed. o Not being changed:  Standards expectations, Quality of Development o Changes requested:  Code updates, process timing, application requirements • Options offered: o Do nothing o Keep the DRB o Remove the DRB o Move the DRB (new option for this week)  Require a public meeting  C-1A zone properties notified  Input is given to the applicant at the meeting  Held before the permit submittal  City consultant attends the meeting  Results – OPWA/PRA – not applicable • Board membership expands • Authority in code remains the same • Allows administrative appeals • Fewer staff resources are needed • Council had questions about how meetings were called, who would actually attend. Also expressed concerns about how inviting the process might or might not be to new downtown business owners and would there be someone to help them along in the process without scaring them off. • Development Services Director Groth will research more and return to council in a couple of weeks.  4. Good of the Order • Mayor Boudreau had a meeting with Mary Kiff, CEO of PSE. • HB 1025 o Mayor Boudreau also spoke with City Attorney regarding qualified immunity for police officers. Agreed that we can only training officer on what is known, not on what the courts might rule on. A draft will be submitted to council. • HB 1445 o The Bill speaks of reforming “some agencies”. Feels that we should be reforming agencies that have been proven to need reforming. Will also send a draft of that to council as well. • Meeting Adjourned: 8:30 PM