Tuesday, July 26, 2022

The council approved setting minimum police staffing at 165 sworn officers by a 5-2 vote, with Bates and Butt voting no. The department currently has only 99 active officers despite funding for 145, forcing officers to work 18-hour shifts with mandatory overtime. Residents packed the meeting with 45 public comments supporting the staffing increase, citing concerns about crime, officer working conditions, and public safety.

A related proposal to place an advisory ballot question about police staffing levels was rejected 4-3. Jimenez, Martinez, McLaughlin, and Willis voted against letting voters weigh in on the staffing issue. The measure would have asked residents whether the city should hire 20 more officers to reduce overtime and burnout.

The council approved hiring Urban Strategies Council to research crisis response program options, passing 6-1 with only Butt dissenting. The consultant will study non-police response teams for mental health crises and homelessness emergencies. Discussion of the Rydin Road homeless encampment closure was continued without a vote, despite 6 public comments about the proposed August 31st deadline.

Two major financial items passed unanimously. The council approved refinancing $146 million in pension debt to eliminate costly interest rate swaps. They also approved collecting $32 million in sewer and stormwater fees through property tax bills.

The council approved routine fire department digitization work and continued 32 other items without votes, including contracts for $475,000 Keller Beach sewer studies and $1.6 million youth program grants. A rent control ballot measure capping increases at 3% annually failed without a recorded vote."}