Community Livability and Public Safety Committee Meeting – September 24, 2025

The Community Livability and Public Safety Committee of the Olympia City Council met on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at 5:31 PM in the Council Chambers and via Zoom. Chair Yến Huỳnh presided with members Clark Gilman and Dontae Payne present. The meeting covered two major discussion items: an update on the analysis and recruitment process for council-appointed advisory bodies, and a comprehensive public safety update from the Olympia Police Department (OPD). The meeting adjourned at 7:27 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda unanimously.
• Approved the meeting minutes of July 23, 2025 (item 25-0660) and August 27, 2025 (item 25-0754) by voice vote without objection.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were received.

Discussion Items

• 6A: City Council Appointed Advisory Bodies Analysis and 2026 Advisory Body Recruitment Process Update – Assistant City Manager Stacey Ray and Consultant Genevieve Canceko Chan presented. Chan, a former member of the Social Justice and Equity Commission and current member of the Cultural Access and Advisory Board, described her work analyzing the 13 standing advisory bodies that engage over 100 community members. She is conducting interviews with staff liaisons and chairs, reviewing prior analyses, and benchmarking other municipalities (e.g., Lacey, Bellingham, Tacoma). The typical recruitment cycle was outlined: October launch, December close, January screening by advisory bodies, February/March interviews by the committee, March appointments by full council, April start. Current known vacancies: 5 existing plus 2 members not seeking reappointment, 16 returning, 10 undecided, totaling at least 7 vacancies. Staff reported 17–20 interviews expected. The committee discussed streamlining the process, scheduling interview dates, and engaging outgoing members to recruit through personal networks. Committee members expressed appreciation for the city's high number of applicants and interest in diversifying advisory bodies. Chair Huỳnh suggested locking in interview dates at the January committee meeting. No formal action was taken.
• 6B: Public Safety Update – Interim Police Chief Shelby Parker and Lieutenant Paul Frailey presented. Topics included mid-year crime data, Nisqually jail utilization, public demonstrations response, OPD staffing challenges, recruitment incentives, and Flock camera technology.
  • Crime Data (Jan–Jun 2025): Crimes against persons mostly lower or steady; 24 sexual assaults reported (36 in all of 2024); property crime projected to decline significantly (auto theft on track for 42% reduction, commercial burglary 30%, residential burglary 43%). Chief Parker noted that the majority of violent crimes involve known offenders, not strangers.
  • Nisqually Jail: Daily custody rate of $130/person; 2025 budget ~$1.9M; city averaging ~50 individuals/day (budget assumed 49), leading to projected budget overrun. OPD will request a 2026 budget enhancement reflecting actual costs. Top charges for Olympia inmates: possession of controlled substance, criminal trespass, theft, assault, DUI. Many individuals are unhoused. Programs include medical-assisted treatment, detox, and reentry services, but duration of stay limits engagement. City Manager Bernie confirmed the overrun will be addressed in the 2026 budget.
  • Public Demonstrations: Lt. Frailey described planning, risk assessment, training, and de-escalation protocols. OPD uses standardized verbal instructions and after-action reviews. Embedded fire department medics (tactical emergency medical teams) were highlighted. Staffing is a challenge for large events. Recent demonstrations have been peaceful and collaborative. Committee discussed open carry of firearms near demonstrations (state law prohibits within 250 feet) and property damage during protests; OPD emphasized post-event arrests and body-worn camera evidence.
  • Staffing: OPD has 88 commissioned positions (1 chief, 2 deputy chiefs, 6 lieutenants, 13 sergeants, 66 officers). Current vacancies: 14 officers + 1 chief (deputy chief filled on Sept. 22). Additionally, 10 officers are in training/academy/field training (unavailable for about a year), and 9 are on various leaves. This leaves only 23 deployable patrol officers; minimum contractual staffing requires 32 (16 per team). To bridge the gap, OPD temporarily reassigned community policing and walking patrol officers to patrol (as of Sept. 23, no walking patrol officers remain; only two walking crew members continue). Chief Parker described the decision as temporary, hoping to restore walking patrol by late November/early December when trainees graduate. Two new recruitment incentives were announced: a lateral hiring incentive (up to $25,000 over three years with a three-year commitment) and an OPD member referral incentive (up to $5,000). The department will not lower hiring standards.
  • Flock Camera Technology: 15 cameras at city entry/exit points, operational since July 2024 under a two-year grant (total cost ~$100,000). Cameras capture license plates and vehicle attributes, not people. OPD policy (428) and a contract amendment prohibit use for immigration enforcement, surveillance based on protected classes, monitoring First Amendment activities, or tracking travel to healthcare facilities. Data is retained 30 days and not shared with out-of-state/federal agencies without written OPD consent. Results: 29 stolen vehicle recoveries, 39 assault/domestic violence arrests, and multiple burglary, robbery, homicide, human trafficking, and kidnapping arrests since August 2024. Examples included a fentanyl seizure and a road rage incident suspect captured. The committee expressed appreciation for transparency measures and strengthened policies.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken on either discussion item.
• The committee will determine 2026 advisory body candidate interview dates at its January meeting.
• OPD committed to presenting more frequent, shorter public safety updates in 2026.
• The 2026 budget will include a request to increase the Nisqually jail housing allocation based on actual average daily population (50 instead of 49).
• OPD will continue recruitment efforts with new incentives and plans to restore walking patrol by late 2025.
• The committee received the public safety update and will monitor staffing and jail budget developments.

Note: The meeting minutes and transcript consistently show the date as September 24, 2025, although the system instruction specified September 25, 2025. This summary uses the date from the source materials.