HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTION 2000-60Suggested by: Administration
City of Kenai
RESOLUTION NO. 2000-60
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, SUPPORTING
THE EFFORTS OF THE STATE OF ALAStC~, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL
SERVICES TO OBTAIN FUNDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A YOUTH
DETENTION FACILITY.
WHEREAS, the State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Division of
Family and Youth Services Master Plan for Youth Facilities (February 1997)
recommends building a Youth Detention Facility in the Central Peninsula; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Kenai will provide a parcel of land on Marathon Road suitable
for the construction of such a facility. The site, selected by the State of Alaska
Department of Health and Social Services Division of Juvenile Justice, is located in
close proximity to the Kenai District Court House, Kenai Municipal Airport, Kenai
D.H.S.S. Division of Juvenile Justice, and other allied services; and,
WHEREAS, no detention facility exists on the Kenai Peninsula and a need exists for a
secure facility that would allow juvenile offenders to remain closer to their families,
schools, and community support services while awaiting trial and serving sentences;
and,
WHEREAS, no juvenile booking facility exists in the area and arresting officers and
juvenile corrections personnel are required to spend inordinate amounts of time
arranging for the care and custody of juvenile arrestees; and,
WHEREAS, the lack of a local facility often results in the immediate release of juvenile
offenders, or an extended wait to serve their sentence, sending a message that there
are no immediate consequences to criminal behavior; and,
WHEREAS, the construction of such a facility, capable of housing no less than ten
youths, and incorporating prevention and intervention components into its operation,
would alleviate these problems for Kenai and other Kenai Peninsula communities and
provide support to the parents and families of troubled youth; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Kenai has demonstrated it is committed to addressing these
needs by providing all Central Peninsula law enforcement agencies and the Division of
Juvenile Justice with a temporary juvenile holding cell since 1986 and;
WHEREAS, the residents of the City and the Kenai Peninsula would benefit from
locating the facility in the City by providing support to the parents and families of
troubled youth residing in the city and, at the same time, reducing operating costs and
liability risks incurred by the City's Police Department.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI,
ALASKA, to support the State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services,
Division of Juvenile Justice efforts to obtain funding for the construction and
operation of a Youth Detention Center to serve the residents of the Kenai Peninsula.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Karen
Perdue, Commissioner of Health and Social Services, Senators.John Torgerson, Jerry
Ward, Georgianna Lincoln and Representatives Gary Davis, Gaff Phillips, Hal Smalley
and Carl Morgan.
PASSED BY THE COUN~.J.L OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, this 19th day of
~ l~ayor ~
Moore, Council Member
Duane Bann~/k, Council Member
Bill Frazer, Coun~l Member
:la Swa~n(r,-vice Mayor
~~~s C. Boo-key, ~'['I, Council
(~lember
Pat Porter, Council Member
ATTEST:
Carol L. Freas,
City Clerk