Clyde Hill News: Police Officer called “homeboy;” Mayor took no action in response to report
Also, preview of Tuesday night’s council meeting
First, a reminder that Wetherill Nature Preserve (link) is an easy walk from Clyde Hill and a great place to visit, with or without a dog:
One more item before our disclaimer: if you find this newsletter useful or interesting, please forward it to your Clyde Hill neighbors and friends. Thank you!
Disclaimer: while I am a councilmember on the Clyde Hill City Council, I write this newsletter in my capacity as an individual resident. Any opinions expressed are my own and not necessarily the position of the City. The information and references here are from public sources. I welcome email responses — and if the topic is about City business I will respond from my City email account.
The “Homeboy” Incident
Leading off the news this week: a Clyde Hill City employee called Clyde Hill Police Officer Frankie Fernandez “homeboy” to his face in December 2020, and it appears that the Mayor did not take action in response to a report of the incident. (There’s another article below about Officer Fernandez.)
Here’s a report of the incident obtained via public records request:
This incident occurred during the employee’s probationary period. The public records request showed that there is no record in the employee’s Personnel File regarding any such incident. There was one other complaint; there’s just no record of Mayor Klaas responding in either case.
A June 2021 document in the employee’s personnel file reported “probation completed successfully.” The employment contract’s effective date was December 1, 2020; the incident occurred on December 20, 2020.
It appears that the Mayor did not inform the City Council about this incident.
Bluntly: the lack of response and communication by the Mayor is just as distressing and disappointing as the incident. The leader sets the tone. This was a missed opportunity to clearly state Clyde Hill’s values and expectations and reinforce professionalism.
Officer Fernandez: Giving Back to the Community
From the Clyde Hill Police’s Sentinal (sign up at the bottom of the page here (link)) — “CHPD Officer Gives Back:”
Recently, CHPD Officer Fernandez attended a Jiu Jitsu seminar and fundraiser in Federal Way. The fundraiser was for Professor Pangelinan’s brother who is currently battling cancer. Professor Pangelinan is a multiple time world champion of Jiu Jitsu and a former Oakland PD [sergeant]. Officer Fernandez represented the Clyde Hill Police Department at this event and presented Professor Pangelinan with a Clyde Hill PD patch and challenge coin. Officer Fernandez’ actions are a prime example of how our officers look for opportunities to give back even when off duty.
Council Meeting Tuesday Night
From a resident’s point of view, here are some of the agenda items of interest coming up on Tuesday night’s City Council meeting:
City Celebration on Friday August 19th
The City Celebration/Movie Night is scheduled for Friday, August 19th at the Clyde Hill Elementary School. Beginning at 6:00pm, a variety of activities will be setup on the athletic field for attendees to enjoy. The activities will include: inflatable basketball and football games, cornhole, giant checkers, giant connect 4, giant horse shoes, giant jenga and a 9-hole mini golf course. Additionally, several booths will be set up for community outreach: Police, Public Works and Comprehensive Plan. At Dusk, there will be a showing of the film Encanto on a giant outdoor screen. The City will also provide refreshments, ice cream/popsicles and other light snacks.
17th St Stormwater
There’s a new wrinkle concerning 17th St Stormwater Project. In order for the work to proceed, homeowners need to provide easements. Of the three properties, only one has agreed so far. You can read the City’s letter here (link).
I spoke with some of the affected neighbors, who sent me this email:
I am really confused on decision/status communicated through this [the City’s] letter. This jeopardizes the whole 2 year effort and makes [us neighbors] very worried about same flood would come back again on [our] properties.
My guess is that there’s a miscommunication somewhere, and my hope is that discussion at the meeting Tuesday resolves it.
November Ballot Measure on Change in Form of Government
The City Attorney finalized the explanatory statement that will go in the Voter’s Pamphlet regarding the November ballot measure. You can read that here (link) ahead of the publication of the pamphlet.
Code Enforcement
Discussions here include “Removing unenforced municipal code” and “Appeals and Master Fee Schedule.” Documents on those topics have not yet been posted; please email me if you want an update when they’ve been posted.
A question about turnarounds on private lanes from the July Council meeting was answered in depth in a separate meeting; recap mail from that meeting is in this month’s meeting packet here (link).
Draft Vision Statement
The consultant working on the City’s Comprehensive (“strategic”) plan has released a draft vision statement for the City that you can read here (link).
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Dean Hachamovitch