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City staff recommend extending DOC work‑crew agreement amid questions about eligibility and term
Summary
City staff recommended extending a long‑running Department of Corrections (DOC) crew contract through June 30, 2028, citing operational value for parks, stormwater and water tasks; council members asked for details on participant eligibility and raised timing concerns about a multi‑year term before a new administration.
Jason Battles, the city’s urban forestry and stormwater superintendent, asked the Parks and Public Works Committee to approve an amendment to the city’s agreement with the Washington State Department of Corrections that would extend DOC work‑crew services through June 30, 2028.
Battles said DOC crews have worked with the city since 2012 and “continue to add a lot of value to our operations in urban forestry and stormwater,” helping maintain vegetation on 48 wet ponds, repair fenced areas for safety, and support parks and water crews. He described the proposed change as moving from annual renewals to a multi‑year extension and said the contractor’s wage terms would remain the same.
Several council members praised the crews’ work but expressed reservations about locking a three‑year term ahead of an incoming administration. One member said a three‑year extension might “lock it in” for a mayor‑elect who could want policy changes, and suggested a one‑year extension under new leadership for courtesy. Battles said the offered rates are affordable and that the crews provide meaningful transitional work for participants.
Council members also asked for clearer information about the eligibility of people assigned by DOC. Chair (speaker 1) requested that staff bring details to the Monday meeting about the types of charges or custody status that DOC assigns for community work placements, saying that information “might be of value” to the council. Battles replied he understood DOC applies screening and that the program focuses on people “on their way back into civil society,” but he did not provide a statutory eligibility list during the meeting.
The committee designated the item non‑consent for further discussion; no formal approval was recorded during the meeting. Staff signaled they will provide additional details about participant screening and the contract term when the item returns to council.
Next steps: the DOC contract amendment will be discussed at the council meeting on Monday, when staff are expected to present clarifying details about participant eligibility and the rationale for the proposed end date.
