SeaTac lawmakers acted quickly May 25 to lessen chances that a facility for drug dependent or mentally ill people will be located in the city.

The "crisis diversion facilities" would temporarily treat people who otherwise would be headed for jail. The facility would not be a jail but the residents would be housed in secure rooms, principal planner Jack Dodge told council members.

Planning director Steve Butler said the facilities could be considered "transitional housing" under SeaTac's zoning code and be allowed in four zones.

By consent, lawmakers amended the zoning code to allow the facilities in only two zones-aviation business and industrial.

Butler said the facilities are considered "essential public services," so, by state law, the city cannot ban them. However, by restricting the zones where they can be located, the city can lessen the chances of receiving one.

He added that the facility would have to go through an elaborate permitting process before being approved.

Deputy Mayor Gene Fisher said the issue has the "same earmarks" as the controversy over placing sex offender housing on Orillia Road, just outside SeaTac's city limits. A location in south Seattle's industrial area was ultimately picked for that facility.

Citing the federal detention center and Sea-Tac International Airport, Councilwoman Pam Fernald noted "we have our fair share already" of public facilities.

Resident Earl Gipson disputed that the facilities would be classified as transitional housing and Councilman Rick Forschler said he wanted to wait two weeks in order to study whether SeaTac's zoning code already prohibits the facilities.

Butler said an outright ban would be worse than limiting the facilities to two zones because of the state law on essential public services.

Forschler was convinced that the council should act quickly. The new ordinance could be rescinded or changed at a later date, he was advised.

"We are ahead of the curve on this one and I would like us to stay there," Tony Anderson concluded.

Lawmakers also reluctantly conveyed their continuing interest in contracting with King County for animal control services. The services include field control, sheltering and licensing

The contract would be for 21/2 years, after which time council members said they fervently hope they can form a partnership with neighboring cities for the services.

County officials are ending the current contract and going with a new approach on July 1. Animal control officers will be available for contracted cities Monday through Friday. While the county will run the program, there will be an advisory committee made up of representatives from each city.

SeaTac program manager Soraya Lowry said the original estimated cost to SeaTac was $91,829 a year with subsidies of $37,100.

However, Burien, Algona and Pacific have opted out with Bothell officials saying they will cancel the contract January 1. Costs will be adjusted upward to compensate for the withdrawn cities.

SeaTac council members are scheduled to vote on the contract in June after the final costs are known.

Lawmakers were asked if they were interested in buying enhanced patrol time from the county. Currently, SeaTac and Tukwila share an extra officer.

However, council members indicated they would seek enhanced services from another source. Police Chief Jim Graddon suggested hiring off-duty police officers, as is done for park security.

Deputy Mayor Fisher likened county animal services to a business that is mismanaged into bankruptcy and then asks its customers to sign another contract for 21/2 years.

"We should take a lesson from the jail," Fisher declared. "That saved us a ton of money."

Instead of using the county jail, SeaTac has partnered with six other south county cities to build a new jail in Des Moines.

Responded Councilman Tony Anderson, "I am equally frustrated but we are stuck. We can't pull together a subregional plan within 21/2 years.

"We are spending a whole lot more for a whole lot less."

Mayor Terry Anderson objected to animal control patrolling being cut back to weekdays only.

"Are we going to tell the animals not to bite anyone on weekends?" Mayor Anderson joked.