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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Public Safety Commission 10/11/2017 77 CITY OF PALM DESERT d 11 b ' 1 EPA A?TO; ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT ,-jrai. _ ••''•�' a��°�••' INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM i37`-3 To: Rachelle D. Klassen, City Clerk From: Brianne Lawson, Clerical Assistant Date: March 20, 2018 SUBJECT: Submission of Minutes for the Public Safety Commission Attached for your records are the approved minutes of the Public Safety Commission meeting of Wednesday, October 11, 2017. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information. Thank you. Attachment (as noted). CITY OF PALM DESERT 111-""*.N1‘ PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING 4(rilt . � T �r APPROVED MINUTES ./ '•%.S-- a�N .:• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017— 3:30 p.m. Palm Desert City Hall 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260 Administrative Services Conference Room I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Harkins called the meeting to order at 3:31 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Phyllis Harkins Commissioner Martin Nethery Commissioner James Butzbach Commissioner Gloria Kirkwood Commissioner Doug Luhring Commissioner Terry Kramer Absent: Vice Chair Frank Taylor Also Present: Councilmember Susan Marie Weber Mayor Pro Tem Sabby Jonathan Stephen Aryan, Risk Manager Lauri Aylaian, City Manager Battalion Chief Rick Griggs , Palm Desert Fire Department Deputy Chief Dan Talbot, CAL Fire Captain Jason Huskey, Palm Desert Police Department Lt. Coby Webb, Palm Desert Police Department Eric Cadden, Emergency Operations Coordinator Donna Evans, Recording Secretary Public Safety Commission Approved Minutes October 11, 2017 Page 2 III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Stephen Aryan introduced Lori Carney, Director of Administrative Services and Captain Jason Huskey, Palm Desert Sheriff Station. IV. PRESENTATIONS NONE V. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Public Safety Commission Meeting of January 11, 2017. B. PALM DESERT SPECIALIZED UNITS End of the Month Report for July 2017. C. RIVERSIDE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT/CAL FIRE End of the Month Report for September 2017. Stephen Aryan stated that modifications are needed to the Palm Desert Specialized Units End of the Month Report for July 2017. Lt. Coby Webb commented that there were a couple of errors on the report. The footnote should be July, not June. On page 29, the statistics in row 1 states that the total violations are 67, when in fact it should read 387 for July and the prior month should read 517, rather than 498. Commissioner Nethery pointed out that the numbers for the yearly totals in 2015, 2014, and 2013 don't add up correctly on page 2 (Palm Desert Part I Crime Summary). Lt. Webb stated that she just looked at the UCR data last week for one of the HOA's recently and she can tell that they're missing some of the categories in the left-hand column. It's possible that the numbers are correct, however, as some of the categories aren't listed. She'll make sure that these corrections are made. Commissioner Butzbach moved to receive and file the consent calendar with the following corrections made to the Palm Desert Specialized Units End of the Month Report for July 2017. 1. Change footer from June to July. 2. Add missing categories on Page 2. 3. Change Total Violations on Page 29 from 67 to 387, with the prior month changed from 498 to 517. Motion seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood and carried by a 6-1 vote. (AYES: Butzbach, Kirkwood, Kramer, Luhring, Nethery, Harkins; ABSENT: Taylor). Public Safety Commission Approved Minutes October 11, 2017 Page 3 VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER NONE VII. NEW BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION OF A MEDICAL INSURANCE BILLING PROGRAM FOR AMBULANCE SERVICES. A Power Point presentation was shown to the Commission regarding medical insurance billing for ambulance services. Copies of the presentation were handed out to the Commissioners at the meeting. Lori Carney commented that the described program is pretty much in line with what the other agencies who have their own Fire Departments are charging (i.e. Indio and Cathedral City). It's much less than what's being charged for private ambulance companies, which is approximately $2,200. Captain Griggs stated that private ambulances charge $2,200 and $48. per mile. Mr. Aryan stated that the City would only collect the portion that insurance would pay. Staff recommends joining the other two Cove Communities in entering into a Joint Powers Agreement with the Novato Fire Protection District to provide ambulance billing services. They're a non-profit public agency with approximately ten years' history providing ambulance billing services. They currently provide these services to thirteen other California fire agencies. Chief Peterson is very knowledgeable and he and his staff are familiar with reimbursement programs at the State and Federal levels and they're recognized as subject matter experts. Commissioner Kramer asked what determines the 90-day collection period. Mr. Aryan stated that the 90-day period would begin at the date that the invoice is mailed out. Commissioner Kramer argued that a lot of times the billing agencies could be slow to get the bills out, so if it happens to be from day of transport, it could be 90 days before you even see a bill. He also wanted to know where the 90 days came from and why the write-off. Ms. Carney stated that one of the goals is that there not be an out-of-pocket cost for our residents and that the City not get into the business of pursuing ambulance service collections. The 90-day timeframe was the recommendation from the Novato Fire District, as this is their standard practice. The patient would receive one notice and then the City would write it off. Commissioner Nethery stated that Stephen's staff report showed that the City of Indian Wells and the City of Rancho Mirage has some slightly different rules. Is the goal to coordinate so that all three of the Cove Community cities are all handled the same? Mr. Aryan stated that the fee schedule would be the same, however, each City will have its own write-off policy, but Cove residents will all be treated the same. Where it differs is with non-residents and those without insurance. Commissioner Nethery asked for clarification that the policy that's being presented to the Commission is Palm Desert's policy and not necessarily Public Safety Commission Approved Minutes October 11, 2017 Page 4 the policy of Indian Wells or Rancho Mirage. Ms. Carney stated that another reason why we went in this direction is because in starting this program, our goal is to collect from insurance companies. This will generate a significant amount of cost recovery back to the City without pursuing the uninsured or non-residents for payment or entering into collections. We would like to only receive payment from insurance companies. Commissioner Nethery commented that we could always change that policy as we get further into the process if we decide that it would be worthwhile. With the Explanation of Benefits situation, our primary goal has to be that there would be no financial impact on residents. How are we going to publicize this? A lot of people will have someone else pay their bills and not understand the process. Mr. Aryan stated that he'll work closely with our Public Information Officer in crafting different methods to get the word out about this program. Commissioner Nethery commented that public outreach is going to have to be a big part of this program, or we're going to have some very unhappy people. It could hit the Desert Sun and really be a black eye for the City if we don't get the word out. Commissioner Kramer asked about how they determine a "hardship". Is this somebody who doesn't have insurance? Mr. Aryan stated that this is correct. The payment would be waived. Mayor Pro Tern Jonathan asked how they define a "resident". Are you using the Desert Willow definition? Mr. Aryan stated that anyone who resides in the City is considered a resident. Mayor Pro Tern Jonathan asked if this would apply to renters, primary residents, second home residents? Mr. Aryan commented that it would apply to all of the above. Ms. Carney stated that patients are going to give their address information to the ambulance personnel. Mayor Pro Tem Jonathan asked how they determine that residency? Ms. Carney stated that it would be based on the address the patient gives at the time of transport. Mr. Aryan commented that the Fire Department will be collecting patient information, as well as insurance information. Mayor Pro Tern Jonathan stated that we have a lot of second homeowners and visitors who may give their Los Angeles address or wherever they're from, even though they may be considered Palm Desert residents under your definition. Is there a nexus for the fee recovery schedule, or is it somewhat arbitrary? Ms. Carney stated that we're taking our actual costs, the number of calls that are run, the direct and indirect costs, supplies and tying them back down to the actual costs. We don't anticipate that we'll collect anywhere near that because Medicare pays a set amount and we have a large Medicare population. Fire Chief Rick Griggs commented that he's conservatively estimating the collection of approximately 35%-40% of the costs. Ms. Carney stated that the idea is that we would set the fee so that every insurance company would be billed the same amount ($1,500). The City would accept whatever they would pay. Mayor Pro Tern Jonathan asked for clarification that Palm Desert is the only city in the state that doesn't have cost recovery? Mr. Aryan stated that Public Safety Commission Approved Minutes October 11, 2017 Page 5 this is correct. Mayor Pro Tern Jonathan mentioned that the staff report indicates that there will be $1.8 million revenue per year and asked if the money will go into the Fire Fund to reduce the amount of transfer from the General Fund? Ms. Carney stated that this is correct. Commissioner Weber stated that this will only hit the books when we get the money. We will not be recording billings and we will not be writing anything off of our books. Commissioner Nethery stated that the economy in the Coachella Valley relies on revenue generated by second homeowners and tourists. There's really no reason to become predatory bill collectors for non-residents who are spending money here and helping the economy. Mr. Aryan stated that the only reason for sending out a bill is that Medicare requires that we bill non-residents. Fire Division Chief Dan Talbot commented that the percentage of responses to non-residents is only about 8%-9%. If we send them a bill and they don't pay, it's not going to be a big impact on the overall cost of collections. Commissioner Butzbach asked who was on the committee. Mr. Aryan stated that the committee included Councilmembers Weber and Kelly, Phyllis Harkins, the Fire Department, Lori Carney, representatives from the Finance Department, and himself. Mr. Aryan added that there's a City Council Study Session scheduled on October 26 regarding this issue. The recommendation will be brought forth at the November 16 City Council meeting. There will be a public hearing and proper notification will be given. Rec: By minute motion, recommend that the Palm Desert City Council: 1. Approve the Joint Powers Agreement with the Novato Fire Protection District to provide medical insurance billing services for ambulance services; 2. Approve the Business Associate Agreement to meet Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements; 3. Approve Resolution No. 2017- ; and 4. Authorize the City Manager to execute said agreements subject to finalization by the City Attorney. Commissioner Nethery moved to, by Minute Motion, approve as recommended. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Butzbach and carried by a 5-1-1 vote with Commissioner Kramer requesting a clarification of what actually determines a "resident" and the 90-day collections process. (AYES: Butzbach, Kirkwood, Luhring, Nethery, Harkins; NAES: Kramer; ABSENT: Taylor). Public Safety Commission Approved Minutes October 11, 2017 Page 6 B. AUTHORIZATION TO DECLARE A PALM DESERT POLICE MOTORCYCLE (2007 HONDA) AS SURPLUS. Mr. Aryan stated that we have an old Police motorcycle that's been stripped and has no operational use. Staff is recommending that it be declared as surplus and disposed of either through auction, which is preferred, or to salvage it. Commissioner Kirkwood moved to, By Minute Motion, recommend that the Palm Desert City Council declare a City Police Motorcycle (VIN # JH2SC51767M500084) as surplus. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Kramer and carried by a 6-1 vote. (AYES: Butzbach, Kirkwood, Kramer, Luhring, Nethery, Harkins; ABSENT: Taylor). C. REQUEST FOR ACCEPTANCE OF CALCOPS SUPPLEMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES FUNDING (SLESF) FOR FY 2017-18. Mr. Aryan stated that the Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund, which is more commonly known as our CAL Cops Fund, constitutes a significant funding component for our Police Department's operational expenses for front-line law enforcement. Each year we receive an allocation of $100k. Approval of staffs recommendation is to accept the $100k as well as the spending plan, as outlined in the report by Police Captain Jason Huskey and was submitted to the Commissioners in their packets. 40% of the allocation is dedicated to the annual Holiday Theft Suppression Program and the remaining amount will go to various equipment, services, and supplies to support front line law enforcement activity. Commissioner Kramer moved to, By Minute Motion, recommend that the City Council approve the CaICOPS Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Funding (SLESF) Expenditure Plan, as provided by the Chief of Police, for expenditure of a $100,000 grant award, to cover the costs for the 2017 Holiday Theft Suppression Program and miscellaneous equipment, services, and supplies to support front line law enforcement activity. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood and carried by a 6-1 vote. (AYES: Butzbach, Kirkwood, Kramer, Luhring, Nethery, Harkins; ABSENT: Taylor). VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS NONE IX. OLD BUSINESS NONE Public Safety Commission Approved Minutes October 11, 2017 Page 7 X. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION(S) Mayor Pro Tern Jonathan stated that there's good news on the homelessness issue. Initially through CVAG, they developed a program to replace Roy's Desert Resource Center with a Housing First model and expected to generate $800k in funding from Valley Cities and the County of Riverside. Thus far, they have collected approximately $1.5 million. Three cities who have never contributed to this project before are now participating. Through the generosity and innovative approach that the Desert Healthcare District took by matching contributions of every city that contributed $103k. Because there is additional funding, we were able to ensure that Path of Life Ministries will have a presence and be active here in the City of Palm Desert. If you weren't aware, our public safety officials can tell you that homeless and homeless-related issues take a huge amount of deputy time and resources. We will welcome the Path of Life Ministries into the City. Commissioner Nethery asked if they're going to have a facility here in Palm Desert. Mayor Pro Tem Jonathan stated that with the Path of Life Ministries approach, there is no shelter. Roy's Desert Resource was placed way out there, nowhere near public transportation and the homeless would be kicked out during the day and then would have to find a way back to the shelter in the evening. The Path of Life Ministries model houses the homeless in hotel rooms or apartments. There are already 21 units here in the desert, which no one knows about. They have case managers. If they don't behave, then they lose the ability to have housing. It's an easy way to provide housing without having to build a shelter and concentrating all the homeless in one area, which would typically meet a lot of resistance from the neighbors. Chair Harkins commented that they just had a homeless person who was camped out at Portola Country Club in the landscaping. This person had been there for a while. She stated that she hoped that we can get the word out because there's a real need in Palm Desert for homeless help. Mayor Pro Tern Jonathan stated that our Police force has been working on this for over a year now. This approach can be very effective in getting homeless off the streets. Veterans and women who have escaped abusive homes and relationships are worthy of help. It also improves the impact that homeless have on residents, visitors, and businesses. Xl. REPORTS AND REMARKS C. Citizens on Patrol Program Reports were included in the packets for the Commissioners to review. Public Safety Commission Approved Minutes October 11, 2017 Page 8 D. Legislative Update Stephen Aryan stated that there are no updates. E. Police and Fire Departments Lt. Webb stated that they had Coffee with a Cop on El Paseo last week. It was National Coffee with a Cop Day and they had an excellent turnout. She stated that they'll be having Shop with a Cop at Walmart on December 16 at 7 a.m. The Police Department will be asking each of the Cove cities for a donation towards this event, which began in 2009. Captain Huskey stated that the Blue Light Ceremony, which is a National Remembrance Ceremony for officers who were killed in the line of duty, will be held in the Palm Desert Council Chamber on December 4 at 6 p.m. All are invited. It's a nice, sweet ceremony with family members of fallen officers in Riverside County showing up and are recognized. Captain Rick Griggs commented that last week they started the 25th Annual Mini Muster. This is the annual outreach program for third graders throughout the Cove cities. It's been a huge success and has been dedicated to the memory of Jan Holcomb of the Palm Desert Historical Society. Councilmember Weber stated that it's the Historical Society who puts the Mini Muster together and coordinates all the schools. Captain Griggs stated that as a result of their efforts, he'll be submitting for a proclamation for retired Fire Captain James Jasloff who was the brainchild of the Mini Muster. Chief Talbot reiterated that Jan Holcomb was part of the very beginnings of the Mini Muster as well. Also, B.J. Callahan and her husband Dan were part of the original founding members. Councilmember Weber stated that Dan brought the idea from Arizona and we were told that within 2-3 years of having the Mini Muster, statistics showed that fires started by children dropped significantly. Councilmember Weber commented that community volunteers are also very important because if the fire fighters get a call, they may have to leave with all the engines so the volunteers have to keep everything going until they return. Deputy Chief Talbot stated that they have a program called Shop with a Fire Fighter, which will take place on December 3 at Target in La Quinta. They have children who come out of Child Protective Services and each child is given $200 to spend; $150 of it has to be on clothes for themselves and the remaining $50 can be used for gifts for themselves or others. Funding is through the Benevolent Fund which consists of donations from the fire fighters. Public Safety Commission Approved Minutes October 11, 2017 Page 9 Commissioner Nethery asked if we have fire personnel fighting the fires in Northern California or in Orange County. Deputy Chief Talbot stated that currently there are over 120k acres that have been consumed in the last 36 hours. There have been multiple deaths and hundreds of people missing. Conditions are still unfavorable for the suppression of the fires with low humidity and high north winds. California Fire Service as well as law enforcement has statewide master mutual aid and certain other agreements which allow us to pull fire fighters from different organizations, mobilize them through back-up equipment and overhead positions (command and control functions) and send them to these emergencies. It doesn't cost the home jurisdiction anything because it's reimbursed for the individual who goes and for the post-coverage behind them. To maximize the available number of personnel on the Cal Fire side, they've canceled all days off and the additional expense of that is paid for by the State Emergency Fund and not by any local jurisdictions. Chief Cortez has a strike team of engines (five engine companies with a leader) and has been released from the Canyon 2 fire in Orange County and is currently heading north. Engine 33 is with Chief Cortez. All the positions have been back-filled so we don't have any holes in service because personnel is being held on duty for extended periods of time. Chief Griggs stated that currently there are 21 dead, 670 people missing, and 3,500 structures have been destroyed. Commissioner Kramer commented that he has a relative who lost a house in Northern California. Two high schools are gone and half of the Kaiser Hospital in Napa has been burned. A lot of the area is wooded, but the areas where a lot of the homes that burned are residential subdivisions. They're not out in the forested areas. Kaiser Hospital is surrounded by asphalt. Chief Griggs stated that the winds were blowing at a steady 50 mph with gusts up to 79 mph through that area. The fire is moving at close to 50 mph and the gusts are accelerating it. F. Staff Mr. Aryan noted the resignation of Commissioner Butzbach. Commissioner Butzbach stated that the commission was formed thirty years ago and he's been a member almost eighteen years. Mr. Aryan thanked Commissioner Butzbach for his service. All are invited to attend the City Council meeting on October 12 where Commissioner Butzbach will be formally recognized for his nearly two decades of service. Commissioner Butzbach commented that he's honored to have been a resident of the City of Palm Desert for a little over twenty years and to have served for a great deal of that time on this commission. He shared that this has been an important commission that's made some viable recommendations to the City Council over the years and it's kept the City in line with being the most progressive and people-oriented city in the Coachella Valley. Public Safety Commission Approved Minutes October 11, 2017 Page 10 It's been a pleasure and he feels that he's leaving the City in very good hands. The Commission thanked Commissioner Butzbach and relayed their appreciation for all he's done. Eric Cadden, Emergency Services Coordinator, stated that he has a CERT class coming up on October 23-27. The class is full and has nine people on the waiting list. He's been working with the College of the Desert and did a workshop exercise with their staff on what to do with their EOC and how they're going to activate in the event of an emergency. They're very interested in forming a partnership to provide a CERT class at the College of the Desert, which Mr. Cadden is going to look into. Mr. Aryan mentioned that City of Palm Desert staff member Johnny Terfehr has gone through the CERT Trainer Course and will be observing the CERT class and teaching some of the exercises. G. Public Safety Commissioners NONE XII. NEXT MEETING DATE — November 8, 2017 XIII. ADJOURNMENT With commissioner concurrence, the meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m. Donna Evans, Recording Secretary