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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Public Safety Commission 03/14/2018 CITY OF PALM DESERT j .0°, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT 3r 4j: •�< any ••••• . �...=9�=�...• INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM To: Rachelle D. Klassen, City Clerk From: Brianne Lawson, Clerical Assistant Date: April 16, 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, March 14, 2018. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information. Thank you. Attachment (as noted). CITY OF PALM DESERT PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING ry ,n�i^ APPROVED MINUTES 1 4. •' � `� � WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2018 — 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 3:27 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Phyllis Harkins Vice Chair Frank Taylor Commissioner Martin Nethery Commissioner Gloria Kirkwood Commissioner Doug Luhring Commissioner Terry Kramer Commissioner Carole Schaudt Absent: None Also Present: Mayor Pro Tem Susan Marie Weber Stephen Aryan, Risk Manager Lauri Aylaian, City Manager Ryan Stendell, Director of Community Development Lt. Matthew Martello, Palm Desert Police Department Battalion Chief Eddy Moore, Palm Desert Fire Department Brianne Lawson, Recording Secretary Public Safety Commission ' • Approved Minutes March 14, 2018 Page 2 III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Stephen Aryan introduced Carole Schaudt, the newest member of the Public Safety Commission, Brianne Lawson, the new recording secretary, and Lt. Matthew Martello, the Assistant Chief of Police. IV. PRESENTATIONS The presentation by the Riverside County Fire Department was cancelled due to a computer malfunction. V. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Public Safety Commission Meeting of October 11, 2017. B. PALM DESERT SPECIALIZED UNITS End of the Month Report for January 2018. C. RIVERSIDE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT/CAL FIRE End of the Month Report for February 2018. Commissioner Kirkwood moved to receive and file the minutes of the Regular Public Safety Commission Meeting of October 11, 2017. Motion seconded by Commissioner Nethery and carried by a 6-1 vote (AYES: Kirkwood, Kramer, Luhring, Nethery, Taylor, Harkins; NAES: None; ABSTAIN: Schaudt). Items B and C of the consent calendar were held over, at the request of Commissioner Nethery. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER B. PALM DESERT SPECIALIZED UNITS End of the Month Report for January 2018. C. RIVERSIDE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT/CAL FIRE End of the Month Report for February 2018. Regarding item B, Commissioner Nethery questioned the multiple references to an electrical bypass included on page 25 of the Palm Desert Specialized Units January report, provided under the Narcotics Task Force section. Lt. Martello responded, explaining that these are cases of electricity being stolen for the purpose of growing marijuana. • Public Safety Commission Approved Minutes March 14, 2018 Page 3 Commissioner Nethery then inquired about item C. He called attention to the fact that the Fire Department February 2018 report cited 693 total medical incidents by battalion, station, and jurisdiction for the City of Palm Desert, and then also reported a total of 693 medical incidents by jurisdiction alone. He then added that the supervisorial district summary included in the report again cited the same amount of 693, which led him to question the accuracy of the numbers. Chief Eddy Moore responded, stating that the reported number of 693 medical incidents is correct. He explained that supervisorial district is an area that the City of Palm Desert falls within, and that the number of medical incidents remains the same across several categories because it is specific to the City. Commissioner Nethery then responded that this makes the headings included in the reports misleading, as they are not actually giving numbers for the entire supervisorial district as the titles indicate. Chief Moore responded that these headings are due to the way in which the reports are generated throughout the County, and that they include the additional information to show how the City of Palm Desert falls within the area of the supervisorial district. Commissioner Kramer moved to receive and file items B and C of the consent calendar. Motion seconded by Commissioner Nethery and carried by a 6-1 vote (AYES: Kirkwood, Kramer, Luhring, Nethery, Taylor, Harkins; NAES: None; ABSTAIN: Schaudt). VII. NEW BUSINESS A. SELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR. Chair Harkins moved to, by Minute Motion, recommend that the Public Safety Commission appoint Vice Chair Taylor as Commission Chair and Commissioner Nethery as Commission Vice Chair. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood and carried by a 7-0 vote (AYES: Kirkwood, Kramer, Luhring, Nethery, Schaudt, Taylor, Harkins; NAES: None). B. DISCUSSION ON ENHANCING THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION. Mr. Aryan stated that the City Council and City Manager had asked staff to request feedback from committees and commissions regarding ideas for enhancing engagement. As an example, Mr. Aryan stated that the Public Safety Commission currently meets on an average of four times a year. He suggested that the Commission might want to consider meeting quarterly rather than monthly, and asked if the Commission might be interested in receiving more detailed reports and presentations from the Police and Fire Departments. Additionally, Mr. Aryan added that moving the Commission meeting time from 3:30 pm to 3:00 pm is another change that could be considered. Public Safety Commission ' Approved Minutes March 14, 2018 Page 4 Commissioner Kramer stated that it would be nice to have the Commission refreshed on the basic services that the Police Department and Fire Department provide to the City of Palm Desert. He suggested that a quick summary of these services would be useful, in addition to the reports that are provided on a monthly basis. Additionally, these summaries could include information on events that occur yearly, such as the mounted patrol and Fashion Week. Commissioner Kramer also suggested that the Commission be updated as Sheriff and Fire Department programs evolve and change, and that it would be useful for the members of the Commission to be reminded of what these departments are providing to the citizens of Palm Desert. Commissioner Nethery stated that he was glad to see short term rental as part of the agenda, and that it would be helpful to receive a presentation on the topic. He added that he had checked the City website, and read about the short term rental ordinance. Following this, Commissioner Nethery stated that the Commission is here to consider matters before they go to City Council, and that while the members of the Commission should share any ideas they have — it is really up to the City Council to tell the Commission what they want them to do. He then agreed with Commissioner Kramer, stating that an annual overview of the Police and Fire Departments and disaster preparedness would be great either at the beginning or end of the year. Commissioner Nethery then stated that he believes meeting quarterly would work well, as long as there are no procedural problems. Extra meetings could be conducted, as long as notice was given in a timely fashion. Additionally, he stated that a 3:30 pm meeting time would work better for him personally, but that 3:00 pm is also fine if that is the preference of the group. Commissioner Luhring added that he agreed with Commissioner Nethery, and that the Commission is here at the necessity of the Council. He stated that quarterly Commission meetings would be easier to plan, and that it is silly to continuously cancel meetings when nothing is going on. Commissioner Luhring then added that the most important thing is for the Commission to see that they are doing something. As an example, he cited an occasion several years ago where a Public Safety Commissioner was asked to join a task force to look into cameras on El Paseo due to an increase in thievery taking place on the street. Nothing about this task force was reported back at the Public Safety Commission meetings. Commissioner Luhring stated that this was a waste of the Commission's time, and that the Commission is meant to be here to help and to do things. Commissioner Kirkwood stated that she agreed with Commissioners Nethery, Kramer, and Luhring. She added that she was pleased to see Code Compliance reports included in the agenda for the meeting, because the Commission does get asked about Code Compliance issues. Commissioner Kirkwood then stated • Public Safety Commission Approved Minutes March 14, 2018 Page 5 that she believes meeting on a quarterly basis would be fine, with more meetings added as needed. Commissioner Schaudt commented that while she is new to the Commission, she is not new to the public. She stated that to be a strong commission, she believes that the Commission should stand for the City, the Council, and the citizens. Additionally, she added that there is so much more to the community that public safety should be involved with. Consequently, meeting quarterly will not work, as it will not allow issues and concerns to be brought forward frequently enough. Commissioner Schaudt then added that as a Commissioner, she wants to be there for her community. Vice Chair Taylor stated that he thought it was a great idea for the short term rentals to be included in the meeting. He added that there are a lot of projects coming forward now that the economy is doing better. These new projects, especially those relating to those relating to the growing and cultivation of marijuana, contribute to public safety issues for which the Commission could help provide information. Chair Harkins commented that the current 3:30 pm meeting time accommodates the work schedules of Commission members, so it is fine to leave the meeting time as it is. She added that she was disappointed in the previous year when the Commission was not able to supply input on the City budget because there was not a quorum at the meeting in the Spring, and that she hopes the same situation will not occur this year. Mayor Pro Tern Susan Marie Weber stated that she believes one of the reasons this feedback is being asked for is due to the City Council's respect for our commissions and committees, and that we do not want to impose on the time of commission and committee members any more than is necessary. She pointed out that one City committee has workshops rather than meetings, which keeps the members in touch with one another every single month. Mayor Pro Tern Weber then added that things the members of the Commission want to discuss should be considered, rather than cancelling meetings when it appears there is nothing going on. Additionally, she stated that the Commission members should not feel like they have to agree with meeting quarterly because they think it is something that the City Council wants, which is not the case. Commissioner Nethery stated that all of the members of the Commission are committed to being here. He added that meetings are commonly not held in July, August, or December, and that meetings are really an on-demand type of thing. On-demand meaning not just according to the needs of staff, but also on-demand according to the needs of Commissioners who request reports on specific issues, such as marijuana. Commissioner Nethery then added that an idea for a potential Public Safety Commission ' Approved Minutes March 14, 2018 Page 6 presentation would be one focusing on what is happening with marijuana in other cities, and what is the status of the public safety arena on a larger scale in relation to marijuana. He then restated that all members of the Commission are committed to being here every month. Commissioner Schaudt then asked what the Commission felt is most important to be part of and involved in, besides what is already included in the agenda and monthly reports. What is the main job as a Commissioner, and what other things are important to the Commission that would also be important to the Council and the public? Commissioner Nethery responded that the Commission receives reports from staff periodically if there is a problem, and that members of the public come to the Commissioners to report about their own problems and issues. He then added that members of the Commission need to individually identify issues that should be brought to the attention of the Commission, and that if the City Council is okay with the Commission broadening or contracting the scope of what they do, then he believes everyone currently in attendance is in support of that. Commissioner Schaudt then asked in what direction does the Public Safety Commission want to get involved. Commissioner Kirkwood responded that members of the Commission have brought issues to each of the Commissioners and Stephen Aryan, and have asked for reports. She then asked Mr. Aryan if there was a charter for the Commission, to which he responded that there are by-laws. Commissioner Kirkwood requested to have the by-laws brought back up for review, to see if there is anything that could be added or revised. Commissioner Kramer stated that he looks at public safety as an extremely broad spectrum, and that there are hot topics that are brought to attention. This means that public safety can't be narrowed down, and that members of the Commission need to be open to what is out there that effects the entire City of Palm Desert or that influences into our city. Commissioner Nethery added that no one on the Commission has ever been reluctant to bring an issue to the table, and that the Council has never put limits on the Commission outside of the title of Public Safety. The Council has also never turned down input that was provided to them by the Public Safety Commission. After some discussion, it was decided that the next best step is to have the Commission review the by-laws at the next meeting on April 11th. Commissioner Nethery also requested to see a list of areas that staff, City Council, and • Public Safety Commission Approved Minutes March 14, 2018 Page 7 Commissioners feel to be within the jurisdiction of the Commission. In response to this, Commisioner Kirkwood asked if there used to be an annual report that the Commission received that included what the Commission did. Commissioner Nethery confirmed that this was something that had previously been provided, and that it would be a great resource for everyone to review. Chair Harkins asked if revisions to the by-laws would need to go to City Council, which Mr. Aryan confirmed as being correct. Chair Harkins then stated that everyone should come to the meeting next month prepared to provide their thoughts on any by-law revisions. C. CONSIDERATION OF A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE FIRE PROTECTION, FIRE PREVENTION, RESCUE, FIRE MARSHAL, AND MEDICAL EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF PALM DESERT. Stephen Aryan began the discussion, stating that the City's current agreement for Fire Services was a two year agreement executed in 2016 that is set to expire on June 30, 2018. Two years ago SB 239 was passed, which requires a public agency to obtain Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) approval to provide new or extended services under a fire protection reorganization contract. The City of Palm Desert is grandfathered in, and not subject to the new law unless the contract expires. Mr. Aryan recommended that the contract not be allowed to expire, as it would be a long process to work with LAFCO. He then added that the new agreement has been compared to the previous one, and that the main difference between the two is the new inclusion of Fire Marshal services. A few minor changes have been suggested to the contract, and we are waiting to hear comments in response from the County Council. Mr. Aryan then stated that he hopes to get the contract to the City Council before June. Following this, Mr. Aryan requested the Commission's approval to move forward, subject to any changes that are approved by the City Attorney. He also added that the current agreements under new law cannot be terminated without voter approval. Commissioner Nethery stated that he was concerned with the fact that the Commission is being asked to approve an agreement that isn't final. If the changes that will be made are minor, this isn't that big of an issue. However, sometimes the Commission approves things that go on to have significant changes. Mr. Aryan responded that the changes to the contract he has noted are not that major in terms of costs and services rendered, and just include some language changes for areas in the contract that had conflicting language. These changes were also reviewed and approved by the City Attorney. Mr. Aryan also offered to supply the Commission with a final draft of the contract. Public Safety Commission ' Approved Minutes March 14, 2018 Page 8 Commissioner Nethery stated that after reviewing the report, he believes that the Commission should recommend approval subject to final review by the City Attorney. Mr. Aryan replied that the last time a contract was taken to the County Council, no changes were approved. Therefore, the contract the Commission has been provided is most likely already in the format of the final agreement. Chief Moore added that the changes that have been suggested are minor, and related to language and phrasing issues pertaining to the Fire Marshal service. He added that he also forwarded the contract to his Director to make the changes, and has not yet received any feedback. Mr. Aryan then offered to send the contract changes that have been suggested to all of the Commissioners. Commissioner Kirkwood inquired how far in advance the Fire Services contract is looked at, so that the Commission could see the contract with the suggested changes ahead of time. Mr. Aryan responded that the contract was first looked at in January, when he noticed that it was expiring soon. Commissioner Kirkwood responded that the Commission could have had a meeting to discuss the contract, to which Mr. Aryan replied that he was waiting for the contract language and did not receive it until later. Without the language, he didn't have anything to provide the Commission to review. Chief Moore added that a large issue with the contract renewals was that almost all of the city contracts are about to expire June 30, 2018, so it was a considerable amount of work to get all of those contracts rewritten and sent out. This caused a delay in getting the contracts from County Council to the different cities. Commissioner Nethery moved to, by Minute Motion, approve as recommended. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood and carried by a 6-1 vote. (AYES: Kirkwood, Kramer, Luhring, Nethery, Taylor, Harkins; NAES: None; ABSTAIN: Schaudt ). D. UPDATE ON THE CITY OF PALM DESERT EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) COST RECOVERY PROGRAM. Stephen Aryan stated that staff had estimated that an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) cost recovery program would bring in about $2 million in additional funds to the City to help offset rising public safety costs. On January 11, 2018, a public hearing was held on the matter, and the City Council decided to move forward to agreeing to a JPA with Novato Fire Protection District. Unfortunately, Novato has indicated that they are no longer signing joint power agreements, and that they are reviewing their solvency. Chief Peterson, our contact with Novato, has also retired. An RFP for EMS services was posted on March 10, 2018, and six companies have responded with interest. The RFP closes in two weeks, at which time the responses that were received will be • Public Safety Commission Approved Minutes March 14, 2018 Page 9 reviewed. Mr. Aryan then stated that he is recommending the subcommittee that looked at the initial presentation by Novato to also look at the received RFPs, and to make a recommendation to the City Council and Public Safety Commission. Chair Harkins inquired who the entities are that have responded to the RFP. Mr. Aryan responded that they are all private firms, and no public firms have responded. E. REVIEW OF CODE COMPLIANCE WEEKEND REPORTS FROM JANUARY 27, 2018 TO MARCH 4, 2018. Director of Community Development, Ryan Stendell, introduced himself and stated that there is a lot Community Development has been working on in the past year that involves public safety, and that his department is going to be sure to be better teammates and bring some presentations to the Commission so they can see some of the policy and decisions that have been taking place. Additionally, he added that Code Compliance works closely with law enforcement, so there is a good nexus to ensure the continuation of dialogue with data and reports. Mr. Stendell then stated that at the next meeting he will bring Kevin Swartz, the Associate Planner who has been a champion of the short term rental (STR) policy over the past year. Almost the entire calendar year of 2017 was spent on how to move forward with short term rentals. Mr. Stendell then reported that at the very beginning of the year there was an uptick in permit issuance, and a sharp uptick in TOT received. Due to the fact that neighboring cities were changing their STR policies, City Council was afraid that Palm Desert might receive an influx of new permit requests. As a result, the City Council implemented a moratorium on new STR permits. Following this, on December 14, 2017, City Council implemented a new policy that addressed the ungated R1 and R2 zoned communities in the City where short term rentals were causing the most problems. This policy allowed the continued issuance of short term rental permits to houses located in gated communities, which have not produced the same amount of problems. The existing permits for the R1 and R2 zones get to stay in place until the end of December 2019, and no new permits for these zones can be issued. Mr. Stendell continued, and described how in addition to limiting the areas where STR permits can be issued, City Council also implemented an increase in fines for those who violate the short term rental codes. Now, renting your home without a short term rental permit will result in a $5000 fine, no questions asked. In order to help enforce these new policies, City Council authorized staff to hire a swing- shift code compliance officer, who began in January. Mr. Stendell stated that the swing-shift runs from Thursday - Sunday, 4 pm — 1 am. The results of this additional code compliance officer's work are apparent in the weekly reports, with a total of $50,000 in fines that have predominately been incurred from those Public Safety Commission Approved Minutes March 14, 2018 Page 10 renting without permits. Following this, Mr. Stendell added that the swing-shift officer has been especially helpful by pulling up to a property, knocking on the door, and getting to know who is occupying the home. The information received through these visits is important, due to the fact that the City Council asked for a report back after the Summer season with data compiled of the types of code violations that the City is seeing. Mr. Stendell then stated that the Commission will see the code violation reports regularly, and that he encourages the Commissioners to ask questions, including through e-mail and phone calls. Chair Harkins asked for clarification on the time of the swing-shift, to which Mr. Stendell responded and confirmed Thursday — Sunday, 4 pm — 1 am. Mr. Stendell also confirmed that the swing-shift code compliance officer is contracted through an independent third party. Additionally, Mr. Stendell explained that the contracted officer is allowed to use a City vehicle, so code compliance services are still provided with a City of Palm Desert code compliance vehicle, a City of Palm Desert Uniform, and business cards that indicate he is a contracted officer. City Manager Lauri Aylaian commented that while the City has gotten this enforcement system for new regulations up and going, it has been difficult getting the information to neighborhoods and residents regarding the most effective way to maintain compliance. She added that the most effective way to fix code violation problems is to call a hotline that the City has established for this purpose. This hotline is a dedicated number for the City that people can call to report a code violation, which initiates an immediate response from a code compliance officer. Ms. Aylaian added that she was going to provide the Commission with brochures about the hotline, which can be handed out to neighbors and friends to help get the word out. Chair Harkins then asked the City Manager if most of the reported code compliance incidents were from complaints that came through the hotline. Ms. Aylaian responded that she knew the swing-shift officer keeps a run sheet of locations that he regularly goes to, and that was compiled from complaints the City received over the past six months. However, she was not sure of how many incidents on the report were the result of the hotline. Mr. Stendell commented that when the hotline was new and not widely known, most code violation incidents came about from officers visiting known hot-spots based on complaints to check for violations. Mr. Stendell then handed out informational hotline brochures to the members of the Commission. Vice Chair Taylor asked if Kevin Swartz's presentation on short term rentals talks about gated communities, to which Mr. Stendell responded that the presentation does address this, and includes how many short term rental units are located in gated communities and a map of where they are located. Additionally, Mr. ' Public Safety Commission Approved Minutes March 14, 2018 Page 11 Stendell stated that the gated communities do a good job of policing themselves, and that they set their own policies unique to what works for their communities. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS NONE IX. OLD BUSINESS NONE X. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION(S) Mayor Pro Tern Weber reminded the Commission that on Thursday, March 29, 2018, there will be a dedication of the Palm Desert Community Gardens to former Mayor Robert Spiegel. The dedication will include the presentation of a plaque with his picture on it. She added that many of the Commissioners had worked with Bob Spiegel, and that he would be happy to see them there. Xl. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Citizens on Patrol Program Reports were included in the packets for the Commissioners to review. Mr. Aryan announced that the COPS program will be transferred to Johnny Terfehr, following Frankie Riddle's retirement. Commission Schaudt complimented the Citizens on Patrol for their presence at the opening day for softball, which was held the previous weekend. B. Legislative Update Stephen Aryan stated that there are no updates. C. Police and Fire Departments Lt. Martello stated that currently the hottest topic is related to the issues that have been taking place in schools. Consequently, Palm Desert police has increased their visibility at local schools. Commissioner Nethery inquired if there is any type of report circulating among law enforcement about the problem of school shootings, and what should be done to deal with the issue. Lt. Martello responded that nothing specifically like Public Safety Commission ' Approved Minutes March 14, 2018 Page 12 that has been circulating, but he is sure that the FBI has developed some type of report which has not yet trickled down to local law enforcement. Commissioner Nethery requested that Lt. Martello bring in anything of interest he happens to come across on the subject, as he believes the Commissioners would be interested to see a report that included current investigation information on school shootings. Chief Moore then reported that the Fire Department had 831 calls for service in the month of February 2018, which puts them on pace for about 10,000 calls for the year. Chief Moore then added that this would be a 2-3% increase in call volume for the year, which follows the current pattern of calls trending up for each year due to population increases. Additionally, the Fire Department call response time is holding at 3.9 minutes, which Chief Moore stated is an excellent number. Chief Moore also reported that there has been an uptick in accidents where vehicles are crashing into structures, both commercial buildings and residences. He has been attempting to pull a report that is specific to those incidents, and is currently working with the IT Department to create a report that narrows down calls by incidents of vehicles colliding into structures. Commissioner Schaudt complimented both the Fire and Police Departments for their presence at the past weekend's opening day of softball that was held at the Civic Center Park. She added that the kids who were in attendance were having a great time seeing the fire equipment, as well as seeing Rio the police dog sitting on a police motorcycle. It was a fun time to watch the community interact with the Fire and Police Departments. Commissioner Nethery commented that the mounted posse was increased at the mall over the Winter holidays, and that he noticed a lot more of them present than he had before. He added that this was terrific, and great PR. Commissioner Schaudt added that she likes to see the community communicating with their officers, because it makes it easier on kids to go to them if they have an issue. City Manager Lauri Aylaian complimented the idea of holding the Family Safety Festival in conjunction with the opening day of softball. There had been dwindling attendance for the Family Safety Festival in prior years, so holding the festival on opening day caused a huge increase in the amount of foot traffic. Mr. Aryan responded that the decision to hold the Festival in conjunction with opening day was a collaborative decision among staff. ' Public Safety Commission Approved Minutes March 14, 2018 Page 13 D. Staff Stephen Aryan expressed the idea to do another Emergency Preparedness Fair, which the City last held in 2013. This event included presentations and demonstrations on emergency preparedness, and was very well attended. Mr. Aryan then added that he would like to potentially hold this event in conjunction with the Great ShakeOut in October, and that he would be speaking with the Emergency Operations Coordinator, Eric Cadden, about this idea. Additionally, Mr. Aryan added that Eric Cadden has been very busy with numerous presentations to multiple local agencies, and that the upcoming CERT training class has a wait list of 21 people. Following this, Mr. Aryan stated the most important Sheriff Contract Cities meeting is coming up, and at this meeting they will let the City know what our increase is for next fiscal year. The City currently has it budgeted for 8%, but hopefully it will be closer to 6%. Mr. Aryan concluded with the announcement that Lt. Anthony Bauer and Lt. Bill Sullivan both passed away in February. Commissioner Schaudt commented that Lt. Sullivan's memorial service was held in Coachella, and that it was very nice. E. Public Safety Commissioners Vice Chair Taylor asked if the CV Link was on track to come through Palm Desert, and what the timing of that would be. Ms. Aylaian responded that the route has been planned to go through Palm Desert, and that the project has been largely funded. The only permission that the project now needs from City Council will be for encroachment permits for entering the City's right-of-way. Ms. Aylaian then stated that we have an interest in getting the project started on the Palm Desert portion, but CVAG has been in a state of flux as to which segments they will be designing and constructing, and in which order. The design of the path is still very fluid, but the location has been mapped out for some time. Additionally, Ms. Aylaian added that our current Mayor has stated publically that he wants the project to begin construction in the City this year, but this does not speak on behalf of the entire City Council and we have no control over CVAG. CVAG has expressed that we are fourth or fifth in priority of the segments that will be done sequentially. Vice Chair Taylor responded that he had brought up the subject, because he had noticed that they have opened a section of the CV Link in Cathedral City that has resulted in some parking issues. Ms. Aylaian responded that the logical place for parking in Palm Desert would be around the Civic Center area, because it would be a central location with more parking spaces available. However, she noted that many of the people who are using the CV Link for exercise will ride their bicycles to the trail. More people are now driving Public Safety Commission Approved Minutes March 14, 2018 Page 14 to the section that opened in Cathedral City because there are not necessarily safe ways to bike there at this time. Commissioner Nethery thanked the City Council for the gift that the Commission received in December. Mayor Pro Tern Weber responded with the expression of the sincere amount of appreciation from the City Council for what our commissions and committees do for the City. XII. NEXT MEETING DATE —April 11, 2018 XIII. ADJOURNMENT With commissioner concurrence, the meeting was adjourned in silence in memory of Lt. Bauer and Lt. Sullivan at 4:56 p.m. Brianne Lawson, Recording Secretary