HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Public Safety Commission 10/19/2019 -5(7
CITY OF PALM DESERT
�' "�'•: PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING
r 4 APPROVED MINUTES
%: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016—3:30 p.m.
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Palm Desert City Hall
73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Administrative Services Conference Room
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Kramer called the meeting to order at 3:32 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Present:
Chairman Terry Kramer
Vice Chair Phyllis Harkins
Commissioner Martin Nethery
Commissioner James Butzbach
Commissioner Gloria Kirkwood
Commissioner Doug Luhring
Commissioner Frank Taylor
Also Present:
Councilmember Susan Marie Weber
Councilmember Sabby Jonathan
Stephen Y. Aryan, Risk Manager
Lauri Aylaian, City Manager
Chief Dan Talbot, Palm Desert Fire Department
Lt. Anthony Baur, Palm Desert Police Department
Sgt. David Adams, Palm Desert Police Department
Donna Evans, Recording Secretary
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Stephen Aryan introduced Palm Desert's new City Manager, Lauri Aylaian.
The Commission welcomed Ms. Aylaian.
Public Safety Commission
Approved Minutes
October 19, 2016
Page 2
IV. PRESENTATIONS
A. City of Palm Desert Measure T
Mr. Aryan introduced David Hermann, City of Palm Desert's Public Information Officer/Sr.
Management Analyst. Mr. Hermann gave a presentation on Measure T, which will be on
the ballot in November. If the measure passes, the transient occupancy tax in Palm
Desert will increase from 9%to 11%.
V. CONSENT CALENDAR
Commissioner Harkins moved to pull Item A from the Consent Calendar, as she
has to abstain. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood and carried by a
7-0 vote (AYES: Butzbach, Harkins, Kirkwood, Luhring, Nethery, Taylor, Kramer;
NOES: None).
A. MINUTES of the Regular Public Safety Commission Meeting of
September 14, 2016.
B. PALM DESERT SPECIALIZED UNITS End of the Month Report for
August 2016.
C. RIVERSIDE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT/CAL FIRE End of the
Month Report for September 2016.
Commissioner Nethery moved to receive and file Items B and C. Motion seconded
by Commissioner Kirkwood and carried by a 7-0 vote (AYES: Butzbach, Harkins,
Kirkwood, Luhring, Nethery, Taylor, Kramer, NOES: None).
VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER
A. MINUTES of the Regular Public Safety Commission Meeting of
September 14, 2016.
Commissioner Nethery moved to approve the Minutes of the Regular Public Safety
Commission Meeting of September 14, 2016. Motion seconded by Commissioner
Kirkwood and carried by a 5-0-2 vote (AYES: Butzbach, Kirkwood, Luhring,
Nethery, Taylor; NOES: None; ABSTAINING: Harkins, Kramer).
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. REQUEST FOR ACCEPTANCE OF CAL COPS SUPPLEMENTAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT SERVICES FUNDING (SLESF) FOR FY 2016/17.
Public Safety Commission
Approved Minutes
October 19, 2016
Page 3
Stephen Aryan stated that the City is eligible to receive approximately $100,000
SLESF funds, otherwise known as Cal COPS. These funds help defray the costs
of front line law enforcement projects that reduce crime and improve public safety.
About four years ago, the process and requirements for this program significantly
changed. There are no longer State Controller reporting requirements or a
Riverside County SLESF Oversight Committee. The City is required to approve a
spending plan, as outlined by the Chief of Police. Forty percent (40%) of the funds
are to be spent on the Holiday Theft Suppression Program with the remaining sixty
percent (60%) to be spent on equipment and supplies.
Commissioner Kirkwood moved to, by Minute Motion, recommend that the
City Council approve the Cal COPS 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
2016 Holiday Theft Suppression Program and miscellaneous equipment,
services, and supplies to support front line law enforcement.
Motion was seconded by Commissioner Harkins and carried by a 7-0 vote (AYES:
Butzbach, Harkins, Kirkwood, Luhring, Nethery, Taylor, Kramer; NOES: None).
B. APPROVAL TO UTILIZE A MOUNTED POSSE FOR ADDITIONAL PATROL OF
THE WESTFIELD PALM DESERT MALL DURING THE 2016 HOLIDAY
SEASON.
Stephen Aryan stated that he would like to utilize the Cabazon Mounted
Posse as part of the Holiday Theft Suppression Program patrols, mainly at
Westfield Mall in Palm Desert. The mounted posse is made up of
volunteers, but they ask of a donation of $1,000 to patrol the mall parking
lot two weekends prior to Christmas. Staff recommends approval. The
Commission suggested increasing the number of days that the posse is
present at Westfield, if their schedule permits. Commissioner Nethery
agreed and would like to also increase the amount of the City's donation.
1. Authorize the Palm Desert Police Department to utilize the Riverside
County Sheriff's Mounted Posse (Cabazon Station) during the 2016
holiday season to patrol the Westfield Palm Desert Mall.
2. Authorize the donation of$1,000 from the SLESF Cal-Cops Account No.
2294210-4391400 to fund a mounted posse patrol as part of the 2016
Holiday Theft Suppression Program.
Commissioner Nethery moved to increase the donation and number of patrol days
by the Riverside County Sheriff's Mounted Posse. Motion was seconded by
Commissioner Luhring and carried by a 7-0 vote (AYES: Butzbach, Harkins,
Kirkwood, Luhring, Nethery, Taylor, Kramer, NOES: None).
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Approved Minutes
October 19, 2016
Page 4
C. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL FOR THE PALM DESERT POLICE DEPARTMENT
TO PARTICIPATE IN THE POST-RELEASE ACCOUNTABILITY AND
COMPLIANCE TEAMS (P.A.C.T.) PROGRAM FOR FY 2016/17.
Mr. Stephen Aryan stated that this request is related to the realignment of the state
correction system under AB109 and tasking local county probation departments
with the supervision of criminals previously overseen by the Department of
Corrections. This onslaught of additional inmates at the County has overwhelmed
them; therefore, many were released into the community. The State Department of
Corrections no longer oversees them so the shift was made to county probation.
The P.A.C.T. teams were created to assist with the supervision of the
probationers. For the last several years, the City of Palm Desert has belonged to
the East P.A.C.T. team. This cost was identified in the budget and there is no
additional cost to the City. The City receives grant funding that helps offset the
cost by approximately$200,000.
Commissioner Nethery moved to, by Minute Motion, recommend that the Palm
Desert City Council:
1. Approve the Palm Desert Police Department's participation in the Post-
Release Accountability and Compliance Teams (P.A.C.T.) program for
FY 2016/17.
2. Appropriate $200,000 from the Public Safety Police Grant Fund and
budget estimated revenues in the same amount.
Motion was seconded by Commissioner Luhring and carried by a 7-0 vote (AYES:
Butzbach, Harkins, Kirkwood, Luhring, Nethery, Taylor, Kramer; NOES: None).
D. REQUEST TO IMPLEMENT AND FUND THE 2016 "SHOP WITH A COP"
PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF$2,380.
Stephen Aryan stated that this program has been in place for many years.
Disadvantaged children are identified by their teachers throughout the community
and are invited to "shop with a cop" at the local Wal-Mart. The amount requested
was derived from the Cove formula, which is population based. The event will be
held on Saturday, December 3, 2016, commencing at 7:00 a.m.
Commissioner Harkins moved to, by Minute Motion, recommend that the Palm
Desert City Council Approve participation in the 2016 "Shop with a Cop" program, in
the amount of$2,380.
Motion seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood and carried by a 7-0 vote (AYES:
Butzbach, Harkins, Kirkwood, Luhring, Nethery, Taylor, Kramer, NOES: None).
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Approved Minutes
October 19, 2016
Page 5
VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS
NONE
IX. OLD BUSINESS
NONE
X. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION(S)
NONE
XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS
A. Citizens on Patrol Program
The COPS Caller and monthly report were included in the packets for
the Commissioners to review.
B. Legislative Update
Stephen Aryan stated that there are no updates.
C. Police and Fire Departments
Police Department:
Lt. Baur commented that since the last meeting, they've held two Coffee
with a Cop events. One was designed specifically for citizens, which had
a fair turn out. This was their second one since the summer hiatus.
They're trying to engage the community in a non-threatening way. They
also had a Coffee with a Cop for the merchants on El Paseo and at the
Westfield Mall. Some of the merchants came out to speak about their
concerns. They expect to do one per month and they'll also reach out to
the various HOA's to meet with them. They still need to get the word out
and as these events become more routine, additional public
engagement is expected.
Fire Department:
Division Chief Dan Talbot stated that the Fire Department was heavily
involved in the funeral for the two fallen police officers in Palm Springs.
They staffed the entire Palm Springs Fire Department to allow their
personnel to attend the funeral. Yesterday was also the last day of the
Mini Muster Program. The Fire Department annually visits all five local
elementary schools. Every third grader gets an opportunity to participate
in a number of hands-on activities such as squirting water, the bucket
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Approved Minutes
October 19, 2016
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brigade, pulling fire hoses, and using their outside voices. The kids
really enjoy it and Mini Muster was a huge success.
They also recently visited the Sacred Heart Preschool to teach them
about fire safety and to let them know not to be afraid of firefighters so
they won't run away from them in the event of an emergency. They visit
all the preschools in the community at least once a year.
The principal at Carter Elementary School expressed interest in
implementing drowning prevention training. The Fire Department will
partner with them to make that happen. In the new year, they're
planning an event at the Palm Desert Aquatic Center with all the local
resorts regarding drowning prevention training, as drowning is a tragedy
that's 100% preventable.
D. Staff
1. September 2016 CERT Class
Eric Cadden stated that he held a CERT class in September with 40
students and he also had his first dog in the class, who also graduated.
Mr. Aryan commented that he would provide an update on Mr. Cadden's
activities to date. Mr. Cadden stated that Sun Line Transit Agency has
been a wonderful partner throughout RiversideCounty and the City for
emergency response. Whenever a Greyhound bus breaks down, Sun
Line sends out a bus to pick up the passengers to take them back to the
Greyhound station. They've also used Sun Line busses as cooling
centers during fires for the firefighters. Sunline requested Eric conduct a
fire extinguisher class for 300 of their staff, which will take place over
several days.
E. Public Safety Commissioners
Commissioner Harkins stated that she changed jobs this summer and is
now the General Manager of Portola Country Club. She stated that she
has some ideas and suggestions that she would like to speak to Eric
Cadden about. She's already spoken to Lt. Baur about arranging to
have a Coffee with a Cop for the members of the club.
XII. NEXT MEETING DATE—November 9, 2016
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
Commission Butzbach stated that in some way or another, all of us in the Valley were
quite affected by the tragedy in Palm Springs with the loss of two police officers. He
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October 19, 2016
Page 7
made a motion to adjourn in memory of Palm Springs Police Officers Lesley Zerebny and
Gil Vega. With Commissioner concurrence, the meeting was adjourned at 4:21 p.m.
Donna Evans, Recording Secretary