Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Safety Cmsn - 05-13-2015g E6 CITY OF PALM DESERT PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING APPROVED MINUTES WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2015 — 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 Chairman Nethery called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Chairman Martin Nethery Vice Chairman Terry Kramer Commissioner Gloria Kirkwood Commissioner Phyllis Harkins Commissioner Doug Luhring Commissioner Frank Taylor Absent: Commissioner James Butzbach Also Present: Mayor Susan Marie Weber John Wohlmuth, City Manager Stephen Y. Aryan, Risk Manager Chief Bill Hunley, Palm Desert Fire Department Lt. William Sullivan, Palm Desert Police Department Sergeant Dave Adams, Palm Desert Police Department Mark Diercks, Transportation Engineer Donna Evans, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS NONE Public Safety Commission Approved Minutes May 13, 2015 Page 2 IV. PRESENTATIONS NONE V. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Public Safety Commission Meeting of April 8, 2015. Removed for separate consideration, then APPROVED as amended: Commissioners Kramer and Kirkwood noted that on pages 2 and 7 should read Commissioners Kramer and Kirkwood "Absent' in the roll call portion of the motions. Commissioner Harkins commented that she thought that Ms. Kucala had suggested adding a stop sign at Minnesota and Kansas. The tape revealed that indeed Ms. Kucala had said Hovley Lane East and Kansas. Chair Nethery stated that the minutes should reflect what the resident actually said. Commissioner Harkins moved to, by Minute Motion, approve the Minutes of the Public Safety Commission meeting of April 8, 2015, as amended. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Luhring and carried by a 6-0 vote (AYES: Harkins, Kirkwood, Kramer, Luhring, Taylor, and Nethery; NOES: None; ABSENT: Butzbach). B. PALM DESERT SPECIALIZED UNITS End of the Month Report March 2015 Rec: Receive and file. C. RIVERSIDE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT/CAL FIRE End of the Month Report - March 2015 Rec: Receive and file. Commissioner Harkins moved to, by Minute Motion, approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar as presented. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Luhring and carried by a 6-0 vote (AYES: Harkins, Kirkwood, Kramer, Luhring, Taylor, and Nethery; NOES: None; ABSENT: Butzbach). VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER Item A - see action with the item, above. Public Safety Commission Approved Minutes May 13, 2015 Page 3 VII. NEW BUSINESS A. 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 2015/16. Stephen Aryan stated that the City has been involved with the Post Release Accountability and Compliance Teams since their inception about two years ago. The State of California initiated AB109 in 2011, realigning the state correction system and tasking local County Probation Departments with the supervision of criminals who were previously overseen by the Department of Corrections. The probation departments weren't prepared to take on this additional burden, forcing the early release of many criminals. The Post -Release Accountability and Compliance Teams were formed to help with this issue. Palm Desert participates in the East -PACT team. The City must provide one sworn officer to the East - PACT team and the State reimburses approximately 70% of the officer's salary. Lt. Sullivan stated that he anticipates that future funding will be continued. Mr. Aryan stated that this won't reduce the number of officers on each shift. Commissioner Kirkwood moved to, by Minute Motion, recommend that the Palm Desert City Council approve the Palm Desert Police Department's participation in Post Release Accountability and Compliance Teams (P.A.C.T.) program for FY 2015/16. Motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Kramer and carried by a 6-0 vote (AYES: Harkins, Kirkwood, Kramer, Luhring, Taylor, and Nethery; NOES: None; ABSENT: Butzbach). B. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF VENDORS ON AN AUTHORIZED PUBLIC SAFETY VENDORS LIST FOR RELATED EQUIPMENT REPAIRS, EQUIPMENT PURCHASES, AND SPECIALTY SERVICES, UTILIZED BY THE PALM DESERT POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN FY 2015/16. Stephen Aryan stated that a list of vendors for the Police and Fire Departments has to be produced each year to the Finance Department. The Police Department vendors haven't changed from last year, but there were some additions to the vendor list for the Fire Department. Frasier and FS3 Fire Service Specification and Supply were added. Commissioner Kirkwood moved to, by Minute Motion, recommend that the Palm Desert City Council approve the FY 2015/16 Authorized Public Safety Vendors List as presented in the Riverside County Sheriff's Department Memorandum dated January 6, 2015 and Riverside County Fire Department vendors list updated May 5, 2015. Motion was carried by Commissioner Luhring and carried by a 6-0 vote (AYES: Harkins, Kirkwood, Kramer, Luhring, Taylor, and Nethery; NOES: None; ABSENT: Butzbach). Public Safety Commission Approved Minutes May 13, 2015 Page 4 C. UPDATE ON THE CITY OF PALM DESERT'S PROPOSED EMERGENCY SERVICES PROGRAM. Stephen Aryan stated that the City has been looking for ways to enhance the Emergency Services Program. One way would be to contract for emergency services with the Riverside County Office of Emergency Services. There is an opportunity to partner with the City of Indian Wells to share the cost of the program. They have indicated that they're willing to provide equal cost sharing. The program would include staff training, community outreach, CERT training, and updating our EOC. The City Council has reviewed this information during their budget study session, but no action has been taken until the budget is approved in June. Commissioner Kramer moved to, by Minute Motion, recommend that the Palm Desert City Council approve moving forward with the concept of a proposed joint Emergency Services Program between the City of Palm Desert and the City of Indian Wells. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood and carried by a 6-0 vote (AYES: Harkins, Kirkwood, Kramer, Luhring, Taylor, and Nethery; NOES: None; ABSENT: Butzbach). D. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO SURPLUS FOUR CITY OF PALM DESERT POLICE DEPARTMENT SEGWAY UNITS. Mr. Aryan stated that the Segways are currently stored at the Palm Desert substation and haven't been used in over five years. Lt. Sullivan stated that the repair costs exceed the value of the units. Action: Commissioner Harkins moved to, by Minute Motion, recommend that the Palm Desert City Council approve the surplus of four Palm Desert Police Department Segway Units. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Luhring and carried by a 6-0 vote (AYES: Harkins, Kirkwood, Kramer, Luhring, Taylor, and Nethery; NOES: None; ABSENT: Butzbach). E. REPORT ON PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES SURVEY Mr. Aryan stated that at the Council budget study session, staff was asked to do a survey of all the valley cities for Police and Fire services specifically to find out how many officers per thousand residents and the cost per resident in each city. The Commission reviewed the survey prepared by staff. Public Safety Commission Approved Minutes May 13, 2015 Page 5 Commissioner Kirkwood moved to, by Minute Motion, receive and file the Public Safety Services Survey. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Luhring and carried by a 6-0 vote (AYES: Harkins, Kirkwood, Kramer, Luhring, Taylor, and Nethery; NOES: None; ABSENT: Butzbach). F. REPORT ON 2013 FBI UNIFORM CRIME REPORT COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS The report was prepared by Lt. Sullivan as an informational item. Chair Nethery stated that the City of Palm Desert looks good, except for the property crimes. Lt. Sullivan commented that Palm Desert has more retail than the other cities. Each of the communities have different crime issues based on the demographics. The City of Palm Desert hasn't had gang problems for years. John Wohlmuth stated that, historically, some cities haven't reported all of the crimes in their area. Lt. Sullivan stated that this has been an issue. In Palm Desert, we report crimes properly and he doesn't think that any of the agencies are manipulating the numbers anymore. Commissioner Taylor commented that due to Prop 47 the statistics are going to change because there are a lot of crimes that used to be felonies and were reported to the FBI, but now are considered misdemeanors; therefore, won't be reported. This may give an illusion of false security. Commissioner Luhring moved to, by Minute Motion, receive and file the report on 2013 FBI Uniform Crime Report Comparative Analysis. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood and carried by a 6-0 vote (AYES: Harkins, Kirkwood, Kramer, Luhring, Taylor, and Nethery; NOES: None; ABSENT: Butzbach). G. Request by staff to add: CONSIDERATION TO RECOMMEND THAT PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL APPROVE A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING AB150: THEFT OF FIREARMS. Commissioner Kirkwood moved to, by Minute Motion, add the request to the agenda under New Business. Motion was carried by Commissioner Kramer and carried by a 6-0 vote (AYES: Harkins, Kirkwood, Kramer, Luhring, Taylor, and Nethery; NOES: None; ABSENT: Butzbach). Mr. Aryan stated that Proposition 47 reduced the classification of those non - serious, non-violent property and drug crimes from a felony to a misdemeanor. This also included the theft of firearms. Currently, any theft of a firearm valued less than $950 is considered a misdemeanor. What this bill would do would include the theft of a firearm, without regard to the dollar value, as grand theft. It also states that anyone who buys or receives a stolen firearm is also guilty of an alternate felony. If this bill is approved, it wouldn't go into effect unless Prop 47 is amended, which could only be done by the voters as a ballot measure. Mr. Aryan stated that the City's position is that AB150 should be approved. Public Safety Commission Approved Minutes May 13, 2015 Page 6 Commissioner Kirkwood moved to, by Minute Motion, recommend that the Palm Desert City Council approve a resolution supporting AB150: Theft of Firearms. Motion was carried by Commissioner Luhring and carried by a 6-0 vote (AYES: Harkins, Kirkwood, Kramer, Luhring, Taylor, and Nethery; NOES: None; ABSENT: Butzbach). After the vote, Commissioner Taylor commented that he's in support of these types of laws, but we need to make sure that we don't lose track of AB109. If AB150 is put into effect, the prisoner will be in Riverside County jails. They don't go to the State prison because AB109 has made it to where a convict would go to the County jail because it's a non -serious felony. Until there's some mechanism in the future to build new prisons to house these convicts, Riverside County is going to continue to get an abundance of criminals. Even the brand new jail will be probably be filled the day that it's opened. Chair Nethery stated that the logic of decriminalizing what would otherwise be crimes because the jails are full doesn't work for him. He understands that you have to think about the big picture, but the theory of having more prisons and serious crimes aren't going to be treated seriously because we don't have enough prison space. That's backwards. The solution may be having more jail space, but in the meantime it's going to be a struggle. Theft of a firearm is a bad thing because all firearms are just as lethal as another one, regardless of its value. Maybe there are other distinctions that should be made rather than the value of the firearm to determine whether or not the theft of a firearm is a misdemeanor or a felony. Perhaps there should be discretion to drop the charge to a misdemeanor in certain circumstances, rather than an automatic felony. Trying to make a distinction based on value of a firearm has no relationship to the threat that a gun of any value can do harm. Chair Nethery commented that he supports this bill and recognizes it as a problem. Commissioner Luhring asked Lt. Sullivan if a bill like AB150 were in place and the theft of a firearm now becomes a felony, regardless of the cost of the weapon, that it may reduce the theft of weapons? Lt. Sullivan stated that he feels that there would be a reduction in firearm theft. There is a theory that people weigh the positives and the negatives and 90% of sane people make a logical decision about whether the behavior is worth the risk. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. UPDATE ON KANSAS STREET TRAFFIC ISSUE Mr. Aryan stated that at the previous Public Safety Commission meeting, the commission asked staff to do a study on the traffic on Kansas Street in Palm Desert Country Club at the request of a resident, Mary Kucala. Transportation Public Safety Commission Approved Minutes May 13, 2015 Page 7 Engineer, Mark Diercks, prepared a detailed report for the commission to review and was present to answer any questions. The Commission reviewed the report. Lt. Sullivan stated that he was asked to increase enforcement in Palm Desert Country Club, which he did and now he received a complaint that the sirens are bothering people. Chair Nethery asked Mr. Diercks what his recommendation would be. Mr. Diercks stated that they'll start with pavement legends, which is something that hasn't been done in the past because the speed limits tend to change on major streets. This will be added information for drivers on residential streets. He didn't feel that additional signage would be necessary. The only place where they could possibly add signs would be halfway down the block on Kansas between Minnesota and California, but he didn't feel that it would do much good. The problem with warning signs is that southbound there's a golf cart crossing with signage and it might get too confusing. Mr. Diercks stated that he's going to start by adding pavement markings to see if that will help. Vice Chair Kramer asked if this will require additional maintenance. Mr. Diercks stated that he will add it to the yearly maintenance program. Adding a series of chevrons to the pavement is still in the experimental stage. The problem that he sees with Kansas is that it's a relatively wide street without much traffic or side friction. It's a comfortable street to drive on so people tend to drive faster and may not realize it. Commissioner Harkins asked if the legends would be added off of Hovley as you're entering Kansas? This is a fabulous idea because cars travel off of Hovley fast and then they enter a wide street with relatively no friction so people tend to drive at the same speed as they were traveling along Hovley. Mr. Diercks stated that he plans on putting legends wherever there's a speed sign and possibly one more series in the middle of Kansas. Action: Commissioner Harkins moved to, by Minute Motion, receive and file the report. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Luhring and carried by a 6-0 vote (AYES: Harkins, Kirkwood, Kramer, Luhring, Taylor, and Nethery; NOES: None; ABSENT: Butzbach). IX. OLD BUSINESS None X. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION(S) 1. Update on City Council Budget Study Session Mr. Aryan commented that the City Council concurred with the recommendations made by the Public Safety Commission regarding funding a K-9 position, not an additional CSO II. This hasn't been approved by the Council at this point, but it will be included in the budget for their consideration on June 18. Lt. Sullivan informed the commission that Officer Rivera will be transferring to the Cabazon Station and will not be a dog handler. This will allow him to Public Safety Commission Approved Minutes May 13, 2015 Page 8 acquire more experience in other areas of law enforcement to become a more well rounded officer. The commission wanted Lt. Sullivan to let Officer Rivera know how much they appreciate the work he's done in the City of Palm Desert. Lt. Sullivan stated that a resident of Sun City, Maria Malter, has donated $10,000 for a canine for the Police Department. Mr. Wohlmuth stated that the money will go into the General Fund to offset the purchase of a new Police canine and some of the training. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Citizens on Patrol Program 1. The COPS Callerfor April 2015 2. Monthly Report for April 2015 3. Update on showing PSA commercial at HOAs Mr. Aryan stated that Frankie Riddle is looking into showing the COPS PSA commercial at HOAs, per the request of the commission. B. Legislative Update 1. SIB 608 (Liu): The Right to Rest Act Mr. Aryan stated that this would allow anyone to use our public parks or public open space and they wouldn't be able to be removed. This bill may already be dead, but he wanted to formally oppose it in case it comes back. 2. AB 1019 (Garcia): Metal Theft and Related Recycling Crimes Mr. Aryan stated that this bill will be going to the City Council for consideration. There was about $40,000 worth of damage to University Park when the cables from the street lights were pulled out and the poles were knocked down. C. Police and Fire Departments 1. Coffee with a Cop Program Update Mr. Aryan stated that there were about 20-25 people in attendance. In the future, the event will be held in different coffee shops in the community so that people can converse with a police officer in a casual setting. D. Staff 1. Summer Schedule Discussion Mr. Aryan stated that the commission typically doesn't meet in the summer months. He recommended maintaining the same hiatus and meet next in September, unless something pressing comes up. Public Safety Commission Approved Minutes May 13, 2015 Page 9 2. May CERT Class Mr. Aryan stated that the City usually hosts two or three CERT classes per year. Currently a CERT class is underway with 35 people in attendance. E. Public Safety Commissioner Comments None. XII. NEXT MEETING DATE —September 9, 2015 XIII. ADJOURNMENT With commissioner concurrence, the meeting was adjourned at 4:44 p.m. 0�'� Donna Evans, Recording Secretary