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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Public Safety Commission - 02/11/2004CITY OF PALM DESERT PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES February 11, 2004 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Nethery called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Commissioner James Butzbach Commissioner Rick Lebel Commissioner Martin Nethery Also Present: Commissioner James Larsh Assistant City Manager/Community Services Sheila R. Gilligan Lt. Steve Thetford Division Fire Chief Ignacio Otero Senior Management Analyst Patricia Scully Guests Jim Lewis, Chairman of Palm Desert Technology Committee Gary Madden, Director of Inform Riverside III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. G `.CityClrk'.Karen Russo\Fublic Safety Commission 2004\Fcbruary Minutes wpd 1 Public Safety Commission February 11, 2004 MINUTES *************************************************************************************************** IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Approval of Minutes of the Public Safety Commission meeting of January 14, 2004. Rec: By Minute Motion, approve Minutes as presented. B. Ratification of Approval of P.A.C.T. billing for the month of December, 2003. Rec: By Minute Motion, ratify the approval of the P.A.C.T. billing for December, 2003. Lt. Thetford indicated he reviewed and agreed with the December billing. Motion by Commissioner Butzbach, seconded by Commissioner Lebel, to approve the Consent Calendar. Motion carried 3-0, with Commissioner Larsh absent. V. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Presentation by Jim Lewis relative to the 2-1-1 community non - emergency telephone line. Rec: Oral report by Jim Lewis, Chairman of the Technology Committee. Inform Riverside County has provided information and referral to more than 150,000 callers in the last 26 years. 2-1-1 provides a free accessible, easy to remember, three -digit telephone number that enables everyone to access the vital community services they need. It is a direct link to social services. Gary Madden, Director of Inform Riverside and member of the 2-1-1 steering committee, was present to participate in the presentation. The 2-1-1 steering committee has been meeting for 3 years. Currently, people can contact the Volunteer Center of Riverside G.'CityClrk'.Karcn RussotPublic Safety Commission 2004\February Minutcs.wpd Page 2 Public Safety Commission February 11, 2004 MINUTES *************************************************************************************************** County at 800-464-1123 for referral to agencies offering assistance. Their mission is to connect people with the services they need. The Center has a data base of over 800 organizations and 2,500 programs that service Riverside County. Los Angeles will be the first County to implement 2-1-1. Approximately 35% of calls to 9-1-1 are inappropriate, and a large portion of those will be offset once 2-1-1 is implemented. A question was raised as to how calls will be dispatched. Currently the Volunteer Center of Riverside County provides referral service Monday through Friday, 8 am - 5 pm., processing approximately 20,000 calls per year. It is expected that once 2-1-1 is fully implemented county -wide, calls will average 100,000-120,000 per year. Most of the calls to the Volunteer Center are for core needs; i.e. food, utility assistance, jobs, homelessness. Commissioner Lebel said that although no action was required of the Commission, he asked for the Commission's support of the 2-1-1 movement by making a recommendation to the City Council. Chairman Nethery said that the Commission could recommend to the City Council that it support 2-1-1 in whatever way it deemed appropriate. Ms. Gilligan said that a memo will be sent to the Council indicating the Commission received the presentation on 2-1-1 and was enthusiastic and wanted to recommend that if the City was to take a position, it be one of support. The Commission was in concurrence with this action. There was discussion about a 3-1-1 non -emergency number. This is not currently available, and Lt. Thetford will look into this. B. Inoperability Radio Systems. Rec: Continue item to March meeting to accommodate schedule of presenter. Motion to continue item to March meeting made by Commissioner Lebel, seconded by CommissionerButzbach, and carried by 3-0 vote with Commissioner Larsh absent. G:`.CityClrk't.Karen Russo\Public Safety Commission 2004\February Minutes.wpd Page 3 Public Safety Commission February 11, 2004 MINUTES C. Maxwell Security Services Proposal. Rec: By Minute Motion, recommend to the City Council that it decline this invitation at this time. Ms. Gilligan prefaced the discussion by indicating that the item came from a City Council Member and it is an issue that had been brought before the Commission in previous years as it pertains to false alarms. Lt. Thetford indicated the proposal presented by Maxwell Security Services appeared to be vague. The proposal indicates their services would be cost-effective in that their company could respond to alarms within the City of Palm Desert in lieu of having the Palm Desert Police Department respond. However, Lt. Thetford said the Police Department would still respond to alarms. A question was asked as to the distribution of the proposal and response as contained in the agenda. Ms. Gilligan said that the City Manager, Councilman Ferguson, and Councilman Kelly have the information as liaisons to the Commission, and since this is a public meeting, anyone requesting a copy of the proposal and response would be entitled to receive it. A response has not as yet been sent to the alarm company in order to give the Commission an opportunity to review the proposal. There was discussion about false alarms. In other cities, fines have been established to hold the alarm companies accountable. Commissioner Lebel said review of this item prompted him to research another item on the agenda pertaining to public safety and public welfare ordinances. He believes the City's alarm ordinance could be tightened up. Lt. Thetford said that the Department does not have control over the false alarms because there is a response to every call for service. Even if it is a response to a false alarm, contact is made with the public thereby providing a public service. There are several types of alarm calls: (1) a righteous alarm, at which point it is not an alarm call but rather a burglary, robbery, medical assistance, orfire; (2) personal malfunction where the person comes home and pushes the wrong number; (3) mechanical malfunction; and (4) unknown, where neither the owner nor the alarm company know why the alarm went off. Motion by Commissioner Lebel, seconded by Commissioner Butzbach, to decline the invitation from Maxwell Security Services. Motion carried 3-0, with Commissioner Larsh absent. GftCityark\Karen Russo.Public Safety Commission 2004' February Minutes.wpd Page 4 Public Safety Commission February 11, 2004 MINUTES *************************************************************************************************** D. Request from the Technology Committee for information on use of transponders in gated communities. Rec: Oral report by Lt. Thetford. Mr. Lewis, Chairman of the Technology Committee, stated that an increasing number of gated communities are switching to a transponder systems. There was concern as to how public safety personnel gained access to these gated communities. According to Fire Code, communities are required to have a knox box, and both Police and Fire personnel gain access using keys. E. Discussion of Public Safety and Public Welfare Ordinances. Rec: Discussion Item. Commissioner Lebel requested this item be included on the agenda. He feels the City would benefit from a study of issues involving public welfare, morals and conduct. He researched the Palm Desert Municipal Code for public safety ordinances and provided Ms. Gilligan with a list of those the Commission may be interested in reviewing. There may be benefit in reviewing ordinances currently in place to determine if modifications and updates would be beneficial. Ms. Gilligan suggested that staff conduct research and bring the item back to the Commission in March. Commissioner Lebel suggested that research include what other cities, such as Ontario, have adopted pertaining to public welfare. It was also suggested that the League of California Cities be contacted to see if they have model ordinances that could be adapted to Palm Desert. The Commission agreed this was something they wished to pursue, and the item will be brought back to the Commission at its March meeting. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. Public Safety Forum for Gated Communities - March 6, 2004, 2:00 p.m., at City Hall. Rec: Verbal update. G.'.CityClrkKaren RussaPublic Safety Commission 2004,February Minutcs.wpd Page 5 Public Safety Commission February 11, 2004 MINUTES *************************************************************************************************** Ms. Gilligan mentioned there has been a great deal of interest in the March Forum. The Lakes Country Club Homeowners' Association, with 902 residences, requested postcards which were delivered to them. They will include the postcards in their monthly mailing. VII1. OLD BUSINESS A. 2003 Holiday Theft Suppression Program. Rec: By Minute Motion, receive and file report from Lt. Thetford. This program was in place November28, 2003 through December 31, 2003, and Lt. Thetford indicated it was successful. The objective of the program was to focus on high visibility patrol and proactive theft suppression in the Palm Desert business districts along Highway 111, El Paseo Drive, and in the Costco shopping center. The program was funded by the 2003 Cal COPS grant, and resulted in 843 hours of patrol overtime dedicated to theft suppression in the City. Motion by CommissionerButzbach, seconded by Commissioner Lebel, to receive and file the report and forward same to the City Council for review and information. Motion carried 3-0, with Commissioner Larsh absent. B. 2003/04 D.U.I. Holiday Program Statistics. Rec: By Minute Motion, receive and file report from Lt. Thetford. The goal of this program was to provide aggressive traffic enforcement to identify and arrest impaired drivers within the cities of Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, and Palm Desert. Officers were proactive in contacting bars and establishments to promote D.U.I. Public Safety awareness and ask for their support of the designated driver program. Lt. Thetford reported that this year's program was a huge success, with no major incidents and no personnel injured or equipment damaged. Motion by CommissionerButzbach, seconded by Commissioner Lebel, to receive and file the report. Motion carried 3-0, with Commissioner Larsh absent. Page 6 G•\CityCtrk`.Karen Russo,Public Safety Commission 2004\February Minutcs.wpd Public Safety Commission February 11, 2004 MINUTES *************************************************************************************************** IX. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION(S) Ms. Gilligan reported there were no issues pertinent to public safety on the agenda of the last Council meeting. The City is in the process of completing a two-year budget. The Police Department budget will be presented to the Commission for review at its March meeting, prior to Council review and action. A question was raised as to whether it was the Council's plan to adopt a two year budget, and Ms. Gilligan said yes. There was a question concerning the General Plan Amendment process. Ms. Gilligan reported there have been several meetings, with the next scheduled for February 26, 1:00 p.m. It is going through a very thorough review, with the north sphere being of tremendous interest as are issues such as public safety. There may be three to four additional meetings before action is taken. X. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Legislative Update Ms. Scully mentioned that public safety has taken a back seat to the budget this year. The biggest focus where public safety is concerned has to do with worker's comp issues. AB 1828 (hands -free cell phone legislation) has been assigned to a Committee. At the Legislative Review Committee meeting February 17, Lt. Thetford will ask for the City's support. A question was asked about the Inattentive Driver Bill (Benoit), and Ms. Scully indicated that it is still in Committee and she does not anticipate any opposition to it. B. COPS Headquarters Open House - March 15, 9-11 a.m. Ms. Scully mentioned that invitations will be mailed in a couple of weeks. C. Oral report from Fire Chief Otero Chief Otero reported that during the month January the Department responded to 533 incidents in the City of Palm Desert; 76% were G:Cityclrk.Karen Russo•Public Safety Corm fission 2004' February Minutes wpd Page 7 Public Safety Commission February 11, 2004 MINUTES *************************************************************************************************** emergency medical service -related calls, 13% were false alarms, 1.5% were fires, 6% were other incidents, AND 3.5% were miscellaneous. Because of the population in Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage, there are many calls to assist the elderly. One such call was from a woman who lives near Station 67. She dialed 9-1-1 and said she wasn't feeling well. The paramedics responded and when they arrived on scene, it was determined that it was not a medical emergency - she could not get out of bed and was lonely. They had been there several times. When they arrived they found out her television wasn't working and she couldn't watch the Super Bowl. They tried unsuccessfully to fix it and went back to the station, took their television, and brought it to her to use. On January 1, the Department responded to an alarm at COD. Once on scene the security officer reported everything was OK. The Department has a policy to completely investigate every call and found out that there was a fire in the air conditioning room. The source of the fire was located, identified, and put out. The Department attended the Hopalong Cassidy Trail Dedication. A question was asked as to whether this type of report is sent to the City Council. Chief Otero responded that the report goes to the Cove Commission. The Public Safety Commission will receive a written report in March. The Commission felt the Council should be notified about the firefighters who brought the television to the elderly lady as this is above and beyond the call of duty. It was also suggested that an article be included in the City's newsletter. Other Remarks and Comments Ms. Gilligan shared that the Fire Department has been instrumental in working with the Sister Cities Committee to get donated equipment to the City's Sister City in Ixtapa-Zihuantanejo. Two ambulances and a fire truck are ready to go, as is medical equipment from Eisenhower Medical Center and medical supplies from a company in Orange County. There will be a contingent from the City going to Mexico for the presentation. Ms. Gilligan thanked Steve Thetford and Ignacio Otero for their commitment and fine service to the City. They are involved, they are here, and they bring us valuable information. If there is something that the Commission or Council needs, they are on it. G'CityClrk•Karcn Russo\Public Safety Commission 2004February Minutes. wpd Page 8 Public Safety Commission February 11, 2004 MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Nethery that the Commission recommend to the City Council that it take action in the form of a letter of commendation, or other form of recognition, for the Police and Fire Departments, seconded by Commissioner Butzbach. Motion carried 3-0, with Commissioner Larsh absent. Ms. Gilligan shared that Maggie, a blood -hound owned by Canine Officer Coby Webb, is sometimes used to assist the Department in Palm Desert. Maggie is in need of $4500 worth of surgery, and since she is not a county -owned dog, the Sheriffs Department can not pay for the surgery. Donations received so far have totaled approximately $1500. Ms. Gilligan stated she would talk to the City Manager to see if the city could make a contribution. Lt. Thetford mentioned that Cal Cops funds could be utilized, with City Manager approval, because the dog is used for support services for officers. Ms. Gilligan asked if it was the Commission's desire to add this item to the agenda for action. Motion by Commissioner Lebel, seconded by Commissioner Butzbach, to add to the agenda the discussion of a donation for the Police blood -hound that is in need of surgery. Motion passed 3-0, with Commissioner Larsh absent. Lt. Thetford indicated that the Cal Cops grant clearly states that funding can be used on anything that is direct support for officers. Motion by Commissioner Butzbach, seconded by Commissioner Lebel, to recommend to the City Council that it use Cal Cops funds and/or Police Contingency Funds in the amount of $2,500 for the benefit of the blood -hound. Motion carried by 3-0 vote, with Commissioner Larsh absent. XI. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Butzbach, seconded by Commissioner Lebel, to adjourn. Motion carried 3-0, with Commissioner Larsh absent. Meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m. /14, Karen Russo, Recording Secretary G:1CityClrktKaren Russo. Public Safety Commission 2004 \ February Minutes.wpd Page 9