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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Public Safety Commission 03/09/2005g E� PALM DESERT PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES Wednesday, March 9, 2005 - 3:30 p.m. Administrative Conference Room I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 3:30 p.m. by Chairman James Larsh. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Commissioner James Butzbach Vice Chairman Rick Lebel Commissioner Gloria Kirkwood Commissioner Martin Nethery Chairman James Larsh Also Present: Councilman Richard S. Kelly Carlos L. Ortega, City Manager Sheila R. Gilligan, ACM for Community Services Homer Croy, ACM for Development Services Robert Kohn, Director of Special Programs Pat Scully, Senior Management Analyst (left the meeting at 4:00 p.m.) Steve Thetford, Asst. Chief, Palm Desert Police Department Rob Bishop, Crime Prevention Officer Travis Witten, Battalion Chief, Palm Desert/Riverside County Fire Dept. Walt Holloway, Battalion Chief, Palm Desert/Riverside County Fire Dept. Mary P. Gates, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None APPROVED MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MARCH 9, 2005 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Approval of Minutes from the January 12, 2005, Public Safety Commission Meeting. Rec: By Minute Motion, approve Minutes as presented. Upon motion by Commissioner Butzbach, second by Commissioner Nethery, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented by a 4-0 vote, with Vice Chairman Lebel ABSENT. V. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Palm Desert Fire Services Monthly Report - December, 2004, and January, 2005 Battalion Chief Witten reviewed the reports for December, 2004, and January, 2005, noting the new section for response times on page 3 of the January, 2005, report. He said this section would be included on all future reports. Upon question by Commissioner Butzbach, he responded that this was a combination of fire and medical response. Commissioner Butzbach moved to, by Minute Motion, receive and file the Palm Desert Fire Services Monthly Reports for the months of December, 2004, and January, 2005. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood and carried by a 4-0 vote, with Vice Chairman Lebel ABSENT. B. Palm Desert Target Team Monthly Statistics - December, 2004, January, 2005, and February, 2005 Lt. Thetford reviewed the reports. He stated that the Holiday Theft Suppression Program was very successful, with burglaries down 40% and shoplifting down 6% for this year's holiday period versus last year; however, embezzlement (theft from inside businesses) went up 57%. He noted that the Target Team, although extremely active, was able to handle a majority of the overflow of calls just being out in the community during the holidays. Just under 700 hours of overtime was spent on this project alone, and all of that was funded from grant monies to support front-line law enforcement. He noted that the decrease in numbers for February was due to Police coverage at the APPROVED MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MARCH 9, 2005 Indio Date Festival. Upon question by Commissioner Nethery as to the 42% increase in patrol assists from 2003 to 2004, he responded that this was due to more aggressive enforcement by patrol officers and the Target Team. Commissioner Nethery moved to, by Minute Motion, receive and file the Palm Desert Target Team Monthly Statistics for December, 2004, and January and February, 2005. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood and carried by a 4-0 vote, with Vice Chairman Lebel ABSENT. C. Palm Desert Station - Traffic Collision Statistics for December, 2004, and January, 2005 Lt. Thetford reviewed the reports. He noted that with regard to the recent traffic safety checkpoint at Fred Waring and Highway 111, 13 citations were issued (six for speeding, five for following to close, and two for unsafe lane changes). The program was supposed to go for four days; however, it was only done for three days, as one of the officers involved in the program was injured while off duty. He said they would be coming back to work that intersection on a regular basis in the future, as it is the intersection in the City which has consistently had the highest number of collisions. Commissioner Kirkwood moved to, by Minute Motion, receive and file the Palm Desert Traffic Collision Statistics Report for the months of December, 2004, and January, 2005. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Butzbach and carried by a 4-0 vote, with Vice Chairman Lebel ABSENT. D. Adult Life and Residency Monitoring (ALARM) Program Lt. Thetford introduced members of his staff who were present at this meeting and who were dedicated to the City of Palm Desert: Sgt. Pete Ortiz, Crime Prevention Officer Rob Bishop, Community Service Officer Morii Taylor, and Community Service Officer Kimberly Watson. Deputy Bishop gave an overview of the Adult Life and Residency Monitoring (ALARM) Program, noting that it consisted of three parts: — "File for Life" — designed to assist Palm Desert Police and Fire when responding to assistance calls. Participants would complete a medical information card and place it in a magnetic envelope, which would then be attached to their refrigerator. A sticker would also be placed on the front door, window, or other conspicuous place to alert responding emergency personnel. 3 APPROVED MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MARCH 9, 2005 — "You Are Not Alone (YANA)" — designed to provide regular (hopefully daily) telephone contact and weekly visits with senior residents of the City who live alone. Participants would complete a YANA request form containing personal and medical information, which could then be meshed with the "File for Life" program. Each senior would be called according to the schedule; if there is no answer another call would be attempted approximately 30 minutes later. If still no answer, a Community Service Officer (CSO) would drive to the participant's home and attempt to make personal contact. If the participant appears to be home but does not answer, a patrol deputy would be called to investigate further. — "Vacation Property Check Program" — This program would replace the current informal system of calling the Police Department for assistance when a resident is gone on vacation. Participants would sign up at the Police Department or substation, and the Community Service Officers would conduct weekly checks on all properties registered. Problems would be noted, and property owners would be contact whenever possible. Deputy Bishop noted that the Vacation Property Check Program and the YANA program would cause an insignificant increase in printing and paper expenses, and the duties would be incorporated into the daily CSO routine, so no increase in staffing would be needed; however, the initial cost for the File for Life Program would be approximately $2,176.00, which would provide the first 1,000 residents with the File for Life envelope, medical information card, and window sticker. The cost would be borne by the Police contingency fund. Upon approval by the Public Safety Commission, followed by approval by the City Council, he anticipated the ALARM Program would be implemented in April of 2005. Upon question by Mr. Larsh, Deputy Bishop responded that Police Department personnel would be available to go out and assist people in signing up for these programs. Upon question by Mrs. Gilligan as to whether or not the Citizens on Patrol were partners in this program, Lt. Thetford responded that the plan was to get the program up and running initially; then perhaps members of Citizens on Patrol could provide some assistance, such as the property checks. Mr. Nethery questioned the ability for Police Department personnel to call 1,000 residents every day. Lt. Thetford responded that probably not all 1,000 residents would be called every day but that the calls 4 APPROVED MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MARCH 9, 2005 would be spread out. He noted there was no guarantee that residents would be called every day. He added that perhaps the Citizens on Patrol could help in that area as well. Mr. Nethery said he felt it was important to make it very clear to participants that they may not receive a call every day. He added that he felt this was a wonderful program to be involved with. Mrs. Gilligan said she had received information about a computer - generated program called "Reverse 911 ", and she felt this was something that perhaps could be considered down the road if participation in the ALARM program got to be quite large. Mr. Butzbach asked what kind of marketing tools would be used to get the information to the community. Lt. Thetford responded that it would be advertised in newspapers; on - television stations, and in the City's newsletter, as well as at public events. In addition, the Joslyn Senior Center would be a sign-up location. Mr. Butzbach asked if consideration had been given to interfacing with private security companies, since there are so many gated communities in the City which use this type of security. Lt. Thetford responded that he felt this was an excellent idea to consider. Commissioner Nethery moved to, by Minute Motion, approve the ALARM Program and its related initial cost as outlined by Deputy Bishop and Lt. Thetford. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood and carried by a 4-0 vote, with Vice Chairman Lebel ABSENT. E. Informational Items: 1. Request for Palm Desert Police Bicycles for Date Festival Lt. Thetford noted that this was being brought to the Public Safety Commission as an informational item only, as the Date Festival concluded on Sunday, February 26, 2005. He noted that while the City of Palm Desert provided direct financial support of the Date Festival, it also provided "in -kind" support by supplying Police Department bicycle patrol. Those services were valued at approximately $26,000. Upon question by Commissioner Nethery, he responded that these services had been provided to the Date Festival for the last three years. Mrs. Gilligan added that the City Council had approved 19 APPROVED MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MARCH 9, 2005 financial support of the Date Festival for many years, including $25,000 when the Festival was struggling and in the red. The Festival was now in the black, and this year's contribution approved by Council was $10,000. She noted that the Council recognized that the $25,000 contribution was one other cities were not making and directed staff to approach the County of Riverside and advise that the City would either provide police services or funding. Commissioner Nethery asked what contributions were being made by other cities in the Valley. Mrs. Gilligan responded that it was her understanding that most were not making any contribution. Mr. Ortega added that those cities that do make contributions make them for $5,000. Commissioner Butzbach moved to, by Minute Motion, receive and file this report. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Nethery and carried by a 4-0 vote, with Vice Chairman Lebel ABSENT. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None Vill. OLD BUSINESS A. Report Relative to Staffing Levels at the Fire Department (Requested at Meeting of January 12, 2005) Battalion Chief Otero stated that his was something requested by Vice Chairman Lebel at the last meeting; however, since he was not able to attend this meeting, he suggested that this matter be continued to the next meeting. Commissioner Nethery moved to, by Minute Motion, continue this matter to the next Public Safety Commission meeting. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Butzbach and carried by a 4-0 vote, with Vice Chairman Lebel ABSENT. IX. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION (S) A. Mrs. Gilligan reported that the City Council had spent a good deal of time discussing the issue of front yard wall heights and had come up with an ordinance amendment to better regulate them. L APPROVED MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MARCH 9, 2005 Councilman Kelly added that, with regard to the property on Ironwood with the wall height issue, the Council had negotiated with the property owner to provide landscaping, change the color of the wall, and taper it down in several places. B. Mrs. Gilligan noted that the City Managerwas moving forward with the Fiscal Year 2005/2006 Budget, and the Police and Fire Budgets would be before Public Safety Commission at its next meeting. Mr. Ortega added that the only change with regard to how the City contracts for public safety with the County of Riverside is that the City of Palm Desert would no longer contract jointly with the Cities of Indian Wells and Rancho Mirage. At its meeting in July, Council will consider a draft agreement between the City of Palm Desert and the County of Riverside; staffs recommendation is that an agreement be entered into for separate contracts for fire protection services, effective July 1, 2005. Lt. Thetford gave an initial overview of the proposed Police Budget. Upon question by Commissioner Nethery, Mrs. Gilligan responded that the proposed budget would be sent to the Commission in advance of the next meeting to allow time for review and comment. C. Mrs. Gilligan stated that the City Council met jointly with the Youth Committee on March 8, 2005, and would be scheduling joint meetings with each of the City's Committees and Commissions during the coming year. She noted that members of the Youth Committee had a lot of ideas, and they would try to have at least one member attend a meeting of each committee/commission this coming year as well. X. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Update on the status of the new Police Department facility Lt. Thetford stated that a proposal was taken to the Cove Commission on February 16, 2005. The TAC Commission asked for three things of the Cove Commission: — To see if they would move forward with the agreement for a minimum Phase I phasing move To look at funding scenarios — To identify a location . F APPROVED MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MARCH 9, 2005 The Commission requested that a study group be developed to look into the issue of potential maximum Phase I move (which would essentially move the entire Palm Desert operation, with the exception of dispatch and some support) as opposed to minimum Phase I (which would just move patrol). A committee had been identified, and the next meeting was March 28, 2005, to discuss funding with Supervisor Wilson, Sheriff Administration, City Staff, and representation from the committee itself. B. Update on the Citizens on Patrol Program Mr. Kohn distributed copies of the report prepared by Captain John Fanning (on file in the Community Services Division). He noted this report covered the period October, 2004, through February, 2005. He added that there were currently 14 volunteers, but the goal was to have 30, and recruiting of members was ongoing. Deputy Bishop noted that when members of the Citizens on Patrol come out on patrol, they stop by the Police Department to introduce themselves and advise that they are out in the community. Commissioner Kirkwood asked if a representative of this group had been brought out to the gated communities to recruit volunteers from those areas. Mr. Kohn responded that he had done some of that; however, the plan was to do more. Commissioner Kirkwood said she felt this was something that could be presented through the Resort Communities Security Association (RCSA) as well. Mr. Kohn responded that he would put Commissioner Kirkwood in touch with Captain Fanning to make these arrangements. C. Legislative Update Mrs. Gilligan reported that over 2,997 bills had been introduced as of March 9, 2005; 116 relate to Police, 146 relate to Fire, and 61 relate to disaster preparation. She noted that a lot of the bills relate to local control (planning, zoning) and the taking of local control. She said Ms. Scully was waiting to see which bills would make it out of first committee (i.e., Transportation, etc.) before bringing them to the Commission for review next month. D. Update on Status of New Fire Contract Discussed underlX-B above N. APPROVED MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MARCH 9, 2005 E. Federal Public Safety Issues Mrs. Gilligan reported that she and Ms. Scully would be attending the National League of Cities Conference in Washington, D.C., next week and would be meeting with the staff of Mary Bono's office. She asked that the Commissioners advise her or Ms. Scully if there are any public safety issues they wish to have brought up with Mary Bono's staff. F. Community Information Programs Commissioner Butzbach noted that community information programs had been held for the last several years. The one in the Palm Desert Country Club area was highly successful, but the one done at Palm Desert City Hall last year was not as successful. He asked if it would - be beneficial to target time to do this type program again this year. He said there were a number of public safety issues and newer things that needed to be passed on to the community. Mrs. Gilligan said the City had first targeted Palm Desert Country Club and then the gated communities. While the event for Palm Desert Country Club had a great turnout, it was not the same for the second event, even though information had been included in the City's newsletter, and contact had been made with every homeowners association. Staff's recommendation would be that it be done as a City-wide event rather than targeting one specific area. With Commission concurrence, staff was directed to move forward with this program for the month of June, 2005. XI. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Butzbach moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:30 p.m. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Nethery and carried by a 4-0 vote, with Vice Chairman Lebel ABSENT. Respectfully submitted, Q� Q MARY P. GAt RECORDING SECRETARY 0