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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Public Safety Commission 10-12-2005CITY OF PALM DESERT PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 3:30 p.m. Administrative Conference Room CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 3:30 p.m. by Chairman Larsh. II. ROLL CALL Present: IV. Commissioner Gloria Kirkwood Vice Chairman Rick Lebel Commissioner Martin Nethery Chairman James Larsh Also Present: Absent: Commissioner James Butzbach Councilman Richard S. Kelly Mayor Pro Tempore Jim Ferguson Sheila R. Gilligan, ACM for Community Services Steve Thetford, Asst. Chief, Palm Desert Police Department Deputy Robert Bishop, Palm Desert Police Department Travis Witten, Battalion Chief, Palm Desert/Riverside County Fire Dept Frankie Riddle, Senior Management Analyst Pat Scully, Senior Management Analyst John Fanning, Citizens on Patrol Chuck Lovin, Citizens on Patrol Mary P. Gates, Recording Secretary ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None CONSENT CALENDAR A. Approval of Minutes of the September 14, 2005, Public Safety Commission Meeting Rec: Approve as presented. APPROVED MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION OCTOBER 12, 2005 B. City Manager Approval of Request from Palm Desert Police Department to Expend Cal Cops Grant Funds (Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund) — 2005/2006 to Purchase Legal Research Materials in the Amount of $342.45 Rec: Receive and file. C. City Manager Approval of Request from Palm Desert Police Department to Expend Contingency Funds to Purchase Uniforms for the Palm Desert Police Cadet Program in the Amount of $887.42, Including Sales Tax Rec: Receive and file. D. City Manager Approval of Request from Palm Desert Police Department to Expend Contingency Funds to Purchase Program Supplies to Support Five (5) School Resource Officer Programs in the Total Amount of $4,074.25 Rec: Receive and file. E. Newly Revised Palm Desert Standardized Emergency Management System Plan Rec: Receive and file. Vice Chairman Lebel moved to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Nethery and carried by a 4-0 vote, with Commissioner Butzbach ABSENT. V. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None o APPROVED MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION VI. NEW BUSINESS OCTOBER 12, 2005 A. Palm Desert Fire Services Monthly Report - August, 2005 Vice Chairman Lebel noted that he had requested at the last meeting that the section of the report entitled "Major Noteworthy Events" include the total number of man hours for each item. Mrs. Gilligan responded that with all the recent wildfires, staff had not had a chance to follow up with the Fire Department on this request; however, this information would be included on future reports. Vice Chairman Lebel moved to, by Minute Motion, receive and file the Palm Desert Fire Services Monthly Report for August, 2005. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood and carried by a 4-0 vote, with Commissioner Butzbach ABSENT. B. Palm Desert Target Team Monthly Statistics - August, 2005 Lt. Thetford updated the Commission on the recent bank robberies as well as the walk-in robbery at a nail salon on El Paseo. Commissioner Nethery complimented the Target Team for the great job it is doing for the City of Palm Desert. Commissioner Kirkwood moved to, by Minute Motion, receive and file the Palm Desert Target Team Monthly Statistics Report for August, 2005. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Nethery and carried by a 4-0 vote, with Commissioner Butzbach ABSENT. C. Palm Desert Station - Traffic Collision Statistics for August, 2005 Commissioner Nethery moved to, by Minute Motion, receive and file the subject report for August, 2005. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood and carried by a 4-0 vote, with Commissioner Butzbach ABSENT. D. Consideration of Riverside County Fire Department Proposal to Expend Indian Gaming Grant Funds and General Fund Monies to Purchase and Install Mobile Computer Equipment on All Front Line City Fire Equipment. Chief Witten reviewed the staff report, noting that due to State budget cuts, the Fire Department had not received as much in Indian Gaming Grant funding as it needed to install computers on all its necessary equipment. Additional funding would be needed in order to include computers for two of the engines and two Chief vehicles. 3 APPROVED MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION OCTOBER 12, 2005 Mrs. Gilligan noted that she and Chief Otero had met subsequent to the Agenda preparation, and he noted that if the City of Palm Desert approved funding in the amount of $8,000, the two engines and two Chief vehicles could be equipped with the computers. Chief Witten noted that for the Fire Marshal's vehicle, the City of Rancho Mirage would pay for the mounting hardware and docking station. Mrs. Gilligan added that if the Public Safety Commission agreed, it could recommend to the City Council approval of the additional $8,000 so that all of the engines and the two vehicles (Fire Marshal and Chief) could be equipped with the necessary computers. Vice Chairman Lebel moved to, by Minute Motion: 1) Recommend that the Palm Desert City Council concur with the Fire Department's proposal to expend approximately $47,000 in Indian Gaming Grant funding and General Fund monies to purchase and install mobile computer equipment on all front line City fire equipment; 2) recommend that the Palm Desert City Council approve additional funding in the amount of $8,000 to equip two fire engines and vehicles for the Fire Marshal and Chief with the same mobile computer equipment. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood and carried by a 4-0 vote, with Commissioner Butzbach ABSENT. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VIII. OLD BUSINESS None IX. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION (S) 1. Mrs. Gilligan reported that at its last meeting, the City Council approved use of the former Visitor Information Center building at the comer of Highway 111 and Monterey Avenue for a police substation. The City was in the process of getting signage, phones, utilities, etc. up to what the Police Department will need. In addition, that parking lot building will now be included in the City's repaving program, which will be completed in the next few months. She noted that the visibility was great on that corner, and she thanked the Public Safety Commission for moving this forward. 2 APPROVED MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION OCTOBER 12, 2005 2. Mrs. Gilligan stated that the City Council would be considering the medical marijuana dispensary ordinance which was brought forward with the Public Safety Commission recommendation for adoption. She noted that members of the City Council had attended a League of California Cities meeting recently and found that three cities had been sued for enacting similar ordinances. She said there was a conflict between State and Federal law. This ordinance was saying that, until those conflicts were resolved, medical marijuana dispensaries would not be allowed in the City of Palm Desert. Lt. Thetford said he had provided this information to the City Attorney, who was aware of the lawsuits. He noted that cities can be sued if they have an ordinance, and they can be sued once they deny such dispensaries. Even if the City did not have an ordinance, such dispensaries could be denied because of the conflict. He said the City of Palm Desert was taking a forward step in enacting this ordinance to make it clear that permits will not be granted for medical marijuana distribution. Commissioner Nethery asked whether the City Attorney's office continued to recommend adoption of this ordinance in light of this new information that came up at the League of California Cities meeting versus having no ordinance. Mrs. Gilligan responded that she had not heard anything to the contrary. Lt. Thetford noted that he had emailed the information to the City Attorney and had subsequently discussed this with him. He said the medical marijuana issue had been going on for quite some time regarding dispensaries because of the conflict in State and Federal law and the fact -that the mandate of the State law requires a system to check who can and cannot possess and who can and cannot dispense, which is also not clearly defined. The City Attorney was aware of all of this information. Upon question by Vice Chairman Lebel, Lt. Thetford responded that the City Attorney agreed with the Public Safety Commission's recommended amendment from the last meeting relative to Federal law. Upon further question by Mrs. Gilligan, Lt. Thetford stated that the County of Riverside, for the same reason Palm Desert was considering an ordinance, put an emergency 90-day hold on its decision to issue permits for these establishments. The County would be the agency to tell the City how to regulate these businesses 5 APPROVED MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION OCTOBER 12, 2005 because cards are supposed to be issued through the County under State law and the Health and Safety Code. He added that it was the County's responsibility to establish rules and regulations on monitoring these businesses, who can and cannot obtain the medical marijuana, etc. Because it is medical in nature, there is a confidentiality issue involved, and there is no photo on the card. There is just a serial number with a website address. With that card, law enforcement is supposed to go to that website address to confirm the serial number and whether or not it is a counterfeit card. He noted that an individual had come forward wanting to open a dispensary in Thousand Palms, which is why the County of Riverside backed off and decided to hold it for 90 days to take a better look at it because the issue was not clearly defined. One concern was that the Sheriff's Department would be dealing with people ripping off that place on a regular basis since the individual was planning on growing quite a bit of marijuana. He added that the law was very open ended and vague on who is a care provider. X. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Update on the Citizens on Patrol Program Mrs. Gilligan noted that Mr. Bob Kohn, who previously administered the Citizens on Patrol Program for the City of Palm Desert, had recently retired. She introduced Ms. Frankie Riddle, Senior Management Analyst, who had now stepped into that position. Deputy Robert Bishop reviewed his report dated October 11, 2005 (on file in the Community Services Division), outlining the history of the Citizens on Patrol (COP), staffing, functions, equipment, and training. He also showed a photo of one of the two Ford Contour vehicles being used by this program. He noted there were currently 12 active members, with a goal of having 30 full-time members to help with standard patrols and eventually assist with the Sheriff's Department shut-in and vacant property check programs. He added that even during the past summer, with the COP program at 50% of staffing, 58 hours of patrol time were logged for June, 30 hours in July, and 111 hours in August. Upon question by Chairman Larsh, Lt. Thetford responded that the vacant property check program is up and running; however, the Citizens on Patrol has not yet been integrated into this program. MR. JOHN FANNING, COP Captain, said the program was growing, and members were making good community contacts. He noted the 0 APPROVED MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION OCTOBER 12, 2006 biggest time commitment for members was going through the Police Academy. He reviewed activities of the COP members, noting that they patrol specific areas of the City, including the Civic Center, the skate park, the baseball fields, and Westfield Shoppingtown, and they planned to have a presence at the new Visitor Information Center in the near future as well. One of the big additions that had helped them be more available for policing agencies was the acquisition of scanners, which are programmed by the Police Department to pick up their frequencies. Members are trained to listen to the codes and can respond and assist in traffic control, etc. He added that while the current vehicles were acceptable, he was trying to negotiate with the City to upgrade to larger ones, such as Crown Victorias, which would allow them to carry more material and equipment and would make it easier for volunteers to get in and out. He invited Commission members to call and arrange ride-alongs with COP members. Mr. Chuck Lovin said he felt this program did have an opportunity make a difference in the community, with traffic control, etc. He agreed that getting into and out of the small vehicles was difficult for the volunteers. Mrs. Gilligan noted that this matter could be placed on the next Agenda for Public Safety Commission for a recommendation to the City Council. Councilman Kelly stated he would like to see the City purchase a new vehicle specifically for the COP program and not just provide a hand- me-down vehicle. Captain Fanning said it would also be helpful to have new light bars on the tops of the vehicles to include "alley lights" on the sides so they are able to look down driveways and side yards while driving down the streets. The cost for these lights is approximately $700 to $800, but he felt it was something that was well worthwhile. Lt. Thetford said if the City would provide the new vehicle, he would assist with obtaining the requested light bar. Deputy Bishop noted that these volunteers also help with the traffic control for the a of July event in the Civic Center Park as well as the Golf Cart Parade. 7 APPROVED MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION OCTOBER 12, 2005 Councilman Kelly suggested that a member of COP attend the Public Safety Commission meetings monthly. Captain Fanning said he or one of his Lieutenants would be more than happy to do so and provide a monthly report. Mrs. Gilligan noted that the City had recently produced a special edition of the BrightSide providing information as to what to do in an earthquake, and this was another area where the Citizens on Patrol could provide assistance. Mr. Lovin said their biggest concern and need right now was to get more people, and he asked for ideas on how to go about doing that. Chairman Larsh noted that the City has a lot of smaller gated communities, and he asked whether managers in these communities had been approached relative to this program. Captain Fanning responded that they had contacted several of them. He said they had a speakers bureau which had contacted several of these communities. He added that they had a list of all homeowners associations in the City, and they planned to contacting them as soon as they could. He noted there were sometimes difficulties going to places such as Palm Desert Greens; those communities were somewhat tentative about programs such as this because they had their own volunteers and did not want them to be taken away by another group. He said he would be glad to share information with them so that they can network. Upon question by Commissioner Kirkwood, Captain Fanning responded that he would be willing to make a short presentation to the CAI (Community Association Institute), a group of managers and vendors for all homeowners associations. Commissioner Kirkwood said she was sure there were people in homeowners associations who would be willing to volunteer their time, even though it is outside the individual communities themselves. Vice Chairman Lebel added that he felt there were two areas the Police Department/City had difficulties interfacing with from time to time to some degree — gated communities and neighborhood watch. While the neighborhood watch program was active in Palm Desert, it was limited to very few small neighborhoods. He suggested that consideration be given to interfacing the Citizens on Patrol program with these two areas, and he felt gated communities could benefit from having neighborhood watch programs. APPROVED MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION OCTOBER 12, 2005 XI. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Nethery moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:25 p.m. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood and carried by a 4-0 vote, with Commissioner Butzbach ABSENT. Respectfully submitted, r MARY P. S RECORDI CRETARY e7