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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Sfty Cmsn - 01/13/2010 /'"�'`.�..""� � � CITY OF PALM DESERT REGULAR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSI4N MEETING APPROVED MINUTES Wednesday, January 13, 2010 — 3:30 p.m. Administrative Conference Room I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Nethery called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m. CtTY COUNCIL ACTtON II. ROLL CALL APPROVF.D DF,NiF,D RECEIVED t-��,. OTHER Present: M E CTI1�G DATE ' a.���C� % Commissioner James Bu t z ba�FS� ��c '` �'s� �P � Y Commissioner Gloria Kirkwo nF�` �`��� Vice Chairman James Larsh��3��"�T' �`��� Commissioner Rick Lebel ARS�A�:v' � V[�;12[FI�U I3Y: � � Chairman Martin Nethery ��.��;�,��i on File with City Clcrk's �fice III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Phyllis Harkins, Palm Desert Country Club Homeowners Association General Manager and newly appointed Area 4 Commissioner, spoke to the vandalism at Joe Mann Park. She said Lt. Shouse and his deputies were doing an outstanding job working with this matter; however, the problem was continuing. The Board of Directors asked her to attend the meeting to ask the Commissioners what the homeowners can be doing further to help contain these vandals. They were not getting any results even though the police were doing their part. Residents call and report the kids when they are vandalizing the park property; the police arrest them they are back at the park the very next day. She said they may need more police presence on the street, but she did not believe it was working. She asked for direction from the Commissioners. Stephen Aryan asked for Ms. Harkin's contact information and said that he would schedule a meeting with her and Lt. Shouse to discuss this matter further. Chair Nethery reiterated that Ms. Harkins could meet with Mr. Aryan and Lt. Shouse and bring a report back to the Commission about what steps can be taken to further help with this matter. APPROVED AGENDA REGULAR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING JANUARY 14, 2010 Commissioner Butzbach asked that the report from staff identify the issues, what crimes are being perpetrated and history on what has been happening. Sgt. Reynolds said she was representing Lt. Shouse this afternoon and was very familiar with the problems at Joe Mann Park. IV. PRESENTATIONS None V. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Minutes of the Public Safety Commission Meeting of December 9, 2009 Rec: Approve as presented. B. Palm Desert Fire Services Monthly Report for November 2009 Rec: By Minute Motion, receive and file. C. Palm Desert Special Enforcement Team Monthly Report for December 2009 Rec: By Minute Motion, receive and file. D. Traffic Team Report for December 2009 -- Includes Traffic Collision Statistics for November 2009 and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Statistics for December 2009 Rec: By Minute Motion, receive and file. E. Business District Team Report— December 2009 Rec: By Minute Motion, receive and file. F. Canine Report— December 2009 Rec: By Minute Motion, receive and file. G. Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force Report for December 2009 Rec: By Minute Motion, receive and file. 2 APPROVED AGENDA REGULAR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING JANUARY 14, 2010 H. Mini-Muster Report Rec: By Minute Motion, receive and file. Upon motion by Commissioner Butzbach, seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood, the remainder of the Consent Calendar was approved as presented by a unanimous vote. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER B. Palm Desert Fire Services Monthly Report for April 2009 Commissioner Larsh inquired as to whether the EMS calls have increased over the last six months. Chief Cooley stated that it was a normal figure for the EMS calls across the county to be in the range of 75 to 80 percent. We have not seen an increase in those types of calls. Commissioner Lebel asked about training activities for Station 71. He notice again this year that Kevin McNally at the Fire Department has provided a considerable amount of training for the rest of the Fire Department. He has organized, provided training and acted as an instructor for that training. We recognized him last year for his efforts and he asked that he be recognized again this year. Chief Cooley will pass along Commissioner Lebel's comments to Mr. McNally. Chief Cooley stated that he personally thanks Mr. McNally for his efforts. He enjoys organizing and working with the training programs and has been very instrumental in getting these trainings going; he is very much appreciated. Chief Cooley thanked Mr. Lebel for noticing. Commissioner Butzbach moved to, by Minute Motion, receive and file the report. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood and carried unanimously. VII. NEW BUSINESS A. Selection of Committee Chair and Vice Chair Commissioner Butzbach moved to nominate Commissioner Jim Larsh to be appointed as Chair and Commissioner Rick Lebel to be appointed as Vice-Chair. Motion seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood and unanimously approved. B. Request to expend funds for Radar and Laser Operator Courses at the Ben Clark Training Center (Riverside, CA), January 19-22, 2010. 3 APPROVED AGENDA REGULAR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING JANUARY 14, 2010 Commissioner Butzbach has been speaking with Lt. Shouse about post-training funds. He noticed that this request was a post- reimbursement of tuition. This is an in-house radar program that the Sheriff's Department is hosting and is being attended by two Riverside County Deputy Sheriffs. He realized that they are assigned to a contract station, but he is surprised that the City has to pay the tuition. He received information on post-reimbursement recently and was unhappy with the way the Sheriff's Department and Personnel approach training reimbursement. He believed that the Sheriff's Department should absorb the cost of in-house training and he could not approve the request. He was adamant about the need for legislation to deal with this issue. Commissioner Nethery commented that this issue has been discussed previously with staff and the fact that we are a contract city as opposed to a non-contract city, and came to the conclusion that there was legislation needed, as Commissioner Butzbach suggested. Commissioner Butzbach has had preliminary talks with Supervisor Benoit and he thought he, Mr. Rosenblum and Lt. Shouse were interested in looking into the legislation. Mr. Aryan stated that the City's Legislative Review Committee will be meeting this month and we could add that item to the agenda. Gary Rosenblum responded that Lt. Shouse was going to contact Police Headquarters to see if there were administrative adjustments that could be made to fix this in lieu of going the legislative route. Mr. Rosenblum said that he would contact Lt. Shouse and report on this item at next month's meeting. Vice Chair Lebel moved, by Minute Motion, to approve expenditure of Cal COPS Funds in the amount of $246.00. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Kirkland and carried 4-1, with Commissioner Butzbach voting no. C. Request to expend funds for purchase of Palm Desert Police Department Promotional Items. Vice Chair Lebel said that additional items on page two do not appear to be a part of the total amount requested. If they are not, an additional $342 needs to be added to the $4,290 amount requested. Sgt. Reynolds stated that she was involved in the preparation of this staff report. The amount of $342 noted by Vice Chair Lebel 4 APPROVED AGENDA REGULAR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING JANUARY 14, 2010 was not included in the requested amount. She appreciated Vice Chair Lebel making a note of that distinction. Upon inquiry by Commissioner Butzbach, Sgt. Reynolds stated that they normally keep a supply of these items for upcoming and future events. They often have school children touring the station and they like having these types of items on hand for the children. This month there were 150 children going through a "Stranger Danger Program" two different groups including Lincoln Elementary and Washington Charter. The Family Safety Festival being planned for March 27, 2010, will need these promotional items as well. Vice Chair Lebel moved, by Minute Motion, to authorize the approval of an amount not to exceed $4,600, providing the flexibility to add those items if necessary. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Nethery and carried unanimously. D. "Shop with a Cop" Report Commissioner Nethery commented it was a great program. Sgt. Reynolds reported that it was a wonderful program. Everyone was receptive and everyone had a great time with the children. Commissioners receive and filed the "Shop with a Cop" Report. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None IX. OLD BUSINESS None X. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION (S) Mr. Aryan reported that at the Council approved the purchase of the surplus reserve unit from the City of Indian Wells. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Public Safety Commissioners Commissioner Nethery requested that Item A, Public Safety Commissioners, be moved to the bottom of this category. Commissioner Butzbach commended and thanked the Palm Desert Police and Sheriff Departments for their traffic program this past 5 APPROVED AGENDA REGULAR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING JANUARY 14, 2010 year that has seen significant evidence, by overall citations that were issued last year, in the residential and business districts with regard to speeding, running stop signs, and going through traffic lights. This has made a great impact on the number of overall traffic accidents. The traffic index was reduced and there have been more incidents of DUI arrests and getting intoxicated drivers off the road. He asked that Sgt. Reynolds pass along his thanks to Captain Dan and Lt. Shouse that traffic enforcement program has had a great impact on the City. Commissioner Nethery commented that from his limited perspective, which is this Commission, the decrease of staff has not impacted the treatment, the preparation, and operation of this commission. He realizes that there are a lot of staff people who have more responsibility, but he has not seen anything negatively impact the commission and he really appreciated it. He said staff was doing a great job and as a resident of Palm Desert he was very pleased. Mr. Aryan thanked Commissioner Nethery for his kind comments. He will pass them along to Lori Wimbish as well. Commissioner Nethery asked Mr. Aryan to pass them along to the City Manager also. Vice Chair Lebel reminded the City's liaison, police and fire liaison, and the public safety liaison that the Commission has a custom of asking for annual reports prior to the end of March, so they can be reviewed and commented on prior to being passed along to the City Council as the budget preparation year starts. He would like staff to target the end of March or the first of April for those reports; he would appreciate it. B. Citizens on Patrol Program 1. Monthly Report for December 2009 Upon inquiry by Commissioner Kirkwood, Frankie Riddle responded that Comment Cards were received by anyone who was assisted by any COPS member. A COPS member may ask someone if they would like to provide a comment and will hand out the cards to individuals and ask that they send the cards to Palm Desert City Hall. Upon inquiry by Commissioner Nethery, Ms. Riddle responded that the COPS members regularly assist in the Police Department's DUI checkpoints. 6 APPROVED AGENDA REGULAR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING JANUARY 14, 2010 Sgt. Reynolds stated that the COPS members were very helpful at the DUI checkpoints. Upon inquiry by Vice Chair Lebel, Ms. Riddle responded that the COPS program has a budget of $30,000, an amount that has never been expended. Since there were more members they were getting closer to that budgeted amount. Vice Chair Lebel commented that the amount of donated hours over the past year by the COPS members would have cost the City $143,000. He thought the program was outstanding. Ms. Riddle reported that there were now 37 COPS members. They are doing a great job and recruitment is ongoing. 2. COPS Caller Newsletters —Winter 2009 and January 2010 Commissioner Butzbach felt that the Newsletter was very well done and he enjoyed reading it. He asked where the newsletter was distributed. Ms. Riddle responded that distribution is to the COPS members and the Public Safety Commission. Commissioner Butzbach requested that the Newsletter be distributed to City Council. Vice Chair Lebel said the Commission certainly supports the Program and he knows the Council does as well. He believed it would be important for the Council to receive the Newsletter. C. Legislative Update ' None D. Police and Fire Departments 1. Expend Funds for Child Passenger Safety Technician Course — Lt. Shouse Mr. Aryan stated that this training was happening this week and approved prior to this Public Safety meeting. Part of the training will certify officers for Child Passenger Safety, which will be important for the Family Safety Festival in March 2010. Vice Chair Lebel moved, by Minute Motion, to ratify the amount set. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood and carried unanimously. 7 APPROVED AGENDA REGULAR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING JANUARY 14, 2010 2. Fire Department Access to Commercial Properties — S. Brooker Upon inquiry by Commissioner Kirkwood, Chief Cooley responded that when the fire department responds to a working fire they will not stop to take the time to find the key for the Knox box. When we get to a commercial building and we don't see smoke, but we have an alarm or other indications that we feel we need to get in there and check it out, we will use the Knox box. Upon inquiry by Commissioner Nethery, Chief Cooley responded that the Fire Department should have access to a Knox box for every commercial building in the City. Normally, as part of the building inspection program, we make sure that there is a Knox box. It is not uncommon that tenets change, keys get misplaced or keys inside the building do not fit the existing Knox box. Every effort is made to ensure that we have access to the Knox box for each building for quick entry. In situations where we think we might have a problem we don't want to wait 10 or even 15 minutes for the tenet to drive home to get the key. Upon inquiry by Commissioner Nethery, Chief Cooley responded that it is part of the Fire Marshall's requirement that a building have a Knox box. Fire inspectors will follow- up both during construction and final walk-through. Upon inquiry by Chair Larsh, Chief Cooley responded that there is not a penalty for not having a Knox box. The inspectors will issue a correction notice and provide the tenet/owner with a signed application that would allow them to purchase a device. We give them a couple of weeks to get it instal{ed and then go back out to inspect that it was properly installed. We put their keys in the box and lock it � back up. Commissioner Nethery commented that a Certificate of Occupancy should not be issued without having a Knox box. Chief Cooley said he believed that was the case and, in fact, it is in the Fire DepartmenYs letter of conditions. Upon inquiry by Commissioner Kirkwood, Chief Cooley responded that is was part of the permit process. Further discussion ensued regarding multi-family and residential requirements. . 8 APPROVED AGENDA REGULAR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING JANUARY 14, 2010 E. Staff 1. Gated Communities— Oral Report G. Rosenbium Mr. Rosenblum responded to the question raised at the last Public Safety meeting concerning the radio systems. Three gated communities responded to our radio check last week, but he believed that there were five gated communities that have radios. There are, overall, 35 gated communities in the City. Commissioner Kirkwood commented that there was a Community Association Institute meeting on February 15, and she was going to try to schedule Mr. Rosenblum as a speaker on the agenda. 2. Grand Dedication of CNG Ambulance — Oral Rpt. S. Aryan Mr. Aryan announced that the CNG Dedication Ceremony was scheduled on Friday, January 22, 2010, 11 a.m. at the Town Center Fire Station No. 33. He had the opportunity to ride in the ambulance and it rode beautifully. 3. Medic Unit 55 — Oral Report S. Aryan Mr. Aryan gave a brief follow-up of the purchase of the reserve medic unit from Indian Wells. Mr. Aryan responded that Indian Wells has its own unit. The City of Palm Desert has a lease agreement with the City of Indian Wells. Upon inquiry by Commissioner Nethery, Mr. Aryan responded that there are two medic units at the Indian Wells location; one is serving Palm Desert the other Indian Wells. There was not a dedicated Palm Desert unit housed at the Indian Wells location; now there is. Palm Desert has three fire stations and now four medic units. XII. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Nethery moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:17 p.m., seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood, unanimously approved. � �S�V►�►l�c.� Lori imbish, Recording ecretary 9