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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Public Saftey Commission February 9, 2011CITY OF PALM DESERT REGULAR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, February 9, 2011 — 3:30 p.m. Administrative Conference Room I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Lebel called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m. w II. ROLL CALL w F AO Present: Absent: Chairman Lebel C Vice Chairman Butzbach Commissioner Gloria Kirkwood e Commissioner James Larsh Commissioner Nethery A A ww UO> Also Present: d U Stephen Aryan, Assistant to the City Manager U Q a Gary Rosenblum, Risk Manager Lt. Andrew Shouse, Palm Desert Police Department Sgt. Misty Reynolds, Palm Desert Police Department Chief Dorian Cooley, Riverside County Fire Department Battalion Chief John Rios, Riverside County Fire Department Fire Marshal Steve Brooker, Riverside County Fire Department Karen Prusinowski, Recording Secretary w F Stephen Aryan announced that Karen Prusinowski was returning to the Public Safety Commission as recording secretary upon Lori Kritzer's retirement. Stephen apologized for the Minutes not being available and explained this was due to the transition. They will be on the next agenda. CITY OF PALM DESERT REGULAR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, February 9, 2011 — 3:30 p.m. Administrative Conference Room I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Lebel called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Chairman Lebel Vice Chairman Butzbach Commissioner Gloria Kirkwood Commissioner James Larsh Commissioner Nethery Also Present: Stephen Aryan, Assistant to the City Manager Gary Rosenblum, Risk Manager Lt. Andrew Shouse, Palm Desert Police Department Sgt. Misty Reynolds, Palm Desert Police Department Chief Dorian Cooley, Riverside County Fire Department Battalion Chief John Rios, Riverside County Fire Department Fire Marshal Steve Brooker, Riverside County Fire Department Karen Prusinowski, Recording Secretary Stephen Aryan announced that Karen Prusinowski was returning to the Public Safety Commission as recording secretary upon Lori Kritzer's retirement. Stephen apologized for the Minutes not being available and explained this was due to the transition. They will be on the next agenda. PRELIMINARY MINUTES REGULAR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 9, 2011 III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Phyllis Harkins, Palm Desert Country Club Homeowners Association, invited everyone to the 4th annual pancake breakfast and neighborhood watch on Saturday, March 19, 8:30-10:00 a.m. She will bring invitations to Stephen. She is working with Frankie to have COP representatives from Palm Desert, and also represented will be Palm Springs, Indio, Desert Hot Springs, and Cathedral City to participate in a presentation of what COP programs do for the community. IV. PRESENTATIONS None. V. CONSENT CALENDAR Chairman Lebel mentioned that as previously discussed, the January 12, 2011, Minutes will be on the March agenda. A. Palm Desert Fire Services Monthly Report for December 2010 B. Palm Desert Police Department Specialized Units Monthly Report for January, 2011 Motion to receive and file the reports made by Commissioner Nethery, seconded by Commissioner Larsh, unanimously carried. Chief Cooley pointed out that the report had been expanded and is now more complete. Chairman Lebel appreciated the expanded report. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None. VII. NEW BUSINESS A. Recommendation to modify United States Department of Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program FY 2010 Local Solicitation (Award # 2010-DJ-BX- 0688). 2 PRELIMINARY MINUTES REGULAR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 9, 2011 Vice Chairman Butzbach feels it is a great program and likes seeing grant money being used in the community. Motion to approve the recommendation by Vice Chairman Butzbach, seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood. Discussion: Lt. Shouse addressed a question concerning texting and said no funds would be used for distractive driver enforcement. Funds would strictly be used for the purchase of child safety equipment. The Department will apply for another OTS grant from the state to do distractive driver enforcement. Chairman Lebel said he feels it is a great use of funds. Lt. Shouse said approximately 500 bicycle helmets were given out this past year, both at the Safety Festival as well as at school presentations. Over 100 child safety seats were distributed. You can never tell how many lives were potentially saved. Chairman Lebel asked if there would be any other requirements to modify the scope of the program, and Lt. Shouse said no, it will be left as is. Initially when we had the opportunity to apply for the grant, thought was given to the purchase of needed computer equipment. Since that time, things changed and this was found to be a more important use of funds. We will probably qualify for additional JAG grant funds this year. Usually they start soliciting for applications late spring/summertime. Those are formula grant funds based upon crimes reported by jurisdictions throughout the nation. The feds distribute that money to each individual state based upon the number of crimes, and then from the state they are distributed to the individual jurisdictions. If we qualify for less than $10,000, we won't get any grant money and it would go to the county. Our crime stats were pretty stable in 2010 so there should be about the same amount of funding from the JAG grant. We will have to come up with some other way to spend the money. Commissioner Nethery said it's a good news/bad news situation. When crime drops low, you don't get the grant. Lt. Shouse said that is correct. Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells do not qualify for JAG grant. Motion to approve recommendation was unanimous. 3 PRELIMINARY MINUTES REGULAR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 9, 2011 B. Request to expend funds for various Traffic Collision Investigations Courses Chairman Lebel said there are several officers who would be attending these courses and the request is for authorization to expend $2,891 in Cal Cops funds to send the officers to various traffic collision investigations courses. Commissioner Larsh asked if officers are currently going, and Lt. Shouse said that none of the officers identified have gone. This is furthering the training of existing traffic team officers. There is an involuntary rotation as people are promoted and new officers are brought in who require some training. If we have a fatal collision, we want officers available who are trained in reconstruction. It is essential training. Motion to recommend approval to the City Council made by Commissioner Nethery, seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood, and unanimously carried. C. Request to expend funds for the Lifesavers 2011 - Phoenix Conference at the Phoenix Convention Center, March 27-29, 2011 Chairman Lebel said this is a request to recommend that the City Council approve the request by the Palm Desert Police Department to expend $3,247.83 in Cal Cops funds to send various officers to the Lifesavers 2011 - Phoenix Conference in March. Commissioner Nethery asked if this was something that people are rotated through, and Lt. Shouse said we have not sent officers to this yet. This year it is in Phoenix so we do not have to pay for airfare. It goes hand -in -hand with ongoing child safety. The officers scheduled to go are current traffic officers who also attended a week-long training for certification in how to install a car seat. Motion to recommend approval to Commissioner Nethery, seconded unanimously carried. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None. VIII. OLD BUSINESS None. the City Council made by by Commissioner Larsh, ►.I PRELIMINARY MINUTES REGULAR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 9, 2011 IX. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION(S) Stephen Aryan said there were no reports. Chairman Lebel asked if the Council discussed attendance at the Public Safety Commission meetings. Mr. Aryan said that he informally spoke with Councilman Kroonen and he apologized because he had a prior conflict and could not attend today's meeting. Chairman Lebel asked if members were Councilman Kroonen and Councilmember Finerty, and Mr. Aryan responded yes. X. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Public Safety Commissioners Commissioner Nethery said that he believed the Commission decided to put this item last under "Reports and Remarks". Commissioner Kirkwood agreed. Mr. Aryan said this will be moved next month. Chairman Lebel said this item will be deferred. B. Citizens on Patrol Program Mr. Aryan spoke on behalf of Ms. Riddle, who was not in attendance. The monthly report was included in the agenda. The COPS have done over 800 hours worth of service. Commissioner Nethery said that they are doing a great job. Mr. Aryan indicated that the COPS Caller was not available at the time of posting and it will be included next month. C. Legislative Update Mr. Rosenblum said that nothing has changed from the report he gave in January. Assemblyman Nestande and Senator Emmerson have joined to host a public forum at City Hall in the Council Chamber on February 11, 1:00 pm. The topic will be redevelopment agencies and the budget. There will be presentations by Supervisor Benoit, Rancho Mirage City Manager Pat Pratt and Assistant City Manager for Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency Justin McCarthy. They will talk about redevelopment and why it is good and what 61 PRELIMINARY MINUTES REGULAR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 9, 2011 good it has done for the various cities, and why it should not be eliminated. Both Assemblyman Nestande and Senator Emmerson are opposed to the elimination of redevelopment. There may also be a guest from the League of California Cities and various other cities who will come to show support for the pro redevelopment position. Mr. Aryan mentioned that our City Council approved a letter and resolution that were sent to the Governor giving him our position on the budget and how we are against the proposal. A copy was also sent to our legislators and the appropriate committees that are overlooking the budget. Commissioner Nethery asked if other valley cities sent similar letters, and Mr. Aryan said he did not know. The request was sent to the League of California Cities Division for this area, so other cities probably received the same request. Mr. Rosenblum said in general the cities with redevelopment agencies want redevelopment left alone. There aren't many exceptions to that. The Hearings have started in Sacramento on the issue. Mr. Aryan said that our city was one of 18 chosen state-wide for an audit by the State Controller's Office, which was underway this week. Mr. Rosenblum said they picked the cities not based on any suspicion of wrong -doing, but based on projects that seemed of interest to them, administrative cost, and the size of the agency. Palm Desert has one of the top ten redevelopment agencies in the state, even for our size. We have the same size redevelopment agency as Oakland. The Controller's Office wants to see what we are doing with all the money. Fortunately we passed through a lot of money to affordable housing and schools, so we don't have 100% administrative costs like some RDAs. There may be some issues relating to the definition of blight. We define blight as open desert that is turned into something good like a park, streets, or affordable housing. There are about 30 days left for the legislature to take action on a special election that would start the ball rolling on changes to redevelopment. Chairman Lebel asked if any developers would be speaking at the public forum, and Mr. Rosenblum said he was not aware any would be speaking, but there is an option for the public to have three minutes to present questions or comments. Chairman Lebel asked if any protest was anticipated, and Mr. Rosenblum said no. He also asked if there might be ramifications from the meeting, and Mr. Rosenblum said he wasn't sure if there would be any one way or the other. The democrats are in the majority, Assemblyman Nestande is the N PRELIMINARY MINUTES REGULAR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 9, 2011 number two Republican which is good from that point of view but he is still the minority. Commissioner Nethery asked if any other valley cities were audited, and the response was Desert Hot Springs. Chairman Lebel commented that City Manager Wohlmuth's letter to the Desert Sun editor was a great letter and he did a wonderful job identifying a number of public projects. Mr. Rosenblum speculates that redevelopment won't be zeroed out, but there will be some kind of capping or controlling of redevelopment or forcing the money to be passed through to local schools. Chief Cooley said that the preliminary report from Desert Hot Springs is that they came out fairly well with their review. Supervisor Benoit spoke at a Hearing this past week in Sacramento. Cities were given one minute to speak and that was it, and they were literally shutting off the mic at one minute. D. Police and Fire Department Reports Lt. Shouse reported that the Desert Sun printed a letter on February 6 written by a resident complimenting Deputy Alderson. The resident had stopped on Portola to use her phone during hours of darkness and Deputy Alderson pulled up behind her and asked her if she needed help. She was appreciative of this action. Lt. Shouse re -introduced Sgt. Reynolds, who will be attending PSC meetings for the next couple of months while he is attending the FBI Academy. The annual report will be submitted in March. Captain Wilhelm will be bringing the budget to the Commission in April. Lt. Shouse provided the Commission with an update on the robberies on El Paseo that have been in the media. There were approximately six commercial burglaries since the beginning of the year on El Paseo. There was a carjacking, and a question was asked whether the vehicle was recovered and the response was yes. There was also a purse snatching at the same location. No injuries. The Department is sensitive to the perception of crime running rampant on El Paseo and in Palm Desert in general. The Department is doing their best to reassure the public that they are safe. People still need to take steps to protect themselves to reduce the likelihood of being victimized. N PRELIMINARY MINUTES REGULAR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 9, 2011 At the last meeting, the Commission recommended approving the Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) seminar in April. This is an opportunity for the Department to provide education to business owners and residents in Palm Desert on how to look at safety through improving lighting, modifying landscape (shrubs), security, and surveillance systems. Gang officers were in Palm Desert today doing parole searches. Chairman Lebel said that one thing that comes to mind that was the subject of much controversy a number of years ago in Palm Springs when they dealt with similar issues, was whether or not it might be wise to explore the feasibility of cameras on El Paseo similar to what has been done in downtown Palm Springs. He asked that someone from the Department research this and give the Commission an outline within a couple of months. This is something the Commission might review and make a recommendation to the City Council. Mr. Aryan said that the best place for cameras might be a park. Mr. Rosenblum said that we have a few cameras in the park. The cameras might be useful for potentially identifying something after it happens, but someone has to be watching the cameras to affect crime. Lt. Shouse said El Paseo is considered the crown jewel of Palm Desert and it is worth protecting and making sure people feel safe there. It is something that we have discussed at the staff level at the City and it could be looked at again. RDA was looking into whether that would be an appropriate use of RDA funds. The Police Department could work with the City to develop a recommendation/proposal. Mr. Aryan said he will take the lead and look into this and come back with an analysis and recommendation so that the Commission can make its recommendation to the Council. Chairman Lebel said he preferred that he have the time to explore in depth without being rushed, and that is why 60 days was suggested. Commissioner Nethery said there must be other cities in southern California that have worked with this issue that could be contacted. Chairman Lebel said that when Palm Springs did their system, there was controversy because of the perception that big brother was watching. That went by the wayside during the course of developing the project, and from what he understands, it has been very successful. PRELIMINARY MINUTES REGULAR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 9, 2011 Chairman Lebel recalled years ago meetings were held with all the banks after several bank robberies, and there was good support from the financial community. Lt. Shouse said there may also be an opportunity to incorporate license plate readers at specific locations on El Paseo. 1. Report on burglary and theft in Palm Desert, 2008-2010 Lt. Shouse discussed the report provided. In general, property crime steadily declined until 2010. In 2010, there was a leveling off of crime., with a 0% change in property crime and a 1.1 % decrease in violent crime. There were 671 burglaries in Palm Desert in 2010; 301 of those were residential burglaries. As part of the budget process, a recommendation will be made to move the two CSO's from the substation to the field doing crime prevention and educating the public on how to protect themselves and to transition the current sworn officer into a burglary focus officer. Discussions are underway with Indian Wells and Rancho Mirage to participate in a multi - jurisdictional burglary unit. Lt. Shouse believes that with internal adjustments we can maintain a police presence at the substation, and without manning the desk Monday -Friday, be more productive out in the field. Chairman Lebel said that with the forward thinking approach, we can do better with what we have and put our resources to better use. The Fire Department realized a number of years ago that the more resources they put into fire prevention, the less impact it had on the resources for fire suppression. That same philosophy probably exists with increasing the crime prevention forces in law enforcement. Commissioner Nethery felt this was a great idea. Anything innovative and new, such as more officers on the street rather than in city hall, is phenomenal. Commissioner Larsh asked if there were five members on the Special Enforcement Team (SET). Lt. Shouse said there are six and one sergeant. Two business district officers that focus on the business corridor and a beat officer assigned to each of the remaining four beats. They are managed by a sergeant. This is a flexible resource that we have at our disposal. 9 PRELIMINARY MINUTES REGULAR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 9, 2011 2. 2010 Holiday Theft Suppression Program Report Mr. Aryan announced that this report will be included as an informational item in March. 3. Every 15 Minutes Program Chief Cooley mentioned that this program has been presented at several high schools in the valley. It is a simulated accident put on dramatically for the students at the high school using roll players. It is a drunk driving accident with a loss of life of one of the students. The program is traditionally taped and played back for the students. This program is scheduled for March 1-2. A crash simulation will be held on the first day at 10:30 a.m. and the assembly will be held on the second day in the main gym at 11:00 a.m. It is an extremely powerful program. Sgt. Reynolds announced that KESQ has donated all filming time, which will mean even more exposure this year. 4. On a sad note, Chief Cooley mentioned that Kevin Brown passed away this past week. He will be missed. 5. Chief Cooley thanked Stephen Aryan for his hard work in going out to bid for fire station renovations. Mr. Aryan said that the renovations are at Stations 33 and 71. When it was determined that redevelopment funds could not be used for certain parts of the renovation, we moved forward with what we could do, such as the bathrooms, kitchen, landscaping and installing lockers in the dorms at Station 71. The six-month project is anticipated to begin in March. A good response to the RFP is anticipated, and so far ten firms have pulled plans. E. Staff Mr. Aryan met with Chief Rios to discuss ways to improve Fire Department access at Desert Willow Golf Resort. A. Public Safety Commissioners — continued Commissioner Nethery commented on the Shop with a Cop Program. When he read the positive publicity, it made him proud of the city. He feels the program is terrific, and he expressed his appreciation to those involved. ire PRELIMINARY MINUTES REGULAR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 9, 2011 XI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Commission, motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Nethery, seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood, unanimously approved. Meeting was adjourned at 4:50 pm. Respectfully submitted, n Karen Prusinowski, Recording Secretary 11