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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Public Safety Commission September 14, 2011CITY OF PALM DESERT PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING PRELIMINARY MINUTES Wednesday, September 14, 2011 — 3:30 p.m. Public Works Conference Room I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Lebel called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Chairman Lebel Vice Chairman Butzbach Commissioner Kirkwood Commissioner Luhring Staff Present: IV. IVA Absent: Commissioner Nethery Councilman William R. Kroonen Stephen Aryan, Assistant to the City Manager Gary Rosenblum, Risk Manager Lt. Andrew Shouse, 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 EMS Captain Scott Visyak, Riverside County Fire Department Karen Prusinowski, Recording Secretary ORAL COMMUNICATIONS CITY COUNCIL ACTION APPROVED----- PPROVED DENIED None. RECEIVED 2- F.. OTHER MEETING DATV-771XI ) - _0 C/ PRESENTATIONS AYES: -an , NOES: -N��f - _-� None. ABSENT: Rbflt..._.,..� ABSTAIN: —K 'ul e VERIFIED BY:-- Original on File with City Clerk's Office MEETING MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 14, 2011 V. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Minutes of the Public Safety Commission Meeting of March 29, 2011 B. Minutes of the Public Safety Commission Meeting of June 8, 2011 C. Palm Desert Fire Services Monthly Report for February, March, April and July, 2011 D. Palm Desert Police Department Specialized Units Monthly Report for March, April, May, June and July, 2011 Chairman Lebel indicated that all Consent items could be approved with one roll call vote, or items may be pulled off the consent calendar for discussion, if desired. Chairman Lebel pulled Fire Services Monthly Report for July and Police Department Specialized Units Monthly Report for July. Motion by Vice Chairman Butzbach, seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood, to approve the Consent Calendar as presented, with the exclusion of the above items, unanimously carried. DISCUSSION Chairman Lebel referred to Page 6 — Personnel, in the Fire Services Monthly Report for July. The report indicates that Fire Apparatus Engineer McNally was promoted to Captain in Blythe. Chairman Lebel mentioned that Engineer McNally was instrumental in the Every 15 Minutes Program and other volunteer programs. Chief Cooley said that Engineer McNally has done a great job. The appointment is mid- term, which is a temporary appointment. He has not permanently left his assignment here. The volunteer programs will still be managed and the Department will make sure these programs are picked up by others at the station. Chairman Lebel referred to the Specialized Units End of Month Report for June. He asked if the Business District Team was still operational, and Lt. Shouse indicated it was. There are two officers within the Business District Team who are doing a phenomenal job. Motion by Commissioner Kirkwood, seconded by Commissioner Luhring, to approve the entire Consent Agenda as presented, unanimously carried. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None. 2 MEETING MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 14, 2011 VII. NEW BUSINESS A. Study on Video Surveillance in Palm Desert At the request of the Commission, Gary Rosenblum provided a report containing background information on video surveillance. The report provided an overview of the basic issues of video surveillance to the extent that it presents the first level of policy decision points to the Commission. These policy points are necessary to frame any further analysis of video surveillance requested by the Commission. Long term data storage costs are a consideration. There is some value to video surveillance for crime solving, but it is limited by the resources expended for the cameras and the coverage per camera. Mr. Rosenblum mentioned that policy makers should consider whether the investment of public funds for video surveillance would best serve the public interest; specifically regarding the video coverage of both private and public sector properties. Commissioner Kirkwood asked Lt. Shouse for his thoughts on video surveillance. Lt. Shouse felt it would be beneficial to first prepare a cost benefit analysis. He also felt that storing data has been a hurdle for many jurisdictions. He mentioned that the Police Department has license plate readers in three cars at this time, and this may be an effective, less expensive option. His primary concern is the cost involved with video surveillance. Vice Chairman Butzbach said the report was well written and thanked Mr. Rosenblum for doing a thorough job. His thoughts were to form a sub -committee to look into this matter. Consideration should be given as to what the City wants to achieve and at what cost. Mr. Rosenblum said that if a survey or study was to be undertaken, the coverage area and video image quality, needed to serve the purpose, should be identified. Chairman Lebel believed there needed to be a community buy -in. There are also high target areas in the community that could benefit from surveillance, such as parks. He suggested a small sub- committee be formed to review proposals and make a recommendation to the Commission. Chairman Lebel asked Vice Chairman Butzbach to serve on the proposed sub -committee and felt his expertise and background would 3 MEETING MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 14, 2011 be beneficial. Vice Chairman Butzbach agreed to serve in this capacity. Chairman Lebel asked Gary Rosenblum to serve, and he accepted. He also suggested including a member of the Police Department and a member from the business community. Commissioner Luhring said that the need for video surveillance should be identified first followed by the type of surveillance equipment needed. Motion by Commissioner Luhring to create a committee to look at the pros and cons of video surveillance, with members of the committee to be determined, seconded by Vice Chairman Butzbach. Chairman Lebel added that a preliminary report be submitted to the Commission at its December meeting. DISCUSSION Chairman Lebel asked Mr. Rosenblum to formulate the members of the committee (6- 10 individuals). The following individuals will meet to discuss the composition of the committee: Vice Chairman Butzbach Stephen Aryan Gary Rosenblum Lt. Shouse After discussion, the motion carried unanimously. B. Request to Expend Funds for Various Traffic Collision Investigations Courses Chairman Lebel discussed the consolidated report that was distributed. The recommendation was to provide staff with a recommended action to the City Council, concerning authorization for the Police Department to expend $6,180.00 in CAL Cops funds for various traffic collision investigations courses. Vice Chairman Butzbach asked if the officers taking the courses were new to Traffic, and Lt. Shouse said yes, some were newly assigned Traffic Officers. 0 MEETING MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 14, 2011 Commissioner Luhring referred to Stephen Y. Aryan's memorandum concerning Police Department expenditures. He inquired if this process would allow the opportunity to schedule training and have a way of paying for it prior to getting the Commission's approval. Mr. Aryan said that requests are typically brought to the Commission for approval, and the proposed process will streamline the processing of invoices. The reason that certain courses had already occurred before Commission approval was attributable to the Commission not holding its last two regularly scheduled meetings. Staff makes all efforts to ensure courses are approved by the Commission and City Council prior to attendance. Costs up to $1,000 will be processed by a voucher marked approved for payment on the invoice and signed by the Assistant to the City Manager and the Assistant Chief of Police. Items $1,00045,000 will be processed via a Purchase Order signed by the City Manager, with invoices marked approved for payment by the Assistant to the City Manager and the Assistant Chief of Police. Items over $5,000 will be sent to the Public Safety Commission and City Council for review. This procedure was developed to streamline the process and eliminate repetitious approval. Vice Chairman Butzbach requested that a monthly Summary of Training be included in future agenda packets. Mr. Aryan reported that the majority of training is paid using CAL Cops grants and such funding requires that an expenditure plan be approved at a public hearing. While this new procedure will streamline the process, the City Council and Commission will still have the opportunity to review the expenditure plan. Vice Chairman Butzbach said that in the past, the cost of the Commercial Enforcement Training Program was shared using a Cove formula between Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, and Palm Desert. He asked if this would continue. Lt. Shouse responded that the other two cities are no longer participating, and the officer is assigned 100% to Palm Desert. Motion by Commissioner Kirkwood, seconded by Commissioner Luhring, to expend $6,180 in CAL Cops funds to send officers to the courses identified in the report, unanimously carried. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None. MEETING MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 14, 2011 IX. OLD BUSINESS None X. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION(S) 1. CERT Training Gary Rosenblum prepared a report that was submitted to the City Council on June 9, 2011. The City Council approved the appropriation of funds ($32,300) for two CERT courses at the Public Safety Academy along with the purchase of equipment necessary to conduct the courses. The courses will be held in December and in February/March, but the actual dates have not been scheduled. He will work with COD before announcing the dates as he feels there will be a tremendous amount of interest once the dates are published. The report asked Council to consider cost recovery. None was requested, and the Council fully funded the two classes and there will not be any fee. Fire Marshal Steve Brooker and his team will provide the training as contractors of COD. 2. Motorcycle Maintenance Vendors Report was discussed. Motion to receive and rile the Reports on City Council Actions made by Vice Chairman Butzbach, seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood, unanimously carried. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Citizens on Patrol Program R MEETING MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 14, 2011 1. Monthly Report for February, March, April, May, June, July, and August 2011. 2. COPS Caller for April, May, June, July, and August 2011. The Commission expressed its appreciation for the above reports and the good work the members of the Citizens on Patrol are doing. Mr. Aryan mentioned that the Palm Desert COPS Program was awarded the Sheriff's Department's "Everyday Heroes" Community Services Medal, which is an honor. Chairman Lebel thanked all who serve the City under this program. B. Legislative Update Gary Rosenblum gave a verbal update. Among the bills the Governor will be considering is: VLF Bill: Awaiting the Governor's signature. There are two companion bills that would affect DUI check points. One is to prevent cities from impounding vehicles of unlicensed drivers. The other would require that the police give the public advance warning of the times and locations of DUI check points. Both of these bills are passed and on the Governor's desk to sign or veto. Lt. Shouse commented on the Bill concerning disclosing the precise location/time of check points. He said the Police Department currently puts out a Press Release in advance; however, it does not disclose the exact location. Check points are supposed to be a deterrent for DUI. Lt. Shouse commented on the bill concerning the prevention of impounding vehicles. Neither the City of Palm Desert nor the Sheriff's Department makes any money on impounded vehicles. The Police Department currently charges a vehicle impound cost recovery fee of $140 to recover administrative costs. A study was done to determine this fee. The tow yards do charge a storage fee. Chairman Lebel asked if there was resolution to the redevelopment agencies and Fire Department pass -through fees. Mr. Rosenblum indicated the City is paying the ransom to the State to keep its RDA alive. This is still in litigation. Mr. Aryan asked the Commission if it would like a presentation by the Redevelopment Agency and they said yes. He will schedule this for the next meeting. 7 MEETING MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 14, 2011 Lt. Shouse announced that the legislature passed AB109 in June, 2011, which is public safety realignment. In May, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the State of California had to reduce its prison population. The Governor passed a bill to reassign parolees and reduce the inmate population by 33,000. Counties are now responsible for the supervision of the majority of parolees. Non-violent, non -serious offenders sentenced to three years or less will now serve time in the County jail, which is maxed out now at 3,900 County beds. It is anticipated that in 2012, Riverside County will have 5,700 more inmates to supervise or house. This situation is something the public needs to be aware of. Thirty-three thousand inmates being absorbed on the streets will negatively affect crime numbers. Riverside County elected to assign paroles to its Probation Department. C. Police and Fire Departments Lt. Shouse explained to the Commission that beginning Labor Day, there was no longer an officer at the Civic Center Police Sub -Station; however, the dispatch center is still located here. There is an officer presence at the Civic Center Station, but no set public hours. Chief Cooley announced that the CNG ambulance unit was remounted on a diesel chassis, and the unit will be available for the Commission to view at its October meeting. Chief Cooley also commented on the partial renovations at Stations 33 and 71 that are ongoing. The projects were funded with redevelopment money. Some of the requested work, which was maintenance in nature, could not be completed with RDA funds. The City will assess the source of any future funding for any follow-up maintenance work. Mr. Aryan said that once the station renovations are completed, the Council and Commission will be invited to tour the renovated facilities. Chief Cooley distributed reports for the months of May and June. D. Mr. Aryan commented on the 9/11 Remembrance Concert. It was noted that Fire Marshal Brooker spent time in New York after the tragedy from September 12, 2001 through September 22, 2001. Mr. Rosenblum announced that he is in the final stages of working with DSUSD to establish a cooling center in the gymnasium at the high school that can be used in the event of a widespread power outage. It will need to be tested. 1.1 MEETING MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING E. Public Safety Commissioners SEPTEMBER 14, 2011 Vice Chairman Butzbach welcomed Lt. Shouse back from the FBI Academy. He also thanked Chief Rios for the service he performed a couple of weeks ago. Commissioner Luhring appreciated receiving the Press Release concerning back to school traffic enforcement, which shows the positive and proactive approach the City takes toward public safety. Upcoming Events: November 22, 2011 Public Safety Recognition Luncheon (location to be determined) March 24, 2012 Family Safety Festival @ Civic Center Park XII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Commission, Chairman Lebel asked for a motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Kirkwood, seconded by Commissioner Luhring, unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned at 4:50 pm. Respectfully submitted, Karen Prusinowski, Recording Secretary F41