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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Public Saftey Commission - April 11, 2012X-E y CITY OF PALM DESERT PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING PRELIMINARY MINUTES Wednesday April 11, 2012 — 3:30 p.m. Administrative Conference Room CALL TO ORDER Chairman Butzbach called the meeting to order at 3:33 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Chairman Butzbach �a Commissioner Netf�� Vice Chairman Kirkwood F- Commissioner Luhring Staff Present: Councilmember CindyFinert Y Stephen Aryan, Risk Manager � Frankie Riddle, Special Programs Director A Division Fire Chief Dorian Cooley0 w Fire Marshal Steve Brooker, Riverside County Fire Depar*pl� EMS Captain Scott Visyak, Riverside County Fire Depar0"h&t Police Chief Kevin Vest U Q Lieutenant William Sullivan, Palm Desert Police Department Sergeant Michael Bianco Karen Prusinowski, Recording Secretary Chairman Butzbach announced that Commissioner Rick Lebel resigned from the Public Safety Commission. He has accepted a position as the General Manager of the Township of Yucca Valley in San Bernardino County. His presence will be missed on the Commission. III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. Chairman Butzbach acknowledged two visitors: Joanna Smith, Palm Desert Country Club, and Sherry Barkas, the Desert Sun. MEETING MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING IV. PRESENTATIONS None. V. CONSENT CALENDAR April 11, 2012 A. Minutes of the Public Safety Commission Meeting of March 14, 2012. Motion by Commissioner Kirkwood, seconded by Commissioner Luhring, to approve the Minutes of the March 14, 2012 Commission meeting as presented. Motion carried 3 ayes, 1 absent. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None. VII. NEW BUSINESS A. Proposed FY 2012/2013 Palm Desert Police Department Budget Mr. Aryan acknowledged Captain Kevin Vest and our new Administrative Sergeant Michael Bianco. Mr. Aryan mentioned that the front cover sheet, prepared by the Finance Department, indicates the original department request, the review by the City Manager along with his recommendations, and then the final recommendation. Lt. Sullivan reviewed the Police Department budget. The total requested is $16,513,761.20. This budget is basically the same as last year's budget, with cuts of $81,676. Those cuts were primarily to the contingency fund and overtime. The budget consists of the same amount of personnel (81). A proposal, at no expense to the City, moves two traffic people from the Traffic Unit to the Business District Unit. The reason this is being done is in anticipation of a rise in thefts that may affect the business district as the result of AB 109. Chairman Butzbach discussed the recommendation to cut in the area of the Citizens on Patrol program, and he asked if that recommendation would affect participation. Ms. Riddle said that taking into account what was spent in the previous year's budget and where we are now, it should be OK. Chairman Butzbach referred to the White Papers concerning the replacement of the motorcycles and asked if that impacted the proposed budget. Mr. Aryan replied that the City Manager asked that 2 MEETING MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING April 11, 2012 the replacement of two motors be scheduled for this year (FY 2011-12) and this will be going to the City Council on April 26. Chairman Butzbach mentioned that he had the opportunity to talk briefly with the Finance Director, Mr. Aryan, and Lt. Sullivan. The proposed budget is very well put together, and he particularly appreciated the White Paper study and recommendation. Lt. Sullivan indicated that Sergeant Bianco handled that aspect of the budget. Motion by Commissioner Kirkwood to recommend to the City Council the proposed budget for the Police Department in the amount of $16,568,261 that includes the City Manager's proposed cuts in the contingency fund and overtime, seconded by Commissioner Luhring. Motion approved 3 ayes, 1 absent. B. Proposed 2012/2013 Palm Desert Fire Department Budget Mr. Aryan indicated the proposed budget does not contain any City Manager reductions, and it is a very reasonable budget. Chief Cooley added that the proposed budget is unchanged from last year, and in fact is a reduction from last year. No changes are being recommended to staffing or major equipment. The budget is approximately $50,000 less than what was projected last year. This is based on cutbacks, not at the City's request, but on the County side primarily in support services. Also included in the packet are White Papers and he indicated the City Manager supported most of the requests. He understands the City Manager's position and supports his denial of several of those which are essentially not health and safety issues, but items that include furniture, etc. Those are items that can be brought back to the City Manager next year at mid -year for evaluation. He indicated he does not recommend that the Commission overturn the City Manager's recommendations. Mr. Aryan noted that one of the White Papers is for a new ambulance to replace the one housed at Indian Wells. An ambulance was purchased a few years ago for the Indian Wells station because 70- 80% of Indian Wells medic units were responding to Palm Desert calls. To mitigate this, the City purchased an ambulance that was refurbished and the unit was based out of the Indian Wells fire station. That unit needs to be replaced. The City Manager asked that this item be brought to the City Council for replacement this year. Chairman Butzbach asked if there were any anticipated capital improvements/vehicle replacement projects, and Chief Dooley said that fortunately for the City, our contract is covered by the engine use program, which is a capital replacement for fire engines. New fire MEETING MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING April 11, 2012 engines are rotated in and others moved to reserve throughout the system. Mr. Aryan indicated the reroofing of Stations 33 and 71 was not included as part of the last renovation project because that was considered maintenance and redevelopment funds could not be used for that purpose. A White Paper is included. Commissioner Luhring said that the White Papers were interesting, definitive, easy to follow, and appreciated. Motion by Commissioner Luhring to recommend to the City Council the proposed Fire Department budget as presented in the amount of $9,667,890, seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood. Motion carried 3 ayes and 1 absent. Commissioner Luhring indicated that he is impressed that everyone is paying attention to the economic situation in the state, county, and city. He appreciates the effort. Captain Vest said that one thing that helped with their budget was the facility rate, and he credited the City Council with being in the new station and for the foresight and efforts with the green issues and solar. It is paying off, and that is one reason why the facility rate dropped almost in half. Chairman Butzbach thanked Police and Fire for the thorough presentations of the proposed budgets. Vill. CONTINUED BUSINESS None. IX. OLD BUSINESS None. X. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION(S) Councilmember Finerty said the Council was anticipating the Commission's input on the Police and Fire budgets. Chairman Butzbach asked if the level of service provided the public was affected by the reduction in City staff, and Councilmember Finerty said no due to careful reorganization. The City Manager has been very involved in combining jobs and that has served us well. E MEETING MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING April 11, 2012 Councilmember Finerty said that she had the privilege of going on a ride - along with Deputy Riviera and VanSnap. It was the evening that three of the four suspects in recent home/garage invasions were apprehended. Mr. Aryan added that the fourth suspect was apprehended the following Monday. Lt. Sullivan said that he appreciated the City Manager's support with this endeavor in giving him the needed resources. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Citizens on Patrol Program Ms. Riddle mentioned that some members of the program are starting to leave for the summer. The Public Safety Announcement is airing on Channels 3, 6, 11 and 13. These stations are not charging and are doing it as a community service. We will be having two more interviews, and will probably increase to around 40 members. Ms. Riddle also acknowledged a positive and detailed article in the Desert Sun on the program written by Sherry Barkas. The new manual was distributed at the last meeting B. Legislative Update No new updates. C. Police and Fire Departments 1. Desert Fountains Apartments Update Mr. Aryan reported that the City Manager sent a letter to the property owner, Chris Hameetman, who appears to want to be proactive. There was a neighborhood watch meeting held last month. Mr. Aryan has received comments from the CSO II's on their recommendation and will draft a follow-up letter to Mr. Hameetman outlining the recommendations and requesting a follow-up meeting. It is Mr. Aryan's understanding that he is also agreeable to participating in the Crime Free Multi Housing program. 2. 2012 Palm Desert Family Safety Festival Update Mr. Aryan said that attendance was up from last year's event and it was well attended. 5 MEETING MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING April 11, 2012 D. Staff Mr. Aryan reported that he is working with Deputy Riviera in again holding the K-9 Trails in Palm Desert. This year, events will be held at Freedom Park (closed to the public) and at Palm Desert High School (open to the public), November 2-3, 2012. 1. CVAG Public Safety Committee update Mr. Aryan distributed an AB 109 Status Report from the Chief Probation Officer and Sheriff Stan Sniff. E. Public Safety Commissioners Chairman Butzbach is hopeful that the City Council will consider someone with fire services background for the appointment to the Commission. Councilmember Finerty said that she will bring this up at the April 12 City Council meeting. Chairman Butzbach commended the response of search and rescue workers in locating hikers who were lost while hiking one of the trails in Palm Desert. He thanked them for a job well done. XII. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Luhring, seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood, to adjourn. Chairman Butzbach adjourned the meeting at 4:25 pm. Mr. Aryan announced that the next meeting may be held at the new Police facility on Gerald Ford. Respectfully submitted, Karen Prusinowski, Recording Secretary