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Home My WebLink AboutPublic Sfty Cmsn - 02-12-2014 , �� .�-, CITY OF PALM DESERT �` t� ��`! � .__.. �'•�� PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING � � _ APPROVED MINUTES . , WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013 — 3:30 p.m. Palm Desert City Hall 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260 Administrative Services Conference Room I. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Nethery called the meeting to order at 3:32 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioner James Butzbach Commissioner Phyllis Harkins Vice Chairman Doug Luhring (arrived at 3:45 p.m.) Commissioner Martin Nethery �.,.�.�,t.��;�,�.��AC'rt�� Commissioner Frank Taylor �>,�,��;j� .4,,,��,,'� ��:cr:�vr�.l� �- ��/� ___ :� ��a�a�.ez ---� Absent: �—"--"- CommissionerTerry Kramer ��;,t;.-��;,�T�; �ATF _� _ ' ;/ � Chairman Gloria Kirkwood AY[:s: � , r r' NOt�',S: A;"n� Also Present: ABS[;NT: ��J Mayor Pro Tem Susan Marie V��AIN; Nv�'�� Councilman Robert A. Spiegel VER[FIED I3Y: Stephen Y. Aryan, Risk ManagQ'riginal on Filc with City Clerk's fice Frankie Riddle, Director of Special Programs Mark Diercks, Transportation Engineer Chief Bill Hunley, Riverside County Fire Department Lt. William Sullivan, Palm Desert Police Department Jane Stanley, Recording Secretary Jane Turner, Palm Desert Housing Commission III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Stephen Aryan reminded the Commissioners that the new provisions of the Brown Act, which became effective on January 1, 2014, require a roll call vote for every motion. APPROVED MINUTES REGULAR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 12, 2014 Councilmember Bob Spiegel reported on a recent meeting he and Lt. Sullivan had with several South Palm Desert residents. It developed into a discussion of a problem they are having with coyotes. As a follow-up to that meeting, Lt. Sullivan arranged for Kevin Brennon from the Fish and Game Department to come to City Hall to make a presentation about how to address coyote problems. The presentation will be on Friday, February 2gtn at 9:00 a.m. in the Administrative Conference Room. The meeting is open to residents. Discussion ensued regarding mountain lion sightings. IV. PRESENTATIONS A. Presentation of the City's Newest Medic Unit for Fire Station No. 67. At 3:40 p.m. the Commission adjourned to see the Medic Unit, which was in the parking lot, and returned at 3:50 p.m. B. Presentation of a house fire video taken from a helmet camera. Due to technical difficulties, the video was not shown. Mr. Aryan will have this item at future Commission meeting. At this point in the meeting, Vice Chairman Luhring arrived. V. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Public Safety Commission Meeting of November 13, 2013. Rec: Approve as presented B. PALM DESERT SPECIALIZED UNITS End of Month Reports for October to December 2013. Rec: Receive and file. C. PALM DESERT FIRE SERVICES Monthly Reports for October to December 2013. Rec: Receive and file. Commissioner Butzbach moved to, by Minute Motion, approve the Consent Calendar as presented. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Nethery and carried by a 5-0-2 vote (AYES: Butzbach, Harkins, Nethery, Taylor, and Luhring: NOES: None; ABSENT: Kramer and Kirkwood). 2 APPROVED MINUTES REGULAR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 12, 2014 VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. NEW BUSINESS A. NOMINATION AND APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR FOR 2014. Commissioner Butzbach moved to, by Minute Motion, appoint Doug Luhring as Chair and Marty Nethery as the Vice Chair of the Public Safety Commission for 2014. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Taylor and carried by a 5-0-2 vote (AYES: Butzbach, Harkins, Nethery, Taylor, and Luhring: NOES: None; ABSENT: Kramer and Kirkwood). B. CONSIDERATION TO ESTABLISH SPEED ZONES CITYWIDE. Mark Diercks, City Transportation Engineer, reviewed the staff report and explained how the speed zones are determined. The purpose of speed zone surveys is to set speeds that a majority of the public feels are reasonable and fair. Without the surveys, the enforcement agency is unable to use radar to enforce a posted speed. The surveys are done by a consultant, and new surveys must be performed every 5, 7, or 10 years for a speed zone to remain valid, depending on the person performing the survey. The posted speed is set at or near the 85t" percent of the surveyed speed. Mr. Diercks distributed a handout published by AAA explaining the why and how of "Effective Speed Zoning." Commissioner Harkins expressed concern for increases on residential streets. Mr. Diercks explained that a survey has to be perFormed if a street does not meet the definition of a "local street" in order to enforce the speed with radar. The posted speed cannot be changed unless another survey is done. Commissioner Taylor was also somewhat concerned about several of the changes. He discussed various streets where the speed limit will move up, or where there are different speed limits along the street. Responding to question, Mr. Diercks said most of the studies were done in the spring of last year, and some were re-done in the fall. The new school zone feedback signs were discussed, and the question arose of what the speed limit is when children are behind the fence. Staff will return with clarification on this question. 3 APPROVED MINUTES REGULAR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 12, 2014 In answer to Vice Chairman Luhring's question, Mr. Diercks stated that the results of the surveys setting the speed zones are final unless the survey is re-done. Commissioner Nethery moved to, by Minute Motion, concur with staff recommendations to the City Council to establish speed zones on streets throughout the City of Palm Desert. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Butzbach and carried by a 3-2-2 vote (AYES: Butzbach, Nethery, and Luhring: NOES: Harkins and Taylor; ABSENT: Kramer and Kirkwood). VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None IX. OLD BUSINESS None X. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION(S) Councilman Spiegel noted that consideration of establishing citywide speed zones would be considered at a future City Council meeting. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Citizens on Patrol Program 1. Monthlv Report for November 2013 to February 2014. Frankie Riddle noted the reports in the packets. She stated that 8 of the Citizens on Patrol members have recently left and 2 have joined. A Public Safety Announcement is running to recruit new members. Responding to question, she said there are currently 30 members. They are excited to be assisting with the upcoming visit of President Obama. They will be having an election to choose a new Lieutenant as Earl Wolfe is stepping down from that position. As part of the Holiday Theft Suppression Program, Lt. Sullivan noted that the COPs were integral in lowering the crime rates. They found 231 unlocked vehicles, 137 purses left in cars, and 37 open garage doors. When they found these, they left a letter at the location. Several residents called in to say they were appreciative of receiving the letter. 4 APPROVED MINUTES REGULAR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 12, 2014 Mr. Aryan also noted that the COPs were very helpful in responding to the gas leak incident on the 14tn Vice Chairman Luhring moved to, by Minute Motion, receive and file the Citizens on Patrol monthly reports for November 2013 to February 2014. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Harkins and carried by a 5-0-2 vote (AYES: Butzbach, Harkins, Nethery, Taylor, and Luhring: NOES: None; ABSENT: Kramer and Kirkwood). B. Legislative Update Mr. Aryan stated that he had no report at this time. C. Police and Fire Departments 1. 2013 Shop With a Cop Proqram Update Councilmember Spiegel stated that this is a great program. Ms. Riddle noted that the COPs assisted with this event. Their assistance is valuable for special events such as 4th of July and the Golf Cart Parade. In response to Vice Chairman Luhring's question, Lt. Sullivan reported that the mounted patrol during the holidays was very well received. The crime rate dropped by 30% during that time. Commissioner Harkins moved to, by Minute Motion, receive and file the 2013 Shop With a Cop Program Update. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Nethery and carried by a 5-0-2 vote (AYES: Butzbach, Harkins, Nethery, Taylor, and Luhring: NOES: None; ABSENT: Kramer and Kirkwood). Chief Hunley reported on the recent house fire on Grapevine Street. The fire was started by the residents leaving the outdoor built-in BBQ on for over 24 hours. The salvage and overhaul crew did a tremendous job in keeping the damage to a minimum. There have been 5 of these types of fires in the valley in the past 3 months. D. Staff 1. Early Earthquake Warning System Mr. Aryan noted the information in the packets. 5 APPROVED MINUTES REGULAR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 12, 2014 2. Update on surplus 1988 Aerial Cat Mr. Aryan reported that the equipment went out to bid. The buyer paid about $8,000, and the cost to transport it was $75. 3. Fire and Police "Ride Along" Mr. Aryan went on a "ride along" with the Fire Department last month and encouraged the Commissioners to participate in one as well. 4. Budget Meeting Update The budget will be completed by the end of February. Staff will meet with the City Manager on March 11th, and it will go to the City Council April 22nd for approval. Mr. Aryan will provide the report to the Commissioners as soon as it is available. Mr. Aryan noted upcoming events: March 8th will be the annual pancake breakfast at Palm Desert Country Club, and March 22"a will be the annual Family Safety Festival in Civic Center Park. We recently lost our dear friend and colleague, Mary LaCross. Her memorial service will be on Saturday, February 22"d at 11:00 a.m. in the Council Chamber. E. Public Safety Commissioners 1. Vice Chairman Luhring commended the Fire Department for their assistance and hard work. XII. ADJOURNMENT With Commission concurrence and in memory of Mary LaCross, a good friend and associate of the Commission for a number of years, the meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m. � r�.�'�x, ne Stanley, Re rding Secretary 6