Public Safety Committee

CITY OF GALT PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES ANTHONY PESCETTI COMMUNITY ROOM 455 INDUSTRIAL DRIVE, GALT, CALIFORNIA MONDAY, November 18, 2013, 6:00 PM Vice Mayor Singleton called the meeting to order at 6:00pm. The roll call found Shelton, Lagge, McCune, Canning, Bezanson, Crews, Canning and Singleton present. McCune led the flag salute. The minutes of the last meeting were presented to all members in advance; no changes were recommended. Shelton moved that the minutes be accepted, Crews seconded. Motion carried. Items from the Regular Calendar were discussed. A) Weed Abatement /Fire Danger near Bernal-we were advised the front yard was mowed and that was it. Another part was handled by Code Enforcement and CSD. B) Weed Abatement near Adare & Walnut-still pending. The actual location was clarified as a 13 acre lot North of Walnut-East side of Stockton Blvd near Beck Construction. C) & D) Permits for house events was discussed at length. McCune’s concern was that of recurring parties with bands, tents and intoxicated party goers in the area, loud music heard two blocks away, etc. Lt. Vizzusi advised permits are not required for private parties. Singleton said it is inappropriate for the committee to address Police items. Lagge encourage the committee to look at it as we could be incurring liability if we do not, fearing we could be allowing people to be put in harm’s way. Crews stated we were losing focus on what the committee is for. Lagge said that isn’t his intension. Crews reiterated the need to follow the chain of command by first calling the Police, then a Watch Commander if not satisfied, and so on. McCune said he wasn’t asking for micromanagement, he was looking for direction when citizens complain to him. Armando Solis referenced the Party Permit Ordinance 9.38 as a point of clarification and reference. Singleton maintained that this a police matter and should be referred to the police, as it was not a matter for the committee. Doak disagreed with Singleton’s interpretation of the Committee’s function and felt these complaints are no different than a complaint of chronic speeders and should be brought forward in this venue. Singleton reaffirmed his position. Crew, too, agreed the best avenue is for the citizen to call while it is happening. Lt. Vizzusi confirmed we do have problem/party houses, but the police PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING OF November 18, 2013 PAGE 3 Department isn’t looking for additional avenues to address them, as we have laws and ordinances to address these issues. Lt. Vizzusi further explained that we will address internally and continue to educate citizens of the expectations and reporting procedures through programs such as Neighborhood Watch. E) T-Shirts-McCune placed this item on the agenda as he’d like the committee members to be “visible”. He’s like the members to have high visibility at special events such as the Festival. Shelton said he felt, as he had stated in the past, that this was not needed. Solis said no other committees have shirts. Singleton said the committee doesn’t rent a space at the festival, the committee is non-funded and there is no need for shirts. McCune feels though we would be more “transparent” at a function if we were wearing committee shirts. Singleton reaffirmed his position. Doak suggested that since shirts were unnecessary, perhaps if there were an event the committee wanted to attend, Name tags on a lanyard might suffice. Crews stated the idea of shirts rubbed him wrong, anonymity is better and you’d learn more and get more honest opinions from citizens. Doak felt that works for Crews as he is known in the community whereas Doak is not. Crews felt the T-shirt idea was for ego boosting and he didn’t need that and that negative recognition could actually be the result with the identification being a bulls eye. Canning added that with the little attendance we get at the meetings, identification and/or shirts would be unnecessary. Lagge moved we drop the subject, Doak seconded. Singleton asked for a roll call cote affirming the topic would not be brought up again. Singleton-Aye; Lagge-Aye; Doak-Aye; McCune-Nay; Crews-Aye; Canning-Aye; Shelton-Aye. F) Multiple Speed Limits on S. Lincoln Way-Gwen Owens explained the different characteristics that make up the different speed limits in the area. G) Poor condition of roadway at the Simmerhorn Road freeway offramp was discussed. Ms. Owens is trying to get updated right of way maps. She advised the City’s General Plan does include improvements but the timeframe is way out. H) Walker Park and Sparrow Drive speed limits were discussed as speeders in the area seem to be an ongoing issue. I) The annual changes to the Emergency Operations Plan were presented by Sgt. Walton. Questions regarding electronic accessibility of the document, State FEMA forms, contingency with care homes, and transportation for patients were fielded by Sgt. Walton. Shelton added that there is a requirement of the State that care homes and hospitals have transportation/evacuation plans and that they are approved annually. J) Water Pump Repair status was tabled to the next meeting-Ms. Owens advising she would follow-up. K) Increased lighting at the Carillion/Lake Park cross walk was discussed. Ms. Owens advised the only better lighting will be if we were to go to LED lights and the area doesn’t meet crosswalk standards. She said not all pedestrians have a healthy sense of safety when crossing the street. It is legal to cross at the intersection but a crosswalk will give a false sense of security. She said should would bring back the study for this area. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING OF November 18, 2013 PAGE 3 Roundtable: Crews wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Shelton said the streetlight near Fairway was out and Solis advised Adin Selby was aware. Shelton said he was at the market on Wednesday and noticed a sign that said “no pets” yet he counted six dogs and they were not service dogs. Solis advised this does happen, his staff is continuously struggling with the issue. Shelton thanked the City, from the Creekside subdivision, the walk route had been mowed and trimmed. Solis reminded everyone of the upcoming lighting of the night and parade. Crews asked the Lieutenant to keep up whatever we were doing as the complaints regarding homeless at the creek were down. Our next meeting will be at 6:00 PM Monday, March 24th , 2014 Meeting was adjourned at 7:47 PM.