Public Safety Committee

CITY OF GALT PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES ANTHONY PESCETTI COMMUNITY ROOM 455 INDUSTRIAL DRIVE, GALT, CALIFORNIA Monday, November 28, 2016, 6:00 PM Mayor Crews called the meeting to order at 6:02pm. The roll call found Crews, Dahlgren, Lagge, Shelton and Willmon present. Mr. Dahlgren led us as we saluted the American Flag. The minutes of the last meeting were presented to all members. The motion to approve made by Shelton, seconded by Lagge, carried by unanimous vote. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: A Raised turn lane on Walnut at Emerald Vista: a citizen presented Committee Member Lagge with a request for a raised island type devise on Walnut Avenue at Emerald Vista that would prevent left hand turns, across traffic, from Walnut Avenue onto Emerald Vista, thus slowing the general speed of traffic in the area. The committee discussed what we felt were pros and cons, suggested using the speed trailer in the area and contacting Steven Winkler for history and input regarding this request. ROUND TABLE: Bill Willmon inquired about City Ordinances regulating trailers/commercial vehicles being parked in residential area as well as remedies for dead landscaping as both of these blights affect property values. Chief Sockman asked that the Committee encourage folks to call these things in to the department as we have staff to handle these complaints, but right now are mostly reactive to complaints as opposed to being proactive. Staffing levels prevent this type of activity proactively, but we hope to eventually get there. Dave Dahlgren asked about the repainting of the lines down the middle of the streets as he noticed the one on Palin, between Simons and Elm is getting very hard to see. We advised we would pass this request on to Steven Winkler. Dave Dahlgren also shared pictures of the “donation” boxes that were overfull and an eyesore, that turned out to be illegal. He thanked the department for their help in getting them removed as they were not only a blight, but also posed other potential hazards. Lyle Lagge noted that there has been significant Lighting and Landscape improvements and thanked the City for that as well. Randy Shelton asked if there had been any movement on the report Steve Winkler had given regarding the history of some of the “questionable” speed limits in the City. Steve Winkler was not in attendance to verify, but we don’t believe this report has gone to Council yet. Randy Shelton also thanked the Chief for providing the Fireworks stats as promised at the last meeting.  Lyle Lagge thanked Officer Coelho for her showing of care and concern when a pit bull attacked his dog last week. Bill Willmon asked what the Committee Members could do to better serve, what was expected of the members? Mayor Crews offered that making our existence known, encouraging the public to refer concerns to the committee members or to call urgent concerns in, when appropriate. We acknowledged that it is often difficult to get public attendance at this type of meeting, but giving the citizens an avenue to bring concerns forward is most important. Lyle Lagge commented, as a follow up item, on the grates around the trees in the sidewalk in front of the VFW Hall on C Street, being removed. Mayor Crews advised he was looking into new materials that serve the same purpose as the grates but that are pliable and would move with the ground and root growth. We should have more information by the next meeting. Chief Sockman told the group about the Beacon of Blue event coming up on Tuesday, December 6th at 5:30pm, just before Council, at the C Street McDonalds. Blue lights will be handed out in support of law enforcement. Our next meeting will be at 6:00 PM Monday, January 23, 2017. Meeting was adjourned at 6:45pm.