Public Safety Committee

CITY OF GALT PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES ANTHONY PESCETTI COMMUNITY ROOM 455 INDUSTRIAL DRIVE, GALT, CALIFORNIA Monday, September 24, 2018, 6:00 PM The meeting was called to order at approximately 6:04pm by Council Member Lampson. Committee Members present were: Council Members Lampson and Malson, Richard Tellyer, Shawn Farmer, Lyle Lagge and James Connick. We saluted the American Flag. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: 1. The minutes of the last meeting were presented to all members. Connick moved to adopt the minutes as presented with a minor revision of a typo/misspelled word. Lagge seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously. 2. Emergency Operations Plan: Sgt. Craig Walton gave a presentation on the EOP, explaining the history, the purpose, and the technology, followed by a question and answer period. 3. We had received no correspondence. 4. Special Events: The Special Events Calendar maintained by the Special Events Coordinator was presented for the Committee’s review. It appeared the schedule still had a couple events that have been cancelled, listed. 5. Guest Nova Giovanni addressed the committee regarding increased crime and homeless in the Canyon Creek area. Unsavory activity is hidden by overgrown shrubs. Guest Kristina Lozano added that she has witnessed, and called the police to report, parked cars, drug deals, children being threatened, dirt bikes using the walk path endangering the pedestrians. Discussion followed regarding possible remedies, including goats. Fire Chief McLaughlin added that some of the new legislature recently passed may help. Police Chief Sockman advised of some of the recent activity by not only the Police, but other agencies as well, that involved moving some of the homeless along, and away from the Dry Creek area. This, of course, as he explained, could result in these individuals setting up in other areas. 6. The staff report for the increased signage in the area of 4th Street and C Street is being finalized and scheduled to go before Council on October 2nd. 7. Citizens are concerned over the mis-use of the restrooms at the Marion O. Lawrence Library. Drug paraphernalia has been found discarded in the restrooms and homeless are reportedly bathing in them. Chief Sockman advised that new law is being reviewed by the attorneys. While addressing  these calls for service on a case by case basis, we are awaiting their interpretation regarding the use of public land/facilities before facilitating a plan to address this. Lt. Kalinowski offered to find out what the Library’s policy is regarding this topic. 8. Round About Obscured Visibility: Committee Member, Lagge expressed concern over the overgrown vegetation that had been blocking the visibility of drivers attempting to merge into the Round A Bouts. Since placing the item on the agenda, the vegetation has been trimmed. Guest Darren Mitchell added that he thought the area of the Round A Bout with two lanes was very confusing to drivers and the result of poor planning. Deputy Public Works Director Mark Clarkson reminded us that the Round A Bouts, design and maintenance, are the responsibility of Cal Trans. 9. Request for STOP Sign at Elk Hills And Walnut: As this topic has been on our agenda multiple times, and we had learned that a STOP sign in this location included in the subdivision improvement plans for the area, citizens have been asking if it would be possible to get the STOP Sign put in early. Clarkson advised that the warrants that will allow the STOP Sign to be installed, won’t be met until such time as the subdivision is set in motion. Installing the STOP Sign prior to the warrants being met is an incredible risk to both the City and the developer. However, Clarkson promised, that this is on his radar and he assures us the sign will go up at it’s utmost first opportunity. 10. Homeless: Committee Member Farmer shared that he and Council Member Lampson had toured some homeless areas and spoke with a few folks. Their goal was to learn about their prospective. Farmer will be encouraging citizens that live in areas where there seems to be homeless, to strive to make their neighborhoods “uncomfortable” to those that don’t have a legitimate reason to be there. 11. Bi-Laws: have been returned by the City Attorney and the City Clerk, copies were distributed. Chair Lampson would like to see further revisions so we will re-visit this topic at the next meeting, November 26, 2018. Our next meeting is scheduled for November 26, 2018 at 6:00pm. With no further business, Lampson adjourned the meeting at 7:55pm.