416 N Franklin Street
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
Phone: (707) 961-2823
Fax: (707) 961-2802
City of Fort Bragg
Meeting Minutes
Public Safety Committee
Wednesday, February 16, 2022 3:00 PM Via Video Conference
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Meeting opened by Committee Member Norvell at 3:00 PM.
ROLL CALL
Present: 2 - Bernie Norvell and Lindy Peters
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1A. 22-041 Approve Minutes Of The Public Safety Committee Meeting January 19, 2022.
Moved by Committee Member Norvell and seconded by Chair Peters that the minutes be approved as presented.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
None made.
3. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
3A. 22-042 Continuation Of The Discussion Of The Petition for Safety Chief Naulty began by stating that the radar trailer is still unavailable and should be returned to the department soon so that it can be set up and data can be collected. He mentioned how some officers have been out there patrolling when they are not on service calls.
Chantell O'Neal Assistant Director for the Public Works Department provided an update regarding the signage and the modification that are going to be done to the current wooden sign.
The two main concerns regarding placing a gate at the location is that there is not enough room to turn around in the area which can potentially cause a safety issue. The other major concern is that the gate will require a permit from the Coastal Development Commission and she included by stating that in chapter 3 of the Coastal Act it states that access to the coast cannot be decreased therefore, the gate may possibly not be the solution.
Chairman Peters questioned if Pomo Bluffs is part of the regular patrol route for any officer in the Police Department. Peters would also like to know if it is feasible to add to the current sign "This area is regularly patrolled by Fort Bragg Police Department ?" Chief Naulty responded by mentioning the local areas that are patrolled on a regular basis by the officers that is when they are available and not on a service call. He did recommend placement of additional signage stating " No Over Night Parking and Park Hours Enforced by Law City of Fort Bragg Page 1 Printed on 2/18/2022
Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes February 16, 2022 Enforcement".
Chantell O'Neal answered Chairman Peters questions regarding the additional modification of the current signage and stated that any modifications or additional signage has the potential to trigger a Coastal Development permit. That is the main reason why the same sign was re-ordered because it is the original sign approved by the Coastal Development permit. Chantell closed the discussion by stating that if any other major modifications are needed or posting additional signage will need a new permit and or exemption to the current permit. 3B. 22-043 Traffic Modification Application For the Intersection Of Harold Street and Oak Street
Chief Naulty began by stating that the application for traffic modification stemmed from two juvenile pedestrians on their way to school and where hit by a vehicle in November of last year.
The Chief mentioned that he placed the radar trailer out in the intersection to get data from the week of Thanksgiving week when the children had no school and compared the data from a regular school week. There is a drastic increase of at least 143 cars when school is open. The data collected demonstrates that there is extensive amount of vehicles that go through the intersection and can cause potential safety issues. The department has been assisting by having an officer, when available, out in the morning during school days to help at the cross walks at that particular intersection.
Chantell O'Neal spoke regarding the longer term solutions that are under work. One of the solutions pertains to a consultant from UC Berkeley's Research and Development to conduct free of cost street analysis. The City notified the first consultant that instead of all the entire City street analysis they want to focus mainly on safer routes to school. The "Walking Site Audit" is scheduled for March 17, 2022 and it will include with stakeholders like, Council members, principles from all schools, the superintendent, and any concerned citizens who have voiced their concerns in the past regarding safer school routes. The second solution is the completion of the "Local Road Safety Program" conducted by TJKM. This is particularly a document that allows the City to qualify for federally funded Highway Safety Improvement Program Projects. The plan is to have the data from UC Berkely and then from TJKM consultant so that they can prepare a federal grant to potentially see funds for street safety improvements.
Public comment made by applicant Jennifer Salyer.
Chief Naulty reiterates that the cross walk officer is a hit or miss due to staffing.
4. MATTERS FROM COMMITTEE / STAFF
4A. 22-073 Receive Oral Update From Staff On Departmental Activities Chief Naulty updated the committee that all three recruits have passed their first stage of three in the Academy. The Department swore in a new officer, Aldea Miles, on Monday February 14. 2022. We are beginning to look into hiring new Community Officers. One last comment is that he would like to commend his officers for working fast and efficient in solving a local business' burglary this week and one arrest has been made.
City of Fort Bragg Page 2 Printed on 2/18/2022
Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes February 16, 2022
ADJOURNMENT
Committee Member Norvell adjourned the meeting at 3:39 PM.
City of Fort Bragg Page 3 Printed on 2/18/2022