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, October 18, 2023 3:00 PMTown Hall, 363 N. Main Street and Via Video Conference
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Meeting Chair Peters opened the meeting at 3:00 PM.
ROLL CALL
Present: 2 - Lindy Peters and Jason Godeke
Absent: 1 - Bernie Norvell
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1A. 23-344 Approve Minutes of the Public Safety Committee Meeting June 21, 2023.
Moved by Chair Peters and seconded by Council Member Godeke that the minutes be approved as presented.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
None.
3. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
3A. 23-345 Continue Discussion Regarding Skunk Train Whistle and Quiet Zone Implementation
Police Chief Cervenka presented further information regarding the implementation of a "Quiet Zone" and the estimated cost for the changes at five different intersection. The estimated cost to make the adequate changes would be about one million dollars. Other challenges would be working with Caltrans on State Road 1 and and the biggest challenge would be that the City would be financially responsible for the changes to the intersections.
An inspector from the Federal Rail Authority (FRA) has been assigned to inspect the five intersections and he will conduct the on site inspection once Congress passes a permanent budge for their department. The inspector has been in contact with the Skunk Train Management and in his opinion he believes the Skunk Train is misinterpreting the regulation regarding the usage of whistle blowing. The inspector will be following up with the the FRA legal team to further discuss the legal interpretation of the regulation on whistle blowing.
Chair Peters comments regarding the whistle blowing excessively which is the cause and concerns the local residents have. Chief Cervenka mentioned that he has contacted the General City of Fort Bragg Page 1 Printed on 11/9/2023
Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes October 18, 2023 Manager of Skunk Train and was provided the manufacturers information for the whistles that they use for the decibel rating which are at a lower end compared to freight train whistles.
Chair Peters states that until there is further information regarding the legal interpretation on the regulation we will discuss the item further. Chief Cervenka mentioned that the General Manager plans to abide by what the FRA recommends after the legal interpretation is done. Chair Peters closed the agenda item by recommending that Chief Cervenka adds the item back on the agenda once there is an update from the FRA.
3B. 23-346 Continue Discussion Regarding Proposed Ordinance for Vacant Property Registration
Code Enforcement Officer George Leinen reintroduced the proposed ordinance and what was changed since the last meeting. He described the changes that the City's attorney suggested making to the ordinance including having the same consideration for both residential and commercial properties. A fee scheduled was also calculated for the ordinance by the City's Finance Department.
Code Enforcement Officer Leinen answered a question that has been brought up by many which was how the ordinance was going to be implemented and his response was that the public will need to be educated and informed by sending out registration packets to property owners.
Chair Peters expressed that the ordinance is soley to register vacant properties within City limits and Code Enforcement Officer Leinen affirmed that it is strictly only for vacant properties. Chair Peters commented that this ordinance will be a great incentive to property owners so that they sell the property to someone who will vacate and lower the housing crisis and bring in money to the City.
Chair Peters recommended to move the agenda item to City Council for further discussion.
Public Comments made by:
Paul Clark
Jenny Shattuck
3C. 23-347 Discuss Electrical Bicycles and Other Types of Mobility Devices Speeding on the Coastal Trail
Chief Cervenka began by stating that the Police Department has been spending more time at all points of the trail to gather data regarding speeders on the trail. Chief Cervenka went on to inform that if we were to compare the number of users on the trail versus the number of complaints is skew. There have been very few reports or complaints of people riding poorly on the trail the previous complaints made were regarding the same person who repeatedly went too fast on the trail which was caught and counseled on his behavior.
City of Fort Bragg Page 2 Printed on 11/9/2023
Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes October 18, 2023 Chief Cervenka explained the challenges in implementing speed limits on a non roadway. He mentioned different options available to consider in order to prevent any further complaints or incidents involving reckless users. Chair Peters commented on possibly placing additional signage on the trail on the other had Chief Cervenka expressed his concern that unless the sign is related to an enforceable law then a sign should not be added. Chief Cervenka continued to state that an alternative to signage could be painting a short message on the roadway on the trail that would catch the attention of all users. Chief Cervenka will be conducting more research regarding painting on the roadway and will inform the committee at a later date.
Public comment made by:
Jenny Shattuck
4. MATTERS FROM COMMITTEE / STAFF
4A. 23-348 Receive Oral Update from Staff on Departmental Activities Fire Chief Orsi updated the committee on the new fire engine and rescue truck that are still on order. He stated that luckily they are not in dire need of the new vehicles but they were ordered to replace their older vehicles. Chief Orsi commented on a previous agenda item that was discussed in the June committee meeting and will be forwarded to City Council for discussion.
He ended by stating that on November 4th the Fire Department will be holding a celebration of life for his father with a procession from Wall Street to the Fire Station.
Police Chief Cervenka began by providing an update on future personnel joining the Department.
He briefly commented on attending the COPS WEST Training Event to introduce the Ford Lightning E-Truck to other agencies that attended the same event. Chief Cervenka closed his remarks by reminding the community that there will be a Trunk-or-Treat event at CV Starr Center on Halloween for all the kids that would like to attend.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Peters adjourned the meeting at 4:05 PM.
City of Fort Bragg Page 3 Printed on 11/9/2023