CITY OF PASADENA
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES
PASADENA CITY HALL
100 NORTH GARFIELD AVENUE
COUNCIL CHAMBER - ROOM S249
MAY 31, 2022-3:00 P.M.
SPECIAL MEETING
The meeting was convened and held virtually by videoconference/teleconference.
OPENING
ROLL CALL:
Staff:
The Chair called the regular meeting of the Public Safety Committee to order at 3:05 p.m.
Mayor Victor M. Gordo (Chair)
CouncilmemberTyron Hampton (Arrive 3:31 p.m.)
Councilmember Steve Madison
CouncilmemberJohn J. Kennedy
Cynthia J. Kurtz, Interim City Manager
Matthew Hawkesworth, Director of Finance
Brenda Harvey-Williams, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Chad Augustin, Fire Chief
Dr. Ying-Ying Goh, Director of Public Health
Manuel Carmona, Deputy Director of Public Health
Whitney Harrison, Public Health Division Manager
Javan Rad, Chief Assistant City Attorney
Tamer Sabha, Recording Secretary
Garrett Stevenson, Recording Secretary
NEW BUSINESS BUDGET WORKSHOP - FY 2023 RECOMMENDED OPERATING BUDGET:
A. PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
DEPARTMENT
Brenda Harvey-Williams, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, provided introductory comments, presented a Powerpoint presentation on the Department's budget, and responded to questions.
Councilmember Kennedy asked for historical context about the ROSE (Realizing Opportunities through Summer Employment) Internship program, specifically how past enrollments correspond to the current number of ROSE participants. In response, Director hlarvey-Williams shared that there was difficulty in hiring ROSE interns in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 due to fewer applications received and many City departments telecommuting due to COVID-19, but there are 140 youth currently in the ROSE hiring process.
Councilmember Kennedy also advocated for staff to contact Congresswoman Judy Chu to inquire about any available federal funds to support the ROSE program, and expressed gratitude to the City Council for making an investment on young people through the ROSE program. 01 05/31/2022
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In response to Councilmember Madison's question about the difference in appropriations by Division shown in the presentation, Director Harvey- Williams clarified that the line items for Parks and Facilities were previously a part of the Public Works Department, and the increase in the line item for Administration between FY 2020 and 2021 was due to the administration of the Great Plates Program for Seniors.
Matthew Hawkesworth, Director of Finance, provided information on how the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department is funded through the General Fund and tax/fee revenue.
Mayor Gordo suggested that staff consider pursing the process for designating the Rose Bowl and surrounding grounds as park space as a way to qualify for grant dollars that might be available through the county, state, or federal governments, asking staff to research if a change to the designation would make resources available to improve these assets.
Mayor Gordo requested staff look into possible partnership opportunities for job training with larger employers in the City, such as California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
Councilmember Hampton asked staff to place information regarding minimum wage enforcement and multifamily housing issues at local community centers to make it available for the public.
In response to Councilmember Hampton's inquiry related to the Request for Proposal (RFP) for violence interruption services (prevention and intervention), Cynthia Kurtz, Interim City Manager, stated that the RFP will be going out within the week.
Councilmember Hampton also spoke in support of the ROSE internship program as a way to commit and invest in young people, and asked staff to return to the Committee if there is a need for additional funding.
B. FIRE DEPARTMENT
Chad Augustin, Fire Chief, provided introductory comments, presented a Powerpoint presentation on the Department's budget, and responded to questions.
Councilmember Hampton asked staff about the possibility of purchasing electric-vehicles for use as ambulances in relation to climate change. In response, Chief Augustin noted that the Fire Department is a few years away from purchasing electric ambulances due to reliability concerns and having the needed infrastructure to support them, but noted that staff continues to review emerging technology that meets the needs of the City and also aligns with the climate friendly goals.
Councilmember Hampton requested that staff return to a future meeting with information, if available, about Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) options.
In response to Councilmember Madison's inquiry, Chief Augustin confirmed that Rescue Ambulances are staffed by Pasadena Firefighters/Paramedics.
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In relation to the 37% increase in call volume, Mayor Gordo asked if the increases are catalogued to show where they are taking place. Chief Augustin noted that calls are increasing at just about every level, but there has been a noticeable increase in the last 20 years for patients experiencing homelessness, mental health, and substance abuse issues.
Mayor Gordo asked staff to share the data with Los Angeles County and continue advocating for better County mental health services in Pasadena.
He also suggested that staff consider ways to recoup the City's full cost for treatment and transport from large Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) to avoid having the City and its residents to bear the financial burden.
The Committee requested that the Interim City Manager contact Huntington Hospital for information about their policy for the Police Department or others to be in contact with a patient when they are receiving treatment.
C. PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Dr. Ying-Ying Goh, Director of Public Health, provided introductory comments, presented a Powerpoint presentation on the Department's budget, and responded to questions.
In response to Councilmember Kennedy's inquiry about funding for violence interruption (prevention and intervention) programs, Manuel Carmona, Deputy Director of Public Health, informed the committee that the Public Health Department applied for approximately $2.5 million in funding from the California Board of State Community Corrections (BSCC).
Councilmember Hampton requested that Public Health staff return at a future meeting and present information on programs the City can support to fill service gaps based on the public health model.
Councilmember Madison commended Dr. Goh and Public Health staff for the work of the Department, and expressed concern regarding anticipated incursions on women's reproductive health and its effect on Pasadena.
Mayor Gordo asked staff to review the role of nonprofit organizations in the public health model as part of the requested information. Dr. Goh informed the committee that the latest version of the Community Health Needs Assessment will be rolling out in the upcoming months and the information can be shared in detail at a future Public Safety Committee meeting.
D. FY 2023 ENHANCEMENT REQUESTS
By consensus, the Committee received and filed a list of Enhancement Requests for Fiscal Year 2023.
E. FOLLOW UP - POLICE DEPARTMENT
Tamer Sabha, Recording Secretary, reported that 16 letters providing comments on the item were received by the City Clerk's Office, distributed to the Committee, and posted online.
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The following individuals provided comments on the item:
William Paparian, Pasadena resident
Sonja Berndt, Pasadena resident
Allison Henry, Pasadena resident
Adriana Bautista, Pasadena resident
David Chavez, Pasadena resident
Kris Ockerhauser, Pasadena resident
BREATHE Justice
Sonja Berndt, Pasadena resident
By consensus, the Committee received and filed written responses to questions asked at the Public Safety Committee meeting on May 11, 2022.
ADJOURNMENT:
ATTEST:
On the order of the Chair, the special meeting of the Public Safety Committee was adjourned at 5:57 p.m. in memory of all the lives lost in Buffqte> New York and Uyalde, Texas.
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Ma^rVictor'M. Gore
Public Safety Committ'
Chair
'an^er Sabha
Recording Secretary
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