CIP^ OF PASADENA
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES
PASADENA CITY HALL
100 NORTH GARFIELD AVENUE
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER - S249
JUNE 15, 2022
The meeting was convened and held virtually by videoconference/teleconference.
OPENING Councilmember Madison (Acting Chair) called the meeting of the Public Safety Committee to order at 4:13 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Staff:
NEW BUSINESS
Councilmember Kennedy
connected to the meeting at
4:14 p.m.
01 Mayor Victor M. Gordo (Chair)
Councilmember Tyron Hampton
Councilmember John J. Kennedy
Councilmember Steve Madison
Michele Beal Bagneris City Attorney/City Prosecutor
Chad Augustin, Fire Chief
Javan Rad, Chief Assistant City Attorney
Jason Claw, Interim Police Chief
JavierAguilar, Acting Police Commander
Amanda Fowler, Principal Administrative Analyst
Art Chute, Police Commander
Lisa Derderian, Public Information Officer
Tamer Sabha, Recording Secretary
Councilmember Madison, in solidarity with sworn peace officers throughout the nation, expressed condolences to the family and friends of Cpl. Michael Paredes and Officer Joseph Santana that were tragically shot and killed while responding to an emergency call in the city of El Monte; and requested that the meeting end in a moment of silence in their honor.
RECOMMENDATION FOR APPOINTMENT OF COMMUNITY
POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION COMMUNITY BASED SEATS
Councilmember Madison stated that he will recuse himself from any consideration of applicant, Juliana Serrano, to the Community Police Oversight Commission (CPOC) community based seat, due to his personal involvement with the applicant.
Amanda Fowler, Principal Administrative Analyst, summarized the staff report as part of her oral presentation; reported that the applicant Tina Williams has rescinded her application, and applicant Kirn Santell is unable to attend today's meeting, noting that she has submitted correspondence; and responded to questions.
Alexis D. Abernethy, PhD, CPOC applicant responded to questions related to her contributions and work on the CPOC.
Councilmember Kennedy stated the following for the record, "My reservation is that I hadn't had an opportunity to question Florence Annang, but the Chair has made it very clear that this is just a one-step 06/15/2022
Motion:
in a two-step process. So I will be able to ask my questions at the full Council meeting. And for the record, the reason why it was needed to ask questions here is because we had more than three candidates for the three positions that are available."
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Hampton, seconded by Mayor Gordo, to recommend to the City Council the reappointments of Commissioners Alexis D. Abernethy and Florence Annang to the Community Police Oversight Commission:
AYES: Councilmembers Hampton, Kennedy, Madison, Mayor
Gordo
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Councilmember Madison
recused himself and left the
meeting at 4:35 p.m.
Motion:
Councilmember Madison
returned to the meeting at
4:37 p.m.
It was moved by Councilmember Hampton, seconded by Mayor Gordo, to recommend to the City Council the reappointment of Commissioner Juliana Serrano to the Community Police Oversight Commission:
AYES: Councilmembers Hampton, Kennedy, Mayor Gordo
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Madison
ABSTAIN: None
Following further discussion, the Committee requested that all applicants respond to the following questions at the City Council meeting, or in advance in written format:
1. Please share with the City Council what your contributions have been in terms of ensuring the success of the CPOC?
2. Would you consider advocating that Brian Williams, who is head of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's oversight be invited, as the City's CPOC is a fledgling organization, help to give the CPOC a greater depth of knowledge in the field?
Councilmember Madison asked staff to ensure all the applicants are available to respond to questions at the June 20, 2022 City Council meeting; and requested that the applicant, Kirn Santell, be prepared to respond to questions related to her role with the community based organization she represents.
Tamer Sabha, Recording Secretary, reported that the City Clerk's Office received five letters of correspondence providing comments and suggestions related to the matter, which were distributed to the Committee, posted on-line, and made part of the public record.
Elise Mallory, residence not stated, advocated for the
reappointments of Alexis Abernethy, Florence Annang and Juliana Serrano to the Community Police Oversight Commission.
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Mayor Gordo was excused
himself and disconnected
from the meeting at 4:43 p.m.
Motion:
INFORMATION ITEM
03 Applicant Florence Annang, who was brought into the meeting and recognized to speak, stated that she was connected at the start of the meeting through video conference, but staff was having trouble identifying her, which is why she was unavailable to respond to questions.
REQUEST PREPARATION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
CHAPTER 9.84 OF THE PASADENA MUNICIPAL CODE, MAKING IT
A CRIME TO POSSESS CERTAIN UNREGISTERED AND
UNSERIALIZED FIREARMS KNOWN AS "GHOST GUNS" AND
GHOST GUN KITS AND ENHANCE THE PENALTY FOR SUCH
POSSESSION
Javier Aguilar, Acting Police Commander, summarized the staff report as part of the Powerpoint presentation, and responded to questions.
Tamer Sabha, Recording Secretary, reported that the City Clerk's Office received one letter in support of an ordinance enhancing the penalty for the possession of ghost guns, which was distributed to the Committee, posted on-line, and made part of the public record.
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Hampton, seconded by Councilmember Kennedy, to forward the matter to the City Council for consideration:
AYES: Councilmembers Hampton, Kennedy, Madison
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Gordo
ABSTAIN: None
SAFE STORAGE OF FIREARMS
Acting Police Commander Aguilar provided an oral report on the item, including information on criminal infractions related to firearm storage and penal code penalties, as part of the Powerpoint presentation, and responded to questions.
Councilmember Madison informed staff that the description on the Powerpoint (page 5) of the California Penal Code 25135, is missing the word "unless" and should read as "...or purchasing a firearm shall not keep in that residence any firearm that he or she owns unless..." He also recommended that any legislation the staff recommends related to safe storage of firearm violations consider the information/criteria (the five bullet points) on page 5 of the staff Powerpoint.
Councilmembers Kennedy and Hampton spoke in spoke in support of City legislation related to the safe storage of firearms. Councilmember Hampton asked staff to provide information on when the state laws related to safe storage of firearms were adopted; and advocated for staff to draft an ordinance on safe storage of firearms in Pasadena. He also spoke on the need for staff to provide public safety information to the community on the safe storage of firearms and safe gun ownership.
Councilmember Madison stated his concerns with legislation that classifies a loaded firearm carried illegally in an attended vehicle as a misdemeanor, however, in that same vehicle, nunchucks (a weapon 06/15/2022
that consists of two sticks joined by a short length of cord or chain) is classified as a felony.
Tamer Sabha, Recording Secretary, reported that the City Clerk's Office received one letter providing comments on the matter, which was distributed to the Committee, posted on-line, and made part of the public record.
Following discussion, on the order of the Chair, and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
2022 PROACTIVE FIREWORKS MITIGATION EFFORT
Chad Augustin, Fire Chief, and Police Commander Art Chute, provided an oral report on the item, including information on the 2021 California fire statistics, 2022 Initiatives, messaging and community outreach related to fireworks mitigation efforts, community firework enforcement teams, and administrative citations, as part of the Powerpoint presentation, with both responding to questions.
Councilmember Hampton asked staff to contact the representatives at ShotSpotter system to determine if it is possible to collect data two weeks prior and two weeks after the Fourth of July to pinpoint with accuracy the location of illegal fireworks occurring in the City, and potentially cite the homeowners' identified as using illegal fireworks, hie asked staff to research cities that use drones to locate the use of illegal fireworks, as a possible additional step in identification and deterrence, and report back to the Committee. Mr. Hampton also inquired about whether the Fire Department's volunteers, who will be walking/patrolling areas in the City, might be utilized as witnesses to illegal fireworks usage, and directed staff to check with the City Attorney's Office on any legal issues related to volunteers being used in this capacity.
Councilmember Madison expressed concerns with the City using drone technology in the City, as many residents may not be supportive; and asked staff to consider an amnesty program for illegal fireworks, such as providing $50 gift cards from a local vendor to those residents that turn in illegal fireworks.
Councilmember Hampton voiced support for Councilmember Madison's illegal firework amnesty program idea; and suggested that areas in the City with high illegal fireworks usage can be offered tickets to the next Rose Bowl AmericaFest fireworks display.
Following discussion, on the order of the Chair, and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
In response to Councilmember Madison, Tamer Sabha, Recording Secretary, reported that the next Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday,July 20, 2022.
The Committee acknowledged a moment of silence in solidarity with Peace Officers and public safety personnel, especially the shooting and killing of two El Monte police officers, and the shooting of a California hlighway Patrol officer, both horrific incidents occurred on June 14, 04 06/15/2022
ADJOURNMENT
ATTEST:
Tamer Sabha
Recording Secretary
2022; and Pasadena Police Officer Gonzalez who is in the hospital recovering from a traffic collision.
On the order of Councilmember Madison (Acting Chair), the meeting of the P/dbjic Safety Commijtee was adjourned at 5:33 p.m.
I
Mayor Victor'M. G6rdo,JS(hair
Public Safety Commit^
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