These minutes were approved at the Public Safety Committee Meeting of 07/26/2022
CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
June 28, 2022
City Hall
First Floor Community Room
910 Calle Negocio
San Clemente, CA 92673
1. CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Berkuta called the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of the City of San Clemente to order at 3:02 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Committee Member Hightower led the pledge of allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Committee
Members Present: Chair Nick Berkuta
Vice Chair Charles Hightower
Joe Janis
Rick Loeffler
Captain Tony Benfield, Orange County Sheriff's Department Chief Rob Capobianco, Orange County Fire Authority
Committee
Members Absent: Marine Safety Captain Rod Mellott
Staff Present: Erik Sund, City Manager
Adam Atamian, Deputy Community Development Director
Kiel Koger, Director of Public Works
Rebekah Brewster, Administrative Assistant
Special Guests: Gene James, Mayor of San Clemente
Amy Tallakson
William Hanrahan
Juno from Laguna Beach Boy Scout Troop 35
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of June 28, 2022
4. REGULAR ORDERS OF BUSINESS / REGULAR PRESENTATIONS
A. Presentation by Chief Capobianco concerning the Orange County Fire Authority's (OCFA) Ready, Set, Go Program
Chief Capobianco recommended and discussed:
• Creating a defensible space perimeter of at least five feet around structures.
• Removing potentially combustible items such as RVs, patio furniture, brush and vegetation, trash, etc. away from perimeter.
• Protecting your house when evacuating by shutting windows and turning off air conditioners.
• The six "P's" to secure in an emergency: People, Pets, Papers (passports, birth certificates, etc.), Prescriptions, Photos, and Personal computer. • A potential townhall style safety presentation for San Clemente residents in the future.
• OCFA offers a free home protection assessment to local homeowners. • A reminder to sign up for the AlertOC program.
B. Commendation of Service for outgoing Public Safety Committee member Joe Janis
Presentation by Chair Berkuta commending Committee Member Joe Janis for his dedication to the community and his committee accomplishments.
Mayor Gene James and City Manager Erik Sund briefly attended the meeting to personally commend Mr. Janis for his service on the committee.
MINUTES
A. Minutes from the Regular Public Safety Committee meeting of May 24, 2022
MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER LOEFFLER, SECONDED BY
COMMITTEE MEMBER JANIS, UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED to approve the minutes from the Public Safety Committee meeting of May 24, 2022 with one change:
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of June 28, 2022 It was noted that the PSC Committee had completed Priority One of the Human Trafficking work plan listed on page three that was sent to City Council on May 25, 2022. The Committee will continue working on Priorities Two and Three.
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
Chair Berkuta noted that effective July 1, 2022, the City Council appointed two new Committee Members:
• William Hanrahan, retired prosecutor and judge
• Amy Tallakson, Deputy District Attorney
Mayor Gene James discussed the possibility of doing disaster preparedness drills. He suggested that the committee add this to the upcoming work plan.
Public Works Director Kiel Koger noted that the City is currently working on a contract for disaster preparedness (including drills) with Jacob Green & Associates.
Boy Scout of Star Rank, Juno, from Laguna Beach Boy Scount Troop 35 was in attendance to fulfil a Boy Scout Merit Badge assignment of visiting a local government committee.
REVIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Communications and Disaster Preparedness Project Update Public Works Director Kiel Koger gave an update on the City's 6-month contract with Jacob Green & Associates. This will be a pilot program on disaster preparedness training and related emergency services.
B. Public Safety Personnel Best Management Practices for Homlessness and Legislative Review
Committee Member Loeffler discussed the Orange County Grand Jury's Report on homelessness in South County Orange County. Issues discussed were gaguing county-wide interest in a joint county homeless shelter, clearing of river beds, and potential shelter locations.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of June 28, 2022 C. Neighborhood Watch Project Update
Committee Member Janis presented a brief background of past Committee accomplishments.
Deputy Community Development Director Atamian gave a demonstration on the City's Neighborhood Watch webpage.
B. Human Trafficking Project Update
Committee Member Hightower briefed members on the joint engagement effort with the I-5 Freedom Network and Executive Director Brenda Wells.
Brenda Wells gave a brief presentation to the committee. She noted that San Clemente's work on this issue led the City of San Juan Capistrano to also take action.
Ms. Wells discussed ways to combat human trafficking on the local level.
Chair Berkuta suggested the committee consider working with the local Chamber of Commerce on this issue.
C. Traffic and E-Bicycle Safety
Captain Benfield discussed ways in which law enforcement is working on enforcement of e-bikes on the beach trail, including future signage.
Chief Capobianco noted that there has been a significant increase in e-bike accidents throughout Southern California, including three accidents on the same day last week.
D. Consideration of Recommendation to City Council to utilize space at the City Yard (380 Avenida Pico) to provide a location for emergency food storage
Chair Berkuta noted that nonprofit Abound Food Care had received a grant from the County of Orange to work on emergency food planning, and were looking for potential locations in South Orange County to store food.
MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER LOEFFLER, SECONDED BY CHAIR
BERKUTA, AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED to recommend to the City Council to consider potential sites at the City Yard (380 Avenida Pico) for Abound Food Care's future potential location of an emergency food storage unit.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of June 28, 2022
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
10. REPORTS OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND STAFF
A. Police Services - Orange County Sheriff's Department Captain Benfield B. Fire Services - Chief of San Clemente Fire Services, Chief Capobianco C. Marine Safety - Marine Safety Division Captain Mellott D. Committee Chair
E. Committee Members
F. City Staff
Captain Benfield reported that the Ordinance Prohibiting Unlawful Possession of Catalytic Converters, recommended by the Committee, was scheduled to go to City Council on June 21, 2022. It has since been postponted to the July 19, 2022 meeting.
Captain Benfield reported that the City's contract for license plate readers is moving forward. He working with the contractor to determine install locations.
Chief Capobianco reported that there is a new engine in service at Station 60.
OCFA also recently retained the service of two helicopters for Orange County.
Deputy Community Development Director Atamian reported that the City is currently recruiting for a Code Compliance Manager. This staff member will work with the Public Safety Committee.
11. CADJOURNMENI
MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER HIGHTOWER, SECONDED BY
COMMITTEE MEMBER LOEFFLER, AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED to
adjourn, at 5:36 P.M. to the next Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee scheduled to be held on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. in the Community Room at City Hall, 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, California.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of June 28, 2022 Respectfully submitted,
Attest:
Adam Atamian, Deputy Community Development Director