These minutes were approved at the Public Safety Committee Meeting of 08/23/2022
CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
July 26, 2022
City Hall
First Floor Community Room
910 Calle Negocio
San Clemente, CA 92673
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Berkuta called the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of the City of San Clemente to order at 3:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Committee Member Loeffler led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Committee
Members Present: Chair Nick Berkuta
Vice Chair Charles Hightower
William Hanrahan
Rick Loeffler
Captain Benfield, Orange County Sheriff's Department
Chief Capobianco, Orange County Fire Authority
Marine Safety Captain Mellott
Committee
Members Absent: none
Staff Present: Adam Atamian, Community Development Deputy Director Kiel Koger, Director of Public Works
Natanya Wilcher, Office Specialist
Special Guests: Eddie Morales
Chad Cossey
Brenda Wells
Alejandra Baker
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of July 26, 2022
4. REGULAR ORDERS OF BUSINESS / REGULAR PRESENTATIONS
A. Presentation by Chad Cossey and Eddie Morales of the OC Health Department Emergency Medical Services Team on • Disaster Medical Planning and Response During Catastrophic Events.
Chad Cossey gave a Power Point presentation on Health Emergency Management Emergency Medical Services which receives funding by the Hospital Preparedness Program Grant (HPP), Public Health Emergency Preparedness and response (PHEP), and the County's general fund.
Chad Cossey shared some highlights of their Agency Operations Center's distribution of medical supplies and equipment during the recent Covid-19 Disaster. They have thus far successfully fulfilled 6200 of the 6600 requests.
Some request are still pending, but some unfulfilled requests were just d to a hospitals preference or familiarity with particular brands, not lack of inventory.
Eddie Morales elaborated on the storage and operations of the disaster resources maintained and managed in joint co-op with hospitals in caches on their properties. He also discussed the logistics of getting those supplies distributed in the case of shortages or disasters.
MOTION BY CHAIR BERKUTA TO TAKE EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE, SECOND BY COMMITTEE MEMBER LOEFFLER, CARRIED 4-0 to reorder agenda and move onto item 8.E. NEWBUSINESS-Human Trafficking Project Update B. Nomination and Selection of Public Safety Committee Chair and Vice- Chair
MOTION BY CHAIR BERKUTA, SECOND BY VICE CHAIR CHARLES
HIGHTOWER, AND CARRIED 4-0 to appoint Rick Loeffler as the new Committee Chair
MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER RICK LOEFFLER to nominate Nick Berkuta to Vice Chair
SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY VICE CHAIR CHARLES HIGHTOWER, SECONDED CHAIR LOEFFLER, CARRIED 4-0 to appoint Vice Chair Hightower as Vice Chair
5. MINUTES
A. Minutes from the Regular Public Safety Committee meeting of June 28, 2022.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of July 26, 2022
MOTION BY CHAIR LOEFFLER, SECOND BY VICE CHAIR HIGHTOWER, AND CARRIED 3-0 to approve the minutes from the Public Safety Committee Meeting of June 28, 2022.
6. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
none
REVIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
None.
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. Communications and Disaster Preparedness Project Update Committee Member Berkuta along with Chair Loeffler reported meeting with Mike Beekman-Executive Director of Safety and Student Services for Capistrano Unified School District in regards to disaster preparedness and setting up EOC's.
He suggested the possibility of meeting with schools and other public safety services prior to a disaster or incident to ensure there are plans in place and functional EOC's.
Chief Capobianco and Captain Benfield provided a brief summary of the role the OCFA and the OCSD currently have in place for disaster preparedness. Both OCFA and OCSD have worked with Mr. Beekman and currently participate in disaster preparedness drills with the schools and have protocols in place in which they serve as the Command Post.
Due to overall concerns with the how the City is prepared for a disaster, it is recommended that the Committee be brought up to speed on the City's current EOC. This will enable them to be more informed before deciding on whether there is a need to take any further action or offer recommendations in preparation for a future incident or disaster.
In regards to the concern of the City's role in the case of an active shooter incident, Chief Capobianco ensured that there is a definite plan in place for prevention and mitigation in the event of such an incident. He feels that the city as provided them with a depth or resources and is doing their part, but is oper to improving their process, if needed. Captain Tony Benfield agreed and adde that he feels the schools are also doing a good job of disseminating information to the parents and families.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of July 26, 2022 B. Homeless and Best Management Practices for Public Safety Personnel Project Update
Chair Loeffler indicated that the Code Enforcement team has been managing to keep the beach trails clear.
Deputy Director Atamian gave an update on the Community Outreach Worker position which is currently still accepting applicants. Interviews will not begin until the application period is closed.
C. Legislative Review Project Update
Chair Loeffler noted that 1st reading of the Catalytic Convertor Ordinance was delayed at the City Council Meeting until August 19, 2022.
Deputy Director Atamian indicated the Bicycle Repair Ordinance was placed on the consent calendar and approved after the second reading. It will become effective 30 days after it was adopted, on or about August 18th, 2022.
Chair Loeffler also commented on the Supreme Court's ruling on the Second Amendment in regards to concealed carry weapons. Captain Benfield confirmed that this would not effect change on any of our current legislation in Orange County
D. Neighborhood Watch Project Update
Chair Loeffler stated due to Amy Tallakson being unable to join the Neighborhood Watch Subcommittee, they will need reorganization and add another person to assist in these duties. Deputy Director Atamian indicated that once the vacancies are filled in the Code Compliance Division, there will be some staff resources available for assistance.
E. Human Trafficking Project Update
Vice Chair Hightower gave an update on the Human Trafficking Project with a prepared PowerPoint presentation of the 3 priorities presented to City Council to assist in strengthening oversight in ongoing efforts to prevent human trafficking.
Vice Chair Hightower went on to discuss actions for implementation of Priority 2- Educating and Rewarding Hotel and Motel Business Compliance. While the possibility of some enforcement through current legislation may be possible, the objective is to get local hotels to comply through an incentive based system due to its effectiveness.
Committee Member Loeffler recommended meeting with the Subcommittee to work out a plan for Priority 2 to present to City Council to move forward with the
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of July 26, 2022 next phase. Deputy Community Development Director Adam Atamian recalled that Council did go on record with direction to move forward on Priorities 2 and 3, but these will need to be phased due to limited current resources. Deputy Director Atamian stated that in the interim, the Committee could move forward on any priority that does not involve Council action.
F. Traffic and E-Bicycle Safety
Vice Chair Hightower brought up concerns from the public on social media that there is a lack of enforcement on e-bikes on the beach trail and the pier.
Chair Loeffler noted that the new signs contain the city municipal code, so citing violators shouldn't be a problem. Also, once a subcommittee is formed they can look at more possibilities of things that can be done.
Captain Benfield agreed that the new signs with the municipal code visibly posted give legitimacy to citing violators, especially those trom out of town. With previous entorcement targeted suppression activities being tocused on education, the new signs will enable him to plan some targeted dates to ramp up enforcement efforts.
G. Consideration and Development of Public Safety Committee Work Plan Chair Loeffler requested input from the Committee if anything needs to be removed or added to the Work Plan. The question if Statistical Review needed to remain was raised.
Deputy • Director Atamian commented that due to COVID-19, some of the responsiveness of various departments wasn't aligned as previously. The new Code Compliance Manager will be responsible for providing this in an improved and more structured fashion quarterly. He also reminded the Committee that the only specific action required by the San Clemente Municipal Code for the Committee is to review performance measures and make recommendations to improve the service of law enforcement and related services. Therefore, this item should remain and the current work plan will remain in effect.
Chair Loeffler named the current Work Plan Subcommittees for the following:
Disaster Communications and Preparedness-Member Nick Berkuta and Chair Charles Hightower
Homelessness-Chair Rick Loeffler and Committee Member William Hanrahan Legislation and Review-Chair Rick Loeffler
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of July 26, 2022 Statistical Information and Review-Vice Chair Charles Hightower and Committee Member Nick Berkuta
Neighborhood Watch-Chair Rick Loeffler and William Hanrahan Technology Review-Vice Chair Charles Hightower and Committee Member Nick Berkuta
Human Trafficking-Chair Rick Loeffler and Vice Chair Charles Hightower Traffic and E-bike-Chair Rick Loeffler and Committee Member William Hanrahan
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 in addition to the increase in E-Bike accidents, there have been frequent sightings of pedal-less E-motorcycles/dirt bikes. These are illegal and require a license. OCSD has been stopping and/or citing riders and requiring underage rider's parents to retrieve them.
Captain Benfield mentioned the recent shooting in Maxburg Park. There were no fatalities. OCSD is still investigating the matter, but he feels there is no current threat to the community.
Captain Benfield also gave an update on the City's contract for license plate readers. He was recently copied on an email in which Flock company staff reached out to Public Works Director Kiel Koger for permitting, so the project is still in the works.
Chief Capobianco reported that OCFA currently have resources up at the Oak Fire. Due to COVID-19, there is a bit of a staff challenge but they are managing to stay staffed. He is working with an "Our Dirt Comes First" approach to cover the City's stations first before lending out any resources to surrounding counties.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of July 26, 2022 Captain Mellott reported that this is the busiest time of the year for Marine Safety. While he has also had staffing issues due to COVID-19, his team has successfully rescued over 1100 swimmers in distress with no drownings this summer.
Captain Mellott also noticed noted the substantial increase in homeless encampments. In addition to citing them in cases of illegal activities, he is working in conjunction with Karle Hunter, Park Rangers and OCSD to help manage enforcement and outreach services.
Captain Mellott has employed his Junior Lifeguard Program to help educate the public on E-bike safety. They also put out PSA's on the Daily Surf Report and Website and work with OCSD to do targeted enforcement. Overall, he has seen a decrease of E-bikes on the beach
Deputy Director Atamian gave an update on Park Ranger Staff. Currently 10 new staff members are in training, for a total of 15 this year. He indicated that more complex issues like dealing with homeless issues are above the current Park Rangers capabilities, so those issues have been shifted more towards Community Outreach and Code Compliance staff to manage.
11. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BERKUTA, AND CARRIED 4-0 to adjourn, at 5:37PM to the next Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee scheduled to be held on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at 3:00pm in the Community Room at City Hall, 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, California.
Roller
Attest:
N X|
Adam Atamian, Community Development Deputy Director