These minutes were approved at the Public Safety Committee Meeting of 10/25/2022
CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
September 27, 2022
City Hall
First Floor Community Room
910 Calle Negocio
San Clemente, CA 92673
1. CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Loeffler called the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of the City of San Clemente to order at 3:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Committee Member Hanrahan led the Pledge of Allegiance
ROLL CALL
Committee
Members Present: Chair Rick Loeffler
Vice Chair Charles Hightower
Nick Berkuta
William Hanrahan
Chief Hunter, Orange County Fire Authority
Captain Mellott, Marine Safety
Committee
Members Absent: Captain Benfield, Orange County Sheriffs Department Staff Present: Adam Atamian, Deputy Community Development Director Natanya Wilcher, Office Assistant
Ryan Kim, Senior Civil Engineer-Traffic
Zak Ponsen, Assistant City Engineer
Special Guests: Gene James, Mayor of San Clemente
Todd Forester, 1-5 Freedom Network
Jill Moran, CASA Supervisor
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of September 27,2022
4. SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS/PRESENTATIONS
A. Presentation by Jill Moran of Orange County Animal Care on Disaster Preparedness for Animal Owners.
Jill Moran, Supervisor for Coastal Animal Service Authority (CASA), gave a presentation on the importance of animal owners being prepared in the event of a disaster and the CASA's role in providing services to the public.
Supervisor Moran explained that CASA is a Joint Powers Authority between city of San Clemente and Dana Point for animal services. CASA is responsible for providing sheltering as well as animal control services that will assure the safety of the public and their animals. CASA works in conjunction with OCSD, the OCFA, Marine Safety, as well as various behaviorists, dedicated prosecutors and other emergency agencies that involve animals.
Supervisor Moran informed the Committee about the law enforcement capabilities of CASA. She stated that California Penal Code 830.9 gives Animal Control Officers the authority to exercise the powers of arrest of a Peace Officer and search and seizure capabilities in cases involving animals.
Supervisor Moran shared important factors in successful pet disaster planning:
• Make a plan for a pet friendly place to stay
• Make an evacuation emergency kit of items your pet will need to survive • Stay informed and know who your animal control services agency is • Microchip your pet
• Post signage about your pets in a visible area for First Responders • Keep devices charged and have a meeting place
B. Presentation by Public Works Department Staff on the City's Mobility and Complete Street Element, Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, and Transportation Engineering Projects Related to Bicycles/E-bikes.
Assistant City Engineer Zak Ponsen gave an update on the City's Mobility and Complete Street Element, Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. He noted the majority of the projects outlined in the plan have been completed and the more complex projects are still in the works. He cited specific examples of multiple projects that have been completed as well some that are still in planning.
In regards to current projects related to E-bikes, Assistant City Engineer Ponsen mentioned that the plan contains only a small section on E-bikes due to current lack of policy. He explained that due to the current increase in E-bike usage, considerations and decisions still need to be made by the City on implementing different classes of lanes allowing E-bikes to safely share the road with pedestrians and bicycles. Currently studies are being done by designers and
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of September 27,2022 consultants to create conceptual plans which will then be submitted as recommendations to City Council by fall of 2023, if not sooner.
Deputy Director Atamian informed the Committee members that the Department of Public Work's direction for these projects comes from the Mobility and Complete Streets Element of the General Plan, last updated in 2014, as well as project-specific Council directed activities. This General Plan provides the direction from City Council of the basic buildout of the City's streets to serve as a blueprint for Public Works staff and that any recommendations for changes must be in compliance with this plan and presented to City Council for approval to provide new direction.
5. MINUTES
A. Minutes from the Regular Public Safety Committee meeting of May 24, 2022.
MOTION BY CHAIR LOEFFLER SECOND BY VICE CHAIR HIGHTOWER AND CARRIED 4-0 to approve the minutes from the Public Safety Committee meeting of August 23, 2022.
B. Minutes from the Joint City Council/Commissions/Committees meeting of August 30, 2022
MOTION BY VICE CHAIR HIGHTOWER SECOND BY COMMITTEE MEMBER HANRAHAN, AND CARRIED 4-0 to approve the minutes from the Joint City Council/Commissions/Committees meeting of August 30, 2022
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
Resident Helen McCue had concerns with several reported unsafe conditions:
• Las Palmas Track - speaker feels that parents picking up children is prohibiting access of emergency vehicles.
• Speed Bumps on West El Portal - speaker suggests repainting due to fading, painting speed limit on street, and adding arrows to increase visibility due to RV's blocking current posted speed limits. • Curbs in areas of West El Portal, Canada, Oso - speaker reports the red paint has faded and is no longer visible which she feels leads to illegal parking, traffic blockage and low visibility of pedestrians. • Absence of Crosswalk on corner of Oso and Del Puente - speaker feels there should be one there for the safety of the children and adults walking their kids to school.
• Absence of Handicap Drop Box at USPS on Pico.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of September 27,2022 Chair Loeffler indicated to the concerned citizen that he would contact Public Works Director Koger personally to attempt to resolve some of the aforementioned issues.
REVIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
None.
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. Communications and Disaster Preparedness Project Update Committee Member Berkuta has invited Senior Public Affairs Manager Duane D.
Cave from SDGE to give a presentation on his agency's work in emergency preparedness. This will occur at the upcoming Public Safety Committee Meeting to be held on October 25, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. at City Hall in Council Chambers, located at 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, CA 92673.
B. Homeless and Best Management Practices for Public Safety Personnel Project Update
No update.
C. Legislative Review Project Update
Chair Loeffler stated he would address this with item 8F.
D. Neighborhood Watch Project Update
Chair Loeffler indicated that in a recent meeting with Deputy Director Atamian he was able to provided updated content to revise the Neighbor Hood Watch Page on the City's website.
Chair Loeffler was also able to contact Lisa Lebron-Flores, OCSD Crime Prevention Specialist, who confirmed that she could assist with the Neighbor Hood Watch Project.
Deputy Director Atamian stated that the four to six hour allotment City Council anticipated of staff time would be addressed once the currently-vacant Code Compliance Manager position is filled.
E. Human Trafficking Project Update
Todd Forester of the I-5 Freedom Network shared an example of how Human Trafficking training helped in a recent event. He discussed ATIP-After Training
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of September 27,2022 Implementation Plan. This is for continued education on how to handle new situations following the initial training to keep protections in place.
Vice Chair Hightower spoke on the upcoming Human Trafficking Town Hall Meeting to be held on October 12, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. at the San Clemente Community Center Auditorium located at 100 N Calle Seville, San Clemente, CA 92672.
Todd Forester and Vice Chair Hightower presented the Committee with samples of awards incentives to present to facilities participating in human trafficking prevention meeting certain criteria.
F. Traffic and E-Bicycle Safety
Chair Loeffler spoke on the recent legislation signed by Governor Newsome that states CHP shall institute a safety program for E-bikes.
Chair Loeffler spoke about the city of Carlsbad's recent three-prong approach to E-bike safety in response to an emergency declaration following an E-bike death:
1. Enforce all laws such as texting while riding, multiple passengers and wearing helmets
2. Educational Programs
3. Diversion Programs
Chair Loeffler recently spoke with Captain Benfield to possibly implement a county wide policy to get grants or utilize budgeted overtime for officers to do a targeted more aggressive enforcement on E-bikes.
Vice Chair Hightower gave a brief presentation of E-bike Safety citing recent California Assembly Bill AB 2028, and current San Clemente E-bike and bicycle ordinances.
Vice Chair Hightower also provided a list of local E-bikes and bicycle vendors, some of which he has made contact with that are interested in getting involved in a future safety program.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Consideration and Development of 2022-2023 Public Safety Committee Work Plan
Deputy Director Atamian presented a 2022-2023 Draft Annual Work Plan with updated modifications discussed at the August 23, 2022 Public Safety Committee Meeting.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of September 27,2022 The Committee recommended additional revisions for Deputy Director Atamian, to implement to the current draft of the 2022-2023 Annual Work Plan and create a final draft to be submitted to City Council for approval.
MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BERKUTA SECOND BY CHAIR
LOEFFLER, AND CARRIED 4-0 to approve the 2022-2023 Annual Work Plan as amended.
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 Hunter C. Marine Safety - Marine Safety Division Captain Mellott D. Committee Chair
E. Committee Members
F. City Staff
Captain Mellott stated that there have been 180 water rescues since the last meeting. He spoke of an outstanding rescue by Nick Scheel who was recognized by the San Clemente Exchange Club as 2022 Lifeguard of the year.
Captain Mellott spoke about an upcoming community fundraising event Pier Pride that his team would be providing rescue services for.
Chair Loeffler reported that he had recently attended a town hall meeting in Talega where it was reported that there were only six burglaries in Talega in the last nine months. This accounts for five percent of the crime within fifteen percent of the population of San Clemente, citing it as a low risk area to live in.
Chair Loeffler informed the Committee that a new Public Safety Committee member would be appointed at the upcoming City Council Meeting on October 4t, 2022 at 5:00 pm. at City Half in Council Chambers located at 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, CA 92673.
Vice Chair Hightower informed the Committee that he would like to discontinue working on the Human Trafficking Subcommittee and get involved with the E- bike Safety Committee.
Deputy Director Atamian responded to the request by Vice Chair Hightower suggesting the Committee delay any Subcommittee reassignments until the 2022-2023 Annual Work Plan is approved and there is a new committee member available for some of the assignments.
Committee Member Berkuta spoke about a recent town hall meeting that he attended in Talega and how the community standards of Talega and San Clemente are very high in comparison with surrounding Orange County cities.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of September 27,2022 Deputy Director Atamian reported that the City Council requested an update on E-bike safety and actions from a member of the Public Safety Committee at the City Council Meeting on October 18t, 2022 at 5 p.m. at City Hall in Council Chambers located at 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, CA 92673.
Deputy Director Atamian also informed the Committee that the regular scheduled Public Safety Committee Meeting occurring on the fourth Tuesday of each month would be moved from the City Hall 1st Floor Community Room to 2nd Floor Council Chambers at 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, CA 92673.
11. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER HANRAHAN, SECOND BY VICE CHAIR HIGHTOWER, AND CARRIED 4-0 to adjourn at 5:33 PM to the next Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee scheduled to be held on Tuesday, October 25th, 2022 at 3:00pm at City Hall in Council Chambers at 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, California.
Respectfully submitted
Rick Loeffler, Chair
Attest:
Adam Atamian, Deputy Community Development Director