These minutes will be considered for approval at the Public Safety Committee Meeting of 09/26/2023
CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
August 22, 2023
City Hall
Council Chambers, 2nd Floor
910 Calle Negocio
San Clemente, CA 92673
1. CALL TO ORDER
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 Rhoden led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ROLL CALL
Committee
Members Present: Chair Nick Berkuta
Vice Chair Michael Greenwald
Mark Rhoden
Captain Jay Christian
Chief Cheyne Maule
Captain Rod Mellott
Absent: Scotland Roeber
Staff Present: Danielle Sorahan, Code Compliance Manager Natanya Wilcher, Office Specialist
Andy Hall, City Manager (left at 3:15 p.m.)
Special Guests: None.
4. SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS / PRESENTATIONS
None.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of August 22, 2023
5. MINUTES
A. Minutes from the Regular Public Safety Committee meeting of July 25, 2023
MOTION BY MEMBER BERKUTA, SECOND BY MEMBER RHODEN AND
CARRIED 3-0-1, Member Roeber absent, to approve the minutes from the Public Safety Committee meeting of July 25, 2023, adding “Office” to the title of Brian Kinsey under Special Guests and Item 4.A; and changing the name of the movie in Item 9.A.6. from “Oppenheimer” to “The Sound of Freedom.”
6. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
None.
7. REVIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
A. OCSD Performance Measures FY 2023 Q3
Captain Christian presented the crime statistics to the Committee.
In response to questions from the Committee, Captain Christian stated that he would further investigate the data related to Effectiveness Group A Crimes.
He also clarified the department's protocols on use-of-force incidents and discussed the primary causes for arrests.
B. Marine Safety Performance Measures FY2023 Q3
Captain Mellott reviewed the third quarter performance measures.
In response to a question from the Committee, Captain Mellott stated that the Junior Lifeguard Program was not included in the performance measures. He indicated that there were approximately 820 participants and discussed the registration process for the Junior Lifeguard Program.
MOTION BY VICE CHAIR GREENWALD, SECOND BY CHAIR BERKUTA AND CARRIED 3-0-1, Member Roeber absent, to bring back an item to consider recommending the City Council direct Captain Mellott to include the Junior Lifeguard Program in the performance measures; and priority registration to incumbents.
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. Consideration of Recommendation to City Council for City-staff Designated Coordinator for Disaster Preparedness Training
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of August 22, 2023 Chair Berkuta presented the report, requesting the Committee to recommend that the City Council create either a part-time or full-time Disaster Preparedness Coordinator position staffed by a City employee.
Councilmember Loeffler outlined the historical need for a dedicated emergency coordinator and a suitable location for an emergency operations center, suggesting San Clemente as a possible site.
MOTION BY VICE CHAIR GREENWALD, SECOND BY CHAIR BERKUTA AND CARRIED 3-0-1, Member Roeber absent, to direct staff to formalize a recommendation to the City Council to add a part-time or full-time City employee as a designated coordinator for disaster preparedness, adding a component of public information officer.
9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Public Safety Committee Annual Work Plan FY2022-2023
1. Communications and Disaster Preparedness Project Update Chair Berkuta stated the project was contingent upon hiring a coordinator.
2. Homelessness and Best Management Practices for Public Safety Personnel Project Update
Member Rhoden requested adding an item to a future agenda regarding the City leasing the County property to deal with the homeless situation.
Captain Christian discussed recent efforts by San Diego County to clean up the area.
MOTION BY MEMBER RHODEN, SECOND BY VICE CHAIR GREENWALD AND CARRIED 3-0-1, Member Roeber absent, to discuss the viability of leasing the unincorporated area of San Diego County located at the southernmost portion of South El Camino Real from the San Diego County line to the termination of the roadway at Cristianitos Road, to take proactive action regarding homelessness.
Vice Chair Greenwald discussed the possibility of using the now vacant Chet Holifield Federal building in Aliso Viejo for a homeless shelter.
3. Legislation Review
None.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of August 22, 2023
4. Neighborhood Watch
Vice Chair Greenwald suggested the use of volunteers and encouraged information booths at public events.
8. Technology Review
Member Rhoden discussed the meeting he and Chair Berkuta had with a company regarding drone traffic control. He indicated there was additional information needed.
Chair Berkuta stated it was an interesting service but he was not sure there was a problem to be solved by the technology.
5. Statistical Information and Review
None.
6. Human Trafficking
None.
7. E-Bicycle/Traffic Safety
Member Rhoden requested a future agenda item to discuss adjusting the timing of the traffic light at westbound Pico Avenue at the southbound I-5 off ramp and the northbound I-5 on ramp.
MOTION BY MEMBER RHODEN, SECOND BY VICE CHAIR GREENWALD AND CARRIED 3-0-1, Member Roeber absent, to agendize discussion of the timing of the traffic light at westbound Pico Avenue at the southbound I-5 off ramp and the northbound I-5 on ramp.
AMENDED MOTION BY VICE CHAIR GREENWALD, SECOND BY MEMBER RHODEN AND CARRIED 3-0-1, Member Roeber absent, to have staff to contact CHP and Caltrans to determine the jurisdiction and then report to the Committee.
9. Review of Urgent Matters
None.
10. REPORTS OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND STAFF
A. Police Services – Orange County Sheriff’s Department Captain Christian
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of August 22, 2023 Captain Christian provided updates on current training and staffing in Downtown, focusing on foot patrol activities.
In response to questions from the Committee, Captain Christian elaborated on the deployment of the Student Resource Officer and patrols on bike trails.
B. Fire Services – Orange County Fire Authority, Chief Maule Chief Maule briefed the Committee on recent incident statistics, assets deployed in Maui, staffing allocated for Hurricane Hillary, fire safety preparedness, water sources for firefighting helicopters, and the FBI drone program.
In follow-up to Committee inquiries, Chief Maule discussed the water sources utilized for helicopter firefighting and preparations for storm response.
C. Marine Safety – Marine Safety Division Captain Mellott Captain Mellott reported on recent lifeguard staffing, marine safety statistics, Safety Officer recruitment, contract for uniforms, Beach concerts, and the sand replenishment project.
In response to Committee questions, Captain Mellott discussed issuance of press releases.
D. Committee Chair
Chair Berkuta announced that Member Roeber was unavailable due to work commitments. He also talked about ongoing efforts to recruit a fifth committee member and expressed gratitude to the staff for their efforts in maintaining city safety.
E. Committee Members
None.
F. City Staff
Code Compliance Manager Sorahan discussed several key points: the need to prepare the Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2023-24, Council's directive for the Committee to investigate the City's public safety siren notification system, improvements and leadership selection in the Park Ranger program, and Council's adoption of Resolution No. 23-88 concerning compensation for committee members.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of August 22, 2023
MOTION BY CHAIR BERKUTA, SECOND BY VICE CHAIR GREENWALD, AND CARRIED 3-0-1, Member Roeber absent, to adjourn at 4:30 PM to the next Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee scheduled to be held on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall at 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, California.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________________
Nick Berkuta, Chair
Attest:
_______________________________
Danielle Sorahan, Code Compliance Manager