These minutes were at the Public Safety Committee Meeting of 10/24/2023
CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
September 26, 2023
City Hall
Council Chambers, 2nd Floor
910 Calle Negocio
San Clemente, CA 92673
CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair Greenwald called the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of the City of San Clemente to order at 3:01 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Rick Loeffler led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Committee
Members Present: Vice Chair Michael Greenwald
Mark Rhoden
Scotland Roeber
Gary Walsh
Captain Jay Christian
Chief Cheyne Maule
Captain Rod Mellott
Absent: Chair Nick Berkuta
Staff Present: Danielle Sorahan, Code Compliance Manager Natanya Wilcher, Office Specialist
Adam Atamian, Deputy Community Development Director
Trevor Milosch, Park Ranger Supervisor
4. SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS / PRESENTATIONS
Public Outreach on District Elections
Deputy Community Development Director Atamian presented the staff report.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of September 26, 2023
6. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
Councilmember Loeffler welcomed Gary Walsh back to the Committee and discussed future modeling of the park ranger program.
Dennis Camp indicated support for the park ranger program to free up police officers and to bring the community together.
5. MINUTES
A. Minutes from the Regular Public Safety Committee Meeting of August 22,
MOTION BY MEMBER ROEBER, SECOND BY MEMBER RHODEN AND
CARRIED 3-0-2, Member Walsh abstaining and Chair Berkuta absent, to approve the minutes from the Public Safety Committee meeting of August 22, 2023.
REVIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
A. Code Compliance Performance Measures FY 2023 Q3
Code Compliance Manager Sorahan presented the Performance Measures.
In response to Committee questions, Ms. Sorahan stated no new officers had started in the third quarter; and discussed the uptick in weed abatement cases due to the rain; backlog in the fourth quarter; and staffing.
B. Park Rangers Performance Measures FY2023 Q3
Senior Park Ranger Milosch introduced himself and discussed his experience.
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. Consideration and Development of Public Safety Committee Annual Work Plan for FY2023-2024
Deputy Community Development Director Atamian explained the general purpose of the work plan and the Committee's responsibilities to submit this annually to City Council.
The Committee discussed the workplan and generally agreed to focus on homelessness, statistical review, and e-bike and traffic safety.
Member Walsh discussed recent wildfires and suggested adding an item to review wildfire safety.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of September 26, 2023 Deputy Community Development Director Atamian discussed the Council direction for the Committee to review the early warning system in the City so it did not need to be added to the workplan and stated the park ranger program would also be on a future agenda.
The Committee directed staff to reprint the workplan without the City seal so the Committee could review and discuss at next meeting.
D. Review of City of San Clemente's Siren Program for Emergency Notification System.
Vice Chair Greenwald requested information on whether any sirens were still available, how many were needed, technology to activate and bring back at next meeting.
Code Compliance Manager Sorahan stated the former sirens had been removed.
The Committee requested information on after actions for the Laguna incident; best practices from other cities; and discussed the antiquated siren system and suggested consideration of other means including Alert EOC and freeway signage.
B. Recommendation to City Council to direct Captain Mellott to include the Junior Lifeguard Program in the Performance Measures; and priority registration to incumbents.
The Committee discussed the success of and need to expand the Junior Lifeguard program; beach safety presentations at schools; limited registration opportunities; priority to incumbents and residents; and concurred to priority registration to incumbents.
Captain Mellott discussed the success of the program, registration process and need for additional opportunities.
C. 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.
Deputy Community Development Director Atamian indicated that staff are actively collaborating with stakeholders.
Member Rhoden reviewed the proximity of the nearest Sheriff's Station and presented a 60-day statistical overview. Captain Christian addressed both the responsiveness and jurisdictional challenges between San Diego County.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of September 26, 2023 Code Compliance Manager Sorahan provided additional information regarding the ongoing efforts related to homeless outreach in the area.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Public Safety Committee Annual Work Plan FY2022-2023
1. Communications and Disaster Preparedness Project Update Vice Chair Greenwald discussed an annual disaster preparedness fair in his former community.
Chief Cheyne Maule announced the South County Disaster Preparedness Expo on October 21 in Mission Viejo.
The Committee discussed National Night Out and requested social media posts regarding the Expo.
2. Homelessness and Best Management Practices for Public Safety Personnel Project Update
Member Rhoden talked about the specific areas in the city that are impacted by homelessness.
Gary Giacomini from Rincon Truck Center raised questions about the regulation of overnight motorhome parking and sewage discharge. He specifically inquired about enforcement methods for overnight parking and voiced concerns over bus parking on Los Molinos.
Captain Christian recommended reaching out to the Sheriff's Department for related matters.
3. Legislation Review
None.
4. Neighborhood Watch
Vice Chair Greenwald discussed additional block captain requests and requested a group at Carnival Colossus.
5. Statistical Information and Review
None.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of September 26, 2023
6. Human Trafficking
None.
7. E-Bicycle/Traffic Safety
Captain Christian discussed the reduction in Surron bikes and enforcement of e-bikes.
The Committee discussed potential amendments to the Municipal Code and pending State Vehicle Code amendments.
Deputy Community Development Director Atamian discussed the direction given by the Council for the Public Safety Committee to evaluate and make recommendations on e-bike safety.
Code Compliance Manager Sorahan pointed out that Caltrans had jurisdiction over the traffic signals at the Northbound I-5 off-ramp and Southbound I-5 on- ramp at Avenida Pico. She encouraged residents to reach out to Caltrans with any problems they encounter. In response, Vice Chair Greenwald suggestec inviting a representative from Caltrans to participate in an upcoming Committee meeting.
8. Technology Review
None.
9. Review of Urgent Matters
None.
10. REPORTS OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND STAFE
A. Police Services - Orange County Sheriff's Department Captain Christian Captain Christian provided an update on Neighborhood Watch; donation of e-bikes to Police Services; table top exercises on collaboration during wildfires; and installation of the security gate at City Hall.
B. Fire Services - Orange County Fire Authority, Chief Maule Chief Maule reported on the upcoming Disaster Preparedness Expo; standards of coverage audit; installation of helicopter fire hydrant; AlertOC; arrival of fire hawks; and passing of former Fire Chief Ron Coleman.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of September 26, 2023 C. Marine Safety - Marine Safety Division Captain Mellott Captain Mellott reported on safety statistics; staffing; Lifeguard of the Year Luncheon; California Coastal Cleanup; construction projects; replacement towers; PierPride event; sand replenishment project; and lifeguard tryouts on October 15, D. Committee Chair
None.
E. Committee Members
Member Roeber expressed gratitude to the public safety partners for their involvement in recent community events.
Member Walsh conveyed his enthusiasm for serving on the Committee.
Vice Chair Greenwald commended the public safety partners. He also raised concerns about dirt blowing from Casa Romantica into adjacent homes and suggested implementing a program to check in on the aging community. Deputy Community Development Director Atamian assured that he would request Public Works to address the stockpile issue. Additionally, he mentioned that the Senior Center offers programs for contact check-ins and other senior assistance services.
F. City Staff
None.
11. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION BY MEMBER ROEBER, SECOND BY VICE CHAIR GREENWALD, AND CARRIED 4-0-1, Chair Berkuta absent, to adjourn at 4:54 p.m., in honor of Fire Chief Ronny Coleman, to the next Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee scheduled to be held on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. at City Hall in Council Chambers of City Hall at 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, California.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of September 26, 2023 Respectfully submitted,
Attest:
Minda donk
Danielle Sorahan, Code Compliance Manager