These minutes were approved at the Public Safety Committee Meeting of 01/23/2024.
CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
November 28, 2023
City Hall
Council Chambers, 2nd Floor
910 Calle Negocio
San Clemente, CA 92673
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Berkuta 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
Member Roeber led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ROLL CALL
Committee
Members Present: Chair Nick Berkuta
Vice Chair Michael Greenwald
Mark Rhoden
Scotland Roeber
Gary Walsh
Captain Jay Christian
Chief Cheyne Maule (arrived at 4:06 p.m.)
Captain Rod Mellott
Staff Present: Danielle Sorahan, Code Compliance Manager Natanya Wilcher, Office Specialist
Trevor Milosch, Park Ranger Supervisor
Adam Atamian, Community Development Director
Special Guests: Resident Serge Jonnaert
4. SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS / PRESENTATIONS
A. The Role of City-Council Appointed Advisory Committees This item was tabled.
B. Presentation by Resident Serge Jonnaert on a Proposed Lithium Battery Storage Facility in a Very High Fire Danger Area
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of November 28, 2023 Serge Jonnaert explained the purpose of battery farms and expressed concern with installation in the high fire danger areas, particularly in the Sandpiper project.
In response to Committee questions, Mr. Jonnaert assumed the reasoning for the desired development location. Community Development Director Atamian explained the open space zone and potential land use obstacles.
Chair Berkuta questioned whether the proposed facility was a public safety nuisance.
Vice Chair Greenwald discussed the SDG&E switching station and potential location for the battery farm.
MINUTES
A. Minutes from the Regular Public Safety Committee Meeting of October 24, 2023
Vice Chair Greenwald noted a correction to the motion on Page 3, 5th paragraph, stating the Second was by Member Roeber.
Public Safety Committee meeting of October 24, 2023, as amended.
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
Donna Vidrine addressed the Committee regarding people living and parking in their cars in neighborhoods and questioned if the number was tracked and being dealt with. She discussed the presentation by the Jewish Family Services Safe Parking Program at the Human Affairs Committee.
Scott O'Donnell discussed his experience, the recent incident at the middle school and offered his services with active shooter training.
7. REVIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
A. OCSD Performance Measures FY2023 Q4
Chief Maule provided details of the fourth quarter.
Chair Berkuta requested breaking down crime data by group.
In response to Committee questions, Chief Maule suggested requesting the Council alter the data provided in the report; and explained the fluctuation in moving violations, citations and e-bike accidents.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of November 28, 2023 B. Marine Safety Performance Measure FY2023 Q4
Captain Mellott reported on safety statistics; the Junior Lifeguard Program; and the sand replenishment project including cost.
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. Public Safety Committee Review of Park Ranger Program Enhancements Park Ranger Supervisor Milosch • summarized the proposed program enhancements.
In response to Committee questions, Park Ranger Supervisor Milosch and Code Compliance Manager Sorahan discussed the proposed uniforms, staffing, various services provided by other agencies' rangers, duties performed, and need for P.C. 832 training to mitigate risks.
Community Development Director Atamian explained budget restrictions, recommendations to present to the Council, and Community Development organizational chart. He suggested establishing and ad hoc committee to work with staff on recommendations.
The Committee discussed needs including training, equipment, additional staff, and proposed recommendation to the Council; requested staff provide its priority needs; and discussed the possibility of a special meeting.
MOTION BY MEMBER ROEBER, SECOND BY VICE CHAIR GREENWALD, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, to schedule a special meeting on January 11, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Review the Letter of Support Concerning Moms Demand Action Related to Safe Gun Storage
(1) Safe Firearm Storage Ordinance
(2) CA Criminal Storage Firearm
Member Rhoden explained that Moms Demand Action was an advocacy group of moms and indicated opposition to the proposed policy. He presented his safe firearms storage ordinance, for use if one was necessary, although existing State laws were adequate.
Vice Chair Greenwald stated the Committee had already made the decision that the letter of support was not good.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of November 28, 2023 Chair Berkuta discussed statistics of gun thefts.
MOTION BY VICE CHAIR GREENWALD, SECOND BY CHAIR BERKUTA, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, to inform the Council that the Committee did not support the letter of support concerning Moms Demand Action Related to Safe Gun Storage as written.
B. Public Safety Committee Annual Work Plan FY2022-2023 (1) Communications and Disaster Preparedness Project Update Chair Berkuta discussed the possibility of attending a live demonstration of the Laguna Beach public address system.
(2) Homelessness and Best Management Practices for Public Safety Personnel Project Update
Tom Streeter discussed homelessness and urged the Committee to invite a representative from Homeless Outreach to address the Committee. (3) Legislation Review
None.
(4) Neighborhood Watch
Vice Chair Greenwald stated they were continuing to build on block captains and he would report back on the details.
(5) Statistical Information and Review
Chair Berkuta working on stats and will invite Faulk rep to a future meeting. (6) Human Trafficking
Vice Chair Greenwald indicated the I-5 Group would possibly attend the January 23, 2024 meeting.
Member Rhoden presented the updated goal for Human Trafficking portion of the Annual Work Plan.
(7) E-Bicycle/Traffic Safety
None.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of November 28, 2023
11. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION BY VICE CHAIR GREENWALD, SECOND BY MEMBER ROEBER, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, to adjourn at 5:37 p.m., to the next Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee scheduled to be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at City Hall in Council Chambers of City Hall at 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, California.
Respectfully submitted
Attest:
dude Son
Danielle Sorahan, Code Compliance Manager