These minutes will be considered for approval at the Public Safety Committee Meeting of 4/22/2025.
CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
MARCH 25, 2025
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 3:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Member Rhoden led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ROLL CALL
Committee
Members Present: Chair Nick Berkuta
Vice Chair Michael Greenwald
Tom Hazelton
Mark Rhoden
Captain Justin Chevalier (Arrived at 4:02 p.m.)
Chief Rod Mellott
Chief Cheyne Maule
Committee
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Adam Atamian, Community Development Director Rachel Perez, Administrative Assistant, Public Works
Natanya Wilcher, Office Specialist II
4. SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS / PRESENTATIONS
Presentation by OCFA Fire Prevention Specialist Nathan Babbitt, on the Ready, Set, Go! Program
OCFA Fire Prevention Specialist Nathan Babbitt and Assistant Fire Marshall Ryan Aloi presented the Ready, Set, Go! Program.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of March 25, 2025 In response to Committee questions, Assistant Fire Marshall Aloi, OCFA Fire Prevention Specialist Babbitt, and Community Development Director Atamian explained the process to request an inspection or presentation; availability of the Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map; and public input on Cal Fire maps.
5. MINUTES
A. Minutes from the Regular Public Safety Committee Meeting of February 25, 2025
MOTION BY VICE CHAIR GREENWALD, SECOND BY MEMBER HAZELTON, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, to approve the minutes.
6. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
Mike Kay, San Clemente Resident, discussed his experience in firefighting and discussed the pilot project utilizing goats for weed abatement.
In response to Committee questions, Mr. Kay discussed visitor and volunteer opportunities; support from the community; and Steve, the guard donkey.
Dennis Ordiway, San Clemente Resident, discussed loud, speeding vehicles at the intersection of Camino de Los Mares and Diamante.
7. REVEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
A. Code Compliance Performance Measures FY2025 Q1
Community Development Director Atamian explained the transition of the Code Compliance Division and provided an overview of the Performance Measures.
In response to Chair Berkuta, Community Development Director Atamian discussed the recommendation to move the Park Rangers under Public Safety; and the difference between Code Compliance and Park Rangers’ enforcement.
B. Park Rangers Performance Measures FY2025 Q1
Community Development Director Atamian provided an update on the Park Ranger Program.
Chair Berkuta discussed a recent golf cart parking incident.
8. NEW BUSINESS
None.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of March 25, 2025
9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Public Safety Committee Annual Work Plan FY2024-2025 (1) Communications and Disaster Preparedness Project Update Chair Berkuta presented a public service announcement regarding tsunamis.
Community Development Director Atamian announced the upcoming tsunami drill.
(2) Homelessness and Best Management Practices for Public Safety Personnel Project Update
None.
(3) Neighborhood Watch
Vice Chair Greenwald discussed recent Neighborhood Watch meetings and recruitment of additional block captains.
(4) Statistical Information and Review
None.
(5) Human Trafficking
None.
(6) E-Bicycle/Traffic Safety
None.
(7) Technology Review
None.
(8) Review of Urgent Matters
None.
(9) Park Ranger Program
Community Development Director Atamian reported on efforts on enforcement training and development of body armor policy and procedures.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of March 25, 2025
10. REPORTS OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND STAFF
A. Police Services – Orange County Sheriff’s Department Capt. Chevalier Captain Justin Chevalier provided an update on Police Services.
B. Fire Services – Orange County Fire Authority, Chief Maule Chief Maule discussed opportunities to obtain a home assessment under the Ready, Set, Go! Program; recent trainings and drills; and the memorial service for Fire Fighter Kevin Skinner.
C. Marine Safety – Marine Safety Division Chief. Mellott Chief Mellott provided an overview of recent statistics; notable incidents; lifeguard training; and special event permits.
In response to Chair Berkuta, Chief Mellott explained the shift of sand from the new fill.
D. Committee Chair
None.
E. Committee members
None.
F. City Staff
Community Development Director Atamian reported on the Council’s adoption of the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, including the Community Wildfire Protection Plan, stakeholder meetings, and Hazard Mitigation Grant Fund; Weed Abatement Program; Council consideration to reorganize City Commissions and Committees, including changes to reduce the required attendance of non-voting members of the Sheriffs, Fire and Marine Safety Departments.
Chair Berkuta commented on the importance of having a representative of OCFA, Police Services, and Marine Safety in attendance at the Committee’s meetings.
11. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION BY VICE CHAIR GREENWALD, SECOND BY MEMBER HAZELTON, AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, to adjourn the meeting at 4:59 p.m., to a Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee scheduled to be held on Tuesday, April
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of March 25, 2025 22, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at City Hall in Council Chambers at 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, California.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________________
Nick Berkuta, Chair
Attest:
_______________________________
Adam Atamian, Community Development Director