PSC 02-11-2016 (2)_revised 8/10/23CUPERTINO PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, February 11, 2016, 6:00 p.m.
Cupertino City Hall, Conference Room A
I. CALL TO ORDER
Commissioner Huang called to order this regular meeting of the Cupertino Public Safety
Commission at approximately 6:03 p.m. on Thursday, February 11, 2016 in the Cupertino City Hall,
Conference Room A, located at 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, California 95014.
II. ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Andy Huang
Gerald Tallinger
Robert McCoy
Bob Cascone
Neha Sahai
Commissioners Absent: None
Staff Present: Captain Rick Sung, Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office
Deputy Chief John Justice, Santa Clara County Fire Department
Staff Absent: None
Others Present: Phil King
III. REPORTS
1. Santa Clara County Fire Department
Deputy Chief Justice states that the January Fire Report shows a quiet, easy month with
response times very typical at less than five minutes. There was one very small fire in the
dumpster of a new condominium complex, total loss of $500.00, where a sprinkler overhead put
it out before the Fire Department arrived. He explains that current Building Code requires new
construction to extend their sprinkler systems to the dumpster enclosures because they are often
attached to the living structures and fires can spread quickly.
He tells the commission that he sent Chair Huang a short message a few weeks ago about
typical fireworks -related 'injuries and damages, plus how they are illegal in Santa Clara County.
Chair Huang translated and submitted the message to Chinese media outlets in preparation for
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Lunar New Year celebrations. Deputy Cl-►ief Justice received a lot of positive feedback from this,
and was even contacted by the County Executive's Office in appreciation for spreading the
safety message. He plans to utilize Chair Huang's translation assistance again.
2. Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office
Captain Sung reports that response times are well within set targets. He recaps some of the
safety related highlights that occurred during the Super -bowl festivities, including pilots that
accidentally violated the restricted airspace and human trafficking investigations, and then he
discusses the basic facts of a local case. Captain Sung also talks about a Sunday morning call
from Security at the Vallco Fashion Park regarding two suspicious people hanging out m a
closed part of Macy's. While detained, one admitted to smoking meth, dope and cocaine there.
This type of incident may become more common, because when a huge property like Vallco sits
mostly vacant for an extended amount of tune, many negative elements are attracted to it. It
starts with tagging and graffiti, then teens and people associated with drugs start gathering
there and then the homeless start squatting on the property. It becomes a maze of dark
unoccupied places for criminals and items to be hidden. Commissioner Tallinger has noticed
that car break-ins have already seemed to increase around that area. Captain Sung states it will
be up to the voters whether The Hills at Vallco renovation project is allowed to proceed and put
the property'back onto a positive' course.
3. Commission Reports
Neha Sahai introduces herself as the newly appointed' PSC commissioner. She discusses her
education, aind her interest'in community service. She currently volunteers with the Farm to
School organization in San Mateo County and with Walk -Bike Cupertino. The other
commissioners, Captain Sung and Deputy Chief Justice briefly introduce themselves to her.
Then Chair Huang reviews the rules that commissioners must follow.
Commissioner Cascone reports that he has nothing to report for the Parks & Recreation
Conunission or the TICC. He has contacted Rick Kitson through email but has not had a chance
to discuss anything yet. The City OES and Citizen Corps did a practical exercise in preparation
for Superbowl 50. The reporting group has identified a number of improvements to
recommend, including maintenance for satellite phones. The City OES has requested some
training be made available, so they are coordinating with the County OES. Many County OES
annexes are being plaiuned for update, following the recent update for flood procedures.
Commissioner Tallinger reports that the Teen Commission is having a WOW Week starting
February 29111, with. only about half of Cupertino' schools participating. The Bicycle -Pedestrian
Commission is working on the Bicycle Transportation PIan for Cupertino with a consultant.
They are planning a public workshop, but have yet to elect a Chair and Vice -Chair and a recent
meeting was post-poned. They are receiving complaints about people parking in bike lanes and
not getting ticketed, but there were no specific details. Captain Sung wonders if they were
referring to the new bike lane painted along Stelling which allows parking on the street closest
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to the curb. He attended a recent City meeting about this and it was determined to be legal, so
cars would not be ticketed there. Commissioner McCoy adds that many parents idle in the bike
lane, waiting to turn into the horseshoe for the school on Blaney. Captain Sung asks for Vice -
Chair Tallinger to get more details of the specific complaint so he can look into the legality of
the particular situation in question.
Commissioner Tallinger continues, reporting that the Bicycle -Pedestrian Commission turned
full control of the WOW funding over to the Teen Commission to buy the prizes, partly because
some schools complained about having to buy prizes themselves. Also, Walk -Bike Cupertino
was trying to convince schools to include bicycle safety training as part of P.E. Classes. He
attended a Safe Routes to Schools meeting today, which plans to have a consultant company do
a walk -audit at two schools to identify issues, then copy the process for the other schools. They
are planning a promotional video for Safe Routes to Schools, and Commmissioner Tallinger
suggested they distribute the video to the Sheriff's Office and the City to increase the message's
reach. There is a Walk -Bike Health article that will be disseminated at the schools as well.
Commissioner McCoy reports that City Council denied the approval of The Oaks project, citing
a requirement to work with VTA and incorporate a Transit Center for any redevelopment plan
to be considered there.
Chair Huang reports that the Housing Commission identified 249 housing Units allocated as
BMPs, of which 114 are owner -occupied and the rest are rented, with none currently available
on either market.
Chair Huang then opens discussion about commissioners reallocating their liaison roles with
other commissions. They decide to discontinue the liaison roles with the Fine Arts and Library
Commissions, due to lack of PSC-related topics. Commissioner Sahai expresses interest in the
Bicycle -Pedestrian Commission, but offers to liaise with the new Sustainability Commission and
the Teen Commission. The other commissioners decide to retain the same liaison roles they held
last year.
IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Commissioner Cascone mentions that he was approached by someone with a petition regarding the
General Plan who cited non-specific "safety issues". He asks if anyone else has heard what safety
issues the petition is referring to. Commissioner McCoy says that the usual complaint is safety
concerns related to increased traffic. No one has heard or seen detailed information.
Chair Huang received a request from the Activities Director at The Forum in Cupertino. She would
like the Sheriff's Office to develop a seminar titled "Giving up the Car Keys" to help encourage
their residents to discontinue driving when it is appropriate or necessary. Commissioner Tallinger
suggests it would be a good class to offer at the Senior Center, too. Captain Sung adds that it has
been offered by the CHP is the past, but the Sheriff's Office can develop a similar class for use
within their jurisdiction.
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V. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
There are no written communications to review at this regular meeting.
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. January 14, 2016
ACTION: YES
VOTE: YES
MOTION: MCCOY SECONDED: TALLINGER
5to0
Commissioner McCoy motioned to approve the minutes of January 14, 2016; Commissioner
Tallunger seconded the motion; votes taken, all un favor to approve the minutes of January 14,
2016.
VII. OLD BUSINESS
1. Discuss participation in the Alert SCC Program, the CAS Program, and the Pulse Points App
(Huang/McCoy)
ACTION: NO
VOTE: NO
MOTION: N/A
SECONDED: N/A
Oto0
Chair Huang explains a brief history of AlertSCC and CAS to new Commissioner Sahai. He also
discusses the typical City events at which commissioners hold a booth to distribute information
and encourage sign-ups. Commissioner McCoy reports that the state of Oregon currently has
93% coverage through the PulsePoiints App, suggesting that California should aim for a similar
goal over time.
2. Discuss the Continuation of Public Education and Outreach (Tallulger/McCoy)
ACTION: YES
VOTE: NO
MOTION: N/A
SECONDED: N/A
Oto0
Commissioner Tallinger briefly explains how the PSC intends to facilitate different forums over
the course of the year related to public safety. The Sheriff's Office SRO deputies showed him
some great drug presentations and a burglary prevention presentation that they have given
multiple times. The deputies recommended asking the school PTAs -to announce the forums to a
large audience of parents/families. Commissioner Tallulger asks for help in picking a few topics
to cover this year, possibly basic self-defense, driver safety, how to prevent burglary and
identity theft, and encouraging people to call inn suspicious activity and people. Commissioner
McCoy interjects that the Fire Department will be giving a presentation on the Community
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Wildfire Protection Plan on February 22 at the Community Hall from 7-9pm. Deputy Chief
Justice expands, saying that it's not just for people who live un the hills or rural areas, but for all
residents and visitors that enjoy the recreation opportunities un the surrounding hills and open
space. There will be three more presentations in different locations to reach a wider audience.
The commissioners continue discussing possible forum topics. Commissioner McCoy suggests
ordering magnets that residents can put on the fridge reminding them to call un suspicious
activity and people. Captain Sung likes this idea. Commissioner McCoy also relays a request
from Vice Mayor Savita Vaidhyanathan to do safety outreach regarding Indo-Asian targeted
crime at conununity festivals. After further discussion, the commissioners decide to focus on the
topics of residential burglary for the forum in Quarter Two and the topic of self-defense/behig
alert for the forum in Quarter Three.
a. Discuss how to align public safety outreach and established County materials.
ACTION: YES
VOTE: NO
MOTION: N/A SECONDED: N/A 0 to 0
Commissioner Cascone briefly reminds the PSC that the County EMS and County Public Health
Department produces a schedule of safety topics for each month and associated materials that
include messages already approved. He is working with Rick Kitson to figure out how to best
utilize this resource. He adds that the radio station 1670 is designated for local daily travel and
civic information, but it often has general messages out of New York for lack of material. Maybe
safety messages could be disseminated through radio on this station. It is also relied on by
citizen volunteers for traffic and condition information during emergencies.
3. Discuss the Collaboration/Cross-Training of Volunteer Groups
ACTION: YES
VOTE: NO
MOTION: N/A SECONDED: N/A 0 to 0
Conunissioner Tallunger distributes a list of Cupertino Citizen Corps improvements and
attended events over the last few years. He highlights a few items that still need improvement.
One item is to have all Block Leaders go through training, which has been a difficult goal
because some have refused. Another item is the need to encourage more participation across all
groups. Chair Huang reiterates the goal to get every group trained in basic ICS so that the
whole organization of volunteers functions appropriately with law enforcement, fire and ems
personnel during potential emergencies or disasters. Commissioner Cascone suggests
discussing with the City Liaisons what direction they want to take. Captain Stung refocuses the
issue, stating that the PSC is not asking of anything from the Block Leader or Neighborhood
Watch Programs. Instead, the PSC is trying to make sure that all volunteer groups are on the
same page un their training. The PSC intends to make recommendations to encourage certain
universal training parameters. Captain Stung states he will speak with Director Carol Atwood to
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fund out about possible collaborative training across all citizen volunteer groups. Commissioner
McCoy asks who the City has hired for Citizen Corps Outreach, but no one has heard.
On a related topic, Deputy Chief Justice provides an update about a shift in Active Shooter
emergency protocol. Past practice has been for law enforcement to secure the scene before Fire
and EMS personnel enter to offer medical assistance to victims. However, given the evolving
climate of active shooter crones over the years, protocol is being updated to include law
enforcement assisting Fire and/or EMS personnel into the scene as safely as possible to render
more unnmediate medical aid and hopefully save more lives. They have already done a lot of
training towards this and more training is needed.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
1. Discuss the Transition to the Bicycle -Pedestrian Commission of the Walk/Bike/Carpool to
School (WBQ project, the Dero program and Surveys to Schools
ACTION: NO
VOTE: NO
MOTION: N/A SECONDED: N/A 0 to 0
Commissioner Tallinger reports that the Walk/Bike/Carpool Fall Survey is still not complete.
Sean Lyn. of the Bicycle -Pedestrian Commission is now in charge of this, and Commissioner
Tallilger is trying to transfer everything over, but Mr. Lin has yet to pick up the last group of
collected surveys and there will likely not be a Spring Survey this year. The Safe Routes to
Schools Zap Program will soon order the zap tags but implementation will be delayed further.
Commissioner Tallunger only needs to finish updating the Sprint wireless cards and put them
back into the machines, and he hopes to do that by next meeting. Safe Routes to Schools has
only become involved in the Dero program (formerly Boltage) as far as bringing current name
recognition to update the program at schools.
IX. FUTURE AGENDA FOR NEXT REGULAR MEETING
1. Discuss Reports from County Fire, County Sheriff's Office and Conunission Liaisons.
2. Discuss promotion plans for CAS, AlertSCC and the Pulse Points App. (Huang/McCoy)
3. Discuss the continuation of public education and outreach. (All)
b. Discuss how to align public safety outreach and established County materials.
4. Discuss the collaboration/cross training of volunteer groups. (All)
5. Discuss the transition of the Walls/Bike/Carpool to School Project, the Dero (formerly Boltage)
Project, and Surveys to Schools to the Bicycle/Pedestrian Commission. (Tallinger)
X. ADJOURNMENT
This regular meeting adjourned at 8:46 p.m.
XI. NEXT MEETING
The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 10, 2016 at 6:00 p.m.
SUBMITTED BY:
Jennifer Roth
Executive Assistant
West Valley Patrol Division
Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff
February 25, 2016
APPROVED BY:
Andy Huang, Commiss'on Chair
MIt�
Date
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