PSC 03-12-09CUPERTINO PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, March 12, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
Cupertino City Hall
Conference Room A
I. CALL TO ORDER
Commissioner Tamara Pow called to order the regular meeting of the Cupertino Public Safety Commission at
7:03 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2009 in the Cupertino City Hall, 10300 Torre Avenue, Conference Room A,
Cupertino, California 95014.
II. ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Tamara Pow
Daniel Nguyen
Nina Daruwalla
Charles Caldwell
Craig Lee
Commissioners Absent: None
Other Present: Captain Terry Calderone, Santa Clara County Sheriffls Office
Battalion Fire Captain Salazar, Santa Clara County Fire Department
Other Absent: None
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Cupertino residents Sheun and Margaret Tsai who resides on Alcazar Avenue attended this regular meeting to
discuss with the commissioners the situation occurring on their property and the construction of a new court
across from their property. Their concerns are parkin€; and driving issues with students from Monta Vista High
School and a hole dug up by either PG and E or the cable company. This hole has been there for the last four
(4) to five (5) months with neighbors walking by and small children playing near their property. Commissioner
Nina Daruwalla suggests Mr. Tsai contact the building; inspector in charge of the project to make his complaint
known and request them to review the problems. captain Terry Calderone reports that Public Works has
surveyed the area and it is still under evaluation. He v~ill provide a report at the next regular meeting for further
developments.
IV. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Commissioner Pow read an email from Sam Fintz expressing his appreciation for Commissioner Daniel Nguyen
expediting his investigation of the Calvert Drive speeding issues. Read further details under (VI) Old Business,
#4.
Commissioner Pow received a written communication through the Mayor's Office, from Stephen Shieh
regarding speeding at the crosswalk in front of the library on Torre Avenue. Three (3) speeding vehicles almost
collided into him and his two (2) small children. Mr. Shieh also discussed his concerns with U-turns at the
same location with a deputy. The U-turns in this location is currently legal. During their upcoming block
meeting, they plan to collect signatures from residents to formally address the issues with the city. Captain
Calderone will send Mr. Shieh an email to notify him of the different enforcements that have been done in this
area and further enforcements planned in the future.
Captain Calderone received a written request for enforcement near the entrance to Gates of Heaven Cemetery
on Cristo Rey Drive. There are safety issues concerning drivers failing to obey the yield and stop signs. This
has caused conflicts between the visitors to the cemetery and residents. Captain Calderone sent his deputies out
to the location to investigate the complaint, but did °:1ot find that many violations. They will continue with
future enforcements.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. February 12, 2009
ACTION: YES
VOTE: YES
MOTION: Craig Lee SECI~NDED: Daniel Nguyen 5 to 0
Votes taken; all in favor to approve the minutes of February 12, 2009 with amendments to include Lauren
Phillips, Teen Commission under Other Present, spelling correction of Kim Morgenthaler's name
throughout the document, and change the wordin€; under (IV) Written Communication from during to as a
result of.
Commissioner Pow received a written communiccition ~i~rg as a result of the Mayor's meeting from the
TIC Commission regarding wireless LAN security.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
1. Radar Speed Signs, suggested locations
ACTION: YES
VOTE: YES
MOTION: Craig Lee SECONDED: Tamara Pow 5 to 0
Discussion of locations continued from the February 12, 2009 regular meeting. Commissioner Daruwalla
suggests the location of Mary Avenue and Stevens Creek Boulevard near The Oaks Shopping Center. The
speed sign needs to be relocated. Captain Calderone reports that there are plans to redesign the area.
Commissioner Charles Caldwell suggests Bollin;;er Avenue near Hyde Middle School due to speeding.
Captain Calderone announced that Hyde Middle ;ichool is one of the locations Kim Morgenthaler, Traffic
Consultant reported from the last regular meeting on February 12, 2009 that structural issues were the
problem rather than speed. Captain Calderone re~~orts that funding may still be available at the end of the
year toward this project, but he will meet with city staff and provide his report in future regular meetings.
Votes taken; all in favor on the motion for the clairperson to appoint the subcommittee to contact block
leaders and other sources, and develop plans and I;uidelines to decide which locations the radar speed signs
will benefit the community. Commissioner Pow appointed Commissioners Lee and Daruwalla for this
subcommittee. Captain Calderone will assist the subcommittee with traffic data and any other resources he
may have available.
2. Discuss Recommendations for incentives to walk/l~ike to school
ACTION: YES
VOTE: NO
MOTION: No SEGJNDED: No 0 to 0
Commissioner Pow discussed with the commission the combined presentation to the City Council on
March 03, 2009 by the Teen Commission and PSc~. The Walk to School event is schedule on Wednesday,
April 22, 2009 at the high schools and the tri-school area. The Teen Commission presented to the City
Council their current and future plans, which include possible community service hours and promoting
good habits and healthy lifestyles. The PSC presented their plans to assist the Teen Commission with
coordinating with the traffic consultant, school st,~ff, and the PTAs to encourage parents to carpool, walls,
or ride their bicycles to school. Future plans far the PSC is to create along-term program to promote
monthly, weekly, or ongoing events throughout the school year. There is current funding for this event, but
may have additional funding from different sources, like "Green Cupertino", to create along-term program.
The City Council requested the PSC to meet with the Teen Commission and Bike/Pedestrian Commission
in anon-public, non-agendized, and non-recordable meeting to discuss current and future plans. The three
(3) commissions will meet following this regular meeting at 8:30 p.m.
3. PSC Work Plan for 2009
ACTION: YES
VOTE: NO
MOTION: No SECI~NDED: No 0 to 0
Commissioner Craig Lee suggests creating a subcommittee to develop a work plan similar to the Park and
Recreation Commission and Planning Commission. The subcommittee will attend the Mayor's meeting
and report to the commission any agenda items th~it will affect the PSC. Commissioner Pow announced her
decision to continue their discussions on this item at future regular meetings, because the PSC needs to
focus on the directives and priorities of the first two agenda items. Commissioner Lee volunteers to attend
the Mayor's study session meeting on March 24, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. and report his findings to the
commission.
4. Discuss speeding concern on Calvert Drive, recorr.mendations by Commissioner Nguyen
ACTION: YES
VOTE: YES
MOTION: Daniel Nguyen SECONDED: Nina Daruwalla 4 to 1
Commissioner Nguyen went out to the location on a weekend with a Sheriff's radar speed gun to monitor
the speed. Sam Fintz requested Commissioner Nguyen to return during the workweek when traffic is the
heaviest. He returned on a Thursday to monitor traffic and found normal flow of traffic and no unusual
speed violations. Commissioner Nguyen recommends placing a 25 m.p.h. speed sign halfway between
Stevens Creek Boulevard and Tilson Avenue bec<ruse of the length and width of the street. Mr. Fintz was
pleased with the outcome and the recommendation.
Votes taken; Commissioners Pow, Nguyen, Daruwalla, and Caldwell in favor to the motion to provide
recommendation to David Stillman to install a ~:5 m.p.h. speed sign on both side of the street halfway
between Stevens Creek Boulevard and Tilson f~venue. Commissioner Lee voted against the motion.
Commissioner Nguyen will make contact with David Stillman with the recommendation.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
1. Discuss recommendations and suggestions from City Council at March 03, 2009 meeting
ACTION: YES
VOTE: NO
MOTION: No SECONDED: No 0 to 0
This agenda item was discussed under the (VI) Ol~i Business, #2.
V[II. REPORTS
1. Santa Clara County Fire Department
Battalion Fire Chief presented to the commission their January 2009 report. There has been an
increase of dumpster fires in 2009 compared to 2008. The dumpster fires were most likely caused by coals
from fireplaces. Total calls for the month of J~muary 2009 were 269, which was normal compared to
January 2008 and 2007. On March 10, 2009, there was atwo-alarm occupied house fire on Morengo Drive
with no human loss. The home was under construction for remodeling and the cause of the fire is still
under investigation. Captain Calderone commf~nted that the residents were unaware of the fire and
fortunately, his deputies were the first on the scene and assisted with the evacuation. On March 04, 2009,
there was an accidental kitchen fire on Rosario Avenue with minimal smoke damage.
2. Santa Clara County Sheriff s Office
Captain Calderone reports that the response times for priority one calls are within the set goals with the city
at 116% overall. Burglary incidents have reduced due to additional officers working in the residential
neighborhoods and shopping centers. With their continued efforts, they arrested five (5) additional
suspects today; four (4) arrested were associated with residential burglaries, and one (1) related to the
Cupertino Square incidents. Accidents were up slightly as expected, and will increase next month due to
the time change. They are currently surveying some of the safety concerns and issues around the city and
actively working to prevent these accidents in those areas.
Captain Calderone discussed with the commission two (2) items from the February 12, 2009 regular
meeting under (VII) New Business, #1. First, he made contact with David Stillman regarding the crossing
guard contract with the city. The working hours :-or the crossing guards are controlled by the schools, and
they are still evaluating the commission's request. Second, the safety light that was installed but never
turned on at McClellan Road and Byrne A venue. The city was not aware the safety light was not
operating; they have since corrected the problem.
3. Commissioner's Reports
Commissioner Nguyen reports that only five (5) commissions attended the last Mayor's meeting. Park and
Recreation Commission have provided their recommendation to the City Council for the off leash policy
for dogs. Planning Commission decided to continue their meetings twice a month rather than once a
month. Commissioner Pow reports that there wild be a planning day at Blackberry Farm on April 4, 2009,
between 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. for public suggestion:; to redesign the playground. July 4~' will be the grand
opening of the new playground. Commissioner Lee reports that he met with Toby Smith from the
Cupertino Union School District on their plans to create routes to school maps, which may be available late
in the school year.
IX. FUTURE AGENDA FOR NEXT REGULAR MEETING
1. Radar Speed Signs, review further locations
2. Teen Commission recommendations for incentives to walk/bike to school
3. PSC Work Plan for 2009
X. ADJOURNMENT
The regular meeting was adjourned at 8:42 p.m.
XI. NEXT MEETINGS
Next regular meeting schedule for Thursday, Apri109, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
SUBMITTED BY:
Elaine Chasuk
Executive Assistant to Captain Terry Calderone
March 20, 2009