Minutes for Approval - August 12, 2009CUPERTINO PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION
DRAFT SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, August 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
7:06 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 in the Cupertino City Hall, 10300 Torre Avenue, Conference Room
A, Cupertino, California 95014.
II. ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present
Commissioners Absent
Other Present:
Other Absent:
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Tamara Pow
Daniel Nguyen
Charles Caldwell
Nina Daruwalla
Craig Lee
None
Captain Terry Calderone, Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office
Battalion Chief Brad Darbro, Santa Clara County Fire Department
Dr. Winnie Lee, Planning Commission
None
There were no oral communications to discuss at this special meeting.
IV. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
There were no written communications to discuss at this special meeting.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. July 09, 2009
ACTION: YES
VOTE: YES
MOTION: Tamara Pow SECONDED: Charles Caldwell 4 to 0
Votes taken; all in favor to approve the minutes of July 09, 2009 with no vote recorded for Commissioner
Nina Daruwalla due to a late arrival.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
1. Radar Speed Signs
ACTION: YES
VOTE: NO
MOTION: No SECONDED: No 0 to 0
Commissioner Craig Lee discussed with the commission the revised procedures for speed data collection
and presented a sample speed data worksheet to be used during the arrival time and dismissal time.
Commissioner Lee recommends a separate data collection on streets that have potential problems.
Commissioner Lee presented his test speed data collection in the area of Blackberry Golf Course and
Stevens Creek Boulevard. The test was timed for 20 minutes with the assistance of Commissioner Pow.
This test consists of maximum speed captured from oncoming vehicles logged onto a worksheet. The data
collection measures the percentage of vehicles over and under the speed limit, and the tester should note
any potential hazards that would require further traffic enforcement.
Captain Terry Calderone suggests using the speed trailer on streets where speeds exceed 10 miles above the
speed limit to slow vehicles down and it may also require direct enforcement. Then, speeds should be
tested again to note any changes. If no changes have occurred, then other means of reducing speed should
be considered.
Commissioner Daniel Nguyen reports that Morita Vista High School complaints are more with traffic than
speed. Some of the other commissioners report the same issues with their schools.
2. Discuss Walk/Bike to School project ongoing.
ACTION: YES
VOTE: NO
MOTION: No SECONDED: No 0 to 0
Commissioner Pow reports that she has received positive feedback from some of the schools. Lincoln
Elementary School was excited with the program on receiving incentives for their participation, and
recommended to do the program for one week rather than one day.
Dates to remember are Wednesday, October 07, 2009 is National Walk to School Day and first week of
May 2010 is STARS testing. Commissioner Pow announced that the School Resource Officers (SRO)
would collect data three times a year on how many students walk, bike or carpool to school.
The commission discussed how incentives will be used and how application process will be done to
provide funding to the participating schools. Applications would be accepted three (3) times a year in
October 2009, February 2010, and late May 2010. First application process deadline will be September 15,
2009, and the commission will review the applications at their regular meeting schedule on September 17,
2009. Captain Calderone will discuss the details of the grant funding with the city manager. Incentive
funding are earmarked for $2,000 for elementary school level, $4,000 for middle school level, $6,500 for
high school level, and additional funds may be available for those schools that do well in the program.
Commissioner Pow recommends allocating funds for other projects involving the Teen Commission's
projects and possible capital improvements before earmarking incentive funds for the schools.
Commissioner Pow reports that the Bike/Pedestrian Commission has 12 bike racks that they received from
VTA and they are looking for locations to place these bike racks. The Bike/Pedestrian Commission plans
to place some of the bike racks at the senior center, Memorial Park, and near the windmill at Blackberry
Farm. Commissioner Nguyen recommends Morita Vista High School as one of the locations.
Commissioner Lee discussed with the commission that one school reported that the reluctance of
participation in carpooling may be a result of cultural diversity. The school plans to discuss with their
groups to see how they can assist by providing more information on the benefits of carpooling to the
community.
Commissioner Nguyen reviewed with the commission the working list of potential programs and capital
improvements to include valet service provided by students and volunteers to assist students in exiting their
vehicles during drop off and pick up period s. Commissioner Dar uwalla a nnounced at Garden Gate
Elementary School, fifth (51h) grade students who assist in their valet program receive incentives, such as,
coupons for a free book during their book fairs.
3. Discuss comments from David Stillman for safety improvements
ACTION: YES
VOTE: NO
MOTION: No SECONDED: No 0 to 0
Captain Calderone reports that David Stillman will review and implement the traffic consultant's
recommendations presented to the City Council, such as, road signs and painting road markings at some of
the schools. The channellizers at Hyde Middle School needs further evaluation that requires studying the
affects it will have on traffic in the area. The crosswalk light powered by solar panels at Sedgwick
Elementary School may be underpowered and plans to install higher voltage light bulbs to improve
visibility are in place.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
1. Discuss Radar Speed Analysis
ACTION: YES
VOTE: NO
MOTION: No SECONDED: No 0 to 0
The commission will begin collecting speed data when school begins. Captain Calderone requests the
commission to allow him a two (2) day time frame to have the radar speed devices available for their use.
2. Discuss changing the date for September PSC meeting
ACTION: YES
VOTE: NO
MOTION: No SECONDED: No 0 to 0
The Public Safety Commission regular meeting will be changed from Thursday, September 10, 2009 to
Thursday, September 17, 2009.
VIII. REPORTS
1. Santa Clara County Fire Department
Battalion Chief Brad Darbro provided their report for June 2009 to the commission. Fire calls were low
this month with a few grass fires, one (1) vehicle fire, and three (3) dumpster fires. The EMT calls had
increased this month compared to the same month in the past three (3) years. This report also included
company and construction inspections and hazmat calls.
Chief Darbro announced that public safety information is located on their website pertaining to persons that
are disabled or home bound, smoke detectors, and other safety tips.
2. Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office
Captain Calderone provided his annual report, which indicates a reduction in robbery, assault, and sexual
assault calls this year, and the numbers of vehicle accidents and citations have increased. The numbers of
home and automobile burglaries are the same; Captain Calderone has provided tips and information to
prevent these types of crimes to residents in public announcements and newspapers. The same types of
items stolen are laptops, purses, wallets, backpacks, and GPS devices that are left in plain view.
Captain Calderone commended his deputies for doing an excellent job in handling a burglary in progress
where they arrested four (4) suspects, and recovered over 200 items. With the recovered items, his deputies
were able to identify victims from San Francisco area to Saratoga. During that same morning, another
burglary in progress involving five (5) suspects, two (2) were reported in the victim's backyard while
another was ringing her doorbell, and another two (2) were waiting in a white van. They were able to arrest
four (4) of the suspects and one (1) escaped by jumping the back fence. Two (2) additional suspects were
arrested a couple of days later. On Monday afternoon, an armed robbery occurred at a convenience store
and the suspect was located and arrested. A Monta Vista High School student was arrested for stolen books
from the school and multiple auto thefts and the deputies were able to locate him at Homestead Lanes and
took him into custody; he has 25 to 30 felony charges in addition to his probation violations. The bank
robbery that occurred at Wells Fargo Bank, the deputy was on scene thirty seconds after the call was
dispatched. Unfortunately, there was a time delay from the bank teller to the 9-1-1 dispatcher.
Captain Calderone estimates over 200 citations issued during the Red Light Campaign, but will provide a
full statistical report at the next regular meeting. Captain Calderone announced that the California
Highway Patrol (CHP) requested the Sheriff's Office, along with other law enforcement agencies, to
enforce and issue citations on cellular telephone violations more actively. These violations include texting,
e-mailing, internet search, handheld speakerphone, or downloading music. The vehicle code section
specifically states no looking, reading, operating, and using the cellular telephone while operating a motor
vehicle.
Captain Calderone discussed with the commission the school crossing guards' schedules are organized by
the school district.
3. Commissioner's Reports
Commissioner Pow reports the other commission groups' announcements during the last two (2) Mayor's
meetings. TIC Commission is working on the Green Focus, a state mandates to reduce energy usage, such
as street lighting. Bike/Pedestrian Commission is evaluating the McClellan Road bike routes, and looking
for locations to place twelve (12) bike racks received from VTA. Fine Arts Commission announced
Shakespeare in the Park performing for another week and the Fall Festival is on September 19 — 20, 2009.
Planning Commission has no major application from the private sector, and will begin to add "green" into
their housing ordinances. Library Commission is reviewing different safety alternatives for the crosswalk
in front of the library since u-turns are legal, and October 24, 2009 will be their five (5) year anniversary.
Parks and Recreation Commission is working on dog park locations and requiring dogs to be voice
command certified. Teen Commission has reduced the commission group from fourteen (14) to nine (9),
and would prefer more walk/bike to school days. Mayor Mahoney provided an update on the utility tax on
cellular telephone, which is pending an approval to change the language in the ordinance.
The commission dinner is schedule for September 10, 2009.
IX. FUTURE AGENDA FOR NEXT REGULAR MEETING
1. Radar Speed Signs, further discussion, and Approval of Project Plan
2. Recommendations for incentives to Walk/Bike/Carpool to school
X. ADJOURNMENT
The regular meeting was adjourned at 8:59 p.m.
XI. NEXT MEETINGS
Next regular meeting schedule for Thursday, September 17, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
SUBMITTED BY:
Elaine Chasuk
Executive Assistant to Captain Terry Calderone
September 11, 2009