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PSC 05-12-05 CUPEIQ"INO MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CUPERTINO PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION May 12, 2005 The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Commissioners Absent: Staff Present: Charles Caldwell, Jay Cena, Barry Chang, Hugh Riddell Nolan Chen Glenn Goepfert, Assistant Director of Public Works ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Comm. Caldwell stated that Henry Liu, a resident who lives near Monta Vista High School, wished to present photographs of a sidewalk obstruction near his home. A resident on Byrne Avenue is performing work without proper permits and has placed construction materials and a barrier in the sidewalk area, which forces pedestrians into the street. Asst. Director Goepfert stated he advised Code Enforcement to check this area and take appropriate action. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - None. OLD BUSINESS APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- April 14, 2005, regular meeting By consensus, the minutes were approved with a correction that David Greenstein had attended the Monta Vista PT A meeting with Comm. Riddell. REPORTS Santa Clara County Fire Department - The March Activity Report was distributed and discussed. Battalion Chief Brad Darbro stated that arrangements have been made to hold the June 9 commission meeting at Cupertino Fire Station at Stevens Creek Boulevard and Vista Drive. OLD BUSINESS 1. Commission Goals for 2005 Comm. Cena inquired about the issue of City Council charge and what the Commission actually does. Comm. Riddell stated that the original job description of the Commission involved traffic 1 issues. Since that time, a Traffic Committee has been formed and the Public Safety Commission no longer deals with traffic. With a low crime rate and good schools, there is now a question of what the Public Safety Commission can do to clarify its role. He believes that the Commission needs to re-define its role in order to serve the community. In response to Comm. Cena's question regarding consolidation of the Public Safety Commission and Bicycle Pedestrian Commission, Asst. Director Goepfert stated there was an item under New Business that addressed the issue of holding bi-monthly meetings instead of consolidation. Comm. Riddell combining the New Business item with the commission goals so that a decision could be made on when the meetings would be held prior to discussing the focus of the Commission. Asst. Director Goepfert described the makeup and types of issues the Traffic Committee handles. He stated that the meetings are usually held quarterly and may have historically included a member of the Public Safety Commission. Comm. Cena requested that minutes from the last two Traffic Committee meetings be sent to Commission to get a clearer view of what is done in those meetings and to assess whether a representative was needed at the meetings. He also stated that this would assist the Public Safety Commission in setting goals. Asst. Director Goepfert will forward the minutes to the commissioners. Comm. Riddell suggested that a joint meeting between the Commission and the Traffic Committee might be helpful. Comm. Cena's recommendations for goals included: getting more actively involved in supporting grant writing, especially for Safe Routes to Schools projects; Disaster Council; and some type of recognition for Capt. Mark of the Santa Clara Fire Department. He also mentioned Monta Vista and Street Smarts as priority goals. Comm. Riddell commented that he did not feel comfortable setting goals until the Commission has a specific charge from the City Council. Comm. Caldwell stated that he did not feel that Council had set any boundaries and the Commission's role was to bring items to the Council's attention. Comm. Cena stated that he felt the Commission should align to the Council's 2005 goals, as set forth in the Commissioner's Handbook. Asst. Director Goepfert suggested that the Commissioners look at the narrative in the handbook, which refers to public health and safety issues. Traffic safety is included, but the issues of reviewing and advising Council on matters involving fire, law enforcement, environmental health, and hazardous materials are implied. The suggestion is that the Commission is to look for issues, review them, and take them to the City Council when there is something to recommend. (Gap in meeting tape - resumes with discussion of an emergency drill at Hyde Middle School). Comm. Cena asked Asst. Director Goepfert to provide the commission with copies of the 2005 City Council goals. Comm. Riddell suggested that Commission select their goals for the next year and begin to implement them. He would also like to see job descriptions or charges for the commissions and discuss them at the June 9 meeting. Another item he felt should be placed on that agenda is placement of a public telephone outside the library. 2. Safe Routes to School (SR2S) Grants 3. Disaster Council - Emergency Services Grant Letter 2 4. Capt. Mark, Santa Clara County Fire Department Comm. Cena stated he had spoken with Marsha Hovey and felt that the Commission may possibly want to recognize Capt. Mark for his service to the community. He will talk with her further and get back to the Commission at the next meeting. NEW BUSINESS 5. Recommendation to hold regular PSC meetings bi-monthly Asst. Director Goepfert referred to the staff report prepared by Public Works Director Ralph Qualls recommending reducing the number of meetings of the Public Safety Commission and the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission. This item is scheduled to go to the City Council on June 7. He asked for a recommendation from the Commission to take to the Public Works Director prior to the June 7 meeting. In response to a question regarding the impact of the Commission on his time, Asst. Director Goepfert stated that preparation for the meetings and providing support for the Commission does take time away from other job duties. He felt that holding meetings bi-monthly was reasonable and informed the Commissioners that should an important issue arise, a special meeting could be held. Comm. Cena stated that he felt that bi-monthly meetings could work, but the Commission's process would need to change substantially when it comes to taking action. Comm. Riddell felt there are ways of dealing with fewer meetings. Asst. Director Goepfert suggested that the second Thursday of each month still be set aside for meetings. If a special meeting became necessary, it could be held at that time. Comm. Cena made a motion that the Commission express support for the rec01;nmendation to Council to reduce the number of regular meetings of the Public Safety Commission with the change that the Commission leave open the first choice to meet on odd months at the same time and date if a special meeting needs to be called in between the regularly-scheduled meeting. The motion was passed unanimously by those present. Comm. Riddell stated that the Commission would meet on June 9 at the Fire Station, hold a July meeting, and begin the alternate meeting schedule in August. Comm. Riddell stated he was concerned about the intersection of Saich Way and Alves Drive and would like to refer this item to the Traffic Committee. Comm. Cena asked for information regarding the time of the Mayor's Meeting. Asst. Director Goepfert stated he would forward the information to the Commissioners. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:47 p.m. Carol Shepherd Administrative Assistant 3