PSC 12-11-03 CUPE(~TINO
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION
DECEMBER I1, 2003
1. CALL TO ORDER
At 7:05 P.M., Commissioner Darknell called the meeting to order.
2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
3. ROLL CALL
Commissioners: Emma Darknell, Philippe Dor, Nolan Chen, Hugh Riddell, and Barry
Chang
Staff: Glenn Goepfert, Assistant Director of Public Works
John Hirokawa, Captain, Santa Clara County Sheriff Department
Ben Lopes, Chief, Santa Clara County Fire Department
Vicki Guapo, Senior Traffic Technician
Absent: None
Guest: Jay Cena, Gazden Gate Resident
4. MINUTES - Minutes of November 13, 2003, were approved unanimously.
5. ORAI. COMMUNICATIONS - Assistant Director Goepfert requested an item be listed on
the next agenda, a discussion of combining the Public Safety and Bicycle Pedestrian
Commissions.
Guest Cena expressed his interest in becoming a Public Safety Commissioner.
6. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - None.
7. REPORTS
A. Santa Clara County Sheriff Department - Captain John Hirokawa distributed the
November 2003 Law Enforcement reports and brought yeaz ending statistics, through
November, to the Commission's attention. Residential burglazies have declined, however
there has been a rise in commercial. The rise in commercial burglaries is partly related to
construction zone types. Grand thefts have declined. Sex crimes aze on the rise. The
upswing in sex crimes, aze related to underage (minors), reporting sexual activity even if
it is consensual. Activity codes will be reviewed and scaled down and to create a code
for "identity theft," since it is on a rise. Generally, reporting is indifferent, as "party" calls
have declined considerably.
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B. Santa Clara County Fire District - Chief Ben Lopes distributed the October 2003
activity report, which indicated no major incidents causing lazge fire loss or death.
Chief Lopes announced LAFCO has released the draft of the study analyzing Santa Clara
County fire services. Five items were identified dealing with unprotected lands, South
County, Saratoga, Los Altos Hills, and sharing regional resources.
Other items reported on included an updated business plan, participation with the Alcohol
Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) special arson investigator with a trained dog, development
of the Urban Search & Rescue team - Task Force 3, and Communications.
8. OLD BUSINESS
A. School Traffic Project - Assistant Director Goepfert reminded commission that in the
last communication with the superintendents of the Fremont Union School District, they
were not interested in using the fire lane as a drop-off and further discussion should be
made with Principal Pow. Additionally, Assistant Principal Metheany indicated that the
construction fence will soon come down and circulation on the backside of campus will
increase. He also indicated he was not interested in traffic circulation on the campus and
that the fire lane is meant to be accessible at all times. Another concern is that some
Lincoln students cross over the fire access road and would be in conflict with traffic.
Commissioner Riddell, Dor, and Chang suggested a separate meeting to discuss the issues
and then present the request to the Superintendents' Office.
B. Assistant Director Goepfert informed commission on the VLF and that staff has been
asked to reduce our current yeaz budget by 10% to get through June 31s' by postponing
projects and not filling positions.
C. Assistant Director Goepfert informed commission on the Red Light Photo Enforcement
program and on the recent review of the contracts showing no conflict of interest and
economics. Originally, the vendor sold this program to the Council as a breakeven
program. What is really happening is that the City is losing money on the program
because citations aze not being issued at a rate that would allow deferral of cost. In
reality, only 30-33% of citations are issued; a range of 75-80% is needed to make this
program work. Staff is preparing a report to recommend Council terminate the Red Light
Photo Enforcement program, which would result in significant savings.
Vendors:
• Digital Technology - Poltech has filed what is equal to USA version of Chapter 11. In
addition, the City did exercise the agreement, terminating our contract with Poltech.
• Wet Film Technology - ACS has an obligation under current contract to pay monthly
law enforcement cost, which we have not received.
9. NEW BUSINESS
10. OTHER
A. None.
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11. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner por, seconded by Commissioner Riddell,
Vote unanimous, by all in attendance. Meeting was adjourned at 8:55 P.M.
u--e,
Vicki Guapo, Recordi g Se etary
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