PSC 07-14-2016CUPERTINO PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, July 14, 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 6:09 p.m. on Thursday, July 14, 2016 in the Cupertino City Hall,
Conference Room A, located at 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, California 95014.
II. ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Andy Huang
Robert McCoy
Gerald Tallinger
Bob Cascone
Neha Sahai
Commissioners Absent: None
Staff Present:
Staff Absent:
Others Present:
III. REPORTS
Lieutenant Robert Durr, Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office
Deputy Chief John Justice, Santa Clara County Fire Department
None
Jay Lee, Boy Scout
1. Santa Clara County Fire Department
Deputy Chief Jolm Justice reviews the June Fire Department Report for Cupertino, noting all
w1its responded to calls for service within the set time parameters overall 92% of the time.
He further explains the various sections of response time numbers broken down by urban,
suburban and rural areas. He touches on the chart showing types of fires, pointing out there
were no structure fires in Jw1e . There were three vehicle fires for a combined loss of $8,000,
typically due to combustible fluid leaks on hot manifolds, but no significant fires last month.
2. Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office
Lieutenant Durr discusses highlights of the June 2016 report. Response times are great for all
levels of Priority Calls for Services . There was a bank robbery where the manager followed
the suspects out; luckily the manager was unharmed. He adds that there were 413 moving
violation citations issued, 86 speeding tickets, and 378 other citations . Only one DUI occurred,
plus 10 injury accidents, 36 property damage only accidents, and zero DUI accidents . He goes
on to report there were 2 robberies, 15 residential burglaries, and not many vehicle burglaries.
Commissioner McCoy asks about a particular burglary but the Lieutenant offers very limited
information because the investigation is still open.
3. Commission Reports
Commissioner McCoy reports that the City Council approved permit parking for weekends
and holidays for Oak Valley Road, Jw1iper Court, Sycamore Drive and Black Oak Way. The
purpose is to curb the disruptions from traffic out of Rancho San Antonio, and to reduce
vehicle burglaries in the area. Councilmember Wong also suggested that a PSC
Commissioner start a petition for Rancho San Antonio to provide adequate parking for their
site rather than placing that burden on surrounding neighborhoods. The City Cow1cil has
also agreed a traffic/safety study should be done on the Cristo Rey circle, after hearing some
oral communications from residents . Specific complaints included bicyclists that cut across
the circle instead of going around the circle properly, which causes near-collisions with
vehicles . Bicyclists also ride in the middle of the roads in that area, go five miles an hour and
cause vehicle traffic to back up, and they often fail t o stop at red lights. There are multiple
enforcement issues in that neighborhood.
Commissioner McCoy moves on, reporting that the Council voted to approve the Vallco
Initiative so it will appear on the November ballot. Planning Commission approved the
Hamptons project, knocking down 342 existing w1its to be replaced with 942 units .
. Commissioner McCoy also attended the Vallco open-house event, which included a nice
video projection of how the project will look, noting it would also provide a fireworks venue
for the future. They have even developed a system to transport gurneys on the side of an
elevator, reaching the trails spread across the tops of the buildings and allowing easy access
for patients to be brought down. Also of interest, instead of trash cans, everything will be
sent four stories down in a lift to a processing plant inside the complex. Regarding planned
water usage, the City of Swmyvale would have to agree to meet the water needs, but it will
largely use recycled water.
Commissioner Sahai begins by asking if a religious group would be allowed to plan a walking
event on a Cupertino trail. Lieutenant Durr states that religious groups are not required to
obtain permits for such an activity .
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Commissioner Tallinger reports that City Council approved The Bike Plan, and will now
begin discussions on The Pedestrian Plan.
Commissioner Cascone reports that he didn't make it to the TICC meeting; Parks &
Recreation Commission meeting was canceled due to a lack of business to discuss. The City
reorganization is still ongoing for the next few months since Director Atwood left.
Chair Huang reports that 32nd Taiwan Chinese American Athlete Tournament want to thank
the Sheriff's Office for providing excellent escort and support last weekend as participants
and Mayor Chang carried the symbolic torch ran from the City Hall to Cupertino High.
Around 2,000 people attended the event.
IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Jay Lee, a Boy Scout, introduces himself as visiting this meeting in order to take notes and fulfill
a requirement. There are no other Oral Communications at this regular meeting.
At the end of this regular meeting, Commissioner Cascone annow1ces that he officially resigns
from the PSC due to complications arising from his involvement in other areas such as OES; he
has already informed Grace at the City. Chair Huang and the other commissioners thank him for
his service and state he will be missed.
V. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Commissioner McCoy reports that he received an email from TICC Commissioner Vaishali
Deshpande, requesting that the PSC help the TICC on an upcoming cybercrime/internet security
commw1ity outreach event, similar to what former PSC Commissioner Mike Jerbic put together
last year. He also offered to help upcoming PSC events. Lieutenant Durr states that the SRO
Deputies from the Sheriff's Office could give their internet security talk as part of the event.
VI.APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1 . May 12, 2016
ACTION: YES
VOTE: YES
MOTION: MCCOY SECONDED: TALLINGER 5 to 0
Commissioner McCoy motioned to approve the minutes of May 12, 2016 with no corrections;
Commissioner Tallinger seconded the motion; votes taken, all in favor to approve the
minutes of May 12, 2016 .
2. Jw1e 9, 2016
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ACTION: YES
VOTE: YES
MOTION: TALLINGER
4 to 0
SECONDED: MCCOY
Commissioner Tallinger motioned to approve the minutes of June 9, 2016 with no corrections;
Commissioner McCoy seconded the motion; votes taken, Commissioner Cascone abstained
due to his absence from the June meeting, all else in favor to approve the minutes of June 9,
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
Chair Huang presents the latest update on sign-ups for CAS and AlertSCC..
0 to 0
a. Discuss creation of a wallet card/fridge magnet about reporting crimes/fires/incidents
and situational awareness
ACTION : YES
VOTE: NO
MOTION: CASCONE SECONDED: SAHAI 5 to 0
Commissioner Cascone motions to approve the proof and bid that Commissioner McCoy
presents to order wallet size cards that remind residents to report what they observe;
Commissioner Sahai seconded the motion; votes taken, all in favor to approve the proof and
bid for wallet sized cards for residents.
Commissioner McCoy provides an update on the anticipated cards including a revised bid.
The message will say "See something, say something" and "Call 9-1-1", including color logos
for the Sheriff's Office and the Fire Department, with Cupertino blue on the back. He has
added the link for CAS at the bottom. Commissioners review the proof and the bid,
discussing options and approving the order.
2. Discuss the Continuation of Public Education and Outreach (Tallinger/McCoy)
ACTION : YES
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VOTE: NO
MOTION: N/A SECONDED: N/A 0 to 0
Commissioner Tallinger reports that the Residential Burglary Prevention Forum was very
well attended with 120 residents. The event even made the front page of the Cupertino
Courier afterwards! He asks about translating the presentation into different languages for
web posting. Chair Huang is already working on a Mandarin version and Commissioner
Sahai is working on another language version. Commissioner Tallinger learned that the
promotion plan was very successful, but that next time he should work more through the
liaison and reduce the budget for copies (mostly utilized at the Sports Center and YMCA).
He also notes what a wonderful speaker Sgt. Roggia proved to be at this event, with multiple
attendees coming up afterwards to ask additional questions and give compliments.
Chair Huang reports that the City Manager confirmed through Captain Sung that any
number of commissioners can attend the same trainings and seminars, but should not sit near
each other to avoid the perception that they might be discussing city matters or making any
decisions.
Commissioner McCoy states that he will take the lead on the next forum, focused on the topic
of women's self-defense, situational awareness and how to avoid incidents. Commissioner
Tallinger suggests scheduling it when schools are back in session and advertise at local high
schools, gyms, etc. Commissioner McCoy would like to include hands -on demonstrations,
and requests that Lieutenant Durr ask Captain Sung for the name of his instructor referral.
Commissioner Sahai looks forward to organizing the third forum, with senior citizens as the
possible target audience. Chair Huang states that Commissioner Tallinger has made a great
template for forum events, especially regarding promotional/advertising efforts.
a. Discuss how to align public safety outreach and established County materials.
ACTION: YES
VOTE: NO
MOTION: N/A SECONDED: NIA
There are no updates discussed at this regular meeting.
3. Discuss the Collaboration/Cross-Training of Volunteer Groups
ACTION: YES
VOTE: NO
MOTION:N/A SECONDED: N/A
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0 to 0
0 to 0
There are no updates discussed at this regular meeting.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
1. Discuss the Transition of the Dero (formerly Boltage) program
ACTION: YES
VOTE: NO
MOTION: TALLINGER SECONDED: CASCONE 0 to 0
Commissioner Tallinger states that this item may be removed from the agenda because the
transfer of this program to the Bicycle-Pedestrian Commission is complete.
2. Discuss a possibility of starting a Fire Watch Council and Firewise Program
ACTION: YES
VOTE: NO
MOTION: CASCONE SECONDED: SAHAI 5 to 0
Commissioner Tallinger motions to move this item regarding the Firewise Program m1der
the topic of Public Education and Outreach; Commissioner Cascone seconded the motion;
votes taken, all in favor to approve the move of this Firewise Program item under the topic
of Public Education and Outreach.
Deputy Chief Justice reiterates that a Firewise Program encourages local solutions by
involving homeowners to take individual responsibility for preparing their homes in case of
wildfire. It is not created by the city government or fire department or sheriff's office -it must
originate from the residents that are motivated by the possibility of wildfires. Some property
insurance companies offer better rates for verified Firewise Program participants.
Commissioner Tallinger asks if the PSC could host an informational talk to let people know
about this possible opportunity. Based on extensive research, two of the most common causes
of houses burning down are wooden shake roofs which have fallen out of favor, and also
flying embers . Based on practical experiments, they have found there needs to be at least 30
feet of clearance around houses, cleared out gutters, no flammable materials against the
house like tanbark mulch, special screens on air vents for the attic, etc.
There is a five-step program to help resident groups start a Firewise Program. Deputy Chief
Justice states that some geographical areas have greater vulnerabilities than other areas, but
even one unkempt property in a highly maintained neighborhood can pose a threat to
surrounding homes. He adds there are currently no Firewise Programs active in Cupertino's
more rural areas, but the nearest one just started in Jackson Oaks near the lake in east Morgan
Hill. In Saratoga recently, the Fire Department gave a presentation on what firefighters do
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when fighting an active fire, such as clearing combustible materials from a home's exterior
and how time is often very limited. They emphasized how the best way to protect your home
is to take care of those tasks regularly instead of hoping the firefighters may have time to save
your home during an active fire. They also highlighted that maintaining your property for
fire safety can lead to significant insurance reductions . Co!TI-missioner Tallinger suggests the
PSC move this item w1der the topic of Public Education and Outreacl1.
IX. FUTURE AGENDA FOR NEXT REGULAR MEETING
1. Discuss Reports from Cow1ty Fire, Cow1ty Sheriff's Office and Commission Liaisons.
2 . Discuss promotion plans for CAS, AlertSCC and the Pulse Points App. (Huang/McCoy)
b. Discuss creation of a wallet card/fridge magnet about reporting
crimes/fires/incidents and situational awareness
3. Discuss the continuation of public education and outreach. (Tallinger/McCoy)
a . Discuss event plans for Information Forums
b. Discuss the possibility of disseminating information about the Firewise Program.
(All)
4. Discuss the collaboration/cross training of volunteer groups. (All)
5. Discuss submitting a request for a monthly report from Cupertino OES (Office of
Emergency Services). (Cascone)
X. ADJOURNMENT
This regular meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
XI. NEXT MEETING
The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 11, 2016 at 6:00 p.m.
SUBMITTED BY:
Jennifer Roth
Executive Assistant
West Valley Patrol Di vision
Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff
July 22, 2016
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APPROVED BY:
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Andy Huang, Commission Chair Date
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