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PSC 03-10-05 CUPEIQ1NO MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CUPERTINO PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION March 10, 2005 The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Cena at 7:08 p.m. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Charles Caldwell, Jay Cena, Barry Chang, (arrived 8:23 p.m.), Nolan Chen Hugh Riddell Glenn Goepfert, Assistant Director of Public Works Commissioners Absent: Staff Present: ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - January 13 regular meeting. By consensus, the minutes were approved as submitted. OLD BUSINESS 1. Consideration of Consolidation of Public Safety and Bicycle Pedestrian Commissions Comm. Cena asked if everyone was present for the previous discussion. Ass!. Director Goepfert informed him that all commissioners were present at the January meeting, at which one suggestion made was to have less frequent meetings. Comm. Cena stated that the consensus at that meeting seemed to be that there was some overlap of goals, but not enough to warrant consolidating the two groups. He recalled there was another suggestion, which included meeting with the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission every other month. In response to a question of where the idea of a consolidation had originated, Asst. Director Goepfert informed the Commission that due to a reduction in staff, the City Manager and department heads discussed how to reduce the workload. Discussion followed regarding other safety issues and goals. Comm. Cena felt that the Commission should take a look at the Parks and Recreation and Bicycle Pedestrian Commission merger prior to taking action on this item. Ass!. Director Goepfert stated that the main items on the table are differentiating this commission from the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission and the idea of meeting less often. I Comm. Caldwell stated that he felt meetings could be held every other month, and if something really needed attention, a meeting could be called. Comm. Cena stated he was not in favor of holding meetings so far apart. He said that trying to coordinate several schedules every sixty days is difficult. Also, he would feel less accountable to deliver on some issues. He would be open to holding joint meetings with other commissions. It was suggested that some meetings could be held at the Sheriffs substation on De Anza Boulevard or at various fire stations in the City. Comm. Chen stated he would like one commission composed of five people to handle traffic safety, and that Council should decide which group that should be. He feels there is too much duplication ofresources and it is'more efficient if one entity handles it for the City. A task force may be more effective-different perspectives may be discussed jointly and when a solution is found, the task force could be dissolved. The City does not have unlimited resources to solve every problem that overlaps. Comm. Caldwell suggested that one of the Public Safety Commissioners attend a Traffic Safety Committee (TSC) meeting and report back. Comm. Cena felt that each commissioner should attend a TSC meeting to get a sense of what is missing or overlapping. By consensus, the Commission agreed that some of their goals are not traffic related and that alone should justify a separate Public Safety Commission. Asst. Director Goepfert reiterated their opinion was that whatever else they do in common, they are separate enough and should continue to exist apart. Comm. Cena stated that he reviewed the goals of the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission and found that the two commissions are sharing goals. He feels the two commissions should check in with each other periodically and set up a joint meeting if necessary. Also, if after checking their agenda and finding an item of interest, one of the commissioners could attend the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission to provide input. It was moved by Comm. Cena that the two commissions not merge, but continue to share goals and potentially hold joint meetings when goals overlap. Asst. Director Goepfert suggested an amendment to the motion that the Commission recommend to Council that they not approve consolidation for previously stated reasons. The motion was re-stated by Asst. Director Goepfert as follows: The Commission recommends that should the City Council consider consolidation of Public Safety and Bicycle Pedestrian Commission, that they not approve the consolidation due to the fundamental reason that there are separate goals that each commission and that consolidation would be inefficient and unwieldy. The motion was seconded by Comm. Caldwell and passed unanimously by those present. Comm. Cena asked if it was possible for commissioners to discuss consolidation outside public meetings. He was informed that an individual from one commission could probably discuss this with an individual from another commission, as long as there is not a quorum of either commission either collectively or serially. 3. Commission Goals for 2005 2 Asst. Director Goepfert suggested that as a goal, the Commission request updates from the Sheriff's Department and County Fire Department regarding emergency services. Comm. Cena stated that he spoke with Marsha Hovey recently about a grant application. He asked how the Commission could support her and was told that a letter of support would be helpful. She also stated that she would like one of the commissioners to join the Disaster Council, which meets quarterly on the fourth Thursday at 2:00 p.m.; the next meeting is scheduled for April. Comm. Caldwell volunteered to attend the meetings. Comm. Cena stated he would like to have this as one of their goals. Other goals he suggested included: I) Street Smarts; 2) Aligning with the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission on the schools and Monta Vista programs, including traffic calming and Safe Routes to Schools; and 3) grant support. Asst. Director Goepfert suggested holding a specific event for public outreach or information. Discussion followed regarding holding events involving the Sheriffs Department. In response to a question regarding water vulnerability, Asst. Director Goepfert stated that this is an area that could also be looked at; Marsha Hovey is a good resource regarding events. Comm. Cena stated that each commissioner should come up with suggestions for goals and come back next month to solidify goals for the coming year. He would also like the commission to measure itself against last year's goals to see if they are still applicable or if any should be carried over. Comm. Cena asked if it was necessary for the Public Safety Commission to share their stated goals with other commissions and look for opportunities to meet and review common goals. He was informed that he might want to look at that as a future agenda item. NEW BUSINESS 2. Monta Vista High PTA - January 25, 2005, Meeting Report This item was continued to the next meeting REPORTS The commissioners reviewed the Sheriffs report. Comm. Cena will present the Street Smarts program to the Garden Gate PTA in April. He stated that Comm. Greenstein, Bicycle Pedestrian Commission, and Linda Crabill made a presentation to Stevens Creek Elementary. He will also invite Sam Lawson PT A to the April presentation. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS April's agenda will include the following items: I) Monta Vista High PTA; 2) Traffic Safety Committee; 3) Safe Routes to School grants; 4) Commission goals; 5) Disaster Council and emergency services grant letter; and 6) Capt. Mark, Santa Clara County Fire Department. The meeting was adjourned at 8:29 p.m. L~ Carol Shepherd Administrative Assistant 3