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PSC 04-14-05 CUPERJINO MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CUPERTINO PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION April 14, 2005 The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Commissioners Absent: Staff Present: Charles Caldwell, Barry Chang (arrived 7:10 p.m.), Nolan Chen, Hugh Riddell Jay Cena Glenn Goepfert, Assistant Director of Public Works Commissioners Present: ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - None. OLD BUSINESS 1. Monta Vista High PT A - January 25,2005, Meeting Report Comm. Riddell stated that he and David Greenstein ftom the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission attended this meeting. The main issue discussed was the traffic in that area. The general consensus was that the parents are appreciative of the situation in terms of also being contributors to the problem. All parents in attendance were concerned and willing to assist in finding alternative ways to get to school, but there was no apparent format for finding means of alternative transportation. Members of the Bicycle Transportation Commission are working with the student government to encourage students to ride bicycles. A covered area for keeping bicycles during bad weather would be helpful in achieving that goal. The school seemed to be amenable to pursuing that avenue. The issue of traffic stacking up on the main thoroughfare will always be an issue due to the structure of the community and proximity ofthe schools. He stated this is a complicated issue and the best thing the Public Safety Commission can do is encourage the three schools to work together in terms of alternating beginning times and encourage Monta Vista High to get a safety person to efficiently move cars into the standing area. He suggested that the Commission draft a letter to Monta Vista High, Kennedy Middle, and Lincoln Elementary requesting that they meet and decide if there is any way they can alternate their beginning times next year so that any two schools are not opening at exactly the same time. Another letter could be written separately to Monta Vista High to pursue the ideas of covering the bicycle storage areas and using a campus security person to regulate traffic during the pick- up of students in the afternoon. 1 In response to a question regarding how many people were present at the meeting, he stated there were approximately 25 parents and five staff people. He stated the parents were aware of the problem and seemed concerned about solutions; the administration was very open to trying some ideas. He felt the main problem is dealing with three different schools that operate differently in terms of beginning and ending times and also, a weather issue. Comm. Caldwell said he is not certain what the Commission can do other than offer written suggestions and follow up with school administrators. Comm. Caldwell suggested that a letter be sent to the principal regarding how the crossing guards could help with the problem and also to send letters to the PT As stating the limitations of the Commission in solving the traffic problems. By consensus, the Commission agreed with his suggestion and Comm. Riddell volunteered to prepare the letters. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - The March 10, 2005, minutes were approved following the addition of the discussion of periodically holding meetings at the Sheriffs substation and fire stations. REPORTS Santa Clara Countv Fire District - Brad Darbro, Santa Clara County Fire Department, distributed the annual report, which gives an overview of how well the department is meeting its performance goals and programs. The January fire report was handed out and discussed. Santa Clara County Sheriff - Lt. Calderon discussed residential burglaries in Cupertino and other communities. He explained the various programs the School Resource Officers (SRO) have implemented. He stated that the communication between the SROs and school staff is very good. When an incident occurs, the SROs are usually are top of it. In regard to traffic, Lt. Calderon stated that the number of moving citations has increased due to the "swarming" technique of saturating an area with traffic problems. OLD BUSINESS 2. Commission Goals for 2005 Comm. Riddell stated that due to Comm. Cena's absence, this item could be discussed, but felt that action should be postponed until the May meeting. He stated that the goals are difficult because the charge by the City Council is not actually what the Commission does. Many of the traffic issues are siphoned off and given to the Traffic Committee, so that a large amount of what the Commission thought it was supposed to do doesn't exist. Comm. Caldwell said that the Commission had discussed learning more about disaster preparedness. He is now a member of the Disaster Committee, which meets once every three months; he will be attending their meeting on April 28. He stated that at the March 10 meeting, there was little discussion about police activities and that the Commission focused mainly on fire and hazardous waste issues. 2 Comm. Riddell stated that he and Comm. Caldwell had attended the Block Leader training. He said there is a lot of safety involved in that idea and that some parts of the community are well organized due to their belief in watching out for one another. NEW BUSINESS 3. Traffic Safety Committee Asst. Director Goepfert gave a brief overview of the members of the Committee and their issues. Their meetings are held quarterly in the afternoons. Commission members felt that someone should attend a meeting as observers and return to the Commission with a short report. Comm. Riddell stated he would attend the next meeting. 4. Safe Routes to School (SR2S) Grants Asst. Director Goepfert stated that the City has an application for a Garden Gate project for the next funding cycle. He stated that a letter of support ftom the Commission might be helpful. This item was continued to the next meeting. 5. Disaster Council- Emergency Services Grant Letter Asst. Director Goepfert stated that he believes that Comm. Cena was talking with Marsha Hovey regarding this letter. This item was also carried over to the next meeting. 6. Capt. Mark, Santa Clara County Fire Department Comm. Cena had previously spoken with Marsha Hovey regarding how the Commission could assist in providing recognition and emotional support for the department and family of the firefighter who died in the line of duty. It will be placed on the May agenda for discussion. Commissioner's Reports Comm. Riddell thanked Comm. Caldwell for attending the Block Leader workshop. He felt it was a valuable program and was pleased that the Commission was represented. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS The next meeting will include the carryover ofItems 2, 4,5, and 6. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m. ~!4~ A mmlstratlve SSlstant 3