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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-03-1992 City Council Agenda packetSARATOGA CITY COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NO. 21g AGENDA ITEM MEETING DATE: June 3, 1992 n,�,v CITY MGR. APPROVAL ORIGINATING DEPT: City Manager 0 SUBJECT: Personnel ResolutionSfor Fiscal Year 1992/93: 1. Resolution Authorizing Permanent Positions in City Service 2. Resolution Adding to Basic Salary Classes and Employment Classifications 3. Resolution Setting Management Salary Ranges 4. Resolution Revising Fringe Benefits for Management Employees 5. Resolution Adopting Pay Schedules for Temporary Employees Recommended Motion: 1. Approve Resolution No. Authorizing Permanent Positions in City Service for Fiscal Year 1992 -93 2. Approve Resolution No. 85.9. Adding to Basic Salary Classes and Employment Classifications 3. Approve Resolution No. 85 -9. Setting Management Salary Ranges for Fiscal Year 1992 -93 4. Approve Resolution No. 85 -9. Revising Fringe Benefits for Management Employees 5. Approve Resolution No. Adopting Pay Schedules for Temporary Employees for Fiscal Year 1992 -93 Report Summary: 1. The Resolution authorizing permanent positions in City service adds the position of Volunteer Program Assistant. This has previously been a temporary /part -time classification, and because of continuing growth in the program is being converted to a permanent position at 24 hours /week. One Community Service Officer position is changed to Community Service Officer /Emergency Preparedness Coordinator to reflect the additional duties which are part of this position. 2. The Resolution adding to basic salary classes and employment classifications includes the addition of the Volunteer Program Assistant and creates the classification of Senior Accountant. This single position classification will be flexibly staffed with Accountant /Senior Accountant depending upon the experience and job duties of the incumbent. The job descriptions for the Community Service Officer series have been revised and include a separate description and salary range for the Community Service Officer /Emergency Preparedness Coordinator. Salary ranges effective June 27, 1992, for classified positions were approved as part of the two -year MOU in June 1991. 3. The Resolution setting management salary ranges reflects the results of the annual job market survey data used in setting ranges which is part of the comprehensive management compensation system. 4. The Resolution revising fringe benefits for management employees corrects Resolution No. 85 -9.91 (adopted March 4, 1992), Section 1, Retirement Benefits. This resolution allows final year conversion of certain benefits for eligible management employees. Due to a ruling from PERS, the clause "provided that the employee's base salary will not be increased" is deleted. 5. The Resolution adopting pay schedules for temporary employees covers those part -time non benefited positions which are filled on a temporary basis and are not part of the regular classifications. Titles for the Camp staff positions have been changed to Recreation Leader to reflect the year -round nature of the activities. Fiscal Impacts: Wage and salary costs are included in the proposed 92/93 budget. Attachments: 1. Resolution No. Authorizing Permanent Positions in City Service for Fiscal Year 1992 -93 2. Resolution No. 85.9. Adding to Basic Salary Classes and Employment Classifications 3. Resolution No. 85 -9. Setting Management Salary Ranges for Fiscal Year 1992 -93 4. Resolution No. 85 -9. Revising Fringe Benefits for Management Employees 5. Resolution No. Adopting Pay Schedules for Temporary Employees for Fiscal Year 1992 -93 Motion and Vote: SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NO. 2-/Fq AGENDA ITEM MEETING DATE: June 3, 1992 CITY MGR. APPROVAL ORIGINATING DEPT: City Manager SUBJECT: Fire Safety Recommendations for Hazardous Fire Area Recommended Motion: Receive report and direct staff to begin implementation of recommendations. Report Summary: Following the Oakland Hills fire last October, the City Manager formed a task force to discuss fire prevention and safety issues. The task force was composed of the chiefs from the Central and Saratoga Fire Districts; the city managers of Saratoga, Cupertino, Monte Sereno, and Los Gatos; and a representative from the County Executive's office. The specific recommendations from the Fire Safety Committee and Public Safety Commission deal with the following six topics: 1. Realignment of the hazardous fire area boundary (including to Saratoga -Los Gatos Road and Saratoga Sunnyvale Road) 2. Requirement to allow only Class "A" roof covering material in hazardous fire area 3. Public education and enforcement as necessary for management of combustible vegetation 4. Requirement for water supply to be at level acceptable to fire chiefs for all new or significantly enlarged structures 5. Provision of and appropriate maintenance of secondary ingress /egress roadways to minimum fire district standards 6. Public education for general fire safety, including proper posting of home address numbers and encouragement of neighborhood associations to work with fire and law enforcement agencies to develop emergency evacuation plans. Many of the recommendations are items for which the fire districts have responsibility and are implementing. The recommendation to change the current requirement for a Class "A" or Class "B" roof in the hazardous fire area to a Class "A" roof only will require City action and will have significant impact. In addition, when the Fire District expands the hazardous fire area boundary, the expansion will impose the standards for non combustible roof coverings, vegetation clearance and installation of the early warning alarm system and residential sprinkler systems as well. The attached information is the final report and recommendations from the hillside fire safety committee presented in April by Central Fire Chief Doug Sporleder; comments from the Saratoga Public Safety Commission following their review of both this document and others which related to the Oakland fire; and additional responses from the two fire chiefs regarding further comments from the Public Safety Commission. Fiscal Impacts: Not known at this time. Attachments: 1. Memo from Chief Sporleder to Fire Safety Committee 2. Response to Committee report and further comments from Saratoga Public Safety Commission 3. Letter from Chief Sporleder, Central Fire Protection District 4. Letter from Chief Kraule, Saratoga Fire District Motion and Vote: 0K SERVICE 02 April 1992 TO: BACKGROUND SANTA CLARA COUNTY CENTRAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT 14700 WINCHESTER BLVD. LOS GATOS. CA 95030 -1818 (408) 378 -4010 SINCE 1947 FAX (408) 378 -9342 Don Brown, Cupertino City Manager Jane Decker, Director, Strategic Planning David Knapp, Los Gatos Town Manager Harry Peacock, Saratoga City Manager v/ Rosemary Pierce, Monte Sereno City Manager Ernie Kraule, Saratoga Fire Chief FROM: Douglas Sporleder, Fire Chief SUBJECT: Hazardous Hillside Fire Area RECOMMENDATIONS The following is the final report from the hillside fire safety committee. It is my understanding that each City Manager will take forth this report to their respective councils for approval and action as necessary. As a result of the devastating Oakland Hills Fire that occurred on October 20, 1991, a workshop was convened with representatives from the Central and Saratoga Fire Districts as well as the cities of Saratoga, Cupertino, Monte Sereno, the Town of Los Gatos, and the County of Santa Clara. Whereas many of the conditions in the Oakland Hills area appear to be similar to those in the western hillside areas of the represented municipalities, the purpose of this workshop was to identify those common conditions and develop a list of recommendations to help mitigate fire hazards and control the spread of fires that may occur in the hillside. The initial workshop was followed by several meetings attended by officials from the represented municipalities and fire districts. The purpose of these meetings was to discuss in greater detail the fire prevention /safety issues. The key hillside fire safety areas or issues of concern that were identified are listed below followed by a recommendation for each. Serving West Valley Cities of: Cupertino, Monte Sereno, Saratoga, Town of Los Gatos, and Adjacent County Areas Hazardous Hillside Fire Area Page 2 02 April 1992 HAZARDOUS FIRE AREA BOUNDARY DELINEATION Recommendation: Realign the boundary of the currently identified Hazardous Fire Area to include those areas that represent a wildland fire threat due to terrain and vegetation. ROOF COVERING REQUIREMENTS Recommendation: Change current requirement for a Class "A" or Class "B" roof covering in the Hazardous Fire Area to allow only a Class "A" roof covering material. The Class "A" roof covering provides the best protection for a home against fire that may be caused from flying brands and embers. Additionally, if an interior fire should occur in a structure, the production of flying brands and embers that may spread fire in the hillside area is reduced if the building is equipped with a Class "A" roof covering. COMBUSTIBLE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT Recommendations: 1. Implement a public education /awareness program for hillside area residents to inform them of the local standards and ordinances for adequate clearance of combustible vegetation from their homes and roadways adjacent to their property. In addition, encourage homeowners to utilize fire retardant landscaping. It should be noted that the Central Fire Protection District is currently developing such a public education /awareness program that is scheduled for delivery in May 1992. 2. Enforce the provisions of the Uniform Fire Code Appendix II -A with respect to the clearance of combustible vegetation from structures and roadways. (See attached copy) 3. Implement an abatement program for those property owners who do not comply with the vegetation clearance requirements of the Uniform Fire Code. The actual enforcement of the Fire Code would not be pursued until property owners had received adequate notification and time to accomplish the brush removal. It is recommended that actual abatement be accomplished through the existing County of Santa Clara weed abatement program. Hazardous Hillside Fire Area Page 3 02 April 1992 WATER SUPPLIES Recommendations: 1. Require that all new or significantly enlarged structures (in excess of 500 square feet) be provided, within a distance acceptable to the Fire Chief, fire hydrants capable of a minimum 1,000 gallons per minute fire flow. 2. In areas where existing fire hydrants do not meet the required fire flow, the water purveyor should be encouraged by the municipality to upgrade the water supply system. 3. If the installation of fire hydrants as described in item number one (1) is impractical, the structure may be protected, throughout, with an automatic fire sprinkler system. INGRESS AND EGRESS ROADWAYS Recommendations: 1. Require that all new hillside residential development is provided with secondary ingress /egress roadways designed to minimum Fire District Standards. 2. For existing primary and secondary ingress /egress roadways, develop a program to ensure that the required width and clearances are not reduced due to parked cars, vegetative growth, erosion, etc. GENERAL FIRE SAFETY Recommendations: 1. Hillside area residents should, as part of the public education /awareness program, be made aware of other applicable fire safety regulations of the Uniform Fire Code, such as; properly posting home address numbers, providing spark arresters for chimneys and stovepipes, cutting back tree limbs from chimney and stovepipe outlets, clearing roofs of needles or other dead vegetative growth, etc. It should be noted that this element will be included in the public education /awareness program planned for presentation in May by the Central Fire Protection District. 2. Included as part of the public education /awareness training, neighborhood associations should be encouraged to work with Fire and Law Enforcement agencies to develop emergency evacuation plans. Attachment 1991 UNIFORM FIRE CODE APPENDIX II -A Division II SPECIAL HAZARDS APPENDIX II -A SUPPRESSION AND CONTROL OF HAZARDOUS FIRE AREAS 1. SCOPE The unrestricted use of grass grain brush- or forest- covered land in haz- ardous lire areas is a potential menace to life and property from fire and resulting erosion. Safeguards to prevent the occurrence of fires and to provide adequate fire- protection facilities to control the spread of fire which might be caused by recreational, residential, commercial, industrial or other activities conducted in h:varduus fire areas shall be in accordance with this appendix. 2. DEFINITIONS For the purpose of this Appendix, certain terms are defined as follows: TRACER is any bullet or projectile incorporating a feature which marks or traces the flight of said bullet or projectile by flame, smoke or other means which results in fire or heat. TRACER CHARGE is any bullet or projectile incorporating a feature de- signed to create a visible or audible effect by means which result in fire or heat and shall include any incendiary bullets and projectiles. 3. PERMITS The chief is authorized to stipulate conditions for permits. Permits shall not be issued when public safety would be at risk, as determined by the chief. 4. RESTRICTED ENTRY The chief shall determine and publicly announce when hazardous fire areas shall he closed to entry and when such areas shall again be opened to entry. Entry on and occupation of hazardous fire areas, except public roadways, inhabited eras or established trails and camp sites which have not been closed during such time when the hazardous fire area is closed to entry, is prohibited. EXCEPTIONS: I. Residents and owners of private property within hazardous fire areas and their invitees and guests going to or being upon their lands. 2. Entry, in the course of duty, by peace or police officers, and other duly autho- rised public officers, members of a fire department and members of the United States Forest Service. 5. TRESPASSING ON POSTED PROPERTY la) General. When the chief determines that a specific area within a hazardous I ire area presents an exceptional and continuing fire danger because of the density of naturaI growth, difficulty of terrain, proximity to structures or accessibility to 467 468 APPENDIX U -A 1991 UNIFORM FIRE CODE the public, such areas shall be closed until changed conditions warrant termination of closure. Such areas shall be posted as hereinafter provided. (b) Signs. Approved signs prohibiting entry by unauthorized persons and refer- ring to this appendix shall be placed on every closed area. (c) Trespassing. Entering and remaining within areas closed and posted is pro- hibited. EXCEPTION: Owners and occupiers of private or public property within dos- ed and posted areas, their guests or invitees, and local, stale and federal public offi- cers and their authorized agents acting in the course of duty. 6. SMOKING Lighting, igniting or otherwise setting fire to or smoking tobacco, cigarettes, pipes or cigars in hazardous fire areas is prohibited. EXCEPTION: Places of habitation or within the boundaries of established smoking areas or campsites as designated by the chief. 7. SPARK ARRESTERS Chimneys used in conjunction with fireplaces, barbecues, incinerators or heat- ing appliances in which solid or liquid fuel is used, upon buildings, structures or premises located within 200 feet of hazardous fire areas, shall be provided with a spark arrester constructed with heavy wire mesh or other noncombustible mate- rial with openings not to exceed t /2 inch. 8. TRACER BULLETS, TRACER CHARGES, ROCKETS AND MODEL AIRCRAFT Tracer bullets and tracer charges shall not be possessed, fired or caused to be fired into or across hazardous fire areas. Rockets, model planes, gliders and balloons powered with an engine, propellant or other feature liable to start or cause fire shall not he fired or projected into or across hazardous fire areas. 9. EXPLOSIVES AND BLASTING Explosives shall not be possessed, kept, stored, sold, offered for sale, given away, used, discharged, transported or disposed of within hazardous lire areas except by permit from the chief. 10. FIREWORKS Fireworks shall not be used or possessed in hazardous fire areas. The chief is authorized to seize, take, remove or cause to be removed tiress in violation of this section. 11. APIARIES Lighted and smoldering material shall not be used in connection with smoking bees in or upon hazardous fire areas except by permit from the chief. 12. OPEN FLAME DEVICES Welding torches, tar pots, decorative torches and other devices, machines or processes liable to start or cause fire shall not be operated or used in or upon haz- ardous fire areas, except by permit from the chief. 1991 UNIFORM FIRE CODE APPENDIX II -A 5. Maintain the roof of a structure free of leaves, needles or other dead vegeta- tive growth. (h) Corrective Actions. The executive body is authorized to instruct the chief to give notice to the owner of the property upon which conditions regulated by Section 16 (a) exist to correct such conditions. If the owner fails to correct such coedit ions, the executive body is authorized to cause the same to be done and make the expense of such correction a lien upon the property where such condition exists. 17. CLEARANCE OF BRUSH OR VEGETATIVE GROWTH FROM ROADWAYS The chief is authorized to cause areas within 10 feet on each side of portions of highways and private streets which are improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular traffic to be cleared of flammable vegetation and other combustible growth. The chief is authorized to enter upon private property to do so. EXCEPTION: Single specimens of trees, ornamental shrubbery or cultivated ground cover such as green grass, ivy, succulents or similar plants used as ground covers, provided that they do not form a means of readily transmitting fire. 18. UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES If the chief determines that difficult terrain, danger of erosion or other unusual circumstances make strict compliance with the clearance of vegetation provisions of Sections 15, 16 or 17 of this appendix undesirable or impractical, enforcement thereof may be suspended and reasonable alternative measures shall be provided. 19. DUMPING Garbage, cans, bottles, papers, ashes, refuse, trash, rubbish or combustible waste material shall not be placed, deposited or dumped in or upon hazardous fire areas, or in, upon or along trails, roadways or highways in hazardous fire areas. EXCEPTION: Approved public and private dumping areas. 20. DISPOSAL OF ASHES Ashes and coals shall not be placed, deposited or dumped in or upon hazardous fire areas. EXCEPTIONS: 1. In the hearth of an established fire pit, camp stove or fire- place. 2. In a noncombustible container with a tightfitting lid, which is kept or main- tained in a safe location not less than 10 feel from combustible vegetation or struc- tures. 3. Where such ashes or coals are buried and covered with I foot of mineral earth not Tess than 25 feet from combustible vegetation or structures. 21. USE OF FIRE ROADS AND FIREBREAKS Motorcycles, motor scooters and motor vehicles shall not be driven or parked upon, and trespassing is prohibited upon, fire roads or firebreaks beyond the point where travel is restricted by a cable, gate or sign, without the permission of the 471 APPENDIX II -A 1991 UNIFORM FIRE CODE property owners. Vehicles shall not be parked in a manner which obstructs the en- trance to a fire road or firebreak. EXCEPTION: Public officers acting within their scope of duty. Radio and television aerials, guy wires thereto, and other obstructions shall not be installed or maintained on fire roads or firebreaks, unless located 16 feet or more above such fire road or firebreak. 22. USE OF MOTORCYCLES, MOTOR SCOOTERS AND MOTOR VEHICLES Motorcycles, motor scooters and motor vehicles shall not be operated within hazardous fire areas, without a permit by the chief, except upon clearly established public or private roads. Permission from the property owner shall be presented when requesting a permit. 23. TAMPERING WITH FIRE DEPARTMENT LOCKS, BARRICADES AND SIGNS Locks, barricades, seals, cables, signs and markers installed within hazardous fire areas, by or under the control of the chief, shall not be tampered with, muti- lated, destroyed or removed. Gates, doors, barriers and locks installed by or under the control of the chief shall not be unlocked. 24. LIABILITY FOR DAMAGE The expenses of fighting fires which result from a violation of this appendix shall be a charge against the person whose violation of this appendix caused the fire. Damages caused by such fires shall constitute a debt of such person and are collectable by the chief in the same manner as in the case of an obligation under a contract, expressed or implied. 472 Printed on recycled paper. OrTU ©g 13777 FRUITVALE AVENUE SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA 95070 (408) 867 -3438 June 3, 1992 COUNCIL MEMBERS: Karen Anderson Martha Clevenger Willem Kohler Victor Monia Francis Stutzman To: City Council From: Public Safety Commission Subject: Recommendations re: Hazardous Hillside Fire Area The Hillside Fire Safety Committee, formed last winter to study the status of hillside fire prevention, presented a report April 2, 1992, to the City Managers of Cupertino, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Monte Sereno, and to the County's Director of Strategic Planning. The Public Safety Commission has discussed the report with Chief Sporleder of Central Fire and Chief Kraule of Saratoga Fire. The Commission also reviewed and discussed additional documents which were generated following the Oakland hills fire. Following are comments from the Public Safety Commission regarding recommendations made by the Fire Safety Committee regarding the Hazardous Hillside Fire Area in the April 2 report: Recommendations: A. HAZARDOUS FIRE AREA BOUNDARY DELINEATION Committee Recommendation: Realign the boundary of the currently identified Hazardous Fire Area to include those areas that represent a wildland fire threat due to terrain and vegetation. Commission: Concur with recommendations with the under- standing that the boundary is not defined in the report, and that the new alignment will extend the hazardous fire area at least as far as to Saratoga Sunnyvale Road and Saratoga Los Gatos Road. Page 1 B. ROOF COVERING REQUIREMENTS Committee Recommendation: Change current requirement for a Class "A" or Class "Btt roof covering in the Hazardous Fire Area to allow only a Class "A" roof covering material. Commission: Concur with Committee recommendation C. COMBUSTIBLE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT Committee Recommendation: 1. Implement a public education /awareness program for hillside area residents to inform them of the local standards and ordinances for adequate clearance of combustible vegetation from their homes and roadways adjacent to their property. Encourage homeowners to utilize fire retardant landscaping. Commission: Concur with Committee recommendation with the understanding that suggested wording would be "hazardous fire area" rather than "hillside area." 2. Enforce the provisions of the Uniform Fire Code Appendix II -A with respect to the clearance of combustible vegetation from structures and roadways. Commission: Concur with Committee recommendation. 3. Implement an abatement program for those property owners who do not comply with the vegetation clearance requirements of the Uniform Fire Code. Commission: Concur with Committee recommendation. D. WATER SUPPLIES Committee Recommendation: 1. Require that all new or significantly enlarged structures (in excess of 500 quare feet) be provided, within a distance acceptable to the Fire Chief, fire hydrants capable of a minimum 1,000 gallons per minute fire flow. Commission: Concur with Committee recommendation. 2. In areas where existing fire hydrants do not meet the required fire flow, the water purveyor should be encouraged by the municipality to upgrade the water supply system. Page 2 Commission: Concur with Committee recommendation. 3. If the installation of fire hydrants as described in item #1 is impractical, the structure may be protected, throughout, with an automatic fire sprinkler system. Commission: Concur with Committee recommendation. E. INGRESS AND EGRESS ROADWAYS Committee Recommendation: 1. Require that all new hillside residential development is provided with secondary ingress /egress roadways designed to minimum Fire District Standards. Commission: Concur with Committee recommendation with the understanding that suggested wording would be "hazardous fire area" rather than "hillside area." 2. For existing primary and secondary ingress /egress roadways, develop a program to ensure that the required width and clearances are not reduced due to parked cars, vegetative growth, erosion, etc. Commission: Concur with Committee recommendation. F. GENERAL FIRE SAFETY Committee Recommendation: 1. Hillside area residents should, as part of the public education /awareness program, be made aware of other applicable fire safety regulations of the Uniform Fire Code, such as: properly posting home address numbers, providing spark arresters for chimneys and stovepipes, cutting back tree limbs from chimney and stovepipe outlets, clearing roofs of needles or other dead vegetative growth, etc. Commission: Concur with Committee recommendation with the understanding that suggested wording would be "hazardous fire area" rather than "hillside area." 2. Included as part of the public education /awareness training, neighborhood associations should be encouraged to work with Fire and Law Enforcement agencies to develop emergency evacuation plans. Commission: Concur with Committee recommendation. Page 3 In addition to the Committee recommendations stated above, the Commission also recommends that: 1. The City Planning Department develop standards addressing the issue of fire retardent landscaping in hazardous fire areas, and 2. That enforcement of Section 16- 75.040 of the Municipal Code regarding premises identification be increased, especially for all homes in the hazardous fire areas. The February, 1992 report prepared by the Office of Emergency Services on the Oakland fire points out a number of situations which arose due to the magnitude of the firefighting effort. As a result of their study of this report, the Commission recommends discussion of the following items which are relevant to controling the spread of fires which may occur in hazardous fire areas: A. Coping with downed power lines during fires B. Development of the means to quickly shut off water and power to destroyed homes C. Coping with saturation of communications during major firefighting efforts D. Implementation of the use of alternate communication methods such as cellular phones E. Implementation of the "red flag" program, which is part of the U.S. Weather Bureau's fire weather forecast. There is a need to understand the system and have an action plan for "Red Flag" watch /warning periods. F. Review of evacuation plans to determine type of instructions given to persons evacuated G. Utilization of Emergency Broadcast System Ca olyn King; Assistar to the City Manager for the Public Safety Commission SERVICE 26 May 1992 Dear Carolyn: SANTA CLARA COUNTY CENTRAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT 14700 WINCHESTER BLVD. LOS GATOS, CA 95030 -1818 (408) 378 -4010 SINCE 1947 FAX (408) 378 -9342 Carolyn King Assistant to the City Manager City of Saratoga 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Saratoga, CA 95070 ECERE MAY 2 7 1992 CITY OP SARATOGA c:1 Y M ANAGER'S 1 OFFIC In your letter of May 20, 1992 you asked for my response to several recommendations the Saratoga Public Safety Commission made regarding the Hazardous Hillside Fire Areas. As you are aware, the West Valley cities of `Cupertino, Saratoga, Monte Sereno, Los Gatos, the County of Santa Clara, the Saratoga Fire District and Central Fire District met several times following the Oakland Hills Fire to develop a plan of action for fire prevention and public education programs to hopefully prevent such a fire disaster in our hillsides. The report that was developed is a consensus of the parties who attended the meetings and represents those actions we agreed were feasible. Beyond the recommendations each agency could, of course, implement whatever it felt it needed to handle their local condition. I think the committee developed an excellent list of recommendations that will serve our citizens well. Additionally, the Public Safety Commission has recommended the following two items: 1. The City Planning Department develop standards addressing the issue of fire retardant landscaping in hazardous fire areas, and 2. That enforcement of Section 16- 75.040 of the Municipal Code regarding premises identification be increased, especially for all homes in the hazardous fire areas. I agree with both recommendations. As a matter of fact, Central Fire has taken a very active position regarding the items through public education programs and materials as well as building conditions placed on owners at time of construction. The enforcement of these items on existing buildings is difficult, but can be done. Serving West Valley Cities of: Cupertino, Monte Sereno, Saratoga, Town of Los Gatos, and Adjacent County Areas Carolyn King May 26, 1992 Assistant to the City Manager Page 2 City of Saratoga The Public Safety Commission also had some items for discussion regarding control of the spread of fires. I agree the items are worthy of discussion and will offer comments to each question in hopes of furthering understanding of how things work in a large -scale emergency, as well as day -to -day. "A. Coping with downed power lines during fires." Our day -to -day response to downed power lines is to stand by the scene to protect life and property until the arrival of the power company. In the event of an area -wide disaster, our personnel would prioritize actual life- threatening emergencies vs. potential life- threatening situations. During the Lexington Fire in 1985, we had PG &E shut down all power in the disaster area. I wish to note that PG &E is extremely responsive to our requests. "B. Development of the means to quickly shut off water and power to destroyed homes." Each of our stations is equipped with a water main shutoff tool and water maps to assist in shutdown in the street. Additionally, each home has individual water and utility shutoffs which we can utilize. The water company will respond to our request to shut down and re -route water through their grid system. "C. Coping with saturation of communications during major firefighting efforts." Our new County -wide mutual aid communications plan addresses the issue of radio frequencies and their use. I believe our field units have adequate radio capability to handle large -scale emergencies. We reached this goal by persuading all agencies to agree to share their frequencies. The bigger issue is how we develop the staffing needed at peak demand in communications centers to handle the public's emergency calls and the increase in field radio traffic. In the early stages of a major disaster, the demand for communications service is going to outstrip the centers' ability to respond. It will take time to call back dispatchers in order to staff the communications center at an adequate level. Carolyn King Assistant to the City Manager City of Saratoga "D. Implementation of the use of alternate communications methods such as cellular phones." May 26, 1992 Page 3 I feel Central Fire is prepared for primary communications needs for field units through our recently upgraded radio system. All command staff have cellular phones which served us very well during the 1989 earthquake. In July, 1992, all Central Fire facilities will be linked in an area -wide computer network that will, among other things, allow us to maintain resource and situation status without verbal communications during a time when field units need to be able to broadcast. A further link -up to command staff will be through a modem in our command unit. "E. Implementation of the 'Red Flag' program which is part of the U.S. Weather Bureau's fire weather forecast. There is a need to understand the system and have an action plan for 'Red Flag' watch /warning periods." We do understand the "Red Flag" warning system and heed the warning when it comes by calling back off -duty personnel to staff our brush patrol units and get them into the hazardous fire areas. Additionally, this fire season we hope to develop our own weather stations to more currently monitor changing weather during the summer months. Our main concerns are wind direction, temperature, and humidity, as well as fuel moisture content. By having our own weather stations, we can react much more quickly to changing conditions and upgrade the numbers of units sent to specific events and areas. "F. Review of evacuation plans to determine type of instructions given to persons evacuated." We will be setting up meetings with West Valley law enforcement agencies to review our standard operating procedures. Evacuation is primarily a law enforcement function, but we need to work cooperatively for the movement of people to flow as smoothly as possible. Carolyn King Assistant to the City Manager City of Saratoga Sincerely, DGS:mm "G. Utilization of (Saratoga's) Emergency Broadcast System." Dougla G. Sporlede Fire Chief cc: Chief Ernie Kraule May 26, 1992 Page 4 The E.B.S. is a new service and will need to be coordinated through Saratoga's Emergency Operations Center. We would need to be clear on how to access it in time of need. I appreciate the opportunity to comment and understand the time constraint you were under to meet the May 27, 1992 deadline. If you should have any further questions or comments, please feel free to contact me. CENTRAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT May 24, 1992 SARATOGA FIRE DISTRICT COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA 14380 SARATOGA AVE. SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA 95070 Telephone: (408)867 -9001 Fax: (408)867 -2780 Carolyn King Assistant to City Manager City of Saratoga 13777 Fruitvale Ave. Saratoga, Ca. 95070 Dear Carolyn, This report is in response to your letter dated May 20, 1992 concerning the Public Safety Commission's request for more information relevant to controlling the spread of fires which may occur in the hazardous fire areas. A. Coping with downed power lines during fires. During an incident where power lines are down the appropriate utility company would be notified of the situation. If downed lines are wide spread a representative of the utility company would be part of the Incident Commander's support team. In all situations the area of downed lines is considered a hazard area and all fire fighting personnel and the public would be kept out of this area. The Fire Department is not equipped to move down power lines. They will, however, attempt to extinguish any fires that are caused by down lines. Fire Department personnel are trained to be aware of downed lines and that the potential for lines to fall is always a factor. These factors are taken into consideration when placing equipment at the scene and deploying personnel. MAY 2 6 1992 B. Development of the means to quickly shut off water and power to destroyed homes. Part of the firefighting evolution during structure fires is to disconnect the natural gas and the electricity that supplies the dwelling. If the situation was of the magnitude where numerous homes were destroyed the appropriate utility company would be notified of the situation. To assist the utility company, a squad of Fire Department personnel could be deployed to an area of 1 destroyed dwellings for the purpose of disconnecting power and shutting off water. In controlling the spread of fires deploying personnel into an area that has wide spread damage is not a high priority. C. Coping with saturation of communications during major firefighting efforts. The radio frequencies used in the Fire Department have been increased from four to sixty -four. This expands the range of tactical frequencies for a more coordinated firefighting effort. D. Implementation of the use of alternative communications methods such as cellular phones. The Incident Commander's vehicle is equipped with a cellular phone. there is also a spare cellular phone that can be utilized in the Department's all purpose vehicle. The use of these phones increases the networking capabilities of the Incident Commander. Also, the SARA Amateur Radio groups equipment and their expertise in communications should be utilized not only as an alternative but as a primary concern to enhance communications. E. Implementation of the "Red Flag" program, which is part of the U.S. Weather Bureau's fire weather forecast. There is a need to understand the system and have an action plan for "Red Flag" watch warning periods. The Fire Department's computer is linked by modem to the U.S. Weather Bureau. During the fire season the fire weather forecast should be monitored daily. The Department is also notified by County Communications of all "Red Flag" warnings. The advent of a "Patrol Unit" should be created. This unit could be utilized in the hazardous hill area during "Red Flag" warnings. F. Review of evacuation plans to determine type of instructions given to persons evacuated. The hazardous hill area encompasses properties which are in Saratoga Fire District, Central Fire District, and 2 California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Annually, these agencies should meet to coordinate the information that will be given to the public prior to, during, and after a major fire in the hazardous hill area. Each agency should review evacuation and fire prevention plans for all hazardous hill areas annually and any areas that are multi jurisdictional should be reviewed jointly. Participants in this review should be engine companies and public education personnel. G. Utilization of Emergency Broadcast System. The access to the Federal Emergency Broadcast System needs to be done via the County Office of Emergency Services. Prior to the need for this, it would be prudent to have the Fire Department notify the OES Director on the proper procedures for gaining this access. As a fire prevention measure it is Saratoga Fire District's contention that the Hazardous Hill Area should be expanded to include parcels all the way down to the West side of Saratoga Sunnyvale Road. This expansion will impose standards for non- combustible roof coverings, vegetation clearance and the installation of the Early Warning Alarm System and residential sprinkler systems. Further, all dwellings in the City in excess of 3500 square feet or that have the capability to be expanded regardless of size shall have the Early Warning Alarm System installed. If you or the Commission have any questions about this report please feel free to contact me. Prepared by: Steve Sporleder, Captain Saratoga Fire District cc: file Sincerely, Ernest O. Kraule, Chief Saratoga Fire District 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NO. ORIGINATING DEPT: City Manager SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL 2.49 MEETING DATE: June 3, 1992 CITY MGR. APPROVAL AGENDA ITEM SUBJECT: Access Restriction on Bohlman Road and Parker Ranch Area on July 4th Recommended Motion: 1. Authorize two sheriff's reserve units to establish a checkpoint at the beginning of Bohlman Road to restrict access on July 4th from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. as requested by Saratoga Fire Chief Kraule. 2. Authorize staff to grant permission through the Special Event Permit process to restrict access to roads in Parker Ranch area on July 4th from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. as requested by the Parker Ranch Homeowners Association. Report Summary: In the past Council has taken action to restrict access of outsiders wishing to view fireworks on July 4th in certain hillside areas of Saratoga which are in the hazardous fire areas and have very limited access. In both the Bohlman Road and Parker Ranch areas reserve deputies will be limiting access to residents and guests of residents by establishing checkpoints, rather than actually closing roads. In the past, the City has covered the cost of assigning two reserve units to Bohlman Road. The Parker Ranch Homeowners Association will coordinate the activities through their protective services management, and will assume all costs for the operation. Because of the nature of this activity, I am recommending waiver of the requirement for a filing fee, clean -up deposit, and extra liability insurance for issuance of a Special Events Permit for the Parker Ranch HOA. The two fire districts in Saratoga and the Sheriff's Office have approved the proposed plans. Fiscal Impacts: $190 for two reserve units at Bohlman Road. Attachments: Correspondence between Assistant to City Manager and Robert Bruno, Director of Protective Services, Parker Ranch HOA. Motion and Vote: PARKER RANCH PROTECTIVE SERVICES A Division of Investigative Protective Services A California Corporation May 8, 1992 Ms. Carolyn King Assistant to City Manager City of Saratoga 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Saratoga, CA 95070 Uoensed by the State of California, Department of Consumer Affairs Stale t c.nses AAl274 PA010101 Morgan Hill, CA 95037 408 778 -7988 408 295 -9044 (Emergency Phone) MAY 111992 CITY OF SARATOGA CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE RE: ROAD CLOSURES FOR JULY 4. 1992 PARKER RANCH COMMUNITY Dear Ms. King: As per our telephone conversation today, we are providing to you a letter in reference to the Forth of July road closure at Parker Ranch. Parker Ranch has had problems over the years with the public crowding the roadways and causing general havoc with the residents at Parker Ranch. Traditionally, Parker Ranch Protective Services have been able to control the access of those during the Fourth of July by blocking off those roads that were not accepted by the city of Saratoga as public roadways. This all worked well until Saratoga took over the maintenance of the roadways, thus bringing to an end to limited access. Last year, we obtained clearance from the City of Saratoga who in turn gave the Parker Ranch Homeowners Association approval to utilize the Sheriff's Office for assistance through the use of paid reserve deputies. On July 4, 1991, the operation commenced for 4 1/2 hours with complete success in cooperation with the neighbors and those not part of the Parker Ranch Community. The response of the public was positive and very accepting. The following is to confirm the actions to take place on July 4, 1992: 1. Three (3) Reserve Deputies with patrol cars are to meet with Parker Ranch Protective Services Personnel at Parker Ranch Road and Burnett at 6:45 p.m. 2. The Deputies will be briefed on the details of the operation and will be given a typed list of the residents and guests of Parker Ranch. 3. Deputies will be posted at: Parker Ranch Road Burnett Court Parker Ranch Road Parker Ranch Court Comer Drive Arroyo De Arguello 4. This operation will terminate at 11:00 p.m. or shortly thereafter. The senior Reserve Deputy in charge of this operation will determine if it will be necessary to continue past the cut -off time. The Parker Ranch Homeowners Association will be paying the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office for the use of the reserve deputies and the patrol vehicles. The City of Saratoga will assume no costs for this operation. In light of the aftermath of the Oakland Hill fire last October and as well as our own past experiences, we know that this preventive measure will provide the highest degree of public safety to all concerned. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please feel free to call our office anytime. Very truly yours, Robert A. Bruno Director of Protective Services Parker Ranch Division RAB /twr cc: Parker Ranch H.O.A. Paul Robles page 2 May 1, 1992 Robert A. Bruno Director of Protective Services Parker Ranch Division 17295 Monterey Road Morgan Hill, CA 95037 Dear Mr Bruno: I have discussed your request regarding proposed security measures in the Parker Ranch Community on July 4, 1992, with Lieutenant Huber of the Sheriff's Department. In order to secure City Council approval for b r has road closures, a y sked th t we us our Special E ent Lieutenant H Permit L process for this activity. I am enclosing a copy of the code relating to Special Events, the Summary of Conditions, and the Indemnity Agreement form. Please respond in writing to the items listed in the Summ ywilf Conditions. Because of the nature of the activity, recommend waiver of the requirement for a filing fee and clean up deposit, and the liability insurance. When I receive your written request, and signed Indemnity Agreement, I will route the application to the Sheriff and Fire Departments, and then place it on the Council agenda for approval. In order to complete this process in time, I will need your response by May 13. Sincerely, arolyn King Assistant to the City Manager Printed on recycled paper. CK:awm /105.ACM Enclosure UMW ©2 0 UC0Dig3 13777 FRUITVALE AVENUE SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA 95070 (408) 867 -3438 COUNCIL MEMBERS: Karen Anderson Martha Cle venger Willem Kohler Victor Monia Francis Stutzman STATUS Printed on recycled paper. oauw ©,ff 13777 FRUITVALE AVENUE SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA 95070 (408) 867 -3438 May 27, 1992 TO: Carolyn King Assistant to the City Manager FROM: SUBJECT: Status Report 12901 Pierce Road COUNCIL MEMBERS: Karen Anderson Martha Clevenger Willem Kohler Victor Monia Francis Stutzman Rebecca R. Spoulos Senior Community Service Officer This memo is a status update regarding the conditions at 12901 Pierce Road. This property is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Michael Bullock. BACKGROUND Since 1964, Mr. Michael Bullock has collected numerous inoperative vehicles, and vehicles parts thereof, on his property located at 12901 Pierce Road, Saratoga, California as a hobby. The storage of these vehicles and parts thereof, was discovered by the Planning department in January 1991 while a field investigation for a Zoning Variance was conducted. At this time there were approximately 100+ vehicles stored upon the 1.75 acres of land. The Planning department recommended that the property be cleared of all inoperative vehicles as a condition of the Variance in March 1991. I conducted a follow -up field investigation for the Planning Department on November 8, 1991. I observed that despite the effort to remove approximately 70 vehicles, there were still numerous large stacks of dismantled vehicles parts and 20+ inoperative vehicles still stored upon the property. It looked similar to an auto salvage yard. Mr. Bullock informed me that he intended to clear the property of the all code violations by April 1992. I submitted a report to the City Council to initiate the public abatement proceedings at their December 18, 1991 Council meeting. On December 18, 1991, the City Council heard the Bullock's plight and granted them an extension until the first of April to clear their property of these vehicles and parts thereof. On April 1, 1992, the City Council reviewed the 'status report from staff on the Bullock's progress, and granted an additional extension of June 1, 1992 to complete the work. On May 26, 1992 I conducted an inspection of the Bullock's property. I observed that Mr. Bullock had a large dumpster on his property. I made contact with him, and he advised that he was filling his last load of debris. I could see that there were approximately 10 car engines, and 15 transmissions in the driveway TO: Carolyn King FROM: Rebecca Spoulos SUBJECT: Status Update -12901 Pierce Road page 2 ready to be loaded. The property appeared to be recently swept and the ground had been raked. I did an inspection of his backyard, and observed that it had been completely cleared of all the vehicle parts, and abandoned vehicles that I had observed on March 5, 1992. Mr. Bullock stated that he had 5 vehicles left on the property, but they were all currently registered, and belong to his family. I did not notice any other existing code violations. Mr. Bullock had adequately cleaned his property. RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that the City Council abandon all public abatement proceedings against the Bullocks. The property has been cleared of all inoperative vehicles, and parts thereof. d l�