HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-03-2020 Public Safety Task Force MinutesSaratoga Public Safety Task Force Minutes - Page 1 of 3
MINUTES
FEBRUARY 3, 2020
WILDFIRE PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE
REGULAR MEETING
Chair Chuck Page called the Wildfire Public Safety Task Force Meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
in the Linda Callon Conference Room at Saratoga City Hall at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Chair Chuck Page, Vice Chair Paul Hansen, Members Bill
Cooper, May Lu, Michael Zhang
ABSENT: Members Arun Venkatachar (excused)
ALSO PRESENT: Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager
Chief Jason Falarski, Santa Clara County Fire
Lauren Pettipiece, Public Information Officer
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
None
AGENDA ITEMS:
1. Public Safety Task Force Minutes
Recommended Action:
Review and approve the draft minutes from the December 2, 2019 meeting.
HANSEN/ZHANG MOVED TO APPROVE THE DRAFT MINUTES FROM THE DECEMBER 2,
2019 MEETING. MOTION PASSED. AYES: HANSEN, PAGE, COOPER LU, ZHANG. NOES:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: VENKATACHAR.
2. Public Outreach & Increasing Wildfire Public Awareness (Work Plan Item)
Recommended Action:
Discuss the Wildfire Task Force’s public outreach goals and objectives with the City of
Saratoga Public Information Officer, so that the City can support the Wildfire Public Safety
Task Force’s work plan goal to increase public awareness of wildfire.
Lauren Pettipiece, Public Information Officer, discussed City communications and
opportunities for increasing wildfire public awareness.
Chair Page noted a need for communications directed to property owners and residents
in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). Vice Chair Hansen agreed.
Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Minutes - Page 2 of 3
Vice Chair Hansen suggested that the Mayor promote and share more about the efforts
of the Task Force.
Task Force Member Zhang recommended that the City create an actionable
communication piece, such as a checklist. Chair Page added that an actionable piece
could be a magnet with wildfire prevention tips and regulations.
Task Force Member Cooper noted that sharing real life stories may help influence
behavior and motivate people to take action.
The Task Force collectively supported an outreach piece featuring actionable items, such
as a checklist, and sharing real life stories about wildfire preparedness and prevention.
3. Wildfire Risk Reduction in the City Code (Work Plan Item)
Recommended Action:
Finalize recommended City Code changes for the Planning Commission and City Council
to consider that will help reduce wildfire risk in the City of Saratoga.
Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager, introduced the item.
The Task Force discussed recommended changes.
Daryl Miller commented on the agenda item.
COOPER/HANSEN MOVED TO RECOMMEND THE CITY COUNCIL: 1) ADOPT AN
ORDINANCE THAT WOULD ADD AN 11TH CRITERIA FOR REMOVAL OF A TREE IN CITY
CODE SECTION 15-50.080 THAT READS: THE NECESSITY TO REMOVE A TREE
FOLLOWING THE CREATION OF DEFENSIBLE SPACE WITHIN 100 FEET OF STRUCTURES
ON THE PROPERTY, BECAUSE THE TREE IS LOCATED IN THE WILDLAND URBAN
INTERFACE, IS WITHIN 100 FEET OF A STRUCTURE, AND CREATES AN INCREASED
WILDFIRE RISK ACCORDING TO THE DEFENSIBLE SPACE STANDARDS ESTABLISHED BY
CAL FIRE, OR AS DETERMINED BY SANTA CLARA COUNTY FIRE, AND THAT RISK
CANNOT REASONABLY BE ADDRESSED THROUGH MAINTENANCE; 2) IF THE 11 TH
CRITERIA IS ADOPTED, DIRECT STAFF TO PLACE A MORATORIUM ON ANY TREE
REPLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS, INCLUDING PAYMENT INTO THE TREE FUND, FOR
TREES REMOVED UNDER THIS NEW CRITERIA THROUGH THE END OF 2020; AND, 3)
ALLOW THE CITY’S TREE FUND TO BE USED FOR FUEL REDUCTION PURPOSES.
MOTION PASSED. AYES: HANSEN, PAGE, COOPER LU, ZHANG. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN:
NONE. ABSENT: VENKATACHAR.
Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Minutes - Page 3 of 3
4. Review Work Plan
Recommended Action:
Review the adopted Task Force work plan.
Chair Page summarized progress on the Task Force’s work plan and commented on
prioritizing future work efforts.
5. Future Agenda Items
Recommended Action:
Consider agenda items for upcoming meetings. The next regular Task Force meeting is
scheduled for April 6, 2020.
The Task Force requested that the following agenda items for the April meeting:
- Status update on recommended change to the tree removal criteria in the City Code
- Discussion of a wildfire reduction fund and other budget-related work plan items,
including:
o Mobile LRAD for emergency communications
o Exploring and possibly expanding Saratoga Fire Protection District Dead Tree
Program
o Expanding opportunities to work with FireSafe Council and expand the
chipping program, including curbside chipping/cleanup days
o Increasing funding for Santa Clara County FireSafe Council
o Partnering with West Valley cities to fund a fuel reduction crew
ADJOURNMENT
COOPER/ZHANG MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:18 P.M. MOTION PASSED.
AYES: HANSEN, PAGE, COOPER LU, ZHANG. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT:
VENKATACHAR.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager
City of Saratoga