HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-03-2020 Public Safety Task Force Agenda PacketSaratoga Public Safety Task Force Agenda - Page 1 of 3
SARATOGA
PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE
REGULAR MEETING
August 3, 2020
6:00 P.M. REGULAR MEETING
Teleconference/Public Participation Information to Mitigate the Spread of COVID‐19
This meeting will be entirely by teleconference. All Council/Commission members, staff, and
public will only participate via the Zoom platform using the process described below. The
meeting is being conducted in compliance with the Governor’s Executive Ord er N‐29‐20
suspending certain teleconference rules required by the Ralph M. Brown Act. The purpose
of this order was to provide the safest environment for the public, elected officials, and staff
while allowing for continued operation of the government and public participation during
the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Members of the public observe and participate in the meeting by:
1. Using the Zoom website at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81007752855 or App (Webinar
ID: 810 0775 2855) and using the tool to raise their hand in the Zoom platform when
directed by the Chair to speak on an agenda item; OR
2. Calling 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833, entering the Webinar ID 810 0775 2855,
and pressing *9 to raise their hand to speak on an agenda item when directed by
the Chair.
The public will not be able to participate in the meeting in person.
As always, members of the public can send written comments to the Task Force prior to the
meeting by commenting online at www.saratoga.ca.us/taskforce prior to the start of the
meeting. These emails will be provided to the members of the Task Force and will become
part of the official record of the meeting. During the meeting the Chair will explain the
process for members of the public to be recognized to offer public comment.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Governor’s Executive Order,
if you need assistance to participate in this meeting due to a disability, please contact the
City Clerk at debbieb@saratoga.ca.us or calling 408.868.1216 as soon as possible before the
meeting. The City will use its best efforts to provide reasonable accommodations to provide
as much accessibility as possible while also maintaining public safety.
Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Agenda - Page 2 of 3
ROLL CALL
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
Any member of the public may address the Public Safety Task Force for up to three (3) minutes on
matters not on the Agenda. The law generally prohibits the Public Safety Task Force from
discussing or taking action on such items. However, the Public Safety Task Force schedule the item
for discussion at a future meeting.
AGENDA ITEMS:
1. Public Safety Task Force Minutes
Recommended Action:
Review and approve the draft minutes from the June 1, 2020 meeting.
2. Wildfire Preparedness and Prevention Outreach Update
Recommended Action:
Receive an update on City communications related to fire preparedness and prevention,
including collaborative City/County Fire efforts.
3. Arrowhead Fire Mitigation Demonstration
Recommended Action:
Receive an update on the Arrowhead fire mitigation effort and demonstration.
4. Proposed Legislation
Recommended Action:
Consider proposed State wildfire preparedness and prevention laws, including
recommended City Council positions on the bills.
5. City Council Final Report
Recommended Action:
Begin development of a final report out to the City Council to be presented to the City
Council before the Task Force sunset in November 2020.
6. Review Work Plan
Recommended Action:
Review the adopted Task Force Work Plan.
7. Future Agenda Items
Recommended Action:
Consider agenda items for upcoming meetings. The next and last regular Task Force
meeting is scheduled for October 5, 2020.
ADJOURNMENT
Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Agenda - Page 3 of 3
CERTIFICATE OF POSTING OF THE AGENDA, DISTRIBUTION OF AGENDA PACKET, &
COMPLIANCE WITH AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
I, Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager for the City of Saratoga, declare that the foregoing agenda
for the meeting of the City Council was posted and available for review on July 31, 2020 at the City of
Saratoga, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, California and on the City's website at
www.saratoga.ca.us
Signed this 31st day of July 2020 at Saratoga, California.
Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager
In accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act, copies of the staff reports and other materials provided
to the City Council by City staff in connection with this agenda, copies of materials distributed to the
City Council concurrently with the posting of the agenda, and materials distributed to the City Council
by staff after the posting of the agenda are available on the City Website at www.saratoga.ca.us.
Following removal of State and local shelter in place orders these materials will be available for review
in the office of the City Clerk at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, California.
In Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need assistance to participate in this
meeting, please contact the City Clerk at debbieb@saratoga.ca.us or calling 408.868.1216 as soon as
possible before the meeting. The City will use its best efforts to provide reasonable accommodations
to provide as much accessibility as possible while also maintaining public safety.
Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Minutes - Page 1 of 4
MINUTES
JUNE 1, 2020
WILDFIRE PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE
REGULAR MEETING
Chair Chuck Page called the virtual Wildfire Public Safety Task Force meeting to order at
6:05 p.m. and explained how the virtual meeting would be conducted.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Chair Chuck Page, Vice Chair Paul Hansen, Members Bill
Cooper
ABSENT: Members May Lu, Arun Venkatachar
ALSO PRESENT: Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager
Chief Jason Falarski, Santa Clara County Fire
Eugenia Rendler, Santa Clara County FireSafe Council Interim
Executive Director
JR Call, Santa Clara County FireSafe Council
Lauren Pettipiece, Public Information Officer
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
Darrell Miller proposed mandatory battery backup for cell towers in areas at risk for wildfire.
Vice Chair Paul Hansen spoke about a demonstration of the fire defense system in the
Arrowhead neighborhood.
AGENDA ITEMS:
1. Public Safety Task Force Minutes
Recommended Action:
Review and approve the draft minutes from the May 4, 2020 meeting.
COOPER/HANSEN MOVED TO APPROVE THE DRAFT MINUTES FROM THE MAY 4, 2020
MEETING. MOTION PASSED. AYES: COOPER, HANSEN, LU, PAGE, VENKATACHAR. NOES:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
2. Firewise Communities (Work Plan Item)
Recommended Action:
Discuss and consider how the City of Saratoga can encourage participation in Firewise
Communities through publicity and outreach, targeting certain communities to
participate in the program, and collaborating with Neighborhood Watch.
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Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Minutes - Page 2 of 4
Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager, introduced the item.
Lauren Pettipiece, Public Information Officer, shared proposed plan for outreach related
to Firewise Communities.
JR Call, Santa Clara County FireSafe Council, discussed support that the FireSafe Council
provides for neighborhoods that are looking to become Firewise Communities.
Chair Page suggested that outreach efforts include clear information about where to find
more information and who to contact for assistance.
The Task Force discussed whether any neighborhoods could achieve Firewise
Communities status before the Task Force sunsets in November 2020.
Eugenia Rendler, Interim Executive Director of the FireSafe Council, shared a status
update on several neighborhoods in Saratoga working towards becoming Firewise
Communities.
3. Wildland Urban Interface Ingress/Egress
Recommended Action:
Consider City of Saratoga Wildland Urban Interface Area ingress and egress points.
Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager, introduced the item.
Task Force Member Cooper shared proposed evacuation maps that he drafted and
suggested directional signage to assist the public during an emergency. He explained that
one benefit of evacuation signage is that it will raise awareness of evacuation routes.
Chief Falarski shared information about how evacuations typically are managed.
The Task Force discussed timing of installation of signage, whether signage would be
visible all the time or only during emergencies, and process for recommending the
Council consider directional evacuation signage.
HANSEN/COOPER MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ALLOCATE
$5,000 FROM THE FISCAL YEAR 2020/21 BUDGET FOR DIRECTIONAL EVACUATION
SIGNAGE TO BE INSTALLED UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THE COUNTY FIRE
DEPARTMENT AND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE.
Chair Page requested an amendment to the motion to request that staff contact wineries
in the City to confirm that they have no concerns about the signage before presenting
the recommendation to the Council. If there are concerns, the Task Force will re-evaluate
the recommendation. Additionally, he suggested that the Task Force make the
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Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Minutes - Page 3 of 4
recommendation without a specific amount as the total cost for signage may be below
$5,000.
Vice Chair Hansen and Task Force Member Cooper accepted the amendments.
HANSEN/COOPER MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL DIRECT STAFF TO
INSTALL DIRECTIONAL EVACUATION SIGNAGE UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THE
COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT AND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE WITH FUNDS FROM THE
FISCAL YEAR 2020/21 BUDGET; IF WINERIES IN THE CITY OF SARATOGA EXPRESS
CONCERN REGARDING DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGE TO CITY STAFF THEN THE
RECOMMENDATION WILL BE BROUGHT BACK TO THE TASK FORCE FOR FURTHER
CONSIDERATION. MOTION PASSED. AYES: COOPER, HANSEN, LU, PAGE, VENKATACHAR.
NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
4. City Council Final Report
Recommended Action:
Begin development of a final report out to the City Council to be presented to the City
Council before the Task Force sunset in November 2020.
Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager, introduced the item.
Chair Page noted the challenges of fully addressing the risks of wildfire within an 18-
month period. The report prepared by the Task Force could capture efforts that the City
Council should consider following the Task Force’s sunset.
Task Force Member Cooper commented on the importance of signage.
Vice Chair Hansen contemplated continuation of a Task Force and suggested future work
efforts.
Task Force Member Venkatachar commented on his experience with the first Task Force
and asked if there are ways to ensure recommendations are followed.
Chair Page suggested that the quarterly public safety postcard include wildfire safety
information, particularly during fire season, and noted that a postcard dedicated to
wildfire safety may be warranted. He also proposed a bi-monthly postcard on wildfire
safety to residents in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) during the wildfire season.
Task Force Member Venkatachar concurred.
Chair Page asked that the next meeting include a draft report that clearly indicates any
recommendations that were raised one-on-one with staff.
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Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Minutes - Page 4 of 4
5. Review Work Plan
Recommended Action:
Review the adopted Task Force Work Plan.
The Task Force reviewed the work plan.
Glenda Aune and Darrell Miller commented on the work plan.
Chair Page asked that the draft Final Report include City Council consideration of
changing its Code Compliance policy to allow anonymous complaints and proactive
enforcement.
6. Future Agenda Items
Recommended Action:
Consider agenda items for upcoming meetings. The next regular Task Force meeting is
scheduled for August 3, 2020.
The Task Force agreed to include the Final Report and directional evacuation signage, if
needed, on the August 3 agenda.
ADJOURNMENT
HANSEN/COOPER MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:38 P.M. MOTION PASSED.
AYES: COOPER, HANSEN, LU, PAGE, VENKATACHAR. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT:
NONE.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager
City of Saratoga
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CITY OF SARATOGA
Memorandum
To: Public Safety Task Force
From: Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager
Date: August 3, 2020
Subject: Wildfire Preparedness and Prevention Outreach Update
The City regularly shares information related to preventing and preparing for wildfires.
The City always requests County Fire input before any messaging is shared with the
community, to ensure that information shared by the City is consistent and in alignment
with County Fire communication priorities. The first table below shows efforts that have
been completed since the last City communications update was shared with the Task
Force. The second table shows communication efforts that are scheduled for August.
Completed Outreach Efforts
Effort Description Timing
Defensible Space
Social Media
Messages
The City regularly shares messaging from County
Fire and CAL FIRE on defensible space that helps
residents understand the purpose of defensible
space and how to create defensible space.
Ongoing
Defensible Space
Banners
Over the summer, banners produced by the City
and County Fire on defensible space have been on
display.
Summer
2020
COVID-19 &
Defensible Space
The City did social media outreach encouraging the
public to establish and maintain defensible space,
as allowed under the Health Orders at the time.
April
2020
Red Flag Warning
Days Social Media
Messages
The City regularly shares messaging from County
Fire and CAL FIRE on Red Flag Warning Days that
inform the public of what Red Flag Warning Days
are and what to do or avoid doing on Red Flag
Warning Days.
Ongoing
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Ready, Set, Go
Social Media
Messages
The City regularly shares messaging from County
Fire on the County’s Ready, Set, Go campaign to
teach residents how to prepare for a disaster, how
to prevent disasters, and what to do during a
disaster, including wildfires.
Ongoing
Ready Set, Go,
Banners
Over the summer, banners produced by the City
and County Fire on the Ready, Set, Go campaign
have been on display.
Summer
2020
FireSafe Council
Free Resources
The City did social media outreach on free chipping
and other resources available to residents through
the FireSafe Council.
May
2020
Saratoga Sunny
Side Up – County
Fire
This episode of Saratoga Sunny Side Up featured
Chief Tony Bowden, who spoke about fire
prevention efforts. He also shared information
about things residents can do to prevent and
prepare for wildfire.
May
2020
Neighborhood
Watch Newsletter
The June 2020 Neighborhood Watch Newsletter
featured information on how residents can prepare
for Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) on days
when there is a high risk for fire and announced an
online County Fire class on emergency
preparedness.
June
2020
City News Postcard The City News postcard mailed to all Saratoga
residents included information on wildfire
preparedness, resources available through the
FireSafe Council, and the Ready, Set, Go campaign.
July 2020
Neighborhood
Watch Newsletter
The July 2020 Neighborhood Watch Newsletter
included information about Red Flag Warnings and
encouraged groups for form Firewise Communities,
including support available through the FireSafe
Council.
July 2020
August 2020 Outreach Efforts
Effort Description Timing
Public Safety
Postcard – Fire
Edition
All Saratoga households will receive a fire
safety edition of the Public Safety postcard
with information on how to create
defensible space, how to become a Firewise
Community, how to prepare for PSPS, and
the purpose of Red Flag Warning Days
August 3, 2020
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Saratoga Drive-In County Fire informational videos will be
featured prior to the start of the Saratoga
Drive-In event.
August 6, 2020
City Council
Announcements
Messaging on wildfire prevention and
preparedness resources will be provided to
the Mayor to be shared at the regular City
Council Meeting in August.
August 19, 2020
Saratoga Source
Newsletter
The August 2020 Saratoga Source will
feature information on Firewise
Communities and PSPS preparedness.
August 2020
Neighborhood
Watch Newsletter
The August 2020 Neighborhood Watch
newsletter will include a defensible space
checklist and information on how to stay
safe during outages.
August 2020
PSPS Social Media
Messages
The City will be sharing information on how
residents can prepare for PSPS events this
fire season.
August 2020
Wildfire Prevention
– City Website
The City will be posting information about
preventing wildfires on the City homepage.
August 2020
Firewise
Communities Social
Media Messages
The City will be sharing information about
Firewise Communities, including resources
available through the FireSafe Council, with
neighborhoods in the WUI.
August 2020
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CITY OF SARATOGA
Memorandum
To: Public Safety Task Force
From: Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager
Date: August 3, 2020
Subject: Proposed Legislation
This item has been included on the Task Force’s August agenda to provide the Task Force
with the opportunity to consider several proposed wildfire preparedness and prevention
bills, including whether to recommend a position on the bills to the City Counc il. Any Task
Force recommended positions on the bills will be tentatively scheduled for the August
19, 2020 City Council Regular Meeting. A summary of the bills is included below.
Assembly Bill 2167 (Daly and Cooley)
More and more insurers have opted to reduce risk by decreasing the number of policy
holders in areas at risk for wildfire and increasing rates. While the California FAIR Plan
will insure any property, many property owners prefer a private market alternative.
Assembly Bill (AB) 2167 would make it easier for insurers to write more insurance policies
in high risk areas through creation of the Insurance Market Action Plan (IAMP) that
insurers would file with the Insurance Commissioner for properties in eligible counties.
IAMP filings would need to include rates, a plan for maintaining the insurer’s solvency,
and mitigation requirements. Supporters argue that the IAMP will give consumers better
options than the California FAIR plan that offer more coverage at reduced costs. Those
who oppose the bill argue that it reduces California’s ability to effectively regulate
insurance rates.
Senate Bill 292 (Rubio)
Senate Bill (SB) 292 is a companion measure to Assembly Bill 2167. Senate Bill 292
focuses on the mitigation components of the IMAP. It includes formulas for identifying
counties eligible for IMAP and provides additional guidance and requirements related to
the IMAP process. The bill has been supported by the Fire District Association of
California, Personal Insurance Federation of California, and the California FireSafe
Council. It has been opposed by the Consumer Federation of California and Consumer
Watchdog.
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Assembly Bill 2178 (Levine)
If adopted, Assembly Bill (AB) 2178 would allow local jurisdictions and the State to
recognize public safety power shutoffs as emergencies. Currently, State law does not
recognize a planned electrical outage as an emergency. Allowing local jurisdictions to
proclaim a local emergency due to a public safety power shutoff allows cities and
counties to rapidly deploy resources or seek outside resources if needed. The bill has
been supported by the League of California Cities.
Assembly Bill 3256 (Garcia, Eduardo)
Assembly Bill (AB) 3256 would authorize the issuance of more than $6.9 billion in General
Obligation bonds to fund economic recovery, wildfire prevention, safe drinking water,
drought preparation, and flood protection programs and projects. A total of $1.6 billion
in bonds would be dedicated to wildfire prevention and climate risk reduction. The bill
has been supported by the League of California Cities.
Senate Bill 431 (McGuire)
Senate Bill (SB) 431 would result in the creation of standards for cell tower backup power,
including a requirement that backup systems last a minimum of 72 hours. Additionally,
it would result in development of ways to warn customers when backup power systems
are low or when the transceiver can no longer be supported by the backup system. The
bill has been supported by the League of California Cities, California Fire Chiefs
Association, Fire District Association of California, and California State Sheriff’s
Association.
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CITY OF SARATOGA
Memorandum
To: Public Safety Task Force
From: Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager
Date: August 3, 2020
Subject: City Council Final Report
The Task Force will sunset in November 2020, with the last regular meeting scheduled
for October 5, 2020. At the June 2020 meeting, the Task Force started discussion on a
final report to be submitted to the City Council in advance of November that captures
the Task Force’s progress on the work plan as well as reflections on the Task Force’s
efforts and recommendations for the City Council to consider implementing following
the end of the Task Force.
The attached draft of the Final Report is based on input provided at the June 2020
meeting. No additional input or suggestions were submitted to staff following the
meeting.
Additionally, the Task Force received public comment at the June 2020 meeting on the
City’s current Code Compliance Policy that prohibits anonymous complaints and
operates on a complaint basis. Staff was asked to include this topic as part of discussion
in the Final Report so that the Task Force could consider whether to recommend changes
to the City Council.
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Wildfire Public Safety
Task Force Final Report
BACKGROUND
The Wildfire Public Safety Task Force was created by the City Council in February 2019 to
serve in an advisory capacity on matters related to wildfire and emergency preparedness for
a limited term ending in November 2020. The Task Force was specifically charged with
providing recommendations on improvements and additions to the Community Wildfire
Protection Plan, strategies to strengthen wildfire hazard mitigation and emergency
preparedness, and also serve as community ambassadors on wildfire and emergency
preparedness.
The Wildfire Task Force was formed following a recommendation of the original Public Safety
Task Force, which ended November 30, 2018. The original Task Force was developed to
provide the City Council recommendations for enhancing public safety for the City Council
to consider. One of the Task Force's recommendations included continuation of a new Task
Force.
The 6-member Wildfire Task Force has been holding regular meetings on the first Monday
of every other month. Additionally, the Task Force has held a number of special meetings
since being formed. In total, the Task Force held 13 meetings, including both regular and
special meetings.
Chief Jason Falarski with the Santa Clara County Fire Department attended the Task Force’s
meetings to share his experience, perspective, and insights with the Task Force. Additionally,
the Task Force has met with the County Fire Public Information Officer, City Public
Information Officer, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office West Valley Patrol Division Capt ain,
and representatives of the Santa Clara County FireSafe Council.
The Task Force’s first effort included preparing a proposed work plan to guide the group’s
efforts before the Task Force’s November 2020 sunset. The City Council approved the Task
Force’s Work Plan in October 2019. Since then, the Task Force has been working diligently to
carry out the work plan.
ABOUT THE FINAL REPORT
The Wildfire Public Safety Task Force’s Final Report includes a status report on the Task
Force’s progress is included in the final report. Additionally, this report captures the Task
Force’s reflections on the efforts to date as well as recommendations to the City Council for
the future.
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Page 2
WORK PLAN PROGRESS
The Work Plan identified goals for the Task Force’s efforts, as well as strategies and tactics to
achieve those goals. The goals that guided the Task Force included increasing public
awareness of wildfire safety and risk, as well as reducing wildfire fuels. While the Task Force
has been active, it has successfully completed each of the strategies and tactics identified in
the work plan to achieve these two goals. Some of these require an ongoing effort, such as
increasing awareness on wildfire preparedness and prevention.
GOALS STRATEGIES TACTICS PROGRESS
1. Increase
Public
Awareness
A. Establish and
synchronize
educational
materials with
County Fire
B. Promote
Firewise
Communities
1) Use City and County Fire
communication channels, such as
postcards, banners, City Council
Meeting Announcements, and wildfire
workshops hosted by County Fire
Complete/Ongoing. Task
Force met with Fire and
City PIOs on increasing
wildfire preparedness and
prevention awareness.
2) Present fire preparedness/prevention
information at Neighborhood Watch
meetings
Complete/Ongoing.
Information has been
shared at City hosted
Neighborhood Watch
events and through City
Neighborhood Watch
communications.
3) Publicize and promote Firewise
Communities, identify target
communities for Firewise, and
collaborate with Neighborhood Watch
to promote Firewise Communities
Complete/Ongoing. City
to start outreach on
Firewise Communities.
4) Consider purchase of a mobile LRAD
for emergency communications
Complete. Task Force
decided not to
recommend purchase of
mobile LRAD at 5/4/20
meeting.
2. Reduce
Wildfire
Fuels
A. Make funding
available for
fuel reduction
B. Review City
policies and
regulations for
opportunities to
reduce wildfire
risk
1) Asses City ordinances, including the
tree ordinance, for opportunities to
reduce wildfire risk
Complete. Task Force
finalized
recommendations at
2/3/20 meeting. To be
considered by Planning
Commission and City
Council.
2) Explore and consider expanding
Saratoga Fire Protection District Dead
Tree Program
Complete. Task Force
recommendation
incorporated into FY
2020/21 proposed budget.
3) Establish/support/expand curbside
chipping/cleanup day
Complete. Task Force
recommendation
incorporated into FY
2020/21 proposed budget.
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Page 3
4) Expand opportunities to expand work
with the FireSafe Council and chipping
program
Complete. Task Force
recommendation
incorporated into FY
2020/21 proposed budget.
5) Increase annual funding for Santa
Clara County FireSafe Council
agreement to include free chipping
day for neighborhoods that are in the
process of becoming or have been
certified as a Firewise Community.
Complete. Task Force
recommendation
incorporated into FY
2020/21 proposed budget.
6) Partner with West Valley Cities served
by Santa Clara County Fire to
proportionally fund (based on
population) development of a Santa
Clara County Fire Department fuel
reduction crew and continue allocating
in future years to provide funding for
the hand crew to maintain fuel
reduction projects/fuel breaks.
Complete. Task Force
decided not to further
pursue tactic at 4/6/20
meeting.
REFLECTIONS & FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS
In reviewing the work of the Task Force, the members of the Task Force identified several
reflections on the group’s efforts and recommendations for the future to be considered by
the City Council.
Signage
In June 2020, the Task Force recommended that the City Council direct staff to install
directional evacuation signage in the Wildland Urban Interface under the guidance of the
Santa Clara County Fire Department and Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office using funds from
the Fiscal Year 2020/21 budget. Members of the Task Force felt that signage plays an
important role in educating the community on the risk for wildfire in Saratoga and
encourages them to think about what they will do in the event of a fire. Several Task Force
Members felt signage is a tool that should be continued.
Continuation of the Task Force
While the Task Force managed to work through its work plan in a 18-month period, members
of the Task Force noted that there is still more work that can be done and contemplated
continuation of a Task Force.
Fire Safety Postcard
The City currently mails a public safety postcard to all residents 4 times per year. The Task
Force considered sending a postcard with fire safety and prevention information to residents
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in the Wildland Urban Interface every 2 months during wildfire season to help educate
residents and encourage them to prepare for and prevent wildfires.
Code Compliance Policy
At the June 2020 meeting, the Task Force heard from two residents who raised concerns
about the City’s current Code Compliance process. Specifically, the residents suggested that
the City allow anonymous complaints and proactive enforce violations that represent a fire
risk. Per the City Council adopted Code Compliance Policy, the City does not accept
anonymous complaints and operates on a compliant basis with the exception of violations
that are an imminent threat to public health or safety or as directed by resolution of the City
Council. Additionally, Compliance officers may proactively enforce violations found within
the vicinity of an alleged violation and City permits, conditions of approval, and parking
regulations may be enforced through inspections and compliance monitoring.
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