HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 2080 RESOLUTION NO. 2080
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SARATOGA ESTABLISHING A PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION
WHEREAS, one of the fundamental purposes of City government is
to provide for public safety and law enforcement; and
WHEREAS, since incorporation the City of Saratoga has provided
for law enforcement and keeping the peace through contract with the
Sheriff of Santa Clara County, which each year accounts for the largest
single expenditure of the City; and
WHEREAS, the people of Saratoga have traditionally maintained a
strong interest and support in adequate law enforcement within the
community; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that it is in the public interest
to improve law enforcement programs and public safety by increasing
community involvement and participation in such program; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to focus more attention and in-
volvement of the public on the quality and effectiveness of law enforce-
ment services,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council hereby
establishes a Public Safety Commission. The structure, purposes and
functions of the Public Safety Commission are identified below.
Purpose - The purposes of the Commission shall be the following:
Increase the awareness of and attention to the law enforcement
services and public safety needs of the community;
Improve communications and involvement among the community,
the City government and the law enforcement agencies on law
enforcement services, needs and programs;
Support and encourage preventative and proactive responses
to law enforcement needs in the community; including
increased participation of citizens and programs;
Provide support to the City Council and staff for meeting
their responsibilities on law enforcement and public safety
needs and continually evaluate all available means for pro-
viding law enforcement services in an efficient and
effective manner.
Authorit~ and Respon~i~il~ti.~s
The Commission is an advisory agency to the City Council.
It is not authorized to set policy or give directions to
the Sheriff, Chief of Police or City staff. The Commission
is authorized to investigate, review and analyze
issues and make recommendations to the City Council.
The Commission shall have such other authority to
carry out tasks as may be approved and authorized by
the City Council.
The Commission is responsible for the following functions.
1) Policy Advice: Receive referrals from the City
Council or initiate reviews and analyses on issues
affecting the overall public safety of the
community; prepare recommendations to the City
Council on appropriate action or policies.
2) Crime Prevention: Analyze crime reports, data
and trends in the community; develop ideas for
programs to prevent or reduce crime in the community
and increase public safety.
3) Community Participation: Develop and sponsor
programs on crime prevention and public safety,
particularly information and education programs
to obtain increased citizen involvement and
participation.
4) Community-Police Relations: Improve positive rela-
tions and understanding between the community and
law enforcement officials; respond to or address
concerns expressed by either the community or law
enforcement personnel.
5) Traffic Safety: Review and recommend traffic
safety regulations, measures and programs for the
community. On referral, consider requests from
citizens for traffic regulating devices and recommend
appropriate actions to the City Council.
Organization and operaS. ion
The Commission shall consist of five members who shall
be residents of Saratoga. At its option, the City
Council may appoint one of its members to serve at the
Council's pleasure on the Public Safety Commission. At
least four of the members of the Commission shall be
appointed to serve four-year overlapping terms. Upon
initial appointments, the City Council shall designate
the order of terms.
The Commission shall abide by State law and the Ralph M.
Brown Act. Unless it specifically decides otherwise, the
Commission shall conduct its proceedings according to
-2-
the Revised Roberts Rules of Order. Annually, the
Commission shall determine one of its members to
serve as presiding officer, or chair.
Meetings and Staffinq
Meetings of the Commission shall be held once monthly
on a regular schedule to be determined by the Commission.
Study sessions and special meetings may be set by order
of the presiding officer.
Because of limited staff availability, it is intended
that the Commission operate as self-sufficiently as
possible. The City Manager is responsible to provide
such staff services as are required by the Commission,
subject to the City Manager's determination of availability.
Citizen volunteers may be recruited to satisfy unmet staf-
fing needs, under the direction of the City Manager.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council shall review the
effectiveness and progress of the Commission after one year of its
operation.
The above and foregoing resolution was passed and adopted by the City
Council of the City of Saratoga on the 3rd day of August,
1983, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Callon, Clevenger, Fanelli, Mallory and Mayor
Moyles
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK