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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-26-2017 Minutes - Public Safety Task ForceSaratoga Public Safety Task Force Minutes - Page 1 of 4 MINUTES OCTOBER 26, 2017 PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE REGULAR MEETING Chair John Hirokawa called the regular meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. in the City Hall Administrative Conference Room at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Members Ray Cosyn, Sudip Ghosal, John Hirokawa, Rebecca Jepsen, Chuck Page ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager Captain Rich Urena, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office REPORT ON POSTING OF THE AGENDA Deputy City Manager Crystal Bothelio reported that the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on October 19, 2017. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS None AGENDA ITEMS: 1. Public Safety Task Force Minutes Recommended Action: Review and approve draft minutes from the September 28, 2017 meeting COSYN/PAGE MOVED TO APPROVE THE DRAFT MINUTES FROM THE SEPTEMBER 28, 2017 MEETING. MOTION PASSED. AYES: COSYN, HIROKAWA, JEPSEN, PAGE. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: GHOSAL. 2. Public Safety Metrics Recommended Action: Review monthly update to public safety metrics. Captain Rich Urena provided an overview of the public safety metrics, noting that there were 9 residential burglaries last month. The Task Force discussed the metrics, common methods of entry for residential burglaries, and recent arrests. Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Minutes - Page 2 of 4 3. Neighborhood Watch Leader Gathering Debrief Recommended Action: Discuss the Neighborhood Watch Leader Gathering on October 15, 2017 and outcomes of the event. Deputy City Manager Crystal Bothelio provided an overview of key takeaways from the Neighborhood Watch Leader Gathering. The Task Force asked staff to add a postcard or tear out with public safety tips in the Saratoga News to the list of takeaways from the event. The Task Force suggested organizing the outcomes into two categories: demographics/basic information and issues/concerns. The Task Force discussed what went well during the event and what can be improved. The Task Force discussed the next Neighborhood Watch Leader Gathering. The Task Force discussed focusing future gatherings on best practices, rather than basic facts about each group, such as number of households. The Task Force considered how to address the request for a postcard or handout in the Saratoga News with public safety tips. The Task Force asked staff to look up pricing information on a postcard/handout in the Saratoga News and a postcard mailed directly to all Saratoga households. 4. Saratoga Safety Fair Recommended Action: Consider Saratoga Safety Fair program and budget. Task Force Member requested a fire truck at the event and inquired about bringing the Sheriff’s Office helicopter to the Redwood Middle School athletic field. The Task Force discussed the possibility of inviting private businesses to host resource tables and charging a sponsorship fee. HIROKAWA/PAGE MOVED TO INCLUDE A TOTAL OF 30 RESOURCE TABLES AT THE SAFETY FAIR WITH A TOTAL OF 10 RESERVED FROM GOVERNMENT AGENCIES/SERVICE PROVIDER AND REQUESTED STAFF PREPARE A FUNDRAISING PLAN FOR CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION TO ALLOW THE CITY TO CHARGE $250 PER RESOURCE TABLE FOR BUSINESS RESOURCE TABLE HOSTS. MOTION PASSED. AYES: COSYN, GHOSAL, HIROKAWA, JEPSEN, PAGE. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. JEPSEN/PAGE MOVED TO REQUEST THE CITY COUNCIL ALLOCATE $2,500 FOR THE SAFETY FAIR. MOTION PASSED. AYES: COSYN, GHOSAL, HIROKAWA, JEPSEN, PAGE. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Minutes - Page 3 of 4 5. Neighborhood Watch Leader & CERT Gathering Recommended Action: Consider budget for the Neighborhood Watch Leader & CERT Gathering and prepare for joint meeting with CERT Leadership to plan the event. The Task Force discussed the possibility of holding two gatherings per year, with the Neighborhood Watch Leader & CERT Gathering serving as the second gathering of the year. The Task Force agreed to hold the second gathering in April and asked staff to look at availability of City facilities. The Task Force agreed to meet with the CERT leadership in February. PAGE/JEPSEN MOVED TO REQUEST CITY COUNCIL ALLOCATE $1,500 FOR A NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH/CERT LEADERSHIP GATHERING IN APRIL. MOTION PASSED. AYES: COSYN, GHOSAL, HIROKAWA, JEPSEN, PAGE. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. 6. Public Safety Webpage Recommended Action: Receive preview of the City’s new public safety webpage. Vice Chair Page suggested displaying the crime statistics on the right side of the page. Task Member Jepsen suggested using icons with the prevention and safety tips. 7. Ongoing Success and Sustainability of Neighborhood Watch Recommended Action: Discuss opportunities for the ongoing success and sustainability of Neighborhood Watch, process and guidelines for forming a Neighborhood Watch group, and guidelines for keeping Neighborhood Watch groups active. Task Force Member Jepsen suggested that the City help new groups establish Neighborhood Watch boundaries. Chair Hirokawa suggested creating a mentorship program that allows new Neighborhood Watch leaders to learn from experienced leaders. Task Force Member Ghosal suggested creating a video on how to form a Neighborhood Watch Group. Chair Hirokawa and Task Force Member Jepsen agreed with the idea. HIROKAWA/COSYN MOVED TO FORM A SUBCOMMITTEE COMPRISED OF VICE CHAIR PAGE AND TASK FORCE MEMBER JEPSEN TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL BOUNDARIES OF NEW NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH GROUPS. MOTION PASSED. AYES: COSYN, GHOSAL, HIROKAWA, JEPSEN, PAGE. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Minutes - Page 4 of 4 8. Future Agenda Items Recommended Action: Consider agenda items for upcoming meetings. The Task Force rescheduled the November 30 meeting for November 21 at 6:00 p.m. The Task Force requested that November 21 meeting include budget requests to be presented to the City Council and the Safety Fair. The Task Force also confirmed that it will hold its joint meeting with CERT Leadership in February. ADJOURNMENT – 8:08 p.m. Chair Hirokawa adjourned the meeting at 8:08 p.m. Minutes respectfully submitted: Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager City of Saratoga