Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-29-2004 City Council Minutes MINUTES CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE 183 NORTH MAIN STREET LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2004 ************************************************************* CALL TO ORDER Mayor Buckley called the City Council Study Session to order at 4:00 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: HICKMAN, KELLEY, MAGEE, SCHIFFNER BUCKLEY ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE Also present were: City Manager Watenpaugh, Assistant City Manager Best, Deputy City Attorney Steve Miles, Administrative Services Director Pressey, Community Development Director Brady, Community Services Director Sapp, Lake & Aquatic Resources Director Kilroy, Public Works Manager Payne, Parks & Open Space Manager Fazzio, Police Lieutenant Featherolf, and Deputy City Clerk Ray. DISCUSSION ITEMS (F:59.6) Mayor Buckley gave an overview of the history of the Public Safety Commission. He noted the Commission was started in the mid 80' s and slowly diminished. The idea of reestablishing the Commission was entertained one year ago by Council. During that time Council expressed there feeling and gave their views on the Public Safety Commission. PAGE TWO-STUDY SESSION-JANUARY 29, 2004 - Public Comments Tim Fleming, stated that he along with Councilman Hickman attended a meeting at Martha's Village & Kitchen (homeless shelter) in Indio; Wendy Kolk from Supervisor Buster's Office also attended the meeting. He commented that there was no disaster relief in Lake Elsinore. He indicated there were some discrepancies on the City of Lake Elsinore/Riverside County Emergency Personnel List. Mr. Fleming suggested forming a citizen group based on future districts. Councilman Hickman commented that Temecula formed a citizens group overseen by the School District, Fire Department and Police Department. He stated that Temecula had two 40 ft. trailers that were mobile. He further commented that Lake Elsinore had no disaster plan. Mayor Buckley gave an overview of the packet presented to Council. He commended Councilman Magee on his proposed draft of Chapter 2.46 of the Lake Elsinore Municipal Code. - Ron Hewison, 35 Villa Valtelena, Tuscany Hills, commented that there were potential fire hazards in the Tuscany Hills area. He further commented that he had submitted recommendations for public safety issues. Councilman Magee commended Mr. Hewison on his detailed research and recommendations. Councilman Magee submitted a proposed draft of the Lake Elsinore Municipal Code Chapter 2.46 regarding the Public Safety Commission. He commented that the Commission would be helpful to police, fire and code enforcement. He noted that he would like to see the City complaint form available on the City website. Councilman Hickman stated his concern was that there was no disaster relief in Lake Elsinore. He suggested following Temecula's design. He stated his idea of public safety was not to watch over the Police Department. Mayor Buckley commented that the Disaster Preparedness Plan was updated every few years. He indicated that he would like to include public health in - PAGE THREE-STUDY SESSION-JANUARY 29, 2004 public safety. He noted grant funds might be available. Mayor Buckley commended Councilman Magee on the draft he submitted regarding the Public Safety Commission. He also suggested a citizen patrol/action patrol. Councilman Schiffuer indicated that he was not in support of any commission or committee to oversee the Police Department; however he was in support of disaster relief and felt it was an excellent idea. He stated in his opinion the City Council was not ready to approve a commission at this time. He suggested forming an Ad Hoc Committee and presenting a package to Council. He reiterated that he would not approve any oversight of the Police Department. Councilman Magee asked the City Manager to give an overview of the disaster plan the City had in place at this time. City Manager Watenpaugh explained that the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) was located in Conference Room A at City Hall. He noted there were satellite phones to communicate with the County. He noted that Red Cross set up shelters depending on the disaster and the location. Mayor Pro Tern Kelley commented that there were some good ideas put on the table for the Council to consider. She stated that she could support the duties in the draft as proposed. She noted the citizen patrol/action patrol suggested by Mayor Buckley would need to be considered later. She understood there was a Countywide plan, but suggested there was a need for a Citywide plan that would include disaster preparedness. She complimented Mr. Hewison on the suggestions he had submitted. Police Lieutenant F eatherolf, suggested that if Council was to elect a committee that it be an Advisory Council. He stated that from past experience an Advisory Council had been more effective with the community and law enforcement. He continued to say it would be an advisory body not an investigative body. He noted that the present ordinance would not work well if the Council elected to have an Advisory Council, as the ordinance would need to be revised. He noted that there PAGE FOUR-STUDY SESSION-JANUARY 29,2004 - would always be a cost with an Advisory Councilor Public Safety Commission. Councilman Hickman requested a copy of Temecula's Disaster Relief Plan. Public Works Manager Bill Payne commented that he would contact Phillip Bardos, Riverside Office of Emergency Services to obtain that information. Mayor Buckley commented there was no intent to micromanage public safety mechanics. He commented Councilmembers would only be responsible for appointing individuals of their choice. He asked Police Lieutenant Featherolfifthere should be any type of background review of the individuals. Police Lieutenant Featherolfrecommended screenings and background investigations. City Manager Watenpaugh recommended everyone chosen be over the age of21. - Councilman Magee agreed with Councilman Schiffner to appoint an Ad Hoc Committee. City Manager Watenpaugh indicated that with the direction of the Council, staff could start working on Lake Elsinore Municipal Code Chapter 2.46. He recommended having representatives from the Police, Fire, Code Enforcement and Public Works Manager Bill Payne who was the Disaster Preparedness Coordinator to give input to the Council. Councilman Magee stated that the LEMC needed to be rewritten. He suggested another draft of the LEMC Chapter 2.46. Mayor Buckley noted that he would like to see public health added to the draft. He indicated the information that would be brought back to Council would need to include duties and responsibilities. He commented that the title was very important; whereas the word commission implied a definite - PAGE FIVE-STUDY SESSION-JANUARY 29, 2004 sense of permanence; whereas the word advisory council or committee did not; and to ensure it did not fade away again, appointed individuals that give their time and serve, needed to know that they were making a difference as opposed to just advising. He commented the Public Safety Commission was just as important as the Planning Commission. He asked fellow councilmembers if they would like to appoint an Ad Hoc Committee or elect two Councilmembers to work with staff. Councilman Schiffuer suggested that two Councilmembers along with staff rewrite Chapter 2.46 and bring it back to Council. Council agreed an Ad Hoc Committee would not be appointed and staff would work with Councilman Magee and Mayor Buckley. Daniel Uhlry commented he agreed with the screening process and suggested following the City ofPerris guidelines regarding section 2.48.010. He noted the Public Safety Commission should assist the police and sheriff patrols, not be a detriment. Chris Hyland suggested that there should be input from the public. She noted that the Council and Staff were going to rewrite the draft and there was not any public input; and she felt a member of the public should also be involved with the rewrite of Chapter 2.46. Mayor Buckley stated that the public could e-mail Councilmembers and staff or mail their ideas to the City regarding the issue. Edith Stafford complimented Councilmember Magee on the draft he submitted and asked to have a disaster plan implemented. She noted the community needed more eyes and ears and felt this was a good idea. City Manager Watenpaugh noted that the City had received phone calls from Tim Fleming and George Alongi, requesting to be considered for the Commission. Mayor Buckley thanked everyone for attending to the Study Session. PAGE SIX-STUDY SESSION-JANUARY 29, 2004 - ADJOURNMENT THE CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION WAS ADJOURNED AT 5:00 P.M. EY, MAYOR ELSINORE Respectfully submitted, - L ~/ " ,,' , re t~adeputy City Clerk EST: VIA~Jc, CITY CLERK! HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE -