HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-05-10 - AGENDA REPORTS - PUBLIC SAFETY CMTE (2)Agenda Item: 16
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
UNFINISHED BUSINESS City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by:
DATE: May 10, 2011
SUBJECT: CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council discuss formation of a City Council Public Safety Subcommittee and provide
direction.
BACKGROUND
During the January 25, 2011, City Council Meeting, Councilmember Bob Kellar requested that
the City Council consider forming a City Council Public Safety Subcommittee. Subsequently, at
the April 12, 2011, City Council meeting, the City Council gave direction to further explore the
concept and to develop a scope or set of parameters for the proposed subcommittee.
The City Council employs the use of various subcommittees and ad-hoc committees in order for
the Council to spend more time working on topics of particular interest. These committees
typically meet on an as -needed basis and provide input to the City Manager, or to formulate
recommendations to the City Council. The use of committees is a useful tool for the City
Manager to gain additional input or insight from members of the City Council, and a valuable
tool for the City Council to delve into issues and help frame future policy direction. As with all
City subcommittees, the City Manager is responsible for the issue area and includes appropriate
staff as subject experts. As the chief(s) of police and fire are direct reports to the City Manager,
this subcommittee would function in the same manner. Subcommittees focus on policy issues
and provide input on matters of public interest. It is important to note that subcommittees do not
provide direction, they provide recommendations to the City Council as a whole.
The purpose of the City Council Public Safety Subcommittee would be to meet to discuss and
advise on policy issues and/or programs of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department and
Fire Department. The subcommittee would discuss issues pertaining to public safety. Examples
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of issues that could be explored include, but are not limited to: updates on crime trends
throughout the City; current issues; discussion of programs and services; review and discussion
of the City's emergency preparedness program and emergency preparedness plan; updates on fire
station development; future development and/or expansion of the Sheriffs station. The issues
and/or programs would be discussed at a high level and any recommendations of the
subcommittee would be presented to the City Council for consideration.
While the subcommittee would focus on these policy and/or program issues, it is important the
subcommittee meetings not be a forum for citizen complaints. There are several methods
currently in place to address complaints that provide for a fair and objective review outside of the
political process. The Sheriffs Department has a formal complaint procedure that can be utilized.
As the subcommittee would be a standing committee of the Council it would be subject to the
Brown Act. Therefore, it would not be used to discuss tactical or operational issues of the
Sheriffs Department.
As the topic of public safety is paramount, it is recommended that the City Council maintain the
practice of monthly or as needed reports by the appropriate chief to the entire City Council at a
regular City Council meeting. This expectation was expressed by the City Council and noted as
important by all members of the City Council.
If the City Council supports the formation of a Public Safety Subcommittee, two members of the
City Council would need to be appointed to serve in this role and determine the appropriate
frequency of meetings.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Other action as identified by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact identified by this item.