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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/15/2007 B A K E R S F I E L D M Alan Tandy, City Manager Staff: John W. Stinson MINUTES Irma Carson, Chair Zack Scrivner Jacquie Sullivan REGULAR MEETING OF THE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE and Community Advisory Committee of the City of Bakersfield Thursday, February 15, 2007 11:45 a. m. City Manager's Conference Room 1501 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, California 93301 The meeting was called to order at 11:55 a.m. 1. ROLL CALL Present: Councilmember Irma Carson; Chair Council members Zack Scrivner and Jacquie Sullivan Advisory members present: Walter Williams, GBLA Wesley Crawford, SCLC/NCAACD Bob Malouf, Employers Training Resource David Strong, Corp. for Better Housing Dennis Reed Committee Chair Carson welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the year. She expressed appreciation to the attending Department Heads as it sends a message to the community that everyone is serious about the issues and are trying to make a change. 2. ADOPTION OF THE NOVEMBER 9, 2006 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Adopted as submitted. 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS Assistant City Manager Stinson reminded everyone to state their name for the record prior to giving their statements. Jim Brouillard, U.S. Postmaster, introduced himself. He was invited by Councilmember Scrivner to participate in an endeavor to clean up community. Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee February 15, 2007 Minutes Page 2 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS In 2006, a Joint City/County Gang Task Force was formed to develop a plan to address the urgency of the problems. Lt. Williamson will provide a report at the next meeting. a. Update regarding gang and graffiti enforcement (Police Chief William Rector) Police Chief Rector stated that, as directed at the last regular Joint City/County meeting, a gang hotline number was created, which is 325-GANG. All calls come into the Bakersfield Police Department and are then distributed to any applicable law enforcement agency. It has proved to be successful as there have been in excess of 115 calls received so far. Chief Rector was contacted by Leaders in Life that there is a youth conference on March 29, 2007 from 12:15 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. that will focus on input from teens regarding gang violence. The organizers requested involvement by at least two Council members. Graffiti Unit: 2006 year-end statistics show 256 total arrests, 182 of which were juveniles. Eight hundred sixty one cases were cleared. To date in 2007, there have been 28 arrests and 70 cases have been cleared. Ganp Unit: 2006 year-end statistics show fewer shootings than in 2005 with 56 as opposed to 90, which is an approximate 39% reduction. There were almost 70% more arrests in 2006 at 2,500, and 137 weapons were seized. Captain Taylor reported that January is when most weapons are seized. Advisory member Williams advocated increased education regarding the phone numbers available to report crimes. Chief Rector stated that Council has approved the purchase of eight mobile cameras, which will be posted at a variety of locations. Committee member Sullivan recommended holding a press conference once all of them are in place to educate the community and promote the program. Advisory member Strong stated the need for possible added security for the park event Black History Parade on February 24, 2007. Committee member Scrivner suggested distributing an informational flyer that includes the gang hotline number. b. Update on SB 155 City Attorney Gennaro distributed information. The original bill was introduced in 1996. It was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee, but the full Senate did not take action. The bill was reintroduced on January 31, 2007; however, staff does not yet have access to the next text. Further discussion will take place at the next meeting. Committee Chair Carson suggested that someone from the Committee attend a public hearing, should one be held. City Attorney Gennaro informed the Committee that it may not be heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Her office will track the legislation for possible further action. Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee February 15, 2007 Minutes Page 3 c. Discussion regarding Removal of Graffiti from Mailboxes Committee member Scrivner invited the local Postmaster, Jim Brouillard to attend to discuss removal of graffiti from mailboxes. City staff cleans graffiti from everything except mailboxes due to liability issues. Mr. Brouillard reported that he only has two staff members who handle mailbox graffiti abatement and maintenance. His staff met with City staff to discuss possible options for cleaning graffiti from mailboxes. Issues include liability for damage either to the box or the mail inside, personnel shortage and costs. Public Works Director Rojas stated that the pressure washers used by the City would destroy most mailboxes as there is from 3,000 to 4,000 pounds of pressure involved. Another option would be to clean the graffiti by hand, but this would involve increased costs and time spent by staff. He also noted that mailbox cleanup would need to be done in every neighborhood, not just those that contain community boxes. Committee member Scrivner asked that staff return to the next meeting with an action plan. d. Discussion regarding Establishment of Citizens Advisory Committee (this item heard first) Committee Chair Carson thanked Bob Malouf, Dennis Reed, Walter Williams, David Strong, Wesley Crawford, and Karen Goh for returning and being a part of the Committee. There are a couple more names that may be added later. Steven Perryman was introduced as a new advisory member, as recommended by Council member Benham. He is a campus supervisor at Bakersfield High School who is very concerned about the graffiti problem. Committee member Scrivner invited Robert Murillo, Watch Captain to be a member of the Citizens' Advisory Committee. Devon Johnson, youth community coach was invited by Committee member Sullivan to be a member of the advisory committee. He works directly with youth and is very concerned about the gang problem. 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and Committee Recommendation regarding Amending and Adopting the 2007 Committee Meeting Schedule -Stinson Adopted as submitted. Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee February 15, 2007 Minutes Page 4 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS Committee Chair Carson asked for an update on the Joint City/County Gang Task Force at the next meeting. Included in the discussions will be programs that are available for "good kids" as requested by Advisory member Crawford. Probation Chief John Roberts recognized Karen Goh and Mark Stansbury for their work on the Prevention Subcommittee for the County. He offered Probation support to help with security on February 24, 2007. Dennis Reed inquired about the park security program. This item will be placed on the next agenda for discussion. 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:05 p.m. Staff present: Assistant City Managers John W. Stinson and Christine Butterfield; City Attorney Virginia Gennaro; Management Assistant Rick Kirkwood; Police Chief William Rector, Assistant Police Chief Bryan Lynn, Capt. Tim Taylor and Lt. Greg Williamson, Bakersfield Police Department; Director Raul Rojas, Operations Manager Brad Underwood, General Services Superintendent Steve Hollingsworth, and General Services Supervisor Sean Cacal, Public Works Department. Others present: John Roberts and Susan Lerude, Kern County Probation; Jim Brouillard, Doug Stevenson and Mike Bettes, U.S. Postal Service; Steven Perryman, Kern High School District; Nick Ortiz, United Way; Marque Stansberry, Ebony Counseling Center; Karen Goh, Garden Pathways; Robert Murillo; Devon Johnson; Moses Neal; and various members of the media. cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council APPROVED MARCH 15, 2007