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Home My WebLink About03/15/2010Rhona ImiilleyAssi;s4f4t to the City Manager / P.I.O. Steven Teglia, Administrative Analyst III AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Regular Meeting of the LEGISLATIVE AND LITIGATION COMMITTEE Monday, March 15, 2010 - 12:00 p.m. Sue Benham, Chair David Couch Jacquie Sullivan City Hall North First Floor - Conference Room A 1600 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301 The meeting was called to order at 12:01 PM. 1. ROLL CALL Present: Councilmember Sue Benham; Chair Councilmember David Couch Councilmember Jacquie Sullivan Staff Present: Alan Tandy, City Manager Rhonda Smiley, Asst. to the City Manager Steven Teglia, Administrative Analyst III Ginny Gennaro, City Attorney Justin Crumley, Associate Attorney Bethelwel Wilson, Associate Attorney Others Present: Jim Darling 2. ADOPT FEBRUARY 16, 2010 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Adopted as submitted. Nelson Smith, Finance Director Cheryl Perkins, City Treasurer Greg Williamson, Police Chief Joe Bianco, Police Captain Kevin Stokes, Police Captain Jim White, Police Service Technician John Hall B A K E R S F I E L D Rhona ImiilleyAssi;s4f4t to the City Manager / P.I.O. Steven Teglia, Administrative Analyst III AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Regular Meeting of the LEGISLATIVE AND LITIGATION COMMITTEE Monday, March 15, 2010 - 12:00 p.m. Sue Benham, Chair David Couch Jacquie Sullivan City Hall North First Floor - Conference Room A 1600 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301 The meeting was called to order at 12:01 PM. 1. ROLL CALL Present: Councilmember Sue Benham; Chair Councilmember David Couch Councilmember Jacquie Sullivan Staff Present: Alan Tandy, City Manager Rhonda Smiley, Asst. to the City Manager Steven Teglia, Administrative Analyst III Ginny Gennaro, City Attorney Justin Crumley, Associate Attorney Bethelwel Wilson, Associate Attorney Others Present: Jim Darling 2. ADOPT FEBRUARY 16, 2010 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Adopted as submitted. Nelson Smith, Finance Director Cheryl Perkins, City Treasurer Greg Williamson, Police Chief Joe Bianco, Police Captain Kevin Stokes, Police Captain Jim White, Police Service Technician John Hall Legislative and Litigation Committee Agenda Summary Report March 15, 2010 Page 2 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS None 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS a. Discussion and Committee Recommendation Regarding Alarm Permits and Collection of Fees - Williamson / Bianco Assistant to the City Manager Smiley referenced Councilmember Couch's request for staff to examine several issues relating to the City's process for collection of false alarm permits and fees. She reported that the current fee schedule allows five false alarm incidents per year before a fee is assessed and collection can be difficult. Committee member Sullivan asked if the City keeps track of the number of false alarms for each individual permit issued. Ms. Smiley confirmed that the Police Department does maintain those records. Police Captain Bianco stated there are two categories of residences and /or businesses with alarm systems; alarmed residences and businesses that contract with an alarm monitoring company, and those that do not have an alarm monitoring company. The City's current system does not impose a fee structure to discourage the high number of false alarm responses, and currently uses software that does not adequately track false alarm volume and fee recovery. Captain Bianco stated that the number of false alarms has increased over the years and significant resources are being spent when no crime has occurred. Currently, there is no method for the Police Department to bill property owners for false alarms if they are not monitored by an alarm company and do not have a proper permit. City Attorney Gennaro noted that when alarms go off, false or not, neighbors can be disturbed to the point of contacting the police themselves. Staff is considering outsourcing the alarm management process and is currently looking at Public Safety Corporation's Cry Wolf System as a possibility. It is a computer application specifically designed to track false alarm calls for public safety agencies. Under PSC's proposal, they would assume the City's alarm management process for a fee of 23% of the revenue. As part of restructuring the City's current process, the Municipal Code would be modified to impose a new fee schedule that would allow one false alarm response per year with no fee. A second false alarm fee would be waived if an alarm user completes an on- line "alarm school" class. It is staff's recommendation to hold public meetings with the alarm companies to receive their input prior to further consideration of any changes. Committee member Couch requested that staff prepare a report to show approximately how much the City will save if the alarm process is outsourced. Committee Chair Benham directed staff to proceed with the alarm company meetings and return to the Committee with a recommendation. Legislative and Litigation Committee Agenda Summary Report March 15, 2010 Page 3 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and Committee Recommendation Regarding Licensing and Requirements for Transient Jewelry Buyers - Williamson / Stokes Police Captain Stokes stated that any transient jewelry buyer doing business in the City is required to have a license with the City and the State. Over the last year, there has been an increase in transient jewelry buyers. Communication has increased between the Police Department and the Treasury division of Finance to improve the level of compliance of all businesses. Mr. Jim Darling stated that the jewelry community is concerned with the level of customer service City residents will receive from transient buyers. Mr. Darling is also concerned about the effect this will have on local businesses. Mr. John Hall from Don Hall Jewelers stated he is concerned with the amount of fraud going on with transient jewelry buyers. Committee Chair Benham asked the City Attorney if there was something the City could do to address the concerns Mr. Darling and Mr. Hall have expressed. City Attorney Gennaro stated that more research can be done and other cities can also be contacted; but at this time, the City is doing everything it possibly can. Committee Chair Benham asked Police Captain Stokes if the Department had received any complaints from members of the public who felt exploited by the transient jewelry buyers. Captain Stokes responded he had received none. Committee Chair Benham asked the City Attorney's office to contact the Attorney General's office and other jurisdictions to find out what else they are doing in their communities, and report back to the Committee at the next meeting. 6. CLOSED SESSION None 7. COMMITTEE COMMENTS None 8. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 12:56 cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council