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PSC - Minutes - 01-23-25MINUTES OF THE ROSEMEAD PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING January 23, 2025 The Regular Meeting of the Rosemead Public Safety Commission was called to order by Chair Amy Wu at 7:01 p.m. in the Rosemead City Council Chamber located at 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. PRESENT: Chair Amy Wu, Vice -Chair Stephanie Garcia, Commissioners Liz Fonseca, Jeff Foutz, Sarah Kuang, and Jonathan Fong ABSENT: Tommy Martinez PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: was led by Vice -Chair Garcia INVOCATION: was led by Chair Wu ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE: The Oath of Office was administered to the appointment of Commissioner Jonathan Fong 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE No Public Comments were received. Chair Wu closed the Public Comment period. 2. CONSENT CALENDAR CEQA: These items are not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act. A. Minutes of October 24, 2024 ACTIONS: Vice -Chair Garcia made a motion to approve the minutes from October 24, 2024, Public Safety Commission Meeting, and was seconded by Commissioner Fonseca. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Fonseca, Foutz, Garcia, Kuang, Fong, and Wu NOES: None ABSENT: Martinez 3. MATTERS FROM STAFF A. LACoFD Fire and EMS Incidents Report (October, November, and December 2024) City Manager, Ben Kim informed the Commissioners that the report is included in the packet, along with informing them that there were no representatives present, and let them know if they had any questions he would write them down and provide them with the responses at the next meeting. Commissioner Fonseca wanted to follow up on her previous concern regarding the homeless encampment at the intersection of Lincoln and San Gabriel, and asked if there has been any follow up or outreach to the Army Corp of Engineers or to the County, to clean up that area and mitigate any fire danger in that area. City Manager Ben Kim responded that he would check on the update and will follow up with the Commissioners. Chair Wu stated that the report has been received and filed. B. LASD Crime Statistics (October, November, and December 2024) Lt. Tiwari provided a summary of the crime statistics for the months of October, November, and December 2024. He also confirmed that there has been an increase in burglaries, thefts, and aggravated assaults for the months of October and November and a decrease for the month of December. There has also been a decrease with grand theft auto. Commissioner Fonseca mentioned that the Rosemead SAO Team stats that are provided in the weekly newsletter have not been updated since October. City Manager Kim confirmed if it was the weekly report. Chair Wu asked if the Rosemead SAO Team report was included with the LASD Crime Statistics report. Staff responded that both reports were combined in one presentation. Chair Wu commended the Chief and Team for keeping the city safe. Chair Wu stated that the report has been received and filed. C. Rosemead SAO Team Weekly Reports (October, November, and December 2024) Lt. Tiwari provide the LASD Crime Statics report and the Rosemead SAO Team weekly report in one presentation. D. L.A. CADA Supplemental Services Report (September 2024) City Manager, Ben Kim, informed the Commissioners that the reports have been included in the staff report, along with informing them that there were no representatives present. Mr. Kim also informed the Commissioners that he will take note of any questions or comments, and he will follow up on them. Chair Wu asked how they navigate the reports on housing placement and do they have a certain percentage to see the success rate. City Manager Kim mentioned that the percentage is not high and there may be factors in why they do not accept assistance, but he will double-check the numbers and will follow up with them. Commissioner Kuang shared her sentiments on the approach to homelessness in other foreign countries. Lastly, Commissioner Kuang wanted to know if the city has enough resources being provided by the government to give them enough resources to help them improve. City Manager Kim mentioned counties have different fundamental differences. As for the resources being available, there is always more need. Chair Wu stated that the report has been received and filed. E. Crime Prevention and Emergency Preparedness Activities Public Safety Supervisor Mandy Wong asked if anyone had any questions on the Crime Prevention and Emergency Preparedness Activities provided in their packets. Chair Wu mentioned that there have been reports of poor air quality after the windstorms, and she asked if there are any updates or what the city can do to make it safer for the community. City Manager Kim informed the Commissioners that AQMD sends out recommendations, along with air quality levels, and the city can follow AQMD reports and post them on the city's social media. Public Safety Supervisor Mandy Wong mentioned that she did a press release with a link to see the current air quality. She also mentioned that LA County Public Health also sent out information that it is highly suggested and recommended to wear a good mask if you are going to the neighborhood affected the most by the fire. City Manager Kim informed the Commissioners that the city received an additional 8,000 face mask, along with additional digital temperature gauges. Commissioner Fonseca commented that the AQI does not pick up the invisible toxins in the air and it is highly recommended to use a K95 or N100 mask to filter the P2.5 particulate matter. Commissioner Gracia asked if the city will be cleaning the playgrounds after the fires. City Manager Kim informed the Commissioners that they will be discussing that item during item G. Chair Wu stated that the report has been received and filed. F. Public Safety Programs for 2025 Public Safety Supervisor Mandy Wong informed the Commissioners that their packets obtain a list of programs with tentative dates for 2025. City Manager Kim asked the Commissioners if they were familiar with the different programs that are offered. Commissioner Garcia mentioned that they are familiar with the programs, but asked if she can give a summary of the programs for the new Commissioner. Public Safety Supervisor Mandy Wong provided a summary of the programs they offer. Commissioner Fonseca asked if there was a date in mind for the CERT training. Public Safety Supervisor Mandy Wong currently does not have a date in mind. Chair Wu asked what the age for the youth academy is. Public Safety Supervisor Mandy Wong responded that they want to reach kids from 7`h to 12'h grade. Chair Wu asked what the amateur radio group is. Public Safety Supervisor Mandy Wong informed the Commissioner that they are licensed HAM operators that meet monthly to discuss events and do weekly radio tests. City Manager Kim provided the Commissioners with a brief update on Measure A. He explained the difference from Measure H, which is a quarter cent tax to help Los Angeles County address Homelessness, set to expire in 2027. Then he explained ballot Measure A which recently passed in November 2023, that will never sunset and the tax increased to half a cent. The estimate is that on an annual basis, Measure A will produce between $1-1.2 billion dollars and of that amount 40% goes to production of affordable housing and 60% goes to initiatives to help the homeless. The County, City of LA, and City of Long Beach will get large portions of the funding. Of the 60%, 15% is set aside for the Local Solution Fund (LSF), which will be distributed among the 88 cities. The initial calculations are that the City of Rosemead will capture anywhere between $130,000 - $200,000 in funding, based on the formula the County selects to use for the distribution of the Local Solution Fund. There are currently six options that are being considered. Each formula option will use various collection methods to determine how the funding should be distributed, such as Point in Time counts that take place in January or February, where the homeless population is accounted for in each city. He referenced that the City contributed up to $1.7 million on an annual basis under the Measure H initiative, although the City did not receive any of this funding. The County collected all the funding and redistributed it to select agencies such as the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG). Then SGVCOG used the funds to contract with a homeless service provider, which provided one day of homeless outreach services, but there was no dedicated personnel for the City. Two years ago, the City decided they needed more outreach services. Federal funding, known as PLHA funding, in the amount of $1.4 million was approved to be allocated to directly contract with the same homeless outreach provider to have dedicated personnel in the City for 5 -days a week. This contract costs approximately $300,000 a year. As for Measure A, the County is currently convening with cities to determine how LSF funds should be distributed. He advised he would prefer the funds are directly provided to the City. Commissioner Kuang asked if property taxes contribute to Measure A funding. City Manager Kim advised the half a cent sales tax is an add on to the regular sales tax. Commissioner Foutz provided comments about homelessness. Commissioner Kuang asked how the rent is subsidized at a senior housing development in the City. City Manager Kim responded that this property was built with a percentage of redevelopment agencies. Although in 2012, redevelopment agencies were dissolved by the state. G. Report on the Activation of the Emergency Operations Centers in Response to the Windstorm and Fires City Manager Kim provided the Commissioners with a summary of how fast city staff were quick to respond during the windstorm. Public Safety Supervisor Mandy Wong provided the Commissioners with a summary of how the communication plan worked and how they notified property owners. She also mentioned that the Public Works crew had all equipment, tools and vehicles gassed prior to the windstorm. She also mentioned that they had to call the traffic signal company to repair signals and tree maintenance company to remove big fallen trees. She also mentioned the executive team did all the communication on activating the EOC and made sure people were being updated about the windstorm. She also thanked City Manager Kim for his support, guidance and for trusting staff in what they do, along with thanking staff for their hard work. Chair Wu expressed that she was glad that everything came out fine and everyone was safe. Commissioner Garcia asked if the service requests were for public areas or for businesses and homes. Public Safety Supervisor Mandy Wong responded that most were in public areas. Commissioner Fonseca asked if there is a way to acknowledge the Public Works staff during a meeting to honor them, so they know that their work does not go unnoticed. 4. MATTERS FROM COMMISSION A. Commissioner Comments Commissioner Garcia expressed her concern with trash being placed on the sidewalks and asked if the graffiti crew or the vehicle following the street sweeper can report it to have it picked up. City Manager Kim informed the commissioners that when bulky items are seen they are usually removed quickly, and larger items are usually submitted into the CRM system, and Republic Services pick them up. Commissioner Garcia asked if the City Council has reported or discussed anything in regard to the immigrant residents and the impact of the new federal administration. City Manager Kim responded that the City Council has not discussed anything. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 p.m. The next Public Safety Commission meeting will be held on Thursday, February 27th, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. APPROVED: Ben Kim,041 Manager Amy Wu, Chair