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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Safety (Committee) - 04/19/1993 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES April 19, 1993 COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Paul Mann, Chairman Leona Orr Jon Johnson STAFF PRESENT: Chief Crawford Roger Lubovich Dave Haenel Captain Byerly Tony McCarthy Mary Berg Patrice Thorell Bruce Weissich Jim Bennett MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Chris Gianeili, Omni Tom & Mary Pinches, Beanery Jean Parietti Unidentified Citizen The Meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chairman Mann. PHOTO RADAR PROPOSAL Dave Haenel, Asst. City Attorney, explained that the photo radar system has legal issues that should be addressed before any implementation is made. He noted some problems as follows: 1) hard to enforce speeding tickets; 2) due process difficult since infractions are mailed and could be considered insufficient notice; 3) vehicles are not stopped nor signatures received from offenders; 4) equal protection problem because photos are not always of best quality; 5) proof in court is hard because photograph with identifying information on side is the only evidence presented; 6) driver could challenge privacy being invaded; 7) driver could claim it was someone else who looked like him. Haenel noted possible solutions as follows: 1) convince State Legislature to fund a person at the Department of Licensing to handle this; 2) change severity of speeding tickets; 3) rewrite laws to lessen penalties and issue citations to the vehicle rather than the driver so that the due process issue wouldn't be a problem. Upon Orr's question, Haenel clarified that if some cities had this system and some didn't, it would hinder enforcement of speeding violations for those who didn't have it. It was the consensus of the Committee to wait until technology catches up and better photographs can be taken before the City implements this type of system. REPORT ON THE OMNI/BEANERY CONCERNS Captain Byerly, Police Department/Patrol, explained that the owners of the•Beanery and the Omni have been contacted, and that the Police Department's role is to protect and help each business succeed. Tom and Mary Pinches, Beanery owners, noted that the parking is not the issue, but that safety is the problem. The owner of the Omni indicated that the problems really started just two months ago over a parking dispute. Chief Crawford expressed that he feels this is just a dispute between the two owners, but the Police Department will continue to watch the Omni closely to make sure people do not get hurt. Mann and Orr expressed their concerns about the responsibility and misconduct happening in the parking lot. Chief Crawford assured them that drunk drivers are not allowed to drive and that some type of evaluation is done. Upon Mann's question, Chief Crawford explained that there is a blanket policy in effect with the Omni where the Police Department can arrest someone for trespassing which eliminates the loitering problem. Mann requested Byerly to investigate the history of both businesses for the last eight years and asked the owners to try and work things out. Mann noted that when the information is available, the Committee will address the issue. BARRIERS ALONG THE GREEN RIVER Mann noted that recently a vehicle had gone off at Frager Road into the Green River and the driver was drowned. He noted that a newspaper report mentioned that this has happened before, and he requested an examination be done to explore the possibility of putting a barrier up. ORR MOVED that this item be sent to the Public Works Committee for evaluation and discussion. Mann seconded and the motion carried 2-0. Mann noted that they need to know how long a stretch this is. The meeting adjourned at 6:43 p.m.