Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods Committee Meeting - November 5, 2021
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Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods Committee Meeting - November 5, 2021
The Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods Committee met virtually on November 5, 2021, via Zoom due to the COVID-19 emergency. The committee considered three items: a contract for police helicopter maintenance, the FY21 Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant program, and an informational update on the Falck ambulance transition. Public comments addressed concerns about helicopter oversight, community engagement in grant decisions, and support for the new ambulance service. The committee voted 3-1 to approve the helicopter maintenance contract and unanimously approved the UASI grant program.
Public Comments & Testimony
- DeAndre Simmons expressed concern about lack of oversight and accountability for spending on helicopter maintenance and urban security grants, requesting more detailed reporting.
- Ann Baron questioned where public input is included in creating the UASI grant proposal and asked for clarification on the term "other projects" in the grant scope.
- Jesse Jackson McCree (called in after technical difficulties) commented on both previous items, emphasizing the need for an oversight committee including community members. He highlighted the terrorizing impact of helicopter operations in marginalized communities, particularly on children, elderly, and disabled residents, and urged that a portion of spending be dedicated to improving police-community communication and mental/emotional well-being.
- Juan Carlos Hernandez (president and CEO of California Southern) expressed strong support for the new Falck ambulance service, citing their resources, experience, and community partnerships.
Discussion Items
- Police Helicopter Maintenance Contract (Item 1): Staff presented a five-year, $12.5 million contract with Rotorcraft Support Incorporated for maintenance, OEM parts, and mandated overhauls of four Airbus helicopters. Funding is included in annual budgets. Staff also committed to improving communication with area stations about helicopter activities to address community inquiries. Committee members discussed the contract; one member (identified as Vice Chair Campillo) voted no, expressing concerns about noise and community relations, while others voted yes. The motion passed 3-1.
- FY21 Urban Area Security Initiative Grant (Item 2): Megan Beale from the Office of Emergency Services presented the $9.16 million grant from DHS/FEMA, passed through Cal OES. Funds support counter-terrorism and all-hazards preparedness across the region, including equipment, training, and exercises for police, fire, and IT departments. The committee reviewed a list of project allocations. Public comment raised concerns about oversight and community participation. A working group has begun holding public Brown Act meetings to increase transparency. The committee unanimously approved the item.
- Falck Mobile Health Corporation Transition Update (Item 3): Deputy Chief Jody Pierce and Troy Hagen from Falck provided an informational update on the transition to a new ambulance service provider starting November 27, 2021. Falck reported progress on hiring staff, acquiring fleet, and coordinating with the fire department. Several public speakers expressed support for Falck's community engagement. No action was taken on this information item.
Key Outcomes
- Approved the police helicopter maintenance contract with Rotorcraft Support Incorporated (3-1).
- Approved the FY21 Urban Area Security Initiative grant program (unanimous).
- Received the informational update on the Falck ambulance transition; no vote required.
- The committee thanked former consultant Chloe Triplett and welcomed new consultant Tiffany Harrison.
- The next meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, November 10, 2021.
Meeting Transcript
Oh wait, just uh a couple more minutes. And if we want to keep her telecoming number, you can't do that. Good morning, everyone. Uh, per executive order 29-20, which suspends certain requirements of the Brown Act. The committee members will be participating via Zoom, and no members of the public will be in attendance at the meeting in the interest of public health and safety. In addition, this meeting is being televised and live streamed on the city's website, and the committee liaison has made arrangements for the public to comment using the Zoom webinar platform. We appreciate the public's cooperation. I will go over the specifics of how to join the webinar and will give details on how the public can offer their public testimony. I see all members are present, and each committee member is attending virtually. Also on the virtual meeting is Laura Easton, Office of the City Attorney, Baku Patel, Office of the IBA, and Matt Yagan, Office of the Mayor. The public may view the meetings on public television on City TV channel 24 for Cox Communication and Spectrum or Channel 99 for ATT, or view the meeting online by going to the City Council Committee's homepage at Sandieago.gov and selecting the City TV Live Webcast blue button on the right-hand side of the page. That's how you'll know it's your turn to speak. If you have all if you have joined the webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone, you will receive a pop-up notice to select to unmute your device. If you have called into the meeting by cell phone or landline, press star six on your phone to unmute yourself. We will review these instructions briefly again when the public comment period is open on an item. Please wait until the item you wish to speak to has been called before raising your hand. If you raise your hand during a non-comment period, it will be lowered. When you are announced as the next speaker, please unmute yourself and offer your comments. Also, please mute the volume on your TV or computer before you begin to speak. The quorum is now present, and we will now dispense with the approval of the committee actions of September 22nd. I will entertain a motion at this time. We'll move, Chair. Thank you, Vice Chair Campio. In the second second. Either one. Okay, thank you, Committee Member Whitburn. Um we'll now take uh council member questions and comments and have each uh council member register their vote and let's uh start with Vice Chair Campillo. I vote yes. Thank you. Member Whitburn. Yes. And member Von Wolpert. Yes. Thank you. I'd also like to register a yes vote, and that uh passes unanimously. At this time, we will take up non-agenda public comment. Per temporary rule 2.6, non-agenda public comment is an opportunity for members of the public to comment on items that are not on the agenda. But within the subject matter of the committee. Each speaker will have two minutes. Please note per the rules of counsel a maximum of eight callers is permitted per single issue. Um we will keep tabs of that and determine uh whether that needs to be expanded during this meeting. The public comment period for non-agenda public comment is now open. If you have already joined the Zoom webinar online or by phone, please raise your hand if you wish to speak. If you are watching on City TV or the live stream online and would like to call into the meeting to speak, please call 1669-254-5252. And when prompted, input webinar ID 1607 eight zero two three three one pound. To raise your hand to speak, select the raise your hand button or press star nine. When our consultant lets you know it's your turn to speak, unmute yourself by either selecting the unmute prompts that will appear on your device or by pressing star six on your cell phone or landline. Uh Tiffany, how many speakers do we have in the queue? We currently have four speakers in the queue. Our first speaker will be Ann Elliott, and please unmute yourself.
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