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HomeMy Public PortalAbout160_010_7-28-2011 Public Safety Committee Minutes (2) 7-28-2011 Public Safety Committee Minutes Present: City Council: Wanda Doyle, Frank Schuman, Shirley Sessions City Manager Diane Schleicher, Chief Bryson TIPD, Captain Moseley TIPD ,Joe Wilson DPW, Chief Sasser TIPD –Out of Town, Jimmy Brown – Out of Town. Approval OF June 23, 2011 Minutes-Unanimous New Business: 1. McKenzie/Highway 80 Cross-walk-Review Additional Potential Public Safety Measures: Wanda Doyle – I have a concern for public safety at the pedestrian construction site, Are there any additional ideas that would provide a safer site? Chief Bryson –An unmanned police car with radar is on site, there have not been any vehicles traveling through the construction site greater than 10 mph over the posted limit. A manned Police Unit will be available to run radar on the week-ends. The new solar powered radar unit should arrive any day and this can be placed at the site, this unit is capable of providing traffic speed, traffic counts and other features. Wanda Doyle-Will GDOT place a flashing light to warn motorists of the pedestrian crosswalk ahead? Diane Schleicher – No, GDOT would require every crosswalk to be conforming, lights cannot be placed a single location. Frank Schuman – Can DPW install Pedestrian Crosswalk Signs”? Diane-It may be possible to have signage installed; DPW will paint the Crosswalk Island yellow. Diane Schleicher – Will review this site with the DOT Engineer when he visits later this month. Shirley Sessions-Requests that Police Officers visit the Businesses located in the vicinity of Highway 80 and McKenzie 2. Review 4th of July City Operations and Report: Diane Schleicher – Reviewed previously with each Department their concerns. Chief Bryson – The Police Officers could not move from one location to another in order to answer fight calls etc because of the traffic gridlock. There was one medical incident that took almost twenty minutes for an ambulance with police escort to travel from Fifteenth Street to Memorial Park for airlifting of the patient. Chief Bryson – Move the fireworks from July 3rd to July 4th, having this event the same night as Savannah may decrease the crowd of spectators. Wanda Doyle-I Will attend the next meeting of the Tourism Council to discuss this idea. Diane Schleicher – Chief Sasser suggested to use Lovell Avenue for an Emergency Access road. Frank Schuman – Supports idea of using Second Avenue. Shirley Sessions – Were there any problems associated with vehicle occupants while waiting in traffic? Chief Bryson – No Joe Wilson – There must be an access route for Public Safety from the North End to the South End of the Island. Wanda Doyle-Have Joe Wilson, Chief Bryson and Chief Sasser meet and make a recommendation to the PSC Committee regarding an access route for future July 4th activities. 3. Review On-Line Survey Regarding 4th of July Weekend: Chantel Morton – Better Hometown Coordinator reviewed the On-Line Survey results received from residents concerning the July 4th weekend. (See Attachment) 4. Lifeguard Shack -Tabled until next Meeting 5. Bicycling on Side-walks: Diane Schleicher – Amend the code section on Bicycling to prohibit them on the sidewalk between Butler Avenue and 15th Street. (See Attachment) Diane Schleicher – This is a safety concern because of the narrow sidewalk and the business doors swing out. Wanda Doyle – If we amend this section it may escalate to other sections in the Business District. Frank Schuman – There are chairs and tables on the sidewalk beside the Rock House. Wanda Doyle – Speak with Diane, an ordinance is in place. Chief Bryson -Will have City Marshall look into this. Wanda Doyle – Bicycling on the sidewalk is an Island wide problem. Diane Schleicher – Bicyclist must adhere to the Rules of the Road. We can review this issue after the improvements are made to Butler Avenue that includes improvements to the sidewalks between 14th Street and Tybrisia. Chief Bryson – The Police Officers and City Marshall can enforce the Bicycle Laws after the Season ends when more time is available. All PSC Members are in agreement to review these issues upon completion of the revitalization of Butler Avenue area between 14th Street and Tybrisia. Old Business: 1. Follow-up to Freddie Barber of Lazaretto Jet Ski Rentals Concerns about Jet Skis and Public Safety Issues: Diane Schleicher – Review of letter received from City Attorney Bubba Hughes. (Copy Attached) Diane Schleicher – Will write Mr. Barber a follow up letter. 2. Follow-up to the concerns about Ships Waves-North Beach – Riverside: Wanda Doyle – Review of e-mail received from Eric Olson (Copy Attached) Diane Schleicher – Review Sign Wordage, comments from PSC? Frank Schuman – Small wave when ship passes, we do not need more signs. Shirley Sessions – Do we know of any other Communities with this type of signage? We should look at this issue and continue to investigate, we should hear from Chief Sasser and the Lifeguards, continue until next meeting. 3. Update on LNG Grant and Truck Donation: Chief Bryson-LNG made a $10,000.00 donation for public safety equipment possibly a boat but that idea has been ruled out. LNG also donated a pick-up truck that has been repainted and is presently being used by the City Marshall. Instead of a boat the Police Department would like to use the money to purchase a Motorcycle and amend the Budget to purchase a second Motorcycle. Joe Wilson – The local Harley Davidson Shop receives Police Motorcycles at different times of the year, these are lease motorcycles previously used by other Departments. Chief Bryson – The City of Richmond Hill and Savannah Metro both have motorcycles that they are selling. Shirley Session – Review the Budget, this item will be on the August 25 Council Agenda. JB 8-1-2011