Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Commissioner Blank preferred that this kind of disaster preparedness be included in the CERT <br />and the LEAP programs, which needed more levels of detail regarding community outreach. He <br />noted that on page 26 of the Fire Mitigation questions, the word "all" was struck from "Required <br />installation of all ...," thus, weakening the language. He would like to see language that would <br />encourage the installation of sprinklers in all new construction, even if it is not required. He <br />would like to add a line encouraging the use of sprinklers in all new construction for life safety. <br /> <br />Ms. Stem did not see a problem with using "encourage" in the language, but noted that a more <br />detailed discussion with City Council would be necessary if sprinklers are to be required. <br /> <br />Commissioner Blank noted that the Planning Commission had voted unanimously twice to <br />agendize an item to propose an ordinance requiring fire sprinklers in all new construction <br />(September 2005 and January 2006). He believed the Planning Commission had spoken clearly <br />regarding this subject. He believed the current policy was restrictive because the General Plan <br />did not require them. He believed that stating the City encouraged sprinklers would provide a <br />positive position regarding sprinklers. <br /> <br />Commissioner Fox believed that Goal 7 (Catastrophic Emergency) should include a program <br />addressing decisions to evacuate and how fast it would be made. <br /> <br />Chief Cody noted that there was a methodology for evacuations, which included the activation of <br />the emergency operations center of the City. The City Manager, as the Director of the center, <br />would make that decision based on operational information available at the time. That <br />information would be broadcast in a variety of ways throughout the City, depending on what <br />infrastructure was still available. KKIQ-FM and 740 AM were two radio stations in the system, <br />and an automated phone dialer would be utilized to communicate with residents. <br /> <br />In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Fox whether a siren system would be used in the <br />event of a power outage, Chief Cody replied that power outages would not affect the land line <br />phones. She would like to see an evacuation plan as part of the General Plan. Chief Cody noted <br />that the plan was part of the emergency operations plan that is referenced in the General Plan. <br />He believed that was a level of operational detail that was unnecessary in the General Plan. <br />Commissioner Fox believed that it should be stated in Program 21 that there was a plan and <br />noted the example of New Orleans. He stated that New Orleans did have a plan, but they did not <br />know what it was and how to exercise it. In Pleasanton, all City staff are trained in the <br />emergency plan. <br /> <br />Commissioner Pearce believed it was important for people to take disaster preparedness classes. <br /> <br />Chairperson Arkin believed this was a crucial element and commended the Police and Fire <br />Departments on their work on this document. The Commissioners asked that the Draft Element <br />be moved forward to the City Council with their comments. <br /> <br />EXCERPTS: PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES, June 28, 2006 <br /> <br />Page 30f 3 <br />