MINUTES  City Council Public Safety Committee Monday, June 24, 2024-3 3:30 PM City Hall Council Chambers  Members Present: Aaron Baker, Chair, Council Member  Mac Morrow, Vice-Chair, Council Member Kevin Gallo, Citizen Member Dean Luebbe, Finance Director Tom Jordan, Police Chief Bobby Cooper, Fire Chief Bradley Elmore, Deputy Fire Chief Wesley Shook, PublicV Works Director Alex Shepherd, Assistant to the City Manager  Mayor Mauren Copelof, Ex-Officio Member (arrived 3:43pm)  Staff Present  Guests:  Linda Gallo, Monica Driscoll, Phil Davis, Peggy Bogardus, Victor Zona, Susan Azar, Janice Castevens, Don and Marcia O'Dell, Billy Parrish, Kay and Barry Argroves, Pat Webb, Katie Blazan, Morris Jenkins, Heather  Richardson  A. Welcome & Call to Order  Committee Chair Aaron Baker welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order  at 3:30 PM.  B. Certification of Quorum  Assistant to the City Manager. Alex Shepherd certified that a quorum was present.  A Approval of Agenda  Motion by Mr. Morrow, seconded by Mr. Gallo to approve the agenda as presented.  The motion carried unanimously. D. Approval of Minutes 1. May 28, 2024  Motion by Mr. Gallo, seconded by Mr. Morrow to approve the minutes from May 28,  2024 as presented. The motion passed unanimously.    E. Update on Transportation Working Group  Mr. Baker said we will look for an update at thei next committee meeting. F. Railroad Ave - Lighting, Parking, Crosswalk, and Traffic Schedule Mr. Shook informed the committee that we have bids for the lighting, and they should be able to do a lot ofitofft the building. However, we: are still waiting for  quotes on the bridge and parking lot lights. Mr. Baker asked about the Railroad Ave parking.  Mr. Jordan mentioned that this is closely tied with the Transportation Working Group. He said the lining has been done, butt they need to take measurements to determine how many parking spaces will fit. There is also an issue with the curbing. Mr. Shook said the curbing should be installed within the next two months. Mr. Morrow asked about the dog park lighting, noting that it'sa Duke Energy issue.  Mr. Shook said itl has been two or three years.  Mr. Morrow mentioned that we should address it as well because it'sasecurity  issue.  Mr. Luebbe said he will contact Mr. DeBrew at Duke Energy.  G. City/County Fire Contract Discussion  Mr. Cooper informed the committee that we met with Mr. Hooper and Mr. McKeller. He said Mr. Hooper was going to meet with the Transylvania County Manager to discuss the contract. Mr. Cooper mentioned that he doesn't believe the County will provide additional funding. We ran 2,500 EMS calls, while the County ran 5,000 EMS calls. We only have four full-time staff, whereas the County has twenty-six.  H. Animal Control Policy  Mr. Jordan produced a drafted policy, which he said will need to go back to the drawing board. Hel hoped to use the County's Dangerous Dog Review Committee and had expanded some of our definitions to align more closely with the County's. However, the County has informed him that they do not wish to allow the City to use their committee. He said we will need to appoint our own Dangerous Dog Committee, which can be difficult due to the need for volunteers and specialists. Mr. Morrow said that moving forward, we would need to recruit people to serve on  this board.  Minutes- - Council Public Safety Committee. Meeting - June 24, 2024  Page 2of6    Mr. Jordan noted that our ordinances already designate an appellate board, appointed by the Council, which includes a veterinarian and two citizens to review  these matters.  Mr. Morrow asked ifwe need the City Clerk to advertise for the board.  Mr. Jordan said yes, unless we choose to rewrite the ordinance and have the Council Mr. Gallo asked ifN Mr. Jordan has had a chance tol look at the suggestions or  approve the changes.  comments related to the draft.  Mr.) Jordan said they came to him late, so he has notl had a chance to review them yet  butwill doso.  Mr. Baker asked what the next steps are.  Mr. Jordan said they will review the suggestions and comments, determine what is  feasible, and prepare another draft by the next meeting. Mr. Baker asked ift the City Attorney has reviewed the draft.  Mr. Jordan said al lot ofi it has been reviewed, noting that these matters are very delicate, and they willl have the City Attorney review the draft further. Mr. Baker mentioned that the ordinance already establishes a board. Mr. Jordan confirmed thatifa dog is designated as dangerous and the owner  appeals, it would go to this board for appeal. Mr. Baker asked about the composition of the board.  Mr. Jordan said it is to be comprised ofaj practicing veterinarian and two public citizens appointed by the City Council. He added that having an appellate board is important because, similar to the County, any further appeals would go to the Mr. Baker suggested that while drafting the policy, they should go ahead and advertise for the board so it can be in place when the policy is finished. Mr. Jordan said he will mention this to Mr. Hooper and the City Clerk to discuss  Superior Court in' Transylvania County.  options.  Minutes - Councill Public Safety Committee Meeting. - june 24,2024  Page3of6     Handicap Parking Spaces  Mayor Copelof said this refers to the two handicap spaces on Main Street, one in front of O.P. Taylor'sand the other in front of Red WolfGallery. Over the last eight months, several people have fallen and sustained serious injuries, such as broken bones and lacerations. She mentioned that she has asked staff tol look into ways to Mr. Luebbe said he directed Mr. Shook to order rails today to help prevent people from falling. He added that they plan to install signs to warn people as well. This has been a collaborative effort involving the Mayor, Planning, NCDOT, and Public Works. Mayor Copelofr noted that when they painted the spaces blue and yellow, they thought it would provide enough contrast to warn people, buti it didn't. Mr. Baker asked ifthey have spoken to the Downtown Master Plan Committee or Mr. Luebbe said they have not yet because it was a recent development, buti ifthe committee overrules it, they can remove the rails. However, iti is a safety issue. Mr. Gallo asked ift this was an experiment by NCDOT, as he could not find any  prevent this from happening.  Heart of Brevard.  recommendations for this design.  Mr. Shook said he has not seen that design before.  Public Comment  Mr. Jenkins said that on the southwest corner of Caldwell St. and Main St., where the crosswalks come together, there is a bump on the curb that is not painted. There isa similar situation on Broad St. and Main St, but that one is painted. He recommended Mr. Davis informed the committee thatl he is representing the Deer Lake Homeowners Association. He said there is no sidewalk on Deer Lake Rd near the car wash, and there are many walkers in the community. He mentioned that he would like the committee to consideri installing a sidewalk in future plans. Hel has been working with Mr. Shook, whol has been trimming trees and bushes tol keep people from having to walk in the street. They have also been discussing putting down Mr. Baker mentioned that there is a comprehensive sidewalk plan, and they can  painting the bump on Caldwell St. and Main St.  gravel and wood chips to act as a temporary walking path. double-check to ensure that this area is included.  Minutes - Council Public Safety Committee Meeting - June 24, 2024  Page 4of6    Ms. Azar thanked the committee for the proposed changes to the ordinance. She mentioned that no charges have been filed regarding the incident when her dog was attacked, not even al leash law violation. She asked why no charges have been filed. Mr. Jordan informed her that the animal services officer is still investigating, and he will talk to the officer to find out the: status oft the investigation. Ms. Azar noted that the current ordinance has language toi label the dog: asa dangerous dog and asked why it hasn'tb been labeled as such. Mr. Jordan said hei is waiting for the animal control officer to complete his  investigation, which should be soon. don'treceive much attention.  Ms. Webb asked why its seems that dangerous dogs, which are a public safety issue,  Mr. Jordan assured her that the matter is given attention.  Ms. Webb mentioned that they have a new bed and breakfast on their street, and visitors are unaware of this situation. She asked ift the City would have anyl liability if anotherincident occurred and the City had done nothing despite being aware oft the Mr. Jordan said that iti is a hypothetical legal question, and the City Attorney is not Ms. Richardson mentioned that her dogs were also attacked. She asked what other information would be useful for the police to make a determination. Mr. Jordan said iti is very important to report all instances to law enforcement because they can only take action on what they know about. Ms. Driscoll said ift the leash lawi is in the ordinance and this dog has repeatedly gotten out, they shouldn'thave to wait until a new policy is created to take action. Mr. Jordan said most times they need to see the dogi in the act to take action. Linda Gallo. asked ifthe speed cushions have been ordered. Mr.S Shook said they have not, but they should know something by the end ofthe Mayor Copelof mentioned that sidewalks where utility work has been done are not repaired properly and are just filled with gravel. She said this poses a risk to  dangerous dog.  here to provide information.  week.  handicapped people.  Minutes - Council Public Safety Committee! Meeting - June 24,2024  Page! 5of6    Mr. Shook said a lot oft these repairs are done by the gas or power company, but the City often ends up repairing them. However, a contractor is supposed tol handle the Mr. Luebbe said he will call Mr. DeBrew with Duke Energy about the issue. Mr. Gallo mentioned that they walked down the temporary sidewalk in front of where the hotel is supposed to be built and asked ift there are any updates on Mayor Copelof mentioned that the developers should have financing in place by the end of] June. They have held off on forcing them to install the sidewalk because they  repairs.  installing a permanent: sidewalk.  believe that construction is imminent. K. Set Date for Next Meeting 3:30 pm at City Hall. L. Adjourn  The next meeting oft the Public Safety Committee will be on Monday, July 22, 2024 at  There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:26 PM.  Minutes Approved: July 132,2034  xlespplr AaronE Baker Chair, Council Member  X Dunilbtalmn  Denise! Hodsdon City Clerk  Minutes - Council Public Safety Committee Meeting  June 24,2024  Page6of6