SUMMARY OF MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE 6:00 P.M., MONDAY, JULY 14, 2014 COMMITTEE ROOM ROOM 239, CITY HALL

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1 SUMMARY OF MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE 6:00 P.M., MONDAY, JULY 14, 2014 COMMITTEE ROOM ROOM 239, CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: OTHERS PRESENT: Council Member James Taylor, Jr., Chair Council Member Vivian H. Burke, Vice Chair Council Member Molly Leight Council Member Jeff MacIntosh Council Member Derwin L. Montgomery Council Member Denise D. Adams Chair Taylor called the meeting to order and stated that without objection, the Committee would first consider the Consent Agenda. No items were removed for discussion. Council Member MacIntosh made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion was duly seconded by Council Member Burke and carried unanimously. CONSENT AGENDA C-1. ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION (f) OF THE CITY CODE RELATING TO 25 MILES PER HOUR SPEED LIMITS ON CITY STREETS - Southview Drive; Robinhood Circle; Wendover Circle; and Neighborhood Limits: Hampton Hall Lane, Hogan Point Court, Hogan Point Drive, and Hogan Lane. C-2. APPROVAL OF PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE SUMMARY OF MINUTES - June 9, GENERAL AGENDA G-1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN ASSOCIATES, PLLC FOR PROFESSIONAL ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN SERVICES FOR THREE POLICE DISTRICT OFFICES - $595,000 (Estimated Amount). Council Member Burke noted that the Finance Committee discussed this item during its meeting.

2 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES July 14, 2014 Page 2 Chair Taylor noted that like the Finance Committee, the Public Safety Committee would hold the item for one month. G-2. REPORT ON NITTY GRITTY SOUL CAFÉ, LLC. [Item continued from the June meeting of the Public Safety Committee.] Chair Taylor noted that on February 16, 2013 one citizen was killed and three others were injured in an incident at the Nitty Gritty Soul Café. Since that time, a Safety Plan Agreement has been in place to ensure the community s safety and to allow the Nitty Gritty to operate. Mrs. Angela Carmon, City Attorney, gave the staff presentation on this item. Chair Taylor stated that he met with members of the South Crest community in May and they are overwhelmingly in support of the Nitty Gritty continuing to operate. In response to Council Member Adams question, Chair Taylor noted that the owners of the business understand the community s needs. He further noted that the City has the option of using nuisance abatement to address public safety issues at the business, if necessary. Mrs. Carmon added that staff must ensure there is enough evidence to sustain a nuisance abatement action. She stated that the establishment understands its obligation to the community s security. She recommended allowing the agreement to expire. Council Member Leight made a motion to allow the Safety Plan Agreement to expire on August 14, The motion was duly seconded by Council Member Burke and carried unanimously. G-3. DISCUSSION OF ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 42 OF THE CITY CODE ENTITLED MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC. [Item continued from the May meeting of the Public Safety Committee.] Mrs. Carmon gave the staff presentation on this item. Chair Taylor pointed out that the petitioner has indicated that he does not wish to charge a fee for his golf cart transportation service but will accept tips from patrons. He inquired if a fee schedule should be implemented. In response to Council Member Leight s question, Mrs. Carmon suggested coming up with a different schedule than that currently used for taxicabs. Council Member Leight noted that a fee schedule would help keep golf cart operators from taking advantage of the riding public. In response to Council Member Adams question, Mrs. Carmon stated that golf cart operators will be required to have liability insurance.

3 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES July 14, 2014 Page 3 Council Member Adams asked staff to look into other cities that allow such businesses to operate and see if they have fee schedules in place. In response to Chair Taylor s question, Mrs. Carmon explained that staff will verify that an operator has current liability insurance during the annual safety check. She added that operators will be required to notify the City of any changes to the insurance policy. Council Member MacIntosh expressed concern that setting a fee schedule would limit golf cart operations. He noted that the City Council will have an opportunity to regulate golf carts after abuses are identified. He added that he would prefer to give more freedom to the operators. In response to Council Member Montgomery s question, Mrs. Carmon explained that the ordinance s language regarding golf cart appearance was derived from the taxicab ordinance. She added that if a golf cart has damages or defects that do not impact its safety, then the vehicle is probably still serviceable. Chair Taylor asked staff to prepare a user fee schedule for golf cart rides. Council Member Adams expressed concern about traffic patterns. She suggested conducting a pilot run of golf cart rides during the busiest hours in the downtown area. Council Member Burke asked staff to review the issues associated with horse and carriage operations in the downtown area in the past. In response to Council Member Burke s question, Mr. Lee Garrity, City Manager, noted that staff is considering placing golf cart inspection under the Transportation Department which inspects taxicabs. He also noted that the Winston-Salem Police Department (WSPD) is being considered because the Downtown Bike Patrol has an office in the Central Business District. Mrs. Carmon added that in other municipalities, the police departments handle golf cart inspection and enforcement. In response to Council Member MacIntosh s question, Mr. Barry Rountree, Police Chief, explained that part of WSPD s Professional Standards Division serves as taxi inspectors. Council Member MacIntosh expressed concern about riders attitudes towards electric carts versus gas carts. Council Member Leight noted that because WSPD has both vehicle inspections personnel and Downtown Bike Patrol personnel, the department should be in charge of enforcing the ordinance.

4 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES July 14, 2014 Page 4 In response to Council Member Burke s questions, Chief Rountree stated that three Professional Standards Division officers investigate citizen complaints related to taxicabs and refer their findings to the Transportation Department. He noted that the officers other duties include investigating citizen and internal complaints against the department and working with the Citizens Police Review Board. In response to Chair Taylor s question, Chief Rountree stated that in his opinion, the Transportation Department should enforce the ordinance. In response to Council Member Montgomery s questions, Mr. Greg Turner, Assistant City Manager, noted that taxi operators pay an application fee and an annual fee for vehicle inspections. He added that this money goes into the General Fund. Council Member Montgomery suggested giving golf cart oversight to the department that will experience the least amount of impact on its current operations. Council Member Burke noted that golf carts may be used more during big events such as the National Black Theater Festival and the RiverRun International Film Festival. In response to Council Member MacIntosh s question, Mrs. Carmon stated that staff can add more definitive language to the ordinance that designates areas as golf cart loading zones. Council Member Montgomery inquired about the effect of loading zone placement on cart service. He added that ambassadors in the Business Improvement District (BID) may be able to assist riders with locating cart loading zones. Chair Taylor suggested meeting with the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership to discuss how the golf carts will fit into plans for the BID. Mr. Reid Hensley, 237 South Cliffdale Drive, noted that golf carts move at 20 miles per hour, almost twice the speed of Segway scooters and carriages in the downtown area. He further noted that there are over 1,000 events planned for the downtown area and that number grows each year. He added that he hopes to be a part of that growth. Chair Taylor asked staff to address the Committee s questions and concerns at its next meeting. G-4. WINSTON-SALEM POLICE DEPARTMENT 2013 ANNUAL STATISTICAL REPORT. Chief Rountree gave the staff presentation on this item. In response to Chair Taylor s question, Chief Rountree identified District 1 as the northern and northeastern section of the city, including areas surrounding Wake Forest University, Hanes Mill Road, US 52, and Bethania-Rural Hall Road. District 2 includes the eastern and southeastern portions of the city such as areas surrounding Winston-Salem State University, New Walkertown Road, the Martin Luther King, Jr. corridor, and Barnes Road. District 3 includes the west and

5 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES July 14, 2014 Page 5 southwestern parts of the city such as the Hanes Mall, Country Club Road, and Peters Creek Parkway areas. In response to Council Member MacIntosh s question, Chief Rountree stated that WSPD is concerned about the number of homicides in the city. He added that the department is seeing an increase in crimes associated with computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices. Council Member Burke asked staff to provide the Community Assistance Liaisons with copies of the report to distribute to neighborhood associations. She also asked staff to place copies of the report in the City s recreation centers. Council Member Montgomery requested information on the socioeconomic factors found in neighborhoods where crimes are occurring. Council Member Adams noted the need for more collaboration with other community groups to improve the city s neighborhoods. Council Member Montgomery suggested using the statistics found in the report when examining how to allocate Community Development Block Grant funds. ADDITIONAL ITEMS Chief Rountree recognized Assistant Chief Connie Southern and Assistant Chief Wilson Weaver. He also recognized Assistant Chief Bryan Blakely, who was not in attendance. He then introduced Mr. Jay Edwards, who was recently promoted to the rank of Captain. Captain Edwards stated that he appreciates the opportunity to serve the citizens and the City Council as Captain. Chair Taylor recognized Mr. Antony Farmer, Fire Chief, and thanked him for his service to the City. ADJOURNMENT: 7:11 p.m.