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MINUTES City of San Leandro City Council and San Leandro Redevelopment Agency Joint Meeting-July 6, 2004 Page 9 detennined and an official record of names and addresses obtained. The public is invited to make comments on items of public interest NOT listed on the Agenda. Thomas W. Saunders, 782 Hutchings Dr., addressed the City Council regarding the fireworks problem on and around the 4th of July and the police response. He passed photos to the Council showing damage to his lawn he believes was done in retaliation for his complaints about the fireworks problem. Mr. Saunders asked the Council to strictly enforce the fireworks laws and to cite offenders. Mr. Saunders commented that some of his neighbors are pouling concrete over their lawns to create more space for parking in front of their homes, and the result is very unsightly. Augustine Trejo, 1881 North Blvd., addressed the City Council regarding fireworks being ignited near the creek. He commented that the perpetrators are skilled at eluding the police. Mr. Trejo stated that neighborhood dogs become very agitated by the fireworks. Lou Filipovich, 15376 Laverne Drive, addressed the City Council regarding the various govemn1ental entities that serve San Leandro and the limited number of residential properties that are taxed to pay for services from those entities. Mr. Filipovich commented on his work to defeat Measures H and I in 1998. 6. CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS AND COMMENTS Mr. Jermanis commented that all members of the Council have received complaints from residents about fireworks, and Councilmember Santos called him on the evening of July 4 regarding the fireworks show in the eastshore area that was reported by Mr. Saunders. Mr. J ermanis contacted the Police Department and was told by the Watch Commander that the PD received over 100 calls for service during that same tilne period. Police Chief Kitchen informed Mr. Jermanis that the 4th of July is the busiest day of the year for the Police Departlnent. Mr. Jermanis noted that the PD made every effort to patrol all the areas in which they received calls and confiscated many fireworks which they turned over to the Alameda County Bomb Squad to be destroyed. Mr. J erm ani s indicated that the City did not launch a campaign to remind residents that fireworks would not be tolerated in San Leandro. He noted that the PD had many units on the street but the illegal activity was so great that it was very difficult to lnanage. Mr. J ermanis cOlnmented that the PD would be willing to investigate the damage to Mr. Saunders' lawn if responsible individuals can be identified. Councilmelnber Nardine asked how many fireworks citations were issued, how lnany police reports were taken and whether police officers worked overtime. Mr. J ermanis replied that the Police Department incurred about $8,000 in overtime in order to have 22 units in the field on July 4. Mayor Young suggested that Police Chief Kitchen write an article on the fireworks problem for his column in the San Leandro Times, describing the amount of police resources expended, citations issued and police reports written. She commented on an email she received fron1 someone who chastised her for allowing the police to confiscate their fireworks.