HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 11042003 - SD9 To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
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FROM: Millie Greenberg CConontr
DATE: 4 November 2003 County
SUBJECT: Establish a task force to recommend appropriate legislation that will propose Stricter�sanctions on
those with multiple DUI violations
SPECIFIC REQUEST($)OR RECOMMENDATIONS)S BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
1. REQUEST that the District Attorney, the Sheriff-Coroner, the Chief Probation Officer, and the Public Health
Mor and appropriate staff form a task force to address the issue of sanctions and/or treatment for those
drivers convicted of repeated violations ofd under the influence laws.
2. SPONSOR state legislation and work with State Senator Tom Torlakson to author legislation that will strengthen
penalties for those convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
3. PROVIDE the Board with a report on the Task Force's progress within 30 days.
BACKGROIMMt
The recent deaths of two young children out for a Sunday bice ride with their mother has shocked and saddened the entire
community. The senselessness of the deaths of two youngsters is compounded by the circumstances of the tragedy.
Allegedly, the hit-and-run driver of the car involved has had nine license suspensions and two drunken-driving arrests;
police report that at the time of the accident she was not ander the Mumce of alcohol.Nonetheless, she apparently lost
control of her car and it jumped the curb and went onto the sidewalk where the children were biking.
Senator Torlakson has been a leader in the state legislature in promoting laws that protect the public against drivers who .
are impaired by alcohol or drugs, but he feels that more can and should be done to strengthen the penalties for those
convicted of driving under the influence. He and Supervisor Greenberg request that the Task Force investigate additional
sanctions, such as those proposed in pending federal legislation,that include restitution requirernents,vehicle impounding,
and ignition interlocking devices.They also ask the Task Force to examine the efficacy of mandatory treatment for alcohol
and drag abuse for those with DUI convictions.
There is little that the Board can do to ease the suff:ring of fan>Iilies who have lost loved ones to DLII drivers. We must,
however, work to make sure that every driver understands than there will be severe consequences if they get behind the
wheel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. We must continue to support the irnportant educational work of the
Public Health Director and the County's Alcohol and Other Drugs Ad ` ry Board and the critical enforcement efforts of
the Shy District Attorney and Chief Probation Offi in the on-�go' battle against driving while impaired.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE: R
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S):
ACTioN op soAFtD CN4 Noa r 4, ZCX}3 APPROVED AS ItECOMMENDED X OTHER X
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS see attached addcnm for Board action
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
X UNANIMOUS (ASSENT---J AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT: TAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
ATTESTED November 4, 2003
John Svns%o,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
r ..., OUPE VISOR$,AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
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BY{ / x � it ' - .DEPUTY
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Sen*Wr Torlebnn
Robert Koahly
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Dr.Vk t+ds8 Ommnar
SteNett Barttlleta
ADDENDUM TO ITEM SD.9
November 4, 2003
The Beard of Supervisors considered the recommendations by Supervisor Greenberg to
establish a task force to recommend legislation that will propose stricter sanctions on those
with multiple DUI violations.
The Chair invited these who wished to address the Board on this matter. The following
person presented testimony:
Mayor Michael Shimansky,?Mayor of Town of Danville, 126 Redondo Way,
Danville.
The Chair returned the matter to the Board for discussion. Supervisor Greenberg moved
to approve the recommendations with an amendment to recommendation #1 adding"and
those drivers with multiple license suspensions with reckless driving and analyze how those
current laws are being enforced". The Board then took the following action.
• REQUESTED that the District Attorney,the Sheriff-Coroner,the Chief Probation
Officer,and the Public Health Director and appropriate staff forth a task force to
address the issue of sanctions and/or treatment for those drivers convicted of
repeated violations of driving under the influence laws and those drivers with
multiple license suspensions with reckless driving and analyze how those current
laws are being enforced;
• SPONSORED State legislation and work with State Senator Tom Torlakson to
author legislation that will strengthen penalties for those convicted of driving under
the influence of alcohol and drugs;
• PROVIDED the Board with a report of the Task's Force progress within 30 days