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Resident urges stricter oversight of crossing guards; council approves item 7e
Summary
Resident Jerry Jambazian told the council he frequently observes crossing guards using cell phones while on duty, cited a roughly $198,000 program budget and hourly pay over $30, and urged better training and accountability; the council voted unanimously to approve item 7e and staff said they would follow up.
Jerry Jambazian spoke during the meeting’s item 7e public comment on June 4 to raise safety concerns about school crossing guards, saying he frequently sees guards on their cell phones and urging the city to strengthen training and accountability.
"Many many times I see the crossing guards on their cell phone either on it or looking at it and they should have 100% attention to what they're doing," Jambazian said, calling it a safety issue given children’s presence at crossings. He noted the city's budgeted amount for crossing-guard services is about $198,000 per year and that guards are paid more than $30 per hour.
City Manager Brian Cook acknowledged the concern and said staff had taken note and would look into the issue. After public comment, a councilmember moved and seconded approval of item 7e; the council took a roll-call vote and approved the item unanimously (Council Member Chen, Council Member Sternquist, Mayor Pro Tem U and Mayor Chavez voting yes).
The transcript does not specify the exact contractual or programmatic change contained in item 7e beyond the vote; council direction on follow-up was limited to staff reviewing the concern and reporting back. The council’s unanimous vote carried the item as presented.
Next steps: staff will follow up on the crossing-guard concern raised in public comment; the council gave no timetable in the meeting to return with findings or corrective actions.
