SANTA ANA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
<br />PUBLIC SAFETY
<br />Minutes of Meeting
<br />March 22, 2011
<br />CALL TO ORDER
<br />The meeting was convened at 5:50 P.M. at Santa Ana Police Department, 60 Civic Center Plaza, Police Community
<br />Room, Santa Ana, California.
<br />ATTENDANCE
<br />Council members present: Claudia Alvarez, David Benavides, and Sal Tinajero.
<br />Staff present: Police Chief Paul Walters, Fire Chief Dave Thomas, Assistant City Attorney Teresa Judd, Commander
<br />Ken Gominsky, Assistant City Attorney Ryan Hodge, Interim City Attorney Joe Straka, PIS Yolanda Pena and Loretta
<br />Tafoya, Recording Secretary.
<br />Public sign-ins: Jose Andrade, Sam Romero, Frank Palmer, Vicky Baxter, Andrew Galvin, Connie Hamilton, Carl
<br />Benninger, Rosalia Rinon, Alicia Ochoa, Sergio Hernandez, Esther Trinidad, Dennis Lluy, Ryan Chase, Davin Gumm,
<br />Mark Gumm, Addison Yaggers, Philip deLara, Dr. Carter Dewberry, Adela Montanez, Laura Garcia, Teresa Andrade,
<br />Ofelia Balbuena, Maria Andrade, Nathan Villa, Chris Blair, Omar Damian, Steve Guzman, Gabriela Penonori, George
<br />Mendoza, Lavin Partola, Ana Carricchi, Arthur Sandoval, Jefferey Hoen, Ali Akabarzajeh, Sean Coolidge, Lizbeth
<br />Lopez-Diaz, Matt Ortiz, Diana Markessinis, Irving, Chris.
<br />SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS
<br />PUBLIC COMMENTS
<br />Committee Member Alvarez started with Public Comments due to the large attendance. Committee Member
<br />Sal Tinajero translated in Spanish.
<br />Steve Guzman from a non-profit organization "Turkey and France" stated they raise money for various
<br />organizations. He supports serving alcohol at the YOST Theater to help with raising more funds. Dennis
<br />Lluv representing YOST Theater is supporting the ordinance and stated the Theater supports the Police
<br />Department with all regulations. Mr. Lluv recognized that public safety is the top priority. Sam Romero is
<br />concerned for the surrounding neighborhood. He stated there is a methadone clinic, halfway house, and
<br />bars in that area. He is very concerned about having a nightclub added to the Community. He would like
<br />education made a priority.
<br />A citizen commented on the Committee not following the agenda. Committee Member Alvarez explained,
<br />due to the large attendance, it was best to have the Public Comments be addressed first. This would give
<br />those wanting to be present solely for the Public Comment agenda item, the option to leave in lieu of staying
<br />for the entire meeting
<br />Dr. Carter Dewberry lives in the lofts and she was expressing her support of the dance ordinance revisions
<br />which will add structure to the current ordinance. Frank Palmer stated he was confused with the changes.
<br />Committee Member Claudia Alvarez asked him what copy of ordinance he had. She explained to him that
<br />Commander Gominsky was going to present the revisions of the ordinance after the public comments. Mr.
<br />Palmer stated he would have liked that item to have been presented prior to the comments from the public
<br />being heard.
<br />A resident from Pacific Building stated that she understands what the YOST is doing. She thinks it will help
<br />the Community. Rosalva Pena from Latino Health Access said she works with youth on prevention. She is
<br />worried about adding "all-ages" to the new ordinance. It would be a huge blow to the work she does.
<br />George Mendoza just opened a barbershop and has met with many youth from the neighborhood. He feels
<br />like the YOST would give the youth alternatives. He felt it would be better than kids drinking and partying in
<br />the street. He feels the YOST would help the youth have fun while they are being supervised.
<br />Raul Morales stated he has been a promoter for quite some time. He believes YOST will be a safe place for
<br />the youth because they are not being properly supervised in the areas where they currently gather.
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