13BB - LEGISLATIVE CMT MINUTES - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Committee as well as Holland & Knight contributed to Santa Ana's increase in funding. Committee members thanked Holland & Knight for their advocacy. Michele Martinez asked if cameras in the downtown could be purchased with UASI funding, Chief Rojas mentioned that the funding has to be used on projects that benefit the entire Orange County region and does not think cameras in the downtown would quality. However, all the cameras in the Civic Center were purchased with UASI monies since Santa Ana is the County seat. Daniel Maldonado suggested that the City and lobbyists continue to keep Congresswoman Sanchez and Senator Feinstein informed of the importance of maintaining the same or higher level of funding so that Santa Ana does not go to the bottom of the list in future allocation years. Chief Rojas mentioned that earlier in the day the City Manager and staff met with the Deputy Chief of Staff for Congresswoman Sanchez and the discussion included the need to maintain UASI funding. Santa Ana Legislative Platform David Cavazos went over the recommended platform, which includes three guiding principles: preserve local control, promote fiscal stability and support funding opportunities. The Legislative Platform was modeled so that it would be consistent with the approved Strategic Plan. David Cavazos asked for input from the Legislative Committee and will seek endorsement by the full City Council to adopt the Legislative Platform, which would provide guidance to staff as well as state and federal advocacy consultants. Vincent Sarmiento mentioned that the Legislative Platform provides clear direction of where the City wants to be and where it wants to go. He is pleased with the platform and would like to review it in more detail and will provide staff some comments in a few days. He is in agreement with the goal areas and their consistency with the Strategic Plan. Christopher Townsend mentioned that the Legislative Platform will be a very helpful tool when quick action needs to be taken at the State level. Dan Maldonado is glad to see that the platform is well balanced and includes broad enough parameters. The principles and various projects and concerns are specific enough but not so rigid or restrictive that would prevent them to act quickly. Councilmember Sarmiento discussed goal 2, bullet 1 about bridging the digital divide and said he would like the City to create an internet or virtual library because it's important to provide better library services for our youth which could include Wi -Fi accessibility, iPads for check out, etc. Legislative City Council Committee Minutes April 16, 2014, Page 2 13BB -6