Correspondence - SANTA ANA BUILDING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

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1 CM 10/21/2014 Building Healthy Santa Ana Building Healthy Communities Communities 1505 E 17" St, Suite 111, Santa Ana, CA 92705 Central Santo Ana PHONE: (714)647 -0900 1 FAX: (714)647-09011 www.sa- bhc.org October 17, 2014 Dear Mayor, City Council, City Manager, City Attorney, and Chief of Police of Santa Ana: We, the workgroups of the Santa Ana Building Healthy Communities, dedicated to Restorative Justice and Equity for All, and conformed of neighborhood residents, parents, youth, labor and non- profit organizations, are deeply concerned with the cancellation of the last City Council meeting, the potential restrictions on expression and public participation, and the increased polarization with Police and Community relations. We request that the City Council NOT approve Ordinance 50A on Meeting Decorum but rather take up pressing matters pending on the agenda, including the release of the report on the investigation of the mayor, the discussion on the proposed homeless shelter, and support of the Ordinance condemning Trust Act Violations. It is of great concern to our collaborative that Ordinance 50A on Meeting Decorum is not sound public policy because it silences the public, infringes on the public's constitutional rights and criminalizes forms of expression. The potential of a misdemeanor in the case of clapping, the restrictions on where to sit, and the increase in the authority of the presiding officer at his or her discretion, all are violations of free speech and an abuse of power. In addition, interpretation of what constitutes a personal attack or profane language is too subjective. In 2010, the City of Santa Ana made a commitment towards transparency and public participation in enacting the Sunshine Ordinance, and while it is not an easy path to walk, it is an honorable and necessary one. Upholding respect, between City officials and the people they serve is critical. At City Council meetings, that commitment is shown with attentive active listening during public comments, and a respect for that person's space and time. Ordinance 50A and the Mayor's actions last City Council meeting are a step backwards. The Mayor's over - reaction motivated in part by insincere political motives having to do with elections and the release of the City Attorney's report regarding his current investigation, severely undermines public trust in civic government and will negatively impact constructive civic participation. We need a City Council that will allow for their engaged community to have the ability to participate in the decisions that affect their lives. Countless parents and youth whose life experience is marked by traumatic or negative incidents involving contact with the Government authority have expressed that the lack of a community friendly grievance processes has resulted in long term and deep community resentment towards the City government. Expression is a very important part of a healing process. When relationships and trust are broken, Restorative Justice aims to address what the needs are to repair the harm done, restore the relationships and trust broken and develop a restorative accountability process to make sure that those needs are met. In order to truly begin a Restorative process, it is imperative that a safe space is created to allow for a very honest and transparent dialogue to happen. There is a need for such spaces, in which