2015-02-03 Regular - Laserfiche WebLink

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MOTION: Sarmiento SECOND: Benavides VOTE: AYES: Amezcua, Benavides, Martinez, Pulido, Reyna, Sarmiento, Tinajero (7) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: None (0) 65C. PARK RANGER/AMBASSADOR PROGRAM POLICY OPTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER - Parks, Recreation & Community Services Agency Continued from the January 20, 2015 City Council Meeting by a vote of 6- 0 (Benavides absent). City Manager recommendation of Option A is described below as well as two other options for City Council consideration. OPTIONS: A. Begin the Park Ambassador Program and the Police Department's Park Enforcement Liaison Program. B. Continue the existing armed Park Ranger Program. C. Begin recruitment of new armed Park Rangers such as retired Sheriff Deputies. Speakers: • Ann Salisbury, request status quo of Program with no reductions in service, Option A would not retain the same hours of service; supports combination of Option B and C. • Debbie Muise, Morrison Park Neighborhood Association, Council to consider safety of park goers, opined that Park Ambassadors would not be able to deal with issues; current Rangers are retired police officers that have the training able to handle situations. • Randy Eldridge, long time Santa Ana resident and current Park Ranger, suggested Rangers remain until new employees hired. • Rory Smith, Santa Ana Pop Warner, spoke of invaluable service provided by current Rangers; change at the State and lowering of certain violations are not priority of police department. • Mario Villalobos, Santa Ana Pop Warner, urge City Council to keep safety of children in mind when making decisions. • Carlos Nava, advocate of Option C to keep Park Rangers and not Park Ambassadors; opine that police department has other priorities and falls in line with Strategic Plan. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 10 FEBRUARY 3, 2015