2015-02-23 LEGISLATIVE - Laserfiche WebLink

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connect us with Claudia Capio, Director of Housing and Community Development, to ensure the City submits the best application possible. Councilwoman Martinez attended Orange County Transportation Authority's Pedestrian Safety Workshop which was a roundtable discussion about education, engineering and enforcement activities to promote pedestrian safety throughout Orange County. She would like to promote legislation that will support these types of programs and would like the City to include a diversion program within the Police Department. Some current legislation excludes certain age groups and Councilwoman Martinez asked Niccolo De Luca to do research on that and provide clarification. Councilwoman Martinez expressed concern about SB7 and losing local control. She takes issue with the State mandating wage rates when those wages are paid with City funds. City Attorney Sonia Carvalho clarified that participation in SB7 is optional and that the City Council voted to pay prevailing wage. The City Council can vote to rescind the resolution at any time. A penalty will be incurred if the City chooses not to participate which involves the loss of grant funding. City analysis showed that the benefit of State grant funding was greater than the cost of paying prevailing wage. Chair Sarmiento asked the City Manager to provide the City analysis to Councilwoman Martinez and himself for review. Councilwoman Martinez stated she does support prevailing wage but not at the expense of local tax dollars. She would like the City Council to revisit this policy decision. City Manager David Cavazos asked Tony Cardenas of the League of California Cities to provide a list of cities that have chosen not to participate. Chair Sarmiento asked Townsend Public Affairs for support with applications for projects such as the Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant submitted with C & C Development, the AMCAL affordable housing development on First St., and potential VA housing on First St. He also asked for assistance in securing grant funding or Proposition 4 funds for a new park, expansion of the zoo and the enhancement of a current exhibit at the zoo. Niccolo De Luca will be meeting with the State Senate Pro Tern's office regarding language floated for a 2016 Park Bond for cities and nonprofits and will add the Santa Ana Zoo to his discussion agenda. Chair Sarmiento thanked Townsend Public Affairs for providing the Water Bond memo He asked that Public Works have projects ready for submittal. He wondered about Proposition 1 fund availability for remediation efforts at Well 32 and suggested the City work closely with the O.C. Water District on that. He was unsure about the City's role and City Manager David Cavazos said he would provide clarification. Niccolo De Luca will connect Townsend Public Affairs' water expert with Public Works for assistance. Chair Sarmiento asked about the intent of new medicinal cannabis legislation and whether it affects cities that do or do not have ordinances in place. Niccolo De Luca stated that proposed bills leave local control in place regardless of whether ordinances support or ban the sale of medicinal cannabis. Councilwoman Martinez asked how possible recreational marijuana legislation would impact the City's current medicinal marijuana ordinance. Niccolo De Luca responded that groups proposing new legislation support keeping current medicinal ordinances in place. After doing more research he will provide the City additional information. Legislative City Committee Minutes February 23, 2015, Page 4