CORRESPONDENCE - 75A - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

450 West Fourth Street Suite 130 Santa Ana, CA 92701 Ph: 714-542-7792 Fax: 714-542.4853 la ti noheal Ihoccess.or0 August 3, 2015 Santa Ana City Council 20 Civic Center Plaza P.O. Box 1988, M31 Santa Ana, CA 92701 Re: Downtown Enhancements and Parking Modernization Plan Dear Mayor and Councilmembers: It has come to our attention that a Downtown Enhancements and Parking Modernization Plan and Governing Parking Ordinance and Resolution are up for adoption at the City Council meeting on August 4, 2015 (agenda item 75A). Elements of this plan coincide with several initiatives Latino Health Access has supported and advocated for in the downtown for the last four years, including the establishment of a Wellness Corridor and the designation of the Downtown Business District as a Wellness District. In both of these initiatives we have maintained open communication with City Council and staff, exploring policies and strategies to implement that promote health, wellness, and equitable development in downtown Santa Ana. It is for this reason that we consider ourselves and our partners in these efforts important stakeholders of downtown development strategies, and it is why we consider it a responsibility to provide input and feedback on the Downtown Enhancements and Parking Modernization Plan being proposed by City Manager Cavazos, especially since we were not consulted for input. We have reviewed the staff report made available, and while we are not against this administration seeking pro -active and sustainable solutions to funding downtown enhancements, we have a series of questions and concerns which we urge you to consider and address before approval of the plan. Our primary concerns are about how money generated from this parking modernization plan will be utilized, and we want to ensure it clearly aligns and funds strategies reflective of the shared commitments we and the City have made to promote health, wellness, and equitable development in Santa Ana through the HEAL Resolution, Strategic Plan, and Wellness District Resolution. Our general recommendations to improve the plan are the following: • improved coordination with community -led initiatives by refining proposed expenses for revenue generated: This plan is a great opportunity to align diverse interest from multiple sectors to achieve health, wellness, and equitable outcomes in the development of downtown. As it stands, the plan appears to favor the interests of the business sector, and incentivizes a narrow type of development not clearly aligned with a health and wellness vision. Non -business community stakeholders were not consulted, and thus we recommend changes/additions in how funding generated will be utilized: o Funding of infrastructure projects aligned with the Downtown Complete Streets Plan to improve connectivity between adjacent neighborhoods and business district for pedestrians and cyclists, such as walkability and crossing enhancements along First St and the Maple bike trail enhancements. This should be prioritized in years 1 and 2 in place of the bike share prograrn. o Prioritize purchase and installation of amenities outlined in the Wellness Corridor strategic plan: wayfinding and permanent signage to mark routes in the Wellness Corridor, public restrooms, and drinking fountains o Create an expense line with 2-5% of funding generated from parking modernization plan to fund grants for programming organized by non-profit community-based organizations that promote health, wellness, and culture. PREVENTION EDUCATION ACTION