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6. Update on Police Officer Hiring — Deputy Chief Schnabl and Manager Carroll {Strategic <br />Plan No. 1, 21 <br />Manager Carroll presents the Council Committee with an update on Police Officer hiring, by <br />reviewing the number of vacancies compared to filled positions year-to-date, as well as the <br />number of additional officers that are projected to be hired. Manager Carroll also shared <br />additional considerations, such as a Lateral Incentive Program, additional funding for marketing, <br />and additional staffing for the Background Unit that would aide in hiring more officers. Deputy <br />Chief Schnabl adds that Santa Ana Police Department will not lower its standards, unlike other <br />police agencies. Chief Valentin clarifies that a shorter academy would be a possibility only for <br />Park Rangers and not Police Officers, as they would have a different classification with different <br />standards. <br />ACTION: <br />Chairman Solorio: suggests considering a bonus program for recruits, in addition to a lateral <br />recruitment incentive. He also suggests changing job classifications as a solution to hiring <br />individuals to work as Park Rangers. <br />Co -Chair Villegas: states that he does not support a shorter academy or lowered standards for <br />police officers, but continues to stress the need for hiring more officers. <br />(Item No.3 is taken out of order.) <br />3. Homeless Planning — Presentation — Judson Brown, Community Development <br />Homeless Prevention, Intervention and Mitigation — Robert Cortez, <br />City Manager Office {Strategic Plan No. 5, 3d} <br />Housing Division Manager Judson Brown provides the Council Committee a presentation on <br />homelessness in the City and County, sharing the current population of homeless, common <br />causes, and average costs to address homelessness. Included in the presentation is a recap of how <br />the City and County has responded to homelessness and what funds are budgeted to reduce <br />homelessness. Manager Brown noted that two main causes of homelessness are loss of job and <br />lack of affordable housing, and provides suggestion on how the City can continue to partner with <br />local agencies and approval referral agencies, to provide City's homeless with career counseling, <br />housing vouchers, etc. <br />City Manager Kurtz provided an overview recommended actions to be implemented, noting that <br />coordination with the County of Orange, neighboring cities and organizations is essential to <br />5 <br />13A-13 <br />