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Home My WebLink About2018-07-10 PUBLIC SAFETY, CODE ENFORCEMENT & NEIGHBORHOOD EMPOWERMENTCITY OF SANTA ANA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY, CODE ENFORCEMENT & NEIGHBORHOOD EMPOWERMENT MINUTES CALL TO ORDER: ATTENDANCE: MEMBERS ABSENT: July 10, 2018 Ross Annex, Room 1600 City Hall, 20 Civic Center Drive Santa Ana, California 5:47 PM Council Committee members: Sal Tinajero Juan Villegas N/A STAFF PRESENT: Raul Godinez II, CMO Robert Cortez, CMO David Valentin, PD Tamara Bogosian, CAO Steven Mendoza, CDA Hafsa Kaka, CDA Yessenia Aspeitia, PD Randy Black, OCFA Robert Carroll, PD Fuad Sweiss, PW Julie Castro Cardenas, CMO Elizabeth Plotnik, Recording Secretary PUBLIC SPEAKERS: Ed Murashie, Floral Park NA Eric Mull, concerned constituent Laura Perez, concerned constituent Chris Schmidt, Windsor Village NA Julie Motherway, concerned constituent Greg Eisenman, concerned constituent Cecilia Iglesias, Windsor Village NA Esther Fonseca, Artesia Pilar NA Tonya Skurzynski, concerned constituent Tim Johnson, concerned constituent 1 PUBLIC COMMENTS Ed Murashie, resident of Floral Park, shared his concerns regarding the recent fires behind his home and near his neighborhood. Mr. Murashie asked that the City establish a plan to address the fires. Eric Mull, concerned constituent, shared his concerns and fears of the recent fires in the creek bed. Mr. Mull requested fencing be installed to help address illegal activity and help reduce the risk of fires. Laura Perez, concerned constituent, shared her concerns about the prostitution problem, stating she feels helpless and threatened, and fears for the safety of children in the community. Chris Schmidt, resident of Windsor Village, has requested meetings include items pertaining to Neighborhood Empowerment and suggested staff from neighborhood initiatives attend. Additionally. Mr. Schmidt asked that Public Works look into adding "keep clear" at an intersection is his neighborhood, and commended Cmdr. Esparza for addressing parking concerns. Julie Motherway, Jack Fisher Park resident, thanked the Police Department for always helping her feel safe but shared that due to the recent activity in the creek bed behind her home, she no longer feels safe living in the City. Greg Eisenman, concerned constituent, shared his fears and concerns about the recent fires occurring behind his home, and inquired what the neighborhood can do to help avoid future fires. Cecilia Iglesias, trustee for SAUSD Board of Education and resident of Windsor Village, shared her concerns about Centennial Park and requested it be cleaned. Ms. Iglesias also requested the City sponsor a Fourth of July parade. Esther Fonseca, resident of Artesia Pilar neighborhood, shared her opinions and appreciation of the revisions presented at the last meeting for SAMC 10-153, and suggested additional revisions. Tonya Skuzynski, resident of Jack Fisher Park, shared her concerns regarding the increase of homeless activity in her neighborhood. Tim Johnson, concerned constituent, shared his opinion and ideas on police officer recruitment and fireworks enforcement. Additionally, Mr. Johnson stated that permanent housing is the solution to addressing homelessness, and supported the City's opposition of OCNEP. Pa AGENDAITEMS 1. Approval of Minutes from the March 13, 2018 Meeting 2. Approval of Minutes from the May 8, 2018 Meeting 3. Update on Police Officer Recruitment and Hiring— Manager Robert Carroll Manager Carroll presented the Council Committee with an update on Police Officer hiring, by reviewing the number of vacancies compared to filled positions year-to-date, as well as the number of additional officers projected to be hired the remainder of 2018. Additionally, Manager Carroll discussed recruitment efforts by reviewing recruitment events that have occurred year-to-date, as well as the events scheduled through the end of 2018. Manager Carroll also gave a detailed overview of staffing averages for the City, the average tenure of sworn staff and the number of officers who are out due to on -duty injuries. The Council Committee shared dialogue with Staff about recruitinent/retainment efforts, asked questions and offered support of recruitment efforts. ACTION Chairman Tinajero asked that staff look at Fresno Police Department as an opportunity for lateral officer recruitment. 4. Update Regarding Potential Revisions to SAMC 10-153 (Loud and Raucous Noise) — Assistant City Attorney Assistant City Attorney Tamara Bogosian provided the Council Committee with options for their consideration regarding the Loud and Raucous Noise Ordinance (SAMC 10-153), as requested after last meeting's discussion about the recommended revisions. Tamara also provided and explained options for defining "subsequent" responses and shared the steps taken in compiling these revisions. 5. Verbal Update on Policing Philosophy & Chief's 5 -Year Strategic Plan — Chief Valentin Chief Valentin provided a verbal update on both the Chiefs Policing Philosophy and 5 - Year Strategic Plan initiatives and the progress made so far. Chief Valentin gave an overview of the established committees, scheduled community input meetings and targeted dates of publication for each initiative. 6. Summary of Fourth of July Operational Period Activity — Chief Valentin Chief Valentin shared a summary of the Police Department's approach in addressing fireworks and activity for the Fourth of July holiday, stating it was a two-pronged approach focusing on education and enforcement. Chief Valentin provided the number of outreach events, calls for service and enforcement, comparing them to last year's totals. Additionally, Chief Valentin provided a summary of an officer's injury that occurred upon responding to assist in securing OCFA on scene of an injury. 7. Homelessness Update — Hafsa Kaka, Homeless Services Manager {Strategic Plan Goal No. 5, 3d & No. 1, le) Homeless Services Manager Hafsa Kaka presented the Council Committee with an overview of recent projects that have taken place to address homelessness: Quality of Life Team (QOLT) and Santiago Creek Clean -Up. Additionally, Hafsa provided an update on the Orange County Needle Exchange Program and on Judge Carter and his involvement in addressing homelessness in the City. Lastly, Hafsa shared the ongoing general homeless services efforts taking place. 8. Application for Needle Exchange Program (OCNEP) — Chief Valentin Chief Valentin provided the Council Committee insight, in addition to the information Hafsa provided, regarding the Orange County Needle Exchange Program's (OCNEP) application for certification for mobile syringe exchange services. He shared his concerns about the Program's needle distribution, while stating that he, and other local police chiefs, opposed the Program's reimplementation. 4 COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS Chairman Tinajero shared his support of making the Police Department more appealing to lateral applicants, without negatively effecting the City, and asked that staff consider recruiting laterals from Fresno Police Department. Chairman Tinajero commended the good work and adjustments made to SAMC 10-153. In regards to the Fourth of July, Chairman Tinajero thanked staff for their enforcement efforts and for locating hotspots of illegal firework activity. Additionally, Chairman Tinajero shared that while the City was sensitive to the originally intended positive impact of the Orange County Needle Exchange Program, the City will remain opposed of its reimplementation for the time being. Chairman Tinajero stated that all concerns shared by the public are one of his top priorities, while reassuring them that all concerns would be addressed and asked that staff provide an update on implementing a plan. Lastly, Chairman Tinajero shared details about an opportunity for the City to partner with the Santa Ana Unified School District to apply for grant funding, and asked that staff provide a report on grant applications. He explained that if there is a park adjacent to any riverbed, the City can apply for fimding to help clean up the park and address homeless concerns. Co -Chair Villegas shared his strong support in recruiting and hiring of more police officers, and reaffirmed the importance of ample police staffing, and the impact it has on the community. In regards to the Orange County Needle Exchange, Co -Chair Villegas agreed that the Program was not as successful as intended, during its initial implementation. Co -Chair Villegas congratulated Chief Black on his recent promotion, thanked staff for their hard work and presentations, and confirmed his commitment to addressing the fires in the creek bed. The Committee members were engaged in the discussions, expressed interest in the presentations, and asked for some items to be brought back for further dialogue. FUTURE ITEMS ADJOURNMENT — 7:10 P.M. 2DAVID�;VALENTIN Chief of Police �e