HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-03-11 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, INFRASTRUCTURE , BUDGET & TECHNOLOGY (2)CITY OF SANTA ANA
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, INFRASTRUCTURE, BUDGET AND TECHNOLOGY
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 11, 2019
CALL TO ORDER: City Hall
20 Civic Center Plaza, Room 1600
Santa Ana, CA
5:04 PM
ATTENDANCE: Council Committee members:
Cecilia Iglesias
David Penaloza
Jose Solorio
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Steven A. Mendoza, Acting City Manager
Minh Thai, PBA Executive Director
Jack Ciulla, IT Chief Technology Innovations Officer
Fuad Sweiss, PWA Executive Director
Kathryn Downs, FMSA Executive Director
Steven Pham, HR Executive Director
Sergio Vidal, FMSA Assistant Director
Laura Rossini, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Candida Neal, Planning Manager
Bianca L. Zurita, Recording Secretary
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Council Committee Member Solorio thanked Mr. Peter Katz and Mr. Chris Schmidt forjoining
the meeting and caring about these items.
AGENDA DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Elect a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Economic Development,
Infrastructure, Budget and Technology Committee
Council Committee Member Solorio nominated himself as Chair.
Council Committee Member Iglesias nominated herself as Vice -Chair.
Motion passed unanimously.
March 11, 2019 1 Economic Development, Infrastructure, Budget & Technology Minutes
2. Approval of Minutes of November 26, 2018 Special Meeting
Council Committee Member Iglesias requested to postpone approval of minutes to next
meeting in May.
MOTION: Iglesias SECOND: Penaloza
VOTE: AYES: Iglesias, Penaloza, Solorio (3)
NOES: None (0)
ABSENT: None (0)
(Item 7 taken out of order)
7. Discuss Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 2018-04 to Amend Sections of
Municipal Code Related to: Special District Requirement for Heninger Park and
French Park (Historic Districts), Service Station, Townhome Residential
Development Standards and Schools (Minh Thai, PBA)
Minh Thai, Executive Director of Planning and Building presented a series of proposed
zoning amendments that revises the code which results in Planners do their job better.
Candida Neal, Planning Manager of Planning and Building, provided an overview of the
proposed amendments. One is for Service Stations (Gas Stations) that will now require
going through the City's Development Project review process ensuring adequate review
by all agencies/departments.
The second proposed amendment is for French Park and Heninger Park to assign
responsibility for the review of projects to the Historic Resources Commission. Both
Districts were identified as historic neighborhoods before the City adopted the current
historic ordinance. Before the creation of the historic commission and historic ordinance,
any structural changes in those two neighborhoods went to the Planning Commission.
The proposed amendment transfers the review authority from the Planning Commission
to the Historic Resources Commission.
The third proposed amendment is for the Two -Family (R2) District and Townhouse
Standards. The proposed amendments will modify the standards, reduce the building
separation, clarify and simplify language and development standards, create flexible
open space and storage design standards, allow 3 -story townhouse subject to a CUP,
modify parking requirements and create additional opportunities for low to medium
density housing. Council Committee Member Iglesias expressed concern with guest
parking spaces being reduced from 2 spaces to half a space and the overflow going into
the neighboring streets. Guest parking requirements should be kept as one space.
Discussion from Council Committee Members continued on the guest parking issue
based on the number of bedroom size of each unit.
Currently, schools are permitted in residential and commercial districts. In the residential
districts, schools are required to obtain a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). In the
March 11, 2019 1 Economic Development, Infrastructure, Budget & Technology Minutes
commercial area, they are allowed by right. The proposed Amendment is for all new
schools be required to go through the city's CUP process which will allow for formal public
input and will ensure no or minimal impact to surrounding land uses.
Council Committee member Iglesias stated that she does not support the proposed
amendment, and feels it will make it more difficult for charter schools to open in the city.
Staff will look at the school requirements and establish criteria and operational standards
that they will need to comply. Minh Thai will meet with staff to refine the standards to
ensure they meet the administrative approval with standards.
Council Committee member Iglesias would like to discuss with other council members in
regards to school requirement/standards proposed amendments. Planning and Building
Department will bring it back to Council in the summer with a new proposal/amendment.
Council Committee members recommend taking this item to the Planning Commission
before taking it to full City Council.
3. Discuss the Resolution to Add Positions in the Human Resources and Police
Departments and to Reallocate Certain Positions in the Police Department and
Parks, Recreation and Community Services Departments (Strategic Plan No. 7,
6) (Steven Pham, HR) (Continued Item #55C from March 5th City Council Meeting)
Kathryn Downs, Executive Director of Finance and Management Services, provided
background of Items 3 and 4. Staff was directed by City Council to bring both items to
EDIBT for further discussion and to add a review of the General Fund Balance and
Reserve and Measure X Spending Requirements.
Item #55C from the March 5th City Council Agenda — The report came from Human
Resources requesting to add and reallocate some positions and to approve the
appropriation adjustment which was included with the mid -year report. The purpose is
to discuss and make a recommendation back to all City Council. Kathryn Downs
reinforced that it is good practice to look at the staffing when working with the annual
budget plan as supposed to mid -year.
Steven Pham, Human Resources Director spoke on behalf of Lisa Rudloff, Parks,
Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) and Chief Valentin, Santa Ana Police
Department. Steven Pham explained the critical need to hire a Parks Services Inspector
due to the liability faced when PRCS is unable to meet the basic state standards. The
position is needed now, and staff is always looking to shift the cost and savings. The
reason PRCS Director is looking to reallocate some of the Library positions is to eliminate
having to go through the hiring process which could take months.
Council Committee Chair Solorio's had concerns that if the Library is defunded of these
positions, later on if there is a need, these positions will need to re -funded. In regards to
the liability of the parks, other departments such as Code Enforcement and Public Works
also have liability issues. The need for a Parks Inspector has been an issue for years.
Steven Pham presented the need to reallocate the Jail Administrator to Police Captain
to create some standards and uniformity and add a Police Investigative Specialist to
March 11, 2019 1 Economic Development, Infrastructure, Budget & Technology Minutes
assist officers to investigate accidents and prepare administrative reports to alleviate
officers from focusing on other cases.
Council Committee Member Penaloza pointed out that the Santa Ana Police Department
needs a Social Media Specialist, someone that will make the department look more
humanizing and be able to give a positive outlook to the community.
Steven Pham presented the need to add new staff in Human Resources Department.
There are ten vacancies (budgeted and non -budgeted) as a result of the recession over
the years.
PUBLIC COMMENT - Mr. Chris Schmidt spoke in opposition of Police Department
receiving additional funds to hire new officers when other departments are getting less
or none. He stated that Code Enforcement is shorthanded, as well as Public Works, and
Parks, Recreation and Community Services and parking staff. Mr. Schmidt doesn't
understand how there's no budget but the Police Department positions are being filled.
He hopes that someone questions the hiring process. Mr. Schmidt mentioned that it is
not fair to the residents of Santa Ana that one department gets $1 million every year to
hire new people, but other departments don't get any money. Mr. Schmidt suggested
reviewing the proposed vacancies and seeing if 51 positions are really needed.
Council Committee Member Penaloza feels comfortable moving forward with the three
positions that the Human Resources Department is requesting but hold on to the other
positions until for further discussion or wait until the new budget cycle.
4. Discuss the Appropriation Adjustments Recommended with the Mid -Year Budget
Update (Strategic Plan No. 4,11 (Kathryn Downs, FMSA) (Continued Item #65B from
March 5t" City Council Meeting)
Kathryn Downs, Executive Director of Finance and Management Services, stated that
this update was directed by City Council to bring to the Committee for further discussion.
The purposes of the Mid -Year Update are the revenue update and a request for
appropriation adjustments. A summary of the appropriation adjustments that was
requested by City Council are related to the General Fund, City Services Fund and
Liability Fund and Workers Comp Fund.
Council Committee member Penaloza recommended the $75,000 to move forward with
the 150 -year anniversary as it is approaching soon.
Steven Mendoza, Acting City Manager clarified that City Council approved $75,000 for
through July 1St and then staff will request an additional $75,000 in next year's budget.
He explained that the Mid -Year Budget adjustment is for when staff might have changes
and adjustments are necessary.
Council Committee Chair Solorio recommends to City Council $75,000 for the 150 -year
anniversary, a PRCS Park Inspector and 1 Human Resources Analyst. Council
Committee Chair Solorio also requested to bring an updated Revenue and Expenses
projection to City Council in April 2"d
March 11, 2019 1Economic Development, Infrastructure, Budget & Technology Minutes
5. Review General Fund and Reserve Balances for 17/18, 18/19 and Projected 19/20
(Strategic Plan No. 4) (Kathryn Downs, FMSA)
Item discussed with items 3 and 4.
6. Discuss Measure X Spending Requirements (Strategic Plan No. 4) (Kathryn
Downs, FMSA)
Kathryn Downs explained the ballot language that was listed on the Measure X and what
the money can be spent on. The Sales Tax Measure X money is a General Fund
Revenue which can be used for any legal purpose of the City.
Kathryn Downs explained that the Budget Community presentations begin tomorrow
night. Ms. Downs explained what will be covered at the community budget meetings.
She stated it is an exercise to get community feedback, determine which strategic plan
goals have been achieved, an overview of the city's budget process; an overview of the
current year budget for the community to see where the money is coming from and how
it is spent.
Steven Mendoza explained that staff would be looking for Capital Improvement Plan
(CIP) recommendations for streets and large projects that the community is looking for.
Fuad Sweiss, Executive Director of Public Works explained that staff created a list of
projects that are crucial to accomplish.
Steven Mendoza clarified that Public Works and Parks and Recreation have a list of
projects that are tangible and ready to tackle once Council approves next year's budget.
Council Committee Member Penaloza would like to see projects that can make the City
proud and be able to show residents that their tax dollars are being spent on projects to
benefit the residents. He would like to see the input from the Oversight Committee and
the Community Budget meetings.
Council Committee Chair Solorio would like to see a spending plan that will represent
the actual language of what the community voted on.
Council Committee Member Iglesias would like to see a proposal how the money will be
spent on Library Services.
ITEMS MOVED TO NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING
2. Approval of Minutes of November 26, 2018 Special Meeting.
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS:
March 11, 2019 1 Economic Development, Infrastructure, Budget & Technology Minutes
Steven Mendoza — Announced that Budget Community meetings start tomorrow with
another one on Wednesday and another in the next few weeks.
Steven Pham — Thanked Council Committee Members for their support and for listening
and appreciates the opportunity to speak in front of the Committee.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS:
Council Committee Member Penaloza — Thanked everyone for coming tonight.
Council Committee Chair Solorio — Thanked everyone for being here tonight and
appreciates their patience.
NEXT MEETING:
Monday, May 13, 2019
Adjournment — 7:46 PM
Bianca L. Zurita
Recording Secretary, CDA
March 11, 2019 1 Economic Development, Infrastructure, Budget & Technology Minutes