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Home My WebLink AboutCORRESPONDENCE - #08 Latino Health Access L.ATIN 7 450 W. Fourth Street, Suite 130 ljr HEALTH �„ �� Santa Ana, CA 92701 714-542-7792 www.latinohealthaccess.org December 7, 2021 Mayor Sarmiento and City Council Members City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92701 RE: Support to adopt Agenda Item 48, Sunshine Ordinance Latino Health Access has been proudly working alongside community residents for over 27 years to improve the social determinants of health in our city. We provide services that address immediate health needs while providing information and facilitating opportunities to increase civic participation and impact policies that will improve those social determinants in the long term. Therefore,we are writing in support of the proposed amendments to the Sunshine Ordinance. Since its inception, the goal and intent of the City of Santa Ana Sunshine Ordinance have been to ensure that public information is readily accessible and available to all Santa Ana residents. The goal and intent of the Sunshine Ordinance have been vital for citizens to address the various legislative bodies before decisions are made and easy and timely access to public records. This constructive process invites the public to actively participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives and wellbeing, while simultaneously promoting an atmosphere of shared understanding and respect between elected policy-makers and the constituents they represent. Moreover, studies have shown that an open and transparent government fosters a relationship of trust among its residents. i As a result, this process facilitates the democratic opportunity for residents, elected policy-makers, and stakeholders to shape mutually beneficial outcomes for the City of Santa Ana and its residents. As such,we support the following amendments to the Sunshine Ordinance: Sunshine Ordinance Amendments e Publish City Council Meeting Agendas Seven Days Prior to the Meeting Date Publishing city council meeting agendas seven days prior to the meeting date would give Santa Ana residents timely access, information, and opportunities to prioritize city functions and programs that are important and/or impactful to them. PREVENTION EDUCATION ACTION 1. http://www.publicagenda.org/files/pdf/public_engagement_primer_O.pdf Latino Health Access L.ATIN 7 450 W. Fourth Street, Suite 130 ljr HEALTH �„ �� Santa Ana, CA 92701 714-542-7792 www.latinohealthaccess.org • Expand the Number of Community Meetings for Certain Development Projects from One to Two Expanding the number of community meetings around development projects would allow Santa Ana residents to discuss jobs, housing, and open spaces interests and concerns. • Increase the Radius of Distributing Noticing of said Community Meetings from 500 Feet of the Subject Property to 1,000 Feet The amendment to increase the Radius of Distributing Noticing of said Community Meetings from 500 Feet of the Subject Property to 1,000 Feet will inform all residents and businesses within the projected impact area, allowing them a chance to participate in shaping the project. To add on, we strongly recommend the adoption of an oversight commission, an independent body of residents and stakeholders to help ensure the government is functioning properly and upholding the Sunshine Ordinance. We urge you to support the proposed amendments to the Sunshine Ordinance. The proposed amendments will lead to a more open and transparent democratic process, where residents can share their needs and concerns on complex issues that affect their lives and physical, mental, and economic wellbeing. Sincerely, Nancy Mejia, MPH, MSW Chief Program Officer PREVENTION EDUCATION ACTION i December 7, 2021 www.kennedycommission.org 17701 Cowan Ave.,Suite 200 Irvine,CA 92614 Mayor Sarmiento and City Council Members 949 250 0909 City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92701 RE: Support to adopt Agenda Item 48, Sunshine Ordinance The Kennedy Commission (the Commission) is a broad-based coalition of residents and community organizations that advocates for the production of homes affordable for families earning less than $27,000 annually in Orange County. Formed in 2001, the Commission has been successful in partnering and working with Orange County jurisdictions to create effective housing and land-use policies that has led to the new construction of homes affordable to lower-income working families. Since its inception, the goal and intent of the City of Santa Ana Sunshine Ordinance have been to ensure that public information is readily accessible and available to all Santa Ana residents. The goal and intent of the Sunshine Ordinance have been vital for citizens to address the various legislative bodies before decisions are made and easy and timely access to public records. This constructive process invites the public to actively participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives and wellbeing, while simultaneously promoting an atmosphere of shared understanding and respect between elected policy- makers and the constituents they represent. Moreover, studies have shown that an open and transparent government fosters a relationship of trust among its residents. i As a result, this process facilitates the democratic opportunity for residents, elected policy-makers, and stakeholders to shape mutually beneficial outcomes for the City of Santa Ana and its residents. As such, we support the following amendments to the Sunshine Ordinance: Sunshine Ordinance Amendments • Publish City Council Meeting Agendas Seven Days Prior to the Meeting Date Publishing city council meeting agendas seven days prior to the meeting date would give Santa Ana residents timely access, information, and opportunities to prioritize city functions and programs that are important and/or impactful to them. • Expand the Number of Community Meetings for Certain Development Projects from One to Two Expanding the number of community meetings around development projects would allow Santa Ana residents to discuss jobs, housing, and open spaces interests and concerns. • Increase the Radius of Distributing Noticing of said Community Meetings from 500 Feet of the Subject Property to 1,000 Feet The amendment to increase the Radius of Distributing Noticing of said Community Meetings from 500 Feet of the Subject Property to 1,000 Feet will inform all residents and businesses within the projected impact area, allowing them a chance to participate in shaping the project. To add on, we strongly recommend the adoption of an oversight commission, an independent body of residents and stakeholders to help ensure the government is functioning properly and upholding the Sunshine Ordinance. We urge you to support the proposed amendments to the Sunshine Ordinance. The proposed amendments will lead to a more open and transparent democratic process, where residents can share their needs and concerns on complex issues that affect their lives and physical, mental, and economic wellbeing. Sincerely, Cesar Covarrubias Executive Director IU IIIIII Illlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllliuu��, December 7th, 2021 Mayor Sarmiento and the City Council Members City of Santa Ana 22 Civic Center Plaza P.O. Bo 1988, M31 Santa Ana, CA 92701 Re: Support Item 8 -Adopt Ordinance Amending the Sunshine Ordinance Dear Mayor Sarmiento and City Council Members, I write on behalf of Chispa in support of Item 8, approving the amendments to the Sunshine Ordinance. This proposal will increase transparency and community engagement for young Latinxs in Santa Ana, a significant portion of our city. Expanding the number of community meetings and publishing city council agendas seven days prior provide more time and will increase attendance among young people, many of whom have multiple jobs, are students, and have families. We hope the proposed amendments will increase the community involvement of young people and our most impacted communities. As such,we support the Sunshine Ordinance Amendments to the Housing Opportunity Ordinance and Affordable Housing Funds Policies and Procedures: The Sunshine Ordinance is a set of local laws that are aimed at increasing transparency, which would make the following changes to Council procedure: • Expand the Number of Community Meetings for Certain Development Projects from One to Two • Increase the Radius of Distributing Noticing of Community Meetings Related to Certain Development Projects and Planning Commission Public Hearings from 500 Feet of the Subject Property to 1,000 Feet • Publish City Council Meeting Agendas Seven Days Prior to the Meeting Date, Rather than the Currently Required Four Days Prior. Increasing the number of meetings will give busy youth more opportunities to participate in City processes. Likewise, having additional time to review agendas for upcoming meetings will allow young people juggling difficult schedules to better plan to attend meetings where issues relevant to them will be discussed. Finally, development affects people beyond the most immediate radius, and increasing the range of noticing will ensure that more members of a community will be able to voice their opinions on changes to their neighborhood. For these reasons, Chispa supports the Sunshine Amendments to the Sunshine ordinance. Sincerely, Boomer Vicente Policy Director Chispa