HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-27-2009 SANTA ANA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
PUBLIC SAFETY
Minutes of Meeting
October 27, 2009
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was convened at 6:37 p.m. at Santa Ana Police Department, 60 Civic
Center Plaza, 4th Floor, Santa Ana, California.
ATTENDANCE
Councilmembers present: Claudia Alvarez, David Benavides, and Sal Tinajero.
Staff present: Police Chief Paul Walters, Fire Chief Marc Martin, City Attorney Joe
Fletcher, Captain Christian Caswell, Randy Black, Randy Snyder, Alvaro Nunez,
Assistant City Attorney Theresa Judd, Commander Ken Gominsky, Mgr. Will Hayes, and
Loretta Tafoya, Recording Secretary.
Public sign-ins: Helen Martinez, Thomas Gordon, John Stratman, Scott Smith, Iliana
Welty
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approved Minutes of the September 1, 2009 meeting.
2. CITIZEN ALERT NETWORK
Commander Ken Gominsky introduced the new Santa Ana Police Department
Alert Network. The Alert Network allows Santa Ana Police Department to
instantly inform citizens of crimes, emergencies and other pertinent information
likely to impact the community. All alerts are delivered via email and are also
available via text. Commander Gominsky stressed the information is encrypted
and protected. Citizens can sign up for the network on the Santa Ana Police
Department home web page. Committee Member David Benavides suggested
the Police Department work with Community Development for dissemination and
thanked the Police Department for the good work. Committee Member Claudia
Alvarez asked Commander Ken Gominsky if we are using youth for info/tips. He
stated that Police Department will be working with the school police.
3. SWINE FLU VACCINE
Fire Chief Marc Martin stated the EMS coordinator is working with the Fire
Department with the dissemination of the flu shots. Santa Ana will have its first
Swine Flu clinic. Chief Martin said it will be a good practice run for if/when a high
scale catastrophe occurs. Fire Department is prepared for the up-coming clinic.
Chief Martin's main concern is for City employees and wanted to stress that they
needed to be a priority. Fire Department employees have been taking
precautions when going on calls. Committee Member Claudia Alvarez asked
why the City had to cancel the flu shots. Chief Martin stated he only knew the
company did not have enough vaccines for all the employees. Committee
Member Claudia Alvarez wants an update at next Public Safety Committee
meeting.
4. INSECT CONTROL
Fire Chief Martin stated the insects were no longer a threat. The quarantine is
still in effect. The State sprayed locally in Sept and only one fly has been found
since.
5. FORECLOSURES/ILLEGAL GARAGE CONVERSIONS
Joe Fletcher stated the City has adopted an Ordinance that fines the violator
$1000. He stated the "Right of Entry" is the problem the City has because they
can only go inside a residence when they see a violation from the outside. The
City can only issue visible violations. Committee Member David Benavides
asked if the City has a database for foreclosures. Alvaro Nunez stated the banks
have been very cooperative with Code Enforcement. Code Enforcement will also
be checking on the foreclosures. They also work with vector control. Committee
members stated they are worried about foreclosures that have green pools.
Alvaro Nunez stated that neighbors of green pools are very quick to report them
and vector control puts mosquito eating fish in pools and Code Enforcement
makes sure all gates and fences are secure.
6. UPDATE DISCUSSION ON NEW GRAFFITI ORDINANCE
Will Hayes stated the new graffiti ordinance went into effect September 17, 2009.
They are in the process of training the Police Department and School Police with
the new ordinance. The Electric Company is working with the Police Department
in painting utility boxes. The Court is accepting of the new ordinance as it is
written however; there is a concern with the reluctance of the Court to make
restitution a felony. In August, the City received $37,000 and in July received
$11,000. Committee Member Claudia Alvarez is going to provide a formula used
by other cities to make graffiti a felony for adults. She is requesting this issue be
on the agenda for the next meeting.
7. CA ENDOWMENT UPDATE
Iliana Welty from the O.C. Human Relations presented the plan for "Building a
Healthy Community." They are near completion of Phase 1 of their nine-month
plan. They have been holding weekly forums for citizens to share their ideas.
They have forums at elementary schools and have trained facilitators to handle
the forums. The first event is scheduled for November 21, 2010 Committee
Member David Benavides informed Iliana that the Committee is very supportive
of their efforts. She was also assured that the Council is aware of the importance
of the Organization's objectives.
8. DAY LABORERS IN KAISER PERMANENTE PARKING LOT
A spokesperson from Kaiser Permanente explained how day laborers are a
public safety issue. Management staff would like to work with the City, Galaxy
Theater, and Home Depot to address the problem. Councilmember Sal Tinajero
stated he would work with them. Chief Walters stated that Huntington Beach
Police Department has an area for the day laborers and Home Depot is
requesting a work center so they can have meetings with the day laborers.
9. CURFEW FOR YOUTH UPDATE
Chief Walters will provide an update at the next meeting.
11. PUBLIC COMMENTS
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Thomas Gordon asked Alvaro Nunez how Code Enforcement keeps up with the
demand. Alvaro Nunez stated they do the best they can in responding to every
complaint they receive.
12. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Committee Member Sal Tinajero commented on the increase of child/pedestrian
traffic at Taft Elementary and suggested a study for a crossing guard be done.
Committee members spoke on the flooding from the water main. Since it was a
private water system, how will it get repaired? City Attorney Joe Fletcher stated
it was a mutual private company and it is not safe. City needs to reactivate the
water state issue. Committee member Claudia Alvarez said they need to get
names of the owners of the wells.
13. ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
A. Curfew Update
B. Diamond Water Well
C. Jessica's Law Status -Enforcement Safety Zones
D. Update on Swine Flu Shots
E. Graffiti Restitution Formula for Adults and Juveniles
F. Day Laborers Update
14. NEXT MEETING DATE - Tuesday, January 26, 5:30 pm, Santa Ana Police
Facility, 60 Civic Center Plaza, 4th Floor conference room, Santa Ana, California.
ADJOURNMENT - 6:55 P.M.
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PAUL M. WALTERS
Chief of Police
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