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HomeMy WebLinkAbout13C - COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTSANTA ANA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE PUBLIC SAFETY Minutes of Meeting March 22, 2011 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was convened at 5:50 P.M. at Santa Ana Police Department, 60 Civic Center Plaza, Police Community Room, Santa Ana, California. ATTENDANCE Council members present: Claudia Alvarez, David Benavides, and Sal Tinajero. Staff present: Police Chief Paul Walters, Fire Chief Dave Thomas, Assistant City Attorney Teresa Judd, Commander Ken Gominsky, Assistant City Attorney Ryan Hodge, Interim City Attorney Joe Straka, PIS Yolanda Pena and Loretta Tafoya, Recording Secretary. Public sign-ins: Jose Andrade, Sam Romero, Frank Palmer, Vicky Baxter, Andrew Galvin, Connie Hamilton, Carl Benninger, Rosalia Rinon, Alicia Ochoa, Sergio Hernandez, Esther Trinidad, Dennis Lluy, Ryan Chase, Davin Gumm, Mark Gumm, Addison Yaggers, Philip deLara, Dr. Carter Dewberry, Adela Montanez, Laura Garcia, Teresa Andrade, Ofelia Balbuena, Maria Andrade, Nathan Villa, Chris Blair, Omar Damian, Steve Guzman, Gabriela Penonori, George Mendoza, Lavin Partola, Ana Carricchi, Arthur Sandoval, Jefferey Hoen, Ali Akabarzajeh, Sean Coolidge, Lizbeth Lopez-Diaz, Matt Ortiz, Diana Markessinis, Irving, Chris. SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS PUBLIC COMMENTS Committee Member Alvarez started with Public Comments due to the large attendance. Committee Member Sal Tinajero translated in Spanish. Steve Guzman from a non-profit organization "Turkey and France" stated they raise money for various organizations. He supports serving alcohol at the YOST Theater to help with raising more funds. Dennis Lluv representing YOST Theater is supporting the ordinance and stated the Theater supports the Police Department with all regulations. Mr. Lluv recognized that public safety is the top priority. Sam Romero is concerned for the surrounding neighborhood. He stated there is a methadone clinic, halfway house, and bars in that area. He is very concerned about having a nightclub added to the Community. He would like education made a priority. A citizen commented on the Committee not following the agenda. Committee Member Alvarez explained, due to the large attendance, it was best to have the Public Comments be addressed first. This would give those wanting to be present solely for the Public Comment agenda item, the option to leave in lieu of staying for the entire meeting Dr. Carter Dewberry lives in the lofts and she was expressing her support of the dance ordinance revisions which will add structure to the current ordinance. Frank Palmer stated he was confused with the changes. Committee Member Claudia Alvarez asked him what copy of ordinance he had. She explained to him that Commander Gominsky was going to present the revisions of the ordinance after the public comments. Mr. Palmer stated he would have liked that item to have been presented prior to the comments from the public being heard. A resident from Pacific Building stated that she understands what the YOST is doing. She thinks it will help the Community. Rosalva Pena from Latino Health Access said she works with youth on prevention. She is worried about adding "all-ages" to the new ordinance. It would be a huge blow to the work she does. George Mendoza just opened a barbershop and has met with many youth from the neighborhood. He feels like the YOST would give the youth alternatives. He felt it would be better than kids drinking and partying in the street. He feels the YOST would help the youth have fun while they are being supervised. Raul Morales stated he has been a promoter for quite some time. He believes YOST will be a safe place for the youth because they are not being properly supervised in the areas where they currently gather. 13C-1 Laura Garcia would like the Public Safety Meeting held at a later hour so more residents can attend after work. She is also against the new ordinance. She would like the City to have more places for the youth to learn. She asked why YOST couldn't prohibit liquor. Another resident said he was worried the youth would get intoxicated before they arrived at the YOST Theater. Ryan Chase stated he supports the new ordinance and YOST. He feels it will draw people from the entire County and bring revenue to the City. He intends to make security a priority. Alda stated the City needs to continue the curfew and keep the nightclub age at 18 years. Valerie Gallegos supports YOST. She feels that kids will drink and get into trouble with or without the YOST Theater. Adela likes the Dance Ordinance but doesn't want the YOST Theater to serve alcohol when the youth are present. Nathan Padilla stated the YOST will improve Santa Ana. Jose Hernandez is concerned with the legal age and also stated the City needs the revenue. Addison Jagger is proud of the City and how it is growing with nice restaurants. Latrin Patohas is worried about merchants on one side and families on the other side. She wants a safe and healthy place for children. Sean Coolidge stated the Community will grow with new businesses. Ruth Beck is upset with the Spanish translation being inadequate. She is worried that citizens attending the meeting are unable to understand what is being said. David Corone is in the music business that promotes an all-age venue. He explained that alcohol provides revenue. The youth will be well supervised and kept away from the alcohol. Rebecca White said YOST would help kids because Dennis has helped her to change her life by giving her alternatives to drugs and alcohol. She suggested that YOST Theater should get involved with the local associations. Maria Andrade said it would be better if neighborhoods knew about this issue. She believes that citizens want to be a part of this process. Alise Ochoa worries about youth being allowed to drink alcohol and asked who will be taking the kids home after the party since it would be after curfew. Efron said the music is good for the youth. It will give them something to do since they enjoy dancing and music. He says Koos Cafe has started to help youth and the Community and intends to be a mentor. Omar Damian grew up in Santa Ana and wants residents to open their minds. He feels music won't promote drinking. Ignacio said music is beautiful but its impact varies with age groups. He is afraid kids will drink more if alcohol is served when the youth are around. Steve Fish from the Artist Village said the neighborhood has improved with new restaurants. Kids will be privileged to see the performers that will be involved with the YOST Theater. Estead Gomida doesn't understand why we have Koos Cafe when they have had violations in their other locations. Raymond Garcia said families need to take kids to the programs and feels it is more positive than negative. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes approved of the November 30, 2010 meeting. 3. DOWNTOWN DANCE ORDINACE Chief Walters explained that the Police Department is researching other Cities for information regarding other dance ordinances and will present that information to the Public Safety Committee. He has personally visited the downtown area and has spoken with various business owners. Committee Member Claudia Alvarez stated Senator Lou Correa is not in support of the all age Dance Ordinance. Commander Ken Gominsky made a presentation on possible changes to the dance ordinance: • Updated lighting, posting of permit, loud music and necessity for security guard (s). • Nightclub shall be defined as "a public place open to patrons over the age of 21 years of age for entertainment primarily during the evening hours wherein liquor and food may be served providing and an area for public dancing." • Clarified the One-day Dance Permit. Open to the public with or without payment of an admittance fee. Location of event must have received prior approval from the City Planning & Building Agency and Fire Department to conduct these functions. • Deleted "Prohibition against issuing a pass-out check". Registration by patron and alcoholic beverages restrictions in a Public Dance Hall. • Possible new regulations: Qualified on-site manager (background check), Queuing, security plan, alcohol server training, ID scanner to verify age, closed circuit television system, and cost recovery fee. • Administrative Citation $100 - $500, subsequent violations may be upgraded to criminal citation or arrest. Criminal citation has an arraignment court date and possible fine/or probation with conviction. 2 13C-2 • Enforcement Options: "In the event any person holding a permit under this chapter shall violate any provision of this chapter or shall permit or allow any illegal or disorderly conduct in said dancing place, the Chief of Police may revoke or condition such permit by giving written notice of the revocation or condition to the holder of such permit". • Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Chief of Police to revoke or condition said permit may appeal as provided in Chapter 3 of the Santa Ana Municipal code. • Downtown dance designated geographical areas. Any type of ABC license and no minimum size kitchen or dance floor. • The boundaries of the Downtown Zone and Urban Center zone of the new transit zoning code. Concert Venue Permit is Downtown Zone only. Only establishment over 11 sq. feet, no minimum kitchen or dance floor size. 4. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS Committee member Claudia Alvarez stated the Committee will be checking with other venues to see if they had previous problems. She also wanted to get a definition of "Guardian". Committee member David Benavides stated the businesses will also be responsible for clients that leave their business. He also reminded the public that the Chief can cancel the permit anytime. Committee member Claudia Alvarez wants to see a number on how we would cancel this. She wants a threshold number and to remove dance floor footage. She also asked about the "no-age" restriction. Can we combine concert venue permit and dance permit? Committee member Alvarez would like the "Ordinance Sunset" after one year. She wants more details on results of calls for service. Asked that research be done on the Grove and review at next presentation. Committee Member David Benavides asked for a clarification on the difference between "Dance Permit" and "Concert Venue Permit." Committee Member Claudia Alvarez wants Ryan Hodge to fix the language in the Ordinance. 5. ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING A. Building Healthy Communities B. Jessica's Law C. Release of Prisoners D. Downtown Dance Ordinance NEXT MEETING DATE - Tuesday, May 24, 2011, 5:30 pm, Santa Ana Police Facility, 60 Civic Center Plaza, Police Community Room, Santa Ana, California. P.M. 4P P 4URNM??8:30 LTERS Chief of Police 13C-3 13C-4