HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-01-24 PUBLIC SAFETYSANTA ANA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
PUBLIC SAFETY
Minutes of Meeting
January 24, 2012
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was convened at 6:15 P.M. at Santa Ana Police Department, 60 Civic Center
Plaza, Police Community Room, Santa Ana, California.
ATTENDANCE
Council members present: Claudia Alvarez and Sal Tinajero.
Staff present: Police Chief Paul Walters, Fire Chief Dave Thomas, Assistant City Attorney
Teresa Judd, Sgt. Mark Kozakowski, ACO II Sondra Berg, and Loretta Tafoya, Recording
Secretary.
Public sign-ins: Sharon Portman, Irma Macias, Rene D. Guzman
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes approved of the September 27, 2011 meeting.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
• Sharon Portman appealed to the committee to be fair when they review the 100
foot limit on the ordinance. There is a tremendous amount of benefits to having
chickens. Nationwide right now everyone is into organic food and being healthy.
3. CHICKEN ORDINANCE
Assistant City Attorney Teresa Judd introduced herself, Sgt. Kozakowski and ACO II
Sondra Berg. She explained the City Council has the jurisdiction to make in-act and
advise any changes since this ordinance is to deal with public safety. Sgt. Kozakowski
stated our current SAMC 5-18 (Proximity to Humans) requires the keeping of chickens in
a coop or pen on one's property to be at least 100 ft. from any other inhabitable building.
It is the most restrictive policy within the County. The City of Santa Ana has the densest
population in the county, which has potential health risk. In 2003, the City had an
outbreak of the West Nile Virus which resulted in the recovery of over 2100 dead or
dying birds. This resulted in an increased shelter cost to the City. Diseases travel
rapidly with the bird population. Last year, we had 226 fowl related calls. In 2003 -
2011 there were a total of 3132 calls for service. If we increase the amount of chickens
residents can have, it could become a burden to our Animal Control Unit. Committee
Member Alvarez asked what is the comparison with other cities. Sgt. Kozakowski stated
Santa Ana has 100 feet restriction, 27.5 sq miles with the population of 337,977,
Anaheim allows 3 hens on 5000 sq ft. lot, 50.8 sq. miles, population 336,255.
Committee Member Alvarez wanted to know if we can amend or update the ordinance
with more study. She asked what kind of restrictions the County has. ACO II Berg
stated the County also has a 100 ft. rule. Committee Member Alvarez stated that there
has to be a middle ground.
She asked if we could have neighbors petition to allow fowl at their residence. Sgt.
Kozakowski said that it has nothing to do with the health issues. Committee member
Alvarez asked what kind of calls did they received regarding the chickens. Sgt.
Kozakowski stated the calls are due to smells, noise, chickens getting into other people
yards, which could be a possible health risk. Committee member Alvarez asked Sgt.
Kozakowski if his recommended was not to change the ordinance. Committee Member
Alvarez asked Committee Sal Tinajero if he had any to say. He asked what was the
main reason for tonight. Sgt. Kozakowski stated that a citizen suggested the ordinance
be updated.
4. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Committee member Tinajero thanked everyone for coming and appreciated their
feedback. Committee member Alvarez stated the chicken laws are outdated and the
ordinance would be on the next Public Safety Agenda.
5. ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
A. Chicken Ordinance
NEXT MEETING DATE - Tuesday, March 20, 2012, 5:30 pm, Santa Ana Police Facility, Room,
60 civic Center Plaza, Police Community Room, Santa Ana, California
ADJOURNMENT - 6:35 P.M.
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PAUL M. WALTERS
Chief of Police