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Home My WebLink About2015-03-24 PUBLIC SAFETYCITY OF SANTA ANA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT MINUTES March 24, 2015 CALL TO ORDER: Ross Annex, Room 1600 City Hall, 20 Civic Center Drive Santa Ana, California 5:30 PM ATTENDANCE: Council Committee members: David Benavides Sal Tinajero Angelica Amezcua STAFF PRESENT: David Cavazos, CMO Carlos Rojas, PD Devin Leonard, OCFA Laura Rossini, CAO Doug McGeachy, PD Jason Viramontes, PD Ken Gominsky, PD Christina Holland, PD -Jail Bureau Vince Fregoso, Planning & Building Alvaro Nunez, CDA Eileen F. Greene, Recording Secretary PUBLIC SPEAKERS: Massimo Marini Smitty Tim Houchen Brizy Mae Robert Wanamaker Sam Romero Q PUBLIC COMMENTS Massimo Marini, member of Civic Center Roundtable, comments on homeless issue. Marini said he met with the City Manager, his staff and Commander ibarra regarding a storage center. He said the City continues to talk about finding a property, but something needs to be created or sacrifice a property for the homeless. Marini says the City has the political will to get it done or his group has the social capacity to get it done. Marini has proposals from two licensed non- profits. Marini asks that the City keep this in mind as they look at different sites. Smitty, member of Civic Center Roundtable, speaks on the homeless issue. Would like the City to look for, or select, a site. Find a solution without penalizing the homeless, even if it's not a check -in center. They just need somewhere during the day, during working hours, to store property. Tim Houchen, member of Civic Center Roundtable, comments on homeless issue. At Board of Supervisors meeting, Shawn Nelson said in order for government to do anything, they have to have political will and guts. Houchen questions leadership in Santa Ana because he feels nothing has been done to get the check -in center. People need close proximity to the civic center to be able to get to their property. Brizy Mae, member of Civic Center Roundtable, says she hasn't gotten a ticket in six years for sleeping or camping but many others have. Understands there are problems with drugs and alcohol, but a lot of people need help and medical aid. She tries to let others know the City wants to work with them, but the homeless are still getting tickets and having their property taken. Robert Wanamaker, member of Civic Center Roundtable, resident of Santa Ana since 1978, has been homeless for eight years. Homeless problem been going on 25 years and nothing has been done. Homeless get tickets and their property gets taken. These people have no options. Sam Romero, resident, provides the Committee members with a list of quality of life concerns throughout the Logan neighborhood. Some of these problems include traffic issues, crematorium, liquor store selling alcohol to minors, underage drinking, gangs, parents afraid to bring their children to the park, trucks coming through Logan releasing fumes, noise pollution, etc. Romero is asking the City and the police for help to deal with some of these issues. "Q," member of Civic Center Roundtable, comments on homeless issue. "Q" says that the homeless people are only asking for something that is reliable for them, and they are willing to help in any way they can if the City doesn't want to pay somebody else. "Q" says the homeless are only asking for a fair chance and respect from City officials and police. AGENDA ITEMS 1. Approval of Minutes of 1 -27 -15 Meeting Motion: Approve the Minutes of 1 -27 -15 meeting. MOTION: Tinajero SECOND: Amezcua VOTE: AYES: Benavides, Tinajero, Amezcua NOES: None (0) ABSENT: None Motion carries. 2. Police Officer Body Cameras (Updated on Status of Exploratory Committee and Department Of Justice Grant Submission) - Commander Jason Viramontes {Strategic Plan Goal No. 1, if and 3b} Commander Jason Viramontes gives a power point presentation updating progress made by the Body Camera Exploratory Committee. The Exploratory Committee has been formed and goals set to research and vet all issues related to body cameras. Comprehensive reports and recommendations based on these findings will be provided to the Chief of Police and the Senior Management Team. Some of the benefits include increased officer professionalism and an increase in community trust. Potential concerns are when to record, where to wear it, who is required to wear it, the chain of custody. One of the main things the Committee will be exploring is the retention of the recordings. Although body cameras have benefits, it is important to remember that cameras do not record things exactly as the officer sees them and camera speeds differ from life speed. A camera can never replace a thorough investigation. Policy decisions will be made as to questions related to public records request acts and body cameras. Before the next meeting in May, the Committee will look at privacy concerns and begin planning officer forums for feedback from the officers required to wear body cameras. 3. Fireworks (Public Education Campaign and Enforcement Plan for 2015) — Commander Ken Gominsky {Strategic Plan Goal No. 1, 2d) Commander Ken Gominsky has a power point presentation regarding fireworks. This year the Police Department has a 2015 public education campaign and enforcement plan. In conjunction with the OCFA, an anonymous tip line has been established for residents to report illegal fireworks sales and use. As part of the public education campaign, there will be posters and Tflyers with both the Santa Ana Police and Orange County Fire logos distributed throughout zhe City and the schools. Social media will be a tool used to do community outreach advising aLo:,t the dangers of illegal fireworks, to air Public Service Announcements and to define what fireworks are illegal, as well as penalties for sales or use. Division Chief Leonard speaks about how injuries have become more prevalent with the use of any fireworks. The Fire Department provides medical aid and suppression, and assists the Police Department with confiscation. 4. Crossing Guards (Review and Recommend Confirmation of the Crossing Guards Agreement) — Deputy Chief McGeachy {Strategic Plan Goal No. 1, le) Deputy Chief McGeachy has a power point presentation regarding the current status of the crossing guard program in Santa Ana, broken down by school district. The methodology used for the crossing guard program was looked at including traffic collision data, site surveys, proximity to other crossing guards, traffic control devices, and the hours that schools operate. There were three complaints at the outcome of the assessment. One crossing guard was replaced after it was agreed the crossing guard was needed due to significant road work. The traffic collision data didn't identify any significant accidents or incidents that occurred at the current or previous crossing guard locations. The Police Department will continue to work with the Santa Ana Unified School District to make sure that crossing guards are placed where reasonable and necessary. Recommendation: Renew three -year contract with Allstate Management Services for 52.2 million dollars which includes a 15% contingency fee. This will provide funding to add additional crossing guards if needed. Motion: Move the Crossing Guard item to City Council in April. MOTION: Tinajero SECOND: Amezcua VOTE: AYES: Benavides, Tinajero, Amezcua NOES: None (0) ABSENT: None Motion carries. 5. Homeless Check -in Center (Update on Sites for a Homeless Check -in Center, Adjacent to the Civic Center Area) — Interim Executive Director, Planning & Building, Vince Fregoso {Strategic Plan Goal No. 5, 3d} Sr. Management Assistant Alma Flores and Interim Executive Director of Planning & Building, Vince Fregoso, have a power point presentation updating the property storage and homeless check -in center for the homeless pilot project. The City has been proactively looking at potential sites and has identified Mercy House as that operator. There were 10 sites looked at based on their close proximity to the Civic Center area. Interim Executive Director Fregoso explains that in addition to looking at the sites, the City looked at the zoning codes and the site requirements. Fregoso gives an evaluation of all potential sites being considered. 6. Proactive Rental Enforcement Program/PREP (Review 2014 PREP Inspection Program) — Community Preservation Manager Alvaro Nunez {Strategic Plan Goal No. 5, 4e} Community Preservation Manager Alvaro Nunez, Code Enforcement, opens the discussion on the Proactive Rental Enforcement Program or PREP. Manager Nunez explains during his power point presentation that the PREP program was started by the City Council in 1992, and the annual fee is $21 per unit. The Gold Seal Incentive Program created in 1994 rewards property owners who keep their properties well maintained. Units must be kept in excellent condition to maintain exempt status. Currently there are 5460 gold seal units. There is a code enforcement team to make sure that rental units are in compliance. In 2014, in addition to reacting to complaints, the team became proactive and targeted certain complexes in the northeast area of the city. The team used enforcement tools to give the owner a chance to come into compliance. The goal is to make sure the minimum standard of housing is being met so it doesn't affect the quality of life in these neighborhoods. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS On public comments: Committee Chairman Benavides explains that the City Council has made the homeless issue a priority and will continue to identify a multi - purpose service center. The Committee will also follow -up on the neighborhood concerns in the Logan area. On Item No. 2, Geographic Policing: Chairman Benavides commented that this deployment model can enhance Community Oriented Policing. On Item No. 3, Fireworks: All Committee Members were supportive of this year's public awareness /educational campaign regarding fireworks. Council member Tinajero states that fundraisers for safe - and -sane fireworks generate much needed revenue for schools and sports programs. Council member Amezcua suggests reaching out to the Superintendent of Schools to encourage parents to buy the legal fireworks and let them know what programs we have. Council Chairman Benavides suggests encouraging families to attend the fireworks show at Centennial Park. On Item No. 4, Crossing Guards Councilmember Tinajero says we need to collaborate with the school district to find where we need the crossing guards. SAUSD Chief Rodriguez agreed. The City Manager commented that if the School District requested another crossing guard at a location, it would be provided. On Item No. 5, Homeless Check -in Center Council committee members were supportive of option #1, Building 16 parking lot as a site for the homeless check -in center. On Item No. 6, Proactive Rental Enforcement Program (PREP) Chairman Benavides wanted this on the Agenda because of concern for substandard living conditions. How do we use this program and the tools that we have to address these issues and concerns in our apartment buildings? Wanted to bring back some of the feedback regarding this program to the City Council. Councilmember Amezcua questioned how the concerns are prioritized and addressed. ACTION: Chairman Benavides asks for a report and update on the homeless check -in center sites at the next meeting which will be held on May 26`h. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ➢ Downtown Video Project ➢ Re -Entry Program ➢ Police Body Cameras ➢ Police Recruitment Chief of Police