Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCORRESPONDENCE - 20E eo or Q u /1,1County of Orange 1.1F01 County Executive Office September 16, 2016 David Cavazos City Manager 20 Civic Center Plaza,8th Floor r Santa Ana,CA 92701 cf) r.) Dear Mr.Cavazos, ;, f .#-. The County is committed to safety and security in the Civic Center area and our meting last week provided a good forum to discuss concepts the City is considering. In that meeting we committed to exchanging additional information in order that the scope of the proposed actions could be assessed and costs estimates developed. To date, the County has looked into your request for 150 parking spaces for City employees paid at the City's cost, and we are happy to accommodate your employees. Regarding the lighting assessment, we support the installation of brighter lights in the existing lighting fixtures, and our staffs are working closely on a joint assessment of additional lighting improvements. Also, the County is working to centralize services for the time being at the former Santa Ana Transit Terminal (SATT). Once operational, food providers will be encouraged to register to provide meals at that location. The County is supportive of additional power-washing, trash maintenance and lighting improvements,however, we have not received comprehensive information regarding the scope of those improvements to ensure the effort will address the condition in the Civic Center. My expectation is that the County would vote as a member of the Civic Center Authority, to support higher levels of cleaning after review of a detailed scope of work that include specific levels of service(i.e. method of cleaning, days per week,number of workers). With regard to the City's proposal to increase security guards, enhance police presence and to construct a public kiosk,we agreed in our meeting that the City would provide the County with detailed information about the proposals(i.e detailed shift srherlule of the existing and_pr_oposed police presence, justification for the level of staffing change, metric for tracking enforcement effectiveness, location and staffing model of kiosk, etc.). This level of specificity is critical to understand whether the additional efforts are concentrated clearly on the areas of highest concern,and to ensure they result in the improvement needed in the Civic Center. CCM 9/20/2016 333 W.Santa Ana Blvd.,3'Floor,Santa Ana,CA 92701-4062 • Phone(714)S34-6200 • Fax(714)834-3018 • Lww.i Roon Item 20E I am concerned that the draft September 20, 2016 council agenda item you shared with me asks for your Council's support based on the statement that City staff is confident the County will contribute $587,836 and partner on the relocation of the Needle Exchange Program. This statement is not accurate. The County supports additional power washing, trash maintenance and lighting improvements provided we are able to review the scopes of work in advance to ensure they afford the level of improvement we discussed. Any funding related to security guards,additional police presence or a public kiosk requires further consideration and discussion once we have received the City's detailed information. Finally, the County does not have authority in its legislative platform to act on the issue of the City's Needle Exchange Program. As we work together it is important that we are clear in our communication, and that decisions are made based on accurate information. I am glad that I had this opportunity to provide clarification. I look forward working together on behalf of the homeless population in the Santa Ana Civic Center. Sincerely, Fran im County Executive Officer cc: Mark Denny,Chief Operating Officer Shane Silsby, Director OC Public Works Cymantha Atkinson, Director Government&Community Relations