HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-02-22 PUBLIC SAFETY CITY OF SANTA ANA
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON
PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT
MINUTES
February 22, 2016
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
STAFF PRESENT: David Cavazos, CMO
Carlos Rojas, PD
Dave Anderson, OCFA
Laura Rossini, CAO
Ken Gominsky, PD
Alma Flores, CMO
Julie Castro-Cardenas, CMO
Eileen F. Greene, Recording Secretary
PUBLIC SPEAKERS: Rick Niedermayer
Daniel Avalos
Cherie Kerr
Irma Macias
Debbie McEwen
John Kelly
Peter Katz
Santiago Bautista
Ed Murashie
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Rick Niedermayer, represents non-profit AYSO soccer, against a ban on fireworks. Soccer,
Little League Baseball, Pop Warner football—fireworks sales by non-profits provide support and
a service to the youth. A ban would severely impact kids from being able to play. Illegal
fireworks would still be sold right outside Centennial Park.
Daniel Avalos, represents non-profit Santa Ana Alano Club, against a ban on fireworks as it
would have a negative impact on the community. Has worked for the Alano Club for the past
eight years; operated a fireworks stand for the past three years in order to help pay their rent.
Fireworks are the largest fundraiser. Alano Club provides programs for residents as well as
court-mandated 12-step programs.
Cherie Kerr, resident, her house was on fire last 4th of July, supports the ban on fireworks. She
feels it is irresponsible, reckless to keep fireworks. There are other ways to help the non-profits
to keep these valuable programs, she does support public displays.
Irma Macias, resident, representing 64 Neighborhood Associations, supports the ban on
fireworks. Other ways to make money for the kids, not fair for the community to deal with the
fireworks, goes on one month before and one month after 4th of July.
Debbie McEwen, resident, supports the ban on fireworks. PD should have it easier because all
fireworks would then be illegal.
John Kelly, Vice President of wholesaler TNT Fireworks, states he has been with the company
for 27 years and does not support the ban. Encourages staff to look at Senate Bill 522. He
believes illegal fireworks purveyors operating throughout the state of California are the problem
as well as no more room for storage of illegal fireworks.
Peter Katz, resident, asks about cities that did ban fireworks? He believes the will of the people
will bring them back. 18 months to get cases adjudicated. He suggests more administrative fines
that are attached to property taxes. There are also fireworks on Vietnamese New Year and Cinco
de Mayo. Non-profits will argue as well as residents so there needs to be a balance.
Santiago Bautista, resident, represents a non-profit karate organization for 25 years in Santa Ana;
against a ban on fireworks. Fireworks stands are used as a source of income.
Ed Murashie, resident, supports the ban on fireworks.
AGENDA ITEMS
1. Approval of Minutes of 1-26-16 Meeting
Motion: Approve the Minutes of 1-26-16 meeting.
MOTION: Tinajero SECOND: Benavides
VOTE: AYES: Benavides, Tinajero
NOES: None (0)
Motion carries.
AGENDA
2. Fireworks (Strategies to Ban Fireworks, Maintain Current Municipal Code or Modify
the Municipal Code to Allow a Hybrid Model) —Commander Ken Gominsky {Strategic
Plan Goal No. 1, 2d}
Commander Ken Gominsky led a discussion regarding fireworks and provided a power point
presentation. Staff was requested to analyze and examine Fireworks as they relate to the
Strategic Plan's goal to expand community awareness of public safety activities, programs and
services that focus on risk reduction.
Commander Gominsky briefly summarized three options that the City may adopt as it relates to
the issue of Fireworks:
Option No. 1 —No alteration to the Municipal Code. SAPD and OCFA believe there will be no
change and activity increases. State will not dispose of fireworks; the fee is $75,000 bringing the
total cost to city to $188,590.
Option No. 2 —Ban Fireworks in 2017. Same activity; costs may increase due to additional
public outreach but then should begin to decline.
Option No. 3 - Hybrid Model as adopted by Anaheim. Reduce number of fireworks stands or
purchase at one predetermined location, identify areas where fireworks are legal and other areas
where they are banned. Financial would be the same. Cmdr. Gominsky was not in support of
this option.
Motion: Bring Fireworks item to City Council for discussion.
MOTION: Tinajero SECOND: Benavides
VOTE: AYES: Benavides, Tinajero
NOES: None (0)
Motion carries.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
The Committee considered the various options presented and called for a report to be presented
to the City Council.
All three options were discussed at length between the Committee members and Staff. The City
Manager asked the Committee if Option No. 3, a hybrid model, could be removed from the
report to Council, and this was affirmed by Committee Member Tinajero. The Moratorium also
would not be a viable option. The Committee resumed discussion relating to Option Nos. 1 and
2, no change or a complete ban, respectively. On Option No. 1, questions were raised as to how
to offset the costs associated with disposal of fireworks, what enforcement efforts would be
needed, community outreach.
On Option No. 2, Chairman Benavides' main concern with a complete ban would be how the
City and the groups supporting the ban would work together with the non-profits so the programs
and services they offer could continue. The Committee realized that if the City were to adopt
Option No. 2, a complete ban, that realistically that would become effective in 2017. If the
decision is made to go with Option No. 2, it would be because of illegal fireworks and the
property damage sustained by residents. Everyone agreed that selling illegal fireworks is a very
profitable business, and that the City should take a look at the admin fines as they relate to the
Municipal Code.
Chief Rojas reports to the Committee that he sent an e-mail to the City Manager advising that the
Department now has 25 police officers in the police academy.
ACTION ITEMS
David Benavides asked that the follow-up report to City Council, regardless of any modification
to the Fireworks issue, needs to include education, looking at beefing up admin cites, and
highlighting the criminal side.
ADJOURNMENT–6:45 P.M.
ei) ,-----
CARLOS ROJS—
Chief of Police