HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-11-22 PUBLIC SAFETY CITY OF SANTA ANA
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON
PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT
MINUTES
November 22, 2016
CALL TO ORDER: Ross Annex, Room 1600
City Hall, 20 Civic Center Drive
Santa Ana, California
5:45 PM
ATTENDANCE: Council Committee members:
David Benavides
Sal Tinajero
STAFF PRESENT: David Cavazos, CMO
Carlos Rojas, PD
Dave Anderson, OCFA
Tamara Bogosian, CAO
Sandra Schwarzmann, CAO
Sergio Vidal, FMSA
Jose Gonzalez, PD
Michael Gonzalez, PD
Robert Carroll, PD
Julie Castro-Cardenas, CMO
Jorge Garcia, CMO
Eileen F. Greene, Recording Secretary
PUBLIC SPEAKERS: Chris Schmidt
Connie Hamilton
Ryan Smolar
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chris Schmidt, resident Windsor Neighborhood Association, comments on several items
including the contract with Chapman University regarding Community Oriented Policing,
approval for hiring a Community Affairs officer for the office in City Hall, and creating a bronze
bust in retired Community Affairs Officer Jose Vargas' image. He would like to get it installed
in the police station during national COP week in late 2017.
Connie Hamilton, resident Southcoast Neighborhood Association, comments positively on the
customer service survey. She was happy progress is being made to hire additional officers and
feels that the customer service survey will assist in transparency.
Ryan Smolar, works for Downtown, Inc., commented on item No. 2, the surplus budget
allocation. Mr. Smolar is grateful for police presence and the partnership established between
business owners and police in the Downtown area. Mr. Smolar wants to advocate for more
business districts throughout the city. Downtown, Inc. will provide support and the City of Long
Beach would provide technical support.
There were two e-comments received:
1) Angie Blas' comment was reference Item#2, Surplus Budget. Ms. Blas said she
believes that this item also pertains to neighborhood improvement and that the
community needs to be involved.
2) A letter from the POA President addressing Item#3, alternative patrol schedules.
AGENDA ITEMS
1. Approval of Minutes of 9-27-16 Meeting
Motion: Approve the Minutes of 9-27-16 meeting.
MOTION: Tinajero SECOND: Benavides
VOTE: AYES: Benavides, Tinajero
NOES: None (0)
Motion carries.
2. F/Y 16/17 Budgeted Surplus Allocation (Discussion regarding the distribution of surplus
funds)— Sergio Vidal,Asst. Executive Director, Finance and Management Services Agency
{Strategic Plan Goal No. 4, 3b and 3c}
Sergio Vidal, Asst. Executive Director, FMSA, reported on the City's proposed surplus
allocation plan for F/Y 15-16 which includes disbursement of$9.1M. Asst. Director Vidal
pointed out which programs were approved at the City Council meeting on 9-20-16 and
explained the amount of funds going to other programs in the future. One final item, allocation
of funds to Public Safety will be determined at the 12/20/16 City Council Meeting.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Chairman Benavides directs staff to compose a report addressing allocation of surplus funds with
the full spectrum of ideas to be presented to the full Council at the December 20`v City Council
meeting. He had the following recommendations for investment of such funds:
➢ capital improvement projects such as parks or a skate parks,
➢ crime prevention and intervention programs, referring to the PAAL program and other
after-school education programs,
➢ Committee has entered into discussions with the SAUSD about piloting joint use
programs.
3. Patrol Scheduling/Staffing (Alternative schedules to maximize patrol staffing.) — Chief
Carlos Rojas {Strategic Plan Goal No. 1, if}
Chief Rojas briefs the committee members on research done on alternative patrol schedules as
was requested at the last Public Safety Meeting. He provides a report based on sample patrol
schedules from the COPS office. Four sample schedules are provided with features for each one.
These schedules would be subject to negotiations with the POA. Time off is not included; this is
strictly informational. Chief Rojas reports that he has authorized overtime to staff adequately.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Manager will have the patrol scheduling/staffing report put on the December 20th City
Council Agenda as a Receive and File item.
4. Police Officer Hiring (Update on recruitment and hiring of police officers.) —Deputy
Chief James Schnabl {Strategic Plan Goal No. 1, li}
Deputy Chief Schnabl furnished the number of police officer hires and separations for the
past three years. He cites the number of officers currently in the Police Academy and the
FTO Program. Deputy Chief Schnabl reported on recent process improvements which
increased efficiency in many areas allowing the Department to streamline and expedite
the hiring process. He reviewed the Sensis Marketing Agreement which was approved
by the City Council.
5. Customer Service Survey Options (Innovation and efficiency to improve customer
service.)— Commander Jose Gonzalez {Strategic Plan Goal No. 1, 1 and Goal 7, 1}
Commander. Gonzalez mentioned the mission and vision statements of the Police Department
which are to provide professional services to the community. In order to measure how the
Department is doing regarding service to the public, a customer service survey is being
considered. He advised that the Department received over 10,000 calls for service a month. The
survey would send out random surveys, focusing on those individuals reporting quality of life
issues. Information received would be evaluated with a projected start date of January, 2017.
6. Police Officer Body Cameras (Project update regarding the implementation timeline.) —
Sergeant Michael Gonzalez {Strategic Plan Goal No. I, if and 3b}
Sergeant Mike Gonzalez provides an update on the body worn program. After a brief overview,
he reviews the testing process. Reports that Taser has been the vendor selected and, once the
contract is approved, training will begin in January. Patrol and traffic will be the priority and the
training is done incrementally.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Committee member Tinajero stated that the issue of patrol scheduling continues to be of concern
as City Council members are receiving information from the POA President that the Department
is operating below minimum staffing levels. He requested this be on the negotiating table during
the next cycle. Benavides requested the report be brought to the full council members.
Committee members continue to be supportive of the police recruit hiring and are excited about
creating a customer service survey in order to begin a dialog and exchange ideas with
community residents and business operators. Chairman Benavides remarked that across the
board, he saw the Police Department creating efficiencies and doing things in a more expedited
manner. Committee members believe the implementation of the police body worn cameras will
elevate the feeling of trust between the community and police; Chairman Benavides requested
that information is disseminated to the public once the program is in place.
AIX1 OURNMENT—6:48 P. 10
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CA LOS ROJAS
Chief of Police