HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-08 PUBLIC SAFETY, CODE ENFORCEMENT & NEIGHBORHOOD EMPOWERMENT CITY OF SANTA ANA
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON
PUBLIC SAFETY, CODE ENFORCEMENT & NEIGHBORHOOD EMPOWERMENT
MINUTES
January 9, 2018
CALL TO ORDER: Ross Annex, Room 1600
City Hall, 20 Civic Center Drive
Santa Ana, California
5:38 PM
ATTENDANCE: Council Committee members:
Juan Villegas
Sal Tinajero
David Benavides
MEMBERS ABSENT: N/A
STAFF PRESENT: Raul Godinez II, CMO Robert Cortez, CMO
David Valentin, PD Tamara Bogosian, CAO
Candida Neal, PBA Jorge Garcia, CMO
Alvaro Nunez, PBA Robert Carroll, PD
Oscar Lizardi, PD Yessenia Aspeitia, PD
Anthony Espinosa, OCFA
Elizabeth Plotnik, Recording Secretary
PUBLIC SPEAKERS: Ed Murashie, concerned constituent, Floral Park NA
Esther Fonseca, concerned constituent, Artesia Pilar NA
Peter Katz, President of Corn-Link
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ed Murashie, a resident of Floral Park neighborhood suggested the City create a map that lists all
legal dispensaries in the City that includes all cannabis regulations. Additionally, Mr. Murashie
shared his concerns regarding coyotes in the Floral Park neighborhood, and asked that staff
determine a solution to address this concern.
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Esther Fonseca, member of Board of Directors for Artesia Pilar neighborhood, shared her
concerns regarding police enforcement of SAMC 10-153 (loud music and noise). She stated that
when officers respond to a loud noise call, no citations are issued, therefore resulting in no
consequences and misuse of the limited police resources. Ms. Fonseca asked the committee to
request the police department alter their enforcement approach for this municipal code and report
back.
Peter Katz, president of Com-Link. Mr. Katz proposed to the Committee that the City of Santa
Ana open their own bank, outside of federal regulations, for cannabis dispensary owners to
deposit their cash/earnings. This would allow for the City to continue to be cutting-edge and for
dispensaries to deposit their money in a safe way.
AGENDA ITEMS
(Item Number 4 taken out of order)
4. Approval of Minutes of the November 14, 2017 Meeting
(Item Number 6 taken out of order)
6. ShotSpotter Update—Chief Valentin {Strategic Plan Goal No. 1, 2a}
Chief Valentin shared with the Committee that following the November 14th meeting,
representatives from ShotSpotter presented their service and technology to members of
Police Management. Based on current Police Department resources, Management
recommended not pursuing ShotSpotter's service at this time. Additionally, Chief
Valentin reviewed the benefits of ShotSpotter's service in locating shots, and that its cost
has decreased over recent years. Chief Valentin suggested addressing the Department's
vacancy rate first and reconsidering implementation of ShotSpotter in the future.
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(Item Number 5 taken out of order)
5. Update on Police Officer Recruitment and Hiring—Manager Robert Carroll and
Corporal Oscar Lizardi {Strategic Plan Goal No. 1, 1i} (Continuous Item)
Manager Carroll presented the Council Committee with an update on Police Officer
hiring,by reviewing the number of vacancies compared to filled positions year-to-date, as
well as the number of additional officers that are projected to be hired in 2018.
Corporal Oscar Lizardi introduced himself as the recruitment coordinator. During his
presentation, Corporal Lizardi shared his strategy for recruitment strategies, provided
statistics of officer referrals, and reviewed his plan for tracking recruitment performance.
Chief Valentin added that Corporal Lizardi's full-time assignment is the first of its kind
in 30 years, and stated the importance of trying non-traditional recruitment approaches
and obtaining local applicants from the Santa Ana community.
(Item Number 5 taken out of order)
7. Orange County Needle Exchange Program/ Homeless Update — Chief Valentin
{Strategic Plan Goal No. 5, 3d & No. 1, lc}
Chief Valentin presented a detailed chronological timeline summary of the Orange
County Needle Exchange Program (OCNEP) and provided an overview of his recent
meetings/conference calls with OCNEP. Chief Valentin explained that OCNEP
representatives were required to meet with him as part of the recertification process,
during which he shared his concerns and observations, while acknowledging the
Program's initial intent.
(Councilmember Tinajero enters the meeting—6:23pm)
Assistant City Attorney Tamara Bogosian shared that there was an infoimal dispute in
determining whether OCNEP would still require City approval if/when the State
approves their recertification. Additionally, City Manager Raul Godinez II compared
OCNEP's certification process to that of liquor licenses, as they require both a State
license and City permit.
Deputy City Manager Robert Cortez provided the Committee with an update on
homelessness and the current efforts taking place. Due to the adoption of the ordinance in
October 2017, power washing of the Civic Center has begun to remove prohibited items.
Additionally, Deputy City Manager Cortez shared that an interdepartmental team of City
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staff had been assembled to address the Civic Center, as well as oversee implementation
of said ordinance. At the recommendation of City Manager Godinez, the ordinance and
interdepartmental team would be expanded to also address homelessness in other areas of
the City, and that the recently hired Homeless Manager will start on February 2"d, 2017.
ACTION:
In reference to the County's closure of the riverbed, Councilmember Benavides asked
that City Staff be prepared to address any adverse impacts made in the City, as well as
contact local shelters to discuss providing services to those relocated. Additionally,
Councilmember Benavides requested Staff provide an update to the entire City Council
later in the month on this topic.
Co-Chair Villegas also requested that Staff continue to monitor the County's action in
closing the riverbed, and its potential impact on the City.
8. Illegal Cannabis Enforcement — Candida Neal, Planning and Building {Strategic
Plan Goal No. 1, le)
Candida Neal provided the Committee with an update, on behalf of the Cannabis
Enforcement Team (a team comprised of representatives from the Police Department,
City Attorney's Office, City Manager's Office and Code Enforcement). Candida shared
that as of January 1, 2018 approximately 15 illegal dispensaries remained, and that no
additional illegal locations were found after the legalization of recreational cannabis.
Additionally, Manager Neal shared details of the enforcement approach, stating that if a
"cease and desist" order was not effective, other methods would be used, such as
disconnection of utilities, administrative fines and/or installation of metal doors.
City Manager Godinez acknowledged City Staff for their hard work in ensuring
dispensaries were operational on January 1, 2018 for adult cannabis sales.
ACTION:
Councilmember Benavides asked that Mr. Mirashie's suggestion of a dispensary map be
implemented and added to City Website, as a way to share information with the
community, as well as identify known illegal dispensary locations.
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Councilmember Tinajero asked that Staff provide all Councilmembers with a notification
memorandum when an illegal dispensary is closed.
2. Review By-Laws (direct staff to make changes as needed)
A motion is made to accept the Bi-Laws
MOTION: Tinajero SECOND: Benavides
VOTE: AYES: Benavides, Tinajero, Villegas
NOES: None
Motion passes.
3. Review and Approve Proposed Meeting Schedule for this Committee
Two options are provided to the Committee: Option 1 would fall on the 2nd Tuesday of
every other month; Option 2 would fall on the 4`h Tuesday of every other month.
A motion is made to approve Option No. 1.
MOTION: Villegas SECOND: Tinajero
VOTE: AYES: Villegas, Tinajero, Benavides
NOES: None (0)
Motion passes.
1. Elect Chair and Vice Chair
A motion is made to elect Councilmember Sal Tinajero as Committee Chair, and
Councilmember Juan Villegas as Committee Vice Chair.
MOTION: Benavides SECOND: Tinajero
VOTE: AYES: Tinajero, Benavides
Motion passes.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Co-Chair Villegas shared his appreciation of the progress made in officer hiring, and stated that
he is confident in Chief Valentin's new changes. He also shared his appreciation of Staff for their
hard work and presentations.
Councilmember Benavides shared his appreciation for the intentional and non-traditional
recruitment strategies and for dedicating a full-time position to recruitment. Also,
Councilmember Benavides shared his interest in the ShotSpotter service, and recommended that
the Committee and City staff continue to monitor the ShotSpotter technology to be considered in
the future.Additionally, Councilmember Benavides recognizes OCFA for their response to calls
for service pertaining to homeless. He also asked that Animal Control address Mr. Mirashie's
concern regarding coyotes. Lastly, pertaining to cannabis, Councilmember Benavides
commended the City as whole for a successful launch of recreational sales on January 1st, and
urged Staff to consider implementing a City Bank for dispensary owners.
Councilmember Tinajero commended Council for taking a risk in allowing the OCNEP to
operate in the City, despite some of the challenges that followed. He also commented that
opening a City-owned bank or credit union could help City economics, therefore asking Staff to
consider the idea. Lastly, Councilmember Tinajero congratulated Assistant to the City Manager,
Jorge Garcia, on expecting his second child.
The Committee members were engaged in the discussions, expressed interest in the
presentations, and asked for some items to be brought back for further dialogue.
FUTURE ITEMS
Noise ordinance/complaint
Update on dispensary mapping
ADJOURNMENT —7:00 P.M
ffs V VALENTIN
Chief of Police
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