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Home My WebLink About2018-05-08 PUBLIC SAFETY, CODE ENFORCEMENT & NEIGHBORHOOD EMPOWERMENTCITY OF SANTA ANA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY, CODE ENFORCEMENT & NEIGHBORH CALL TO ORDER: ATTENDANCE: MEMBERS ABSENT: MINUTES May 8, 2018 Ross Annex, Room 1600 City Hall, 20 Civic Center Drive Santa Ana, California 5:40 PM Council Committee members: Sal Tinajero Juan Villegas David Benavides N/A EMPOWERMENT STAFF PRESENT: Raul Godinez II, CMO Robert Cortez, CMO David Valentin, PD Tamara Bogosian, CAO Ken Gominsky, PD Jorge Garcia, CMO Steven Mendoza, CDA Hafsa Kaka, CDA Yessenia Aspeitia, PD Randy Black, OCFA Elizabeth Plotnik, Recording Secretary PUBLIC SPEAKERS: Peter Katz, Com -Link President Irma Macias, concerned constituent Kathleen Ruddy, concerned constituent Ramin Faiz, concerned constituent Jennifer Faiz, concerned constituent Janelle Mcloughlin, concerned constituent Ed Murashie, Floral Park NA Chris Schmidt, Windsor Village NA Eric Mull, concerned constituent 11 PUBLIC COMMENTS Peter Katz, President of Com -Link, commended the City on their courage in suing the County and encouraged Council and Staff to draft an ordinance that addresses the homeless community who have refused services. Irma Macias, member of Com -Link, shared her concerns about closing the City Library on Sundays, and stated that additional funding should be given for more police officers to help address the homeless concerns and to impact public safety. Kathleen Ruddy, concerned constituent and resident for over 30 years, shared her concerns of over occupancy in homes that are not certified for so many residents. Additionally, she shared her concerns of narcotics activity in her neighborhood. Ramin Faiz, resident of Floral Park, would like continued enforcement efforts to address the increased homeless activity in Santiago Creek and its surrounding areas. Mr. Faiz inquired what the City's plan was to address this concern long-term. Jennifer Faiz, resident of Floral Park, shared her concerns and frustrations about a vacant home in her neighborhood and the frequent homeless activity that occurs there. Mrs. Faiz requested the City address her concerns and hold the homeowner accountable. Janelle Mcloughlin, resident of Floral Park, asked that City staff take action in addressing the homeless concerns in her neighborhood. Due to recent fires and increased drug activity, Ms. Mcloughlin is fearful of the threats posed to the safety of her home. Ed Murashie, President of Floral Park NA, also commented on the vacant home in the Floral Park neighborhood and the increased homeless activity and fires that have occurred. He would like to work with City Staff to address the vacant home and conduct more sweeps of Santiago Creek. Chris Schmidt, resident of Windsor Village, thanked Staff for installing cameras in City parks. Mr. Schmidt also inquired how to improve the response time of QOLT, and what days were allotted for watering his yard. Eric Mull, resident of Floral Park, shared his frustration about a fire that occurred in his backyard, as well as the consistent transient activity that occurs behind his home in Santiago Creek. Mr. Mull asked that the Creek be fenced off to deter trespassing and that his concerns be addressed. AGENDAITEMS 1. Update on Arson Fire Investigation Taskforce — Acting Deputy Chief Gominsky Acting Deputy Chief Gominsky provided the Committee with a summary of the recent fires that occurred in the Santiago Creek. He explained that as the Orange County Fire Authority's Arson Investigation Taskforce investigated these fires, it was determined that the City's SAMC relating to fires is inadequate and requires amendments. DC Gominsky added that he and Staff had already begun drafting amendments that would be taken to full Council for review. ACTION Chairman Tinajero asked that a team of City Staff assemble to complete regular checks of the Santiago Creek area. 2. Update on Police Officer Recruitment and Hiring — Manager Robert Carroll 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 projected to be hired the remainder of 2018. Additionally, Manager Carroll discussed upcoming recruitment events and shared that the effectiveness of each event would be tracked, moving forward. Chief Valentin shared his input on recruitment and explained implementing the Chief's Oral Interview as part of the hiring process. The Council Committee shared dialogue with Staff about recruitment/retainment efforts, asked questions and offered support of recruitment efforts. ACTION Co -Chair Villegas asked that staff provide counts of how many police officers have under 5 years' experience, under 15 years' experience and who are close to retirement. 3. Receive and File Update: Police Officer Schedule — Acting Deputy Chief Gominsky Acting Deputy Chief Gominsky provided the Committee with a presentation summarizing alternative police patrol schedules, focusing on the 3/12-4/12 shift option. He explained that a 3/12-4/12 schedule would allow for 7-8 additional officers on patrol, while providing comparisons, benefits and examples if this schedule option were to be implemented. Additionally, Chief Valentin provided his support of this schedule option and gave a background summary of how this scheduled operated in the past. 4. Discussion About Potential Revisions to SAMC 10-153 (Loud and Raucous Noise) — Assistant City Attorney Tamara Bogosian Tamara provided the Council Committee with an update on the Loud and Raucous Noise Ordinance (SAMC 10-153), as well as a discussion about the recommended revisions pertaining to enforcement of 10-153. At a previous Public Safety Committee Meeting, Deputy Chief Gominsky shared that one of the difficulties with enforcement of 10-153 was determining the property owner and who should be held responsible for violations. Tamara's presentation addressed this concern and provided recommended revisions. Some revisions include defining "person" as it pertains to whom is to be held accountable, implementing administrative fine and the fee for said fines. Additionally, Tamara recommended 10-153 should include a definition of subsequent response. 5. Homeless Services Update — Hafsa Kaka, Homeless Services Manager Homeless Manager Hafsa Kaka presented the Council Committee with an update on the Homeless Services Quarterly Report and a plan of action to address homelessness in the City. She provided an overview of the Point -in -Time Count and the impact the homeless community has on the City, while explaining the Operation that occurred in cleaning out the Civic Center. Additionally, Deputy Chief Gominsky explained the City's partnership with County Mental Health representatives in offering services, and gave an update on enforcement efforts to address homeless in the Santiago Creek. ACTION Councilmember Benavides requested the City Manager, City Attorney's Office and Staff to look into address concerns about the Mental Health Association (MHA). Additionally, Councilmember Benavides referenced the vacant home discussed during public comments, and requested the City Manager oversee holding the property manager accountable. 4 COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS Councilmember Benavides shared his appreciation of Chief Valentin's efforts in implementing Chief s Oral interviews and offered assistance in any way possible. In regards to SAMC 10-153, he stated the presented revisions were reasonable while supporting Tamara's additional recommendations. Additionally, Councilmember Benavides stated, for the record, that the public's concerns regarding Santiago Creek need to be addressed. Lastly, he welcomed Steven Mendoza as the new CDA Director. Co -Chair Villegas recommended that the City consider fencing off Santiago Creek to keep people out and noted that if no action is taken, the problem would worsen. Additionally, Co -Chair Villegas shared his support of competitive compensation for police officers to help retain officers and improve staffing, while stating that the community needs to understand that the Police Department is operating with half the amount of officers. In regards to SAMC 10-153, Co -Chair Villegas agreed with Tamara's recommendation of including verbiage that would hold parents accountable if the violator is a minor, while adding that the fees were too low. Lastly, he commended Deputy Chief Gominsky and Hafsa Kaka for their dedication and efforts relating to homeless, recognized Staff for their hard work, reaffirmed his support of the community, and thanked the public for attending the meeting. Chairman Tinajero shared his support of competitive compensation for police officers, while asking a 2 -prong approach be considered: if officers are given a raise, their schedules could be adjusted to accommodate the 3/12-4/12 options. Additionally, he agreed with the recommended fines for SAMC 10-153 violations, and then commended Deputy Chief Gominsky for his efforts in addressing homeless concerns in Santiago Creek. Lastly, Chairman Tinajero thanked Staff for their dedication and efforts, while stating his pride of the Committee's councilmembers with whom his he is honored to serve. FUTURE ITEMS ADJOURNMENT — 7:22 P.M. DAVID VALENTIN Chief of Police &I