HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-05-31• MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON
PARKS, RECREATION, EDUCATION AND YOUTH
May 31, 2011
CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting convened at 4:40 p.m. in the City Hall, Room 831, 20 Civic Center
Plaza, Santa Ana, California.
ATTENDANCE
Council members Present Michele Martinez (Chair); Sal Tinajero
Absent Vincent Sarmiento
Staff Present: Gerardo Mouet, Executive Director; Joe Straka, Interim City
Attorney; Ron Ono, Administrative Services Manager;
is Jenny Rios, Community Services Manager; Kent
Yamaguchi, SA Zoo Manager, Jeannie Jurado, Community
Services Supervisor; Jose Perez, Community Services
Supervisor; Juan Lara, Community Services Supervisor;
Hiram Uribe, Graphic Designer I.
Public Present Julie Curran-Meskell, Animal Protection & Rescue League
Adam Miller, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
Heather Drennan, People for the Ethical Treatment of
Animals (PETA)
Matt Rossell, Animal Defenders International (ADI)
• APPROVAL OF MINUTES
• Minutes of March 31, 2011 accepted as presented.
• REVIEW OF LIBRARY HOURS
• Continued to the next PREY meeting.
• FIVE ON FIVE RULES IN PARKS
• Jenny Rios presented the Regulatory Guidelines that are used to manage
field usage in the parks. The guidelines include (1) Field Use Policies and
Procedures, (2) Santa Ana Municipal Code - Section 31 and (3)
• Administrative Procedures. As part of the decision making strategies in
implementing the Five on Five rule, Park Rangers take into consideration: 1)
PREY Regular Meeting - MINUTES 1 May 31, 2011
• Age and make-up of group, 2)Use of uniforms, 3) Use of goal posts and other
equipment and Recurring problems with organized leagues in specific parks.
They will also take into consideration unauthorized activities and safety issues
with park patrons. As a follow-up the Five on Five rules will be incorporated
into the Policies and Procedures Manual, staff training will be conducted and
steps will be taken to educate the public/user.
• Councilmember Tinajero brought up concerns on a recent incident at Windsor
Park whereby a Park Ranger was not cordial on how he communicated with
the public. Staff needs to communicate with the Park Ranger on the un-
professional communication with the public.
• Staff indicated our Part Time Park Rangers are former Police Officers in
which they are trained on various enforcement methods, their new role should
be more of a public relations role. On-going public relations training will occur
in order to change culture.
• Councilmember Tinajero indicated we should not over react to a smaller
group when the abuse of the system is mainly from a larger group.
• Councilmember Martinez indicated times have changed and the Municipal
Code needs to be reviewed to address these new issues.
• RECOMMENDATION:
o Staff to review the Municipal Code (Chapter 31), make
recommendation for revisions and review recommendations
with PREY.
• ADULT SOCCER SURCHARGE OPTIONS
• Continued to the next PREY meeting.
• JOINT USE UPDATES
• Ron Ono presented a power point on the 5 new proposed Joint Use
Agreements currently being negotiated with the Santa Ana Unified School
District. The agreements are: 1) SA High School (Neal Machander Tennis
Courts); 2) Willard Intermediate School (Park site); 3) Garfield Elementary
School (Community Center); 4) Monte Vista Elementary School (Use of
basketball courts-fencing/security lighting); 5) Roosevelt/Walker Elementary
School (Community Center/Park Improvements). Discussion continued on
the Roosevelt/Walker Elementary School and the proposed Proposition 84
grant application due on July 1, 2011 to develop the park improvements on
the school. A minimum of 5 community meetings will be held in the month of
June to obtain community input and to establish the final design for the park
improvements.
• Councilmember Tinajero indicated he was pleased with the various joint use
agreements the city has with the SAUSD.
• PUBLIC COMMENTS
• Julie Curran- Meskell (Animal Protection & Rescue League) indicated she
• was concerned about the way Have Trunk Will Travel treats the elephant and
PREY Regular Meeting - MINUTES 2 May 31, 2011
• the beating of all animals throughout the state. She was here to advocate for
the animals and stop the cruelty of animal rides.
• Adam Miller (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals-PETA) indicated he
is also here to advocate for the animals and stop the cruelty to animals. He
indicated there is a video that shows how Have Trunk Will Travel treats the
elephant, by beatings, shock and other methods. He noted animals carry
tuberculosis and should not be used as rides for the public and children. SA
Zoo is only one of two AZA Accredited zoos that allow animal rides.
• Matt Rossell (Animal Defenders International - AD[) requested the city
investigate how the animals are treated behind the scenes. Animal rides are
unacceptable and Have Trunk Will Travel should be investigated. What is the
process to begin the investigation?
• Heather Drennan (PETA) indicated she lives in Los Angeles, but has 3
generation of families that live in Santa Ana. The city needs to set an example
for kids. Elephant rides are not right. This small issue of the elephant ride is
hurting the city's reputation.
• Councilmember Tinajero indicated he appreciated their patience and
professionalism concerning this issue. He indicated the City will be contacting
the Director of Have Trunk Will Travel to set up a meeting to discuss the
concerns the public has addressed.
• RECOMMENDATION:
o Begin an investigation and continue the item for discussion at
• the next PREY meeting.
• STAFF COMMENTS
• None
• COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
• None
• Next Regular meeting: July 26, 2011 (Tuesday)
ADJOURNED: 5:45 p.m.
Gerardo Mouet
Executive Director, P CSA
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PREY Regular Meeting - MINUTES 3 May 31, 2011