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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-07-24 PUBLIC SAFETYSANTA ANA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE PUBLIC SAFETY Minutes of Meeting July 24, 2012 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was convened at 6:00 P.M. at Santa Ana Police Department, 60 Civic Center Plaza, Police Community Room, Santa Ana, California. ATTENDANCE Council members present: Claudia Alvarez, Sal Tinajero, and David Benavides Staff present: Police Chief Paul Walters, Fire Chief Dave Thomas, Assistant City Attorneys Teresa Judd and Ex. Dir. Jay Trevino, Deputy Chief Carlos Rojas, PIS Eileen Greene, Karen, Commander James Schnabl, and Loretta Tafoya, Recording Secretary. Public sign-ins: Phil Bacerra, Vicky Baxter, Dave Hoem and Dennis Descaurio SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS • Vicky Baxter from Downtown Inc. handed out proposing changes to Downtown Zoning in the Zoning Chapter of the SAMC for the committee's review. • Phil Bacerra supported the proposal. It is more business friendly, updates CUP and regulates the distance between schools, etc. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of the April 24, 2012 meeting approved. ALCOHOL AND ENTERTAINMENT PERMIT PROCESSING UPDATE Jay Trevino, Executive director, Planning & Building, spoke about the permits relating to ABC- licensed establishments. He introduced Planning Manager Karen Haluza who gave an update on the alcohol and entertainment permit process. She stated the City's regulations for alcohol CUPs were confusing and outdated. New standards are needed to create a level playing field citywide. The existing permit process had many gray areas and no standard set of conditions. Businesses wanted to stay competitive. Standards affecting mid-size stores apply too broadly and are unworkable. Councilmember Benavides asked how it would change the ordinance. Karen stated that it would reduce the overconcentration standard from 20,000 sq. Ft. in store size to 10,000 sq. ft. The Planning Department, working with the Police Department, is working on creating separate regulations and standardized conditions of approval for businesses, either with or without an ABC license, to offer live entertainment and dancing. Councilmember Benavides asked if "entertainment" means dancing. Karen explained that this new entertainment permit would have four categories and each category would determine the conditions. Category 1 would offer only non-amplified music, such as acoustic guitar. Category 1 would be the only category which would not require an entertainment permit. Category 2 would offer amplified sound. Councilmember Alvarez asked Karen to define "Amplified". She stated that anything which used a microphone or speakers. Category 3 would allow amplified sound, dancing, and patrons would have to be 21 and over after 10 PM. Council member Benavides asked about the 21 and over age restriction of citing the concert venues here in Santa Ana. Karen replied that they were looking at that. Councilmember Tinajero asked about the renewal process. Karen stated that there will be an annual review and renewal process. Councilmember Alvarez asked to include ABC in enforcement. Jay Trevino explained ABC has a training process for those who serve alcohol. He also said the City mirrors ABC's conditions so there is duel enforcement. Councilmember Alvarez would like the committee to review the Downtown Inc. proposals. Councilmember Alvarez also suggested bringing proposal back to committee. Jay Trevino said that a draft Ordinance will be reviewed by Planning Commission ad hoc committee. 3. INTEGRATED IT PRESENTATION UPDATE Cmdr. Schnabl reviewed the Integrated Software System and stated that the IT Consultant Mr. Romesburg will be assisting with the project. Mr. Romesburg has already met with the SMT. The project will be done in two phases and will result in the development and release of an RFP if approved by the Public Safety Committee. Councilmember Alvarez asked if there has been a report from the consultant, and Cmdr. Schnabl stated there is a meeting planned this week. Councilmember Alvarez asked what the cost is going to be and Cmdr. Schnabl said the cost would be between $10,000 - $15,000 for the first phase and $10,000 for the second phase. Councilmember Alvarez suggested the project be brought to Finance for consultations. Chief Walters suggested the consultant attend the next Public Safety Meeting. Councilmember Benavides stated he agreed with the recommendation and thought it would be cost efficient. Councilmember thanked Cmdr. Schnabl for the presentation. 7. 4th OF JULY ACTIVITY REPORT Councilmember Benavides wanted to report that the OCFA has been very positive and the committee is very pleased. Fire Chief Dave Thomas reviewed the activity on July 4th. It was very uneventful. This year OCFA teamed up with SAPD. The OCFA provided the booth inspections and administration while SAPD did the enforcement. OCFA inspected 75 booths on July 1St There were 338 calls for service in the 24 hours period. The Police Department confiscated 2,640 fireworks between July 1St and the 4th. They gave out 44 Administrative Citations and responded to 187 calls for service and made five arrests. Councilmember Claudia Alvarez asked if the court followed up and wanted the last two years of administrative tickets 8. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS Councilmember Tinajero was very pleased with the 4th of July results. Councilmember Claudia Alvarez thanked Dave Thomas for the report. Councilmember David Benavides suggested to City Manager Paul Walters that the businesses are contacted NEXT MEETING DATE - Tuesday, September 25, 2012, 5:30 pm, Santa Ana Police Department Community Room, 60 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, California AD RNMENT - 6:40 P.M. C AUL M. ALTERS Chief of Police