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HomeMy WebLinkAbout60B - WELLNESS DISTRICT PROPOSALREQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: MAY 19, 2015 TITLE: WELLNESS DISTRICT COMMUNITY PROPOSAL {STRATEGIC PLAN NO. 5} CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDED ACTION CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: . j• _4, ❑ As Recommended ❑ As Amended ❑ Ordinance on 1e1 Reading ❑ Ordinance on 2ntl Reading ❑ Implementing Resolution ❑ Set Public Hearing For CONTINUED TO FILE NUMBER Discuss and provide direction to staff on the following options related to the Wellness District Community Proposal: OPTIONS: 1. Support common areas of interest from Building Healthy Communities Resolution based on the April 7, 2015 Work Study session: Calle Cuatro /Plaza Santa Ana rebranding, support a mercadito, micro - farms, and community event sponsorships. ACTION: 1. Authorize the City Attorney to prepare a resolution based on the direction of the City Council; and 2. Direct staff to provide an implementation plan to include an analysis of costs, impacts, and next steps. 2. Develop a committee to further discuss one or more of the Building Healthy Communities Resolution items, based on Council direction. ACTION: Direct the City Manager to create committee comprised of various stakeholders to provide recommendations to the City Manager on the development and refinement of the specified items as directed by the City Council. 3. Continue working with the Building Healthy Communities members. ACTION: Direct the City Manager to continue to work with members of Building Healthy Communities to refine their proposal based on City Council input. 4. At the pleasure of the City Council. Wellness District Community Proposal May 19, 2015 Page 2 DISCUSSION At the Finance, Economic Development and Technology Committee meeting on January 12, 2015, a group of residents and business owners, represented by Building Healthy Communities, presented an item to the Committee related to a Market Study for Downtown Santa Ana for Wellness Goods and Services. This presentation included a proposed resolution to direct the City Manager to establish a Wellness District in the Downtown area. The report was presented by a Canadian firm, The Next Practice, and was commissioned by the California Endowment in collaboration with Building Healthy Communities. The report was prepared to support their efforts related to health and wellness activities. The members of the Committee requested the City Manager review the elements of the proposed resolution, meet with members of Building Healthy Communities, and present the item to the Mayor and City Council for discussion in March. The City Manager and staff met with representatives of Building Healthy Communities on January 26, 2015, to provide initial comments and feedback on the various elements of their proposed resolution. The meeting was followed by a written response to the group on February 4, 2015, which provided a point -by -point response for each of major requests listed in the proposed resolution. In addition, staff provided a listing of all city owned parcels as requested by the group. On March 4, 2015, Building Healthy Communities provided City staff with a revised proposed resolution, comments to City's responses, and a second proposed resolution related to the creation of a new community advisory committee for economic development planning. On March 11, 2015, a third revised proposal was submitted to the City. At the March 17, 2015 City Council meeting, the Work Study Session to discuss this item was continued to April 7, 2015, which allowed staff to provide comments on the latest version submitted (Attachment 1). The City Attorney's Office did not have the opportunity to provide their review of the revised comments. During the work study session on April 7, 2015, the Mayor and City Council provided comments on items that they supported. Four of the proposal items were common areas of interest among members of the City Council: Calle Cuatro /Plaza Santa Ana rebranding, support of a mercadito, support of micro - farms, and support of community event sponsorships. The original proposal described a Wellness District in the Downtown, however, the boundaries of such an area have not been defined by the proposers. Upon staff review, three of the common areas of interest do not need to be defined by any boundaries. If supported by the City Council, the latter three items could be located anywhere in the City. �. 1 Wellness District Community Proposal May 19, 2015 Page 3 STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT Approval of this item supports the City's efforts to meet Goal #5 Community Health, Livability, Engagement and Sustainability. FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with this item. Attachment 1: Staff Responses to Community Proposal o. 1 I ATTACHMENT No. Community Proposal Staff Response 1. Ensure an equitable, inclusive economic The Economic Development Plan was awarded in February development plan, as called for in the City's five- 2015 to create said plan for the entire City including the year strategic plan, that acknowledges and downtown area. The plan will include a process by which prioritizes the wellness needs and vision of the community and stakeholders will provide input. underserved resident communities; that focuses on supporting Santa Ana residents, local small The creation of this plan would be inclusive of the needs of businesses, workers, youth and families; that all residents, businesses, visitors, as well as the retention and attraction of new business. creates opportunities for anyone to support themselves and their families in Santa Ana; and that allows for a health lens on economic development, in line with Health In All Policies. 2. The City will work with the Orange County Health A citywide Health and Wellness Assessment requires the Care agency, local health systems, nonprofit identification of funding. The OC Health Care Agency organizations, and neighborhoods to produce a currently tracks Children's Health in an annual report that is baseline assessment of health and wellness and publishedfor the entire county. establish indicators which will be used to At the direction of the City Council, funding and staffing measure performance and success in health and would need to be approved to develop such a proposal and economic development outcomes. determine the outcomes desired. 3. Implement strategies that ensure development The City's Parks, Recreation, and Community Services aligned with Wellness District principles and Agency current plans major events in the downtown, approaches, including but not limited to the including a health fair, 5k, Holiday Tree Lighting, Plaza following: active programming of healthy Primavera and others. Additionally, the community can plan recreational and cultural activities, creating additional events through the Special Events /Land Use incentives and eliminating disincentives for local Application process. businesses offering wellness goods and services, While the City of Santa Ana and cities in general, oversee and creating incentives for businesses land use via a zoning code or ordinance which broadly committing to long term provision of good jobs, designates appropriate businesses categories and uses for affordable housing, and economic stability for each parcel, private property owners control the specific Santa Ana residents. tenants and business uses. Any financial incentives for businesses take into consideration the economic impact. 4. Proactively develop and implement strategies for There are four strategies that "facilitate diverse housing Santa Ana residents to remain and thrive in Santa opportunities and support efforts to preserve and improve Ana while minimizing negative impacts of the livability of Santa Ana neighborhoods." This includes the development, including increases in the cost of City's Housing Opportunity Ordinance. living and other indirect catalysts of The Strategic Plan outlines strategies specific to job displacement. training, and services for residents. This includes senior programs, youth programs, and the 'Santa Ana Buy Local Plan ". New development opportunities will help current and future residents to live and work within the city, such as Adaptive Reuse. ATTACHMENT �� Educational partnerships are focused on supporting educational attainment which then correlate with higher income and housing opportunities. 5. Engage the street vendor community to ensure To the extent that development projects would have impacts that the City's plans and policies do not impede to any vendors or the community at large, the Sunshine and are inclusiveof their contribution toservicing Ordinance provides specific criteria for certain types of low- income residents and their families as well as development projects to have community meetings. downtown employees and visitors, while maintaining consideration of brick- and - mortar businesses. 6. Support the resolution Establishing "La Calle Cities and municipalities do not generally assign Cuatro" as the official and historical name of neighborhood names, they are often organically assigned Fourth Street in Santa Ana, and the designation of and /or promoted via marketing and branding efforts. Downtown merchants, residents and other stakeholders may Plaza Santa Ana as Plaza Calle Cuatro, affirming come together to brand and market the area. the name and branding of La Calle Cuatro and Calle Cuatro Marketplace. The City does have a process by which street names can be changed. An application is submitted, reviewed by the Planning Commission, and final approval is at the discretion of the City Council. 7. Support community- organized events and The Municipal Code currently requires the charge and programming in the downtown that promote collection of fees related to applications, police overtime health, wellness, and culture in the public's costs, and insurance. Any process to waive, provide scholarships or other funding mechanism would need to be interest through establishing criteria and a approved by the City Council and taken from a different procedure for funding scholarships to cover fees program. associated with permits and public safety for "temporary outdoor activities" and "special The City does not control private parking lots. events" including in public and private parking lots. Establish an application process that specifies criteria for eligibility to apply for City sponsorship of the events, using a variety of funding sources allocated through the City's strategic plan and /or discretionary funds. 8. Implement infrastructure improvements that Through the Capital Improvement Plan, the city is making promote safety, walkability, cycling, family improvements related to safety, walkability, cycling and shopping trips, and access to food vendors vehicular movement. Projects are prioritized and staff makes its professional recommendation to the City Council for including but not limited to improvements along adoption. Staff remains committed to providing the Fourth Street from Ross to Grand, a street community with multiple opportunities to provide input and promenade on Sycamore between Fourth and be involved in the development of its plans. There will be over Fifth Street, and permanent route place- markers eight opportunities forthe public to provide input on the Trial and wayfinding measures as recommended in the Budget and the CIP. Downtown Santa Ana Wellness Corridor Strategic In March 2015, staff presented to the FEDT Committee on the wayfinding program and provided next steps. �� MWAT �. 1 Plan and Downtown Transit Zone Complete Streets Plan. a. Organize a robust process for developing the City's capital improvements plan by collaborating with the community to adequately define the criteria used to prioritize projects aligned with community needs. The City Council will be accepting grant funds in April 2015 that will be used for walkability and pedestrian amenities in the downtown including: 5 waste receptacles, 25 tree guards, 4 benches, 30 bike racks, and 4 intersection enhancements (final counts pending funding availability). 9. Ensure that the arts master plan for the Wellness The Arts and Culture Commission is currently reviewing the District gets shaped in a participatory process RFP for the Arts Master Plan. To the extent that the RFP among the City, the downtown development development must remain an internal process so as not to liaison, the Arts Commission, and the Provide vendors with working copies until it is finalized, the City will go through a thorough review process. This master community's local artists, while also involving the plan will cover the entire City and not solely the downtown various community- serving organizations of the area. The plan will be inclusive to represent the diverse downtown, local businesses, and public schools in needs of the City. the vicinity. This arts master plan ought to be aligned with the infrastructure and beautification The City currently has a variety of design standards which needs of the neighborhood - serving downtown ensure quality and promote aesthetic standards. These businesses. design standards pertain to all locations in the city and often to specific types of use. The City of Santa Ana's Design a. The City should develop urban, architectural Guidelines and Development Standards is the result of a design forums for certain areas within the comprehensive analysis of the City's existing design and development guidance documents. The Guidelines community that require buildings and contained within the document which can be found on the streetscapes to meet culturally relevant City's website, consolidate the City's discretionary review aesthetic standards also reflecting the city's documents and provide supplementary design guidance for heritage and cultural identity. issues not explicitly stated in the Santa Ana Municipal Code. 10. Pilot a system of community operated Santa Ana Municipal Code sections 2 -706 through 2 -710 microfarms under a cooperative economic provides for a public process to dispose of surplus real development model by providing a long term property. The City Council has to first identify the property lease to Santa Ana Building Healthy Communities as surplus and the public works director begins the process of listing the property for sale through an auction or listing three sites of at least %z acre size from the with on agent. There are two exceptions for property following lots: adjacent to another parcel where the owner of the private parcel makes a case to purchase the adjoining parcel or 114 S. Bristol St., 124 S. Bristol St., 410 S. Bristol where the city desires to sell the property to another public St., 414 S. Bristol St., 119 S. Bristol St., 123 S. agency. There are no provisions for "giving the property Bristol St., 402 S. Bristol St., 302 S. Bristol St., away "forless than fair- market value. 306 S. Bristol St., 310 S. Bristol St., 314 S. Bristol St., 318 S. Bristol St, 430 S. Bristol St., 434 S. At the direction of the City Council, staff can look into Bristol St., 438 S. Bristol St., 442 S. Bristol St., whether or not it would like to pursue a microform program. 446 S. Bristol St., 502 S. Bristol St., 508 S. Bristol The City does currently have community gardens at two park St., 510 S. Bristol St., 514 S. Bristol St., 518 S. sites and also a collaborative project with SAUSD. Bristol St., 522 S. Bristol St., 830 N. Parton St., 900 N. Sycamore St., 1058 E. 1st. St., 621 N. Spurgeon Staff would need to further research any restrictions on the St., 713 N. Spurgeon St., 414 N. Santa Ana St., 823 30 property addresses proposed by Building Healthy E. 1st. St. �. 1 LAN IIIIIT,IM11M Z �1 � � • Communities. Additionally, there would need to be a clear plan, agreements, policies, and proposal process as many of those sites are dirt lots any use would require extensive site improvements before the public would be able to enter. 11. Identify property in the downtown, including The City owns the Grand Central Arts building, however it is right of way, parking facilities and the Grand in o long term lease with the current tenant and cannot Central Arts building, to be utilized as a Latino control the use of the property. mercadito with opportunities for vending for The Special Events /Land Use Permit application can be used Santa Ana artisans, craft makers, and other for an event such as what is being proposed, subject to all neighborhood serving small businesses. requirements and fees /costs. Similar events include the Patchwork Festival and Farmers Market. 12. Create an office of immigrant affairs in alignment The City does not process immigration requests as it is with "Cities for Citizenship' as a service that preempted by Federal law. supports Santa Ana residents. 13. As per resolution Establishing the Community At the direction of the City Council to create such a Advisory Committee for Economic Development committee. Charge and responsibilities would need to be Planning, legislatively create an Economic developed. Development Advisory Committee that includes representatives from stakeholder groups including business councils, local businesses, Latino and Vietnamese -owned businesses, labor, workforce development and education, nonprofits, and residents of Santa Ana. This committee will be tasked with providing recommendations on economic development planning to the Economic Development Plan consultant and to the council for approval, and it will be subject to the Brown Act, thereby requiring the notification and allowing the participation of the public. 14. Revisit scope of work of the consultants for the At the direction of the City Council. Economic Development Strategic Plan and incorporate recommendations from the newly Any changes to scope will delay the project and add created advisory committee that could support additional costs. Additionally, the currentscope provides for an accessible and inclusive outreach for the community input. strategic plan. 15. Formalize the Healthy Cities Committee as an At the direction of the City Council. advisory group with defined representative membership and clear objectives to oversee planning, implementation, and evaluation of this resolution, and other city matters where they intersect with health. Similar to the State's Health in All Policies task force, this committee will support in performing Health Impact Z �1 � � • ATTACHMENT Z �. 1 Assessments and developing indicators to consider for healthy communities and inclusive collaborative processes. 16. Within three to six months of the adoption of this The City currently reports monthly on the Strategic Plan and resolution, the Community Development, copies are available on the City's website and monthly as Planning and Building, and any other port of the CouncilAgenda packet. implementing department of the City shall report back to the City Council and to the Finance and Economic Development Committee regarding steps taken to implement the resolution, additional steps planned, and any desired direction by the City Council. Z �. 1 o. 1 �l CORRESPONDENCE IN SUPPORT OF 60B 60B -11 rmmiy El Centro Cultural de Mexico 313 N Birch Street Santa Ana, CA 92701 elcentroculturaldemexico.org Dear Councilmembers, I am writing to wholeheartedly support the Wellness District Resolution, a vision to guide downtown Santa Ana's transformation so that all residents can have an opportunity to participate and thrive in the new prosperity. The changes coming to downtown Santa Ana are exciting. The area has long been the region's cultural and economic hub, and the transformation promises to turn Santa Ana into a premier destination. The Wellness District complements that future with innovative ideas to ensure that downtown Santa Ana continues to meet the needs of its most loyal and reliable customer base — its local residents. Along with new restaurants and retail, the Wellness District seeks to provide balance by ensuring that local residents have options that meet their needs, such as places to buy affordable grocery stores and everyday wellness products. The proposal also calls for more bike lanes, a mercado to incubate local artists and businesses, and opportunities for micro- farming in the heart of the city. These ideas are examples of equitable development that includes the need of underserved residents. They also are good economics: the purchasing power of local residents is projected to be $137 million, which could help fuel the area's growth. More importantly, this is a vision of downtown that residents want. The Wellness District was created by a diverse coalition of non - profit organizations, longtime business owners, and adult and youth residents who want to ensure that downtown will continue to reflect their needs and sense of community. They want to provide input to the changes, and are also willing to invest in its future. Already, this coalition has supported efforts to brand and market downtown Santa Ana as a unique destination that celebrates its cultural heritage. With the implementation of the Wellness District, the city council can demonstrate its commitment to making Santa Ana a great place to live, work, and play for all. We urge you to support this vision of a healthy and vibrant downtown Santa Ana. Sincerely, Joese Hernandez El Centro Cultural de Mexico 60B -12