HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-10-26 PREYMINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON
PARKS, RECREATION, EDUCATION AND YOUTH
October 26, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting convened at 5:39 p.m. at Santa Ana City Hall Ross Annex Room 1600; 20
Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, California 92702.
ATTENDANCE
Council members Present Sal Tinajero (Chair)
Roman Reyna
Angelica Amezcua (arrived at 5:43 pm)
Staff Present: Gerardo Mouet, Executive Director PRCSA
Francisco Gutierrez, Executive Director Finance
Robert Cortez, Special Assistant to the City Manager
Jorge Garcia, Sr. Management Assistant CMO
John Funk, Deputy City Attorney
Ron Ono, Administrative Services Manager
Jeannie Jurado, Community Services Manager
Erendira Moreno, Community Services Supervisor
Enrique Marban, Community Services Supervisor
Hiram Uribe, Graphic Designer
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
o Samuel Romero indicated he was here in support of removing the
handball court at Chepa's Park.
o Isaac Manzo indicated he lived in the Logan Neighborhood for 26 years
and the handball courts has help provide recreational activity for his
children and are not a negative element in the park. It's a good thing for
the children, a tradition and has played there since 1972.
o Leonardo Penilla indicated he understands about the problem it can
cause, but it gets the kids involved in the sport and there is no other park
close by with courts.
o Cecilia Rodriguez indicated she wants the courts removed due to the
crime and noise it creates. Her nephew was beaten up because of gang
activity. All the younger children are in the community center, not on the
courts. She had people sign a petition to remove the courts.
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o Christy Andrade indicated the courts are a nuisance. The park needs a
larger playground with equipment for younger children.
o Joe Andrade indicated he is the President of the Logan Neighborhood
Association. He indicated people are urinating in back of the courts and he
has a petition for the courts to be removed. The courts have been
removed in other locations and everyone is now is playing at Logan Park.
o Peter Katz, V.P Comlink, indicated he was happy staff was able to open
the Library Parking Structure for the library use during the weekend. The
library needs additional cameras inside the library and around the
restroom. There is no emergency system in the library. The library has a
problem with lice and needs regular fumigation.
o Barbara Lamere is wondering why the city has 5 swimming pools and it is
only open 2 day per week. Also the Newhope Library is open tomorrow
from 6pm to 8pm, but the children have to leave the library by 7pm. She
indicate SA Pony Baseball is great for the kids and the people that
organize the program are wonderful.
• CHEPA'S PARK UPDATE ON SECURITY LIGHTS, CAMERAS AND HANDBALL
COURT
o Ron Ono provided an update on the park security lighting, security camera
and handball court issues addressed at the last PREY meeting.
■ Staff reported after measuring the lighting level in the park and it
meets the standard lighting level in most of our parks. To
address energy efficiency PRCSA is systematically changing
the old lighting to new LED lamps. This also helps increase the
lighting level. The cost to change the lamps at Chepa's Park is
estimated at $5,000.
■ Staff indicated we are currently working with SAPID to identify
possible security camera locations in Chepa's Park. SAPID will
be preparing an RFP and cost estimate to retain a design/build
company to install the cameras that will tie into SAPID computer
surveillance system.
■ Staff indicated the area behind the handball court is not visible
and a problem area for loitering. This area is secured with a
chain link fence and gate. Recreation staff indicated storage
space is needed for the new After School program. Staff will be
looking into weatherproofing and securing the space for storage.
o Erendira Moreno provided a report on that student from Sierra and Willard
Intermediate School uses the handball courts along with neighborhood
residents. SAPID and Recreation staff indicated only a few incidents have
been reported and in most cases the courts are well used.
• Councilmember Amezcua asked about the park and community
center hours and staff reported between 2:30pm to 7pm. Park
closes at dusk.
■ Councilmember Reyna reported the tree in back of the
Community Center is rubbing against the building and needs to
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be removed. Staff reported we are currently addressing the tree
removal.
Councilmember Reyna addressed concern on the area behind
the courts. It is difficult to see and people are cutting the chain
link fence. He indicated the City Manager identified and
alternative of moving the property line.
Councilmember Amezcua asked about the amount of handball
courts in the park. Staff reported there are two handball courts.
Councilmember Tinajero indicated we need to make the park
safer with security lighting, surveillance cameras and hiring
additional officers. Will continue to discuss item with staff.
• APPROVAL OF MINUTES
o Minutes of August 17, 2015 accepted as presented.
• CITY BALL DIAMOND FIELD RESERVATION STATUS UPDATE
o Chairman Tinajero opened the item for public comments:
■ George Robles, SA Pony thanked staff for assisting the league since
2012. Requested staff for continued help to identify fields for SA Pony
league use. Wants to work with staff to keep the park safe.
■ Hector Garnica, SA Pony indicated he started playing ball 23 years
ago and indicated additional fields are needed for practice.
• Cory Nelson, SA Pony indicated having 3 teams on the field playing is
very difficult. SA Pony needs a larger field.
• Yolanda Linan, District 30 Little League Baseball indicated the league
has increase 20% and all players are residents of Santa Ana. The
adults that manage the league are all volunteers.
• Michele Bretza, SA Pony League indicates the league has increased to
600 players and 80% are from Santa Ana. Where are the players going
to play with limited fields?
o Gerardo Mouet introduced Enrique Marban to explain the reservation system.
• Mr. Marban indicated traditionally the city had 9 little leagues and now
there are only 3 active little leagues. Over the years the number of little
league players have decreased. Santa Ana Pony is a new youth
baseball organization that is quickly growing in numbers. SA Pony
expects to grow more and needs more fields. There are 39 ballfields of
which 26 are lighted fields. Staff will review the field permit system and
identify options for a fair and equitable permit system. Staff will meet
with individual youth baseball organizations, adult baseball/softball
organizations to assess their needs and to discuss options and
recommendations.
■ Councilmember Tinajero indicated SA Pony primary field is at
Riverview Park, because all the other fields are already
allocated. Staff indicated the fields are provided to
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organizations the entire year and fields are not dedicated to a
particular league.
Councilmember Reyna indicated Heritage Ballfield is not fully
utilized. Staff indicated soccer and baseball uses Heritage field.
Councilmember Amezcua indicated it seems SA Pony has a
larger amount of participants and would need additional fields.
Councilmember Tinajero indicated we should have diversity in
play from traditional Little League to Pony advance play. Little
League players are now grown and can advance to Pony
League. They both provide a strong service to the community.
Would like staff to have a meeting with Pony as soon as
possible.
Delhi Baseball field needs to be attended too and used.
• Adams needs to be used as a regulation field.
• Would like to meet with Gerardo and Enrique on
communications with SA Pony.
• Need a game plan on consistent communication with an
end date.
• CITY PRODUCED EVENT UPDATE
o Gerardo Mouet introduced Jeannie Jurado to present on update on the
various city events.
• Jeannie presented a list of the various city events and indicated there
are three events remaining to the end of the year, 1) SOMOS Event on
November 8tn, 2) Holiday Tree Lighting Event on November 18tn and
Plaza Navidena Event on December 12tn
■ Jeannie presented a summary of the events and directions. She
indicated:
• A new Events Supervisor is expected to begin in November.
■ City Produced Events Advisory will be created to meet quarterly.
• An RFP will be released to bring back the large carnival rides for
Cinco de Mayo.
■ Rules for booth, performance and parade participants will be
developed.
■ Parade Theme, Grand Marshall and protocol to be in concert
with direction from the City Manager and PREY Council
Committee.
■ Rules on permitting elected officials to perform will be
developed.
■ Rules on sponsorship partnership will be developed.
• Develop ordinance change to help with unique purchasing and
contract administration.
■ Non -Profit Beer Garden operation will be on an event -by -event
basis.
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• PREY and Council will be updated on Major Talent for the
events.
o Councilmember Reyna indicated can other non-profit compete for the beer
concession. He would like to keep it within Santa Ana Non -Profit
Organizations.
o Councilmember Reyna indicated we should highlight the Tamale Contest.
Also the plaque was small. The award should be more significant.
• JOINT USE WITH SAUSD UPDATE
o Gerardo Mouet indicated a draft of the Nov 2, 2015 agenda for the Joint
Policy Committee was sent to the SAUSD.
o Gerardo Mouet reported on the following Joint Use Opportunities:
■ City allocated $75,000 to establish a joint use trust fund. The SAUSD
needs to allocate their portion and the City/SAUSD needs to create an
accounting mechanism and project eligibility criteria to use these
resources.
■ Two options locations are being considered for the synthetic turf
project (Godinez High School or Segerstrom High School). SAUSD
would like to move on Segerstrom High School first.
• Exploring adding sports lighting to one or two large high school ball
diamonds. Exact high school needs to be determined.
• Explore doing a Roosevelt/Walker type project at Martin Elementary
School and doing a joint purchase of church property.
■ Continue to develop a partnership with SAUSD students with City
Library Cards.
■ Continue to explore opportunities for common constituency in both
recreation and education arenas.
o Councilmember Reyna expressed possibility of an employee softball league
among organizations.
• STAFF UPDATE AND COMMENTS
o None
• COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
o Councilmember Reyna indicated to the public of the opportunity to receive
funding ($10,000) for worthwhile programs from individual
councilmembers.
o Councilmember Amezcua asked staff to look into Mr. Katz comment
concerning fumigation of the library if it is a problem.
o Councilmember Tinajero thanked staff and everyone for their hard work
and the need to work together. He indicated there were a lot of items on
the agenda and we need to spend more time on critical items. Would like
an e-mail on any community issues by next PREY meeting.
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FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
o None.
• ADJOURNED: 7:03 p.m.
Gerardo Mouet
Executive Director, PRCSA
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