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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10A - MIN MARCH 30MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA MARCH 30, 2018 CALLED TO ORDER COUNCIL CHAMBER 22 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SANTA ANA, CA 9:06 A.M. ATTENDANCE COUNCILMEMBERS Present: MIGUEL A. PULIDO, Mayor MICHELE MARTINEZ, Mayor Pro Tem P. DAVID BENAVIDES (9:22 A.M.) VICENTE SARMIENTO JOSE SOLORIO (9:22 A.M.) JUAN VILLEGAS COUNCILMEMBERS Absent: SAL TINAJERO STAFF Present: RAUL GODINEZ, II, City Manager CRISTINA TALLEY, Assistant City Attorney MARIA D. HUIZAR, Clerk of the Council PUBLIC COMMENTS Andrew Do, Chairman of the Board of Supervisor, provided history and issues faced by the County and City on homelessness; presented following data and pledged to support the efforts. Service Planning Area Survey Origins of Homeless People Central Bridges at Kraemer Place* 97.45% North Service Planning Area —Anaheim Courtyard Transitional Center* 49.8% Central Service Planning Area —Santa Ana Cities with the Highest Homeless Populations in Order 2017 Point In Time Count Data —Unsheltered* 1. Santa Ana 466 2. Anaheim 363 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 10A1-1 MARCH 30, 2018 3. Irvine 199 4. Garden Grove 194 5. Fullerton 149 6. Huntington Beach 119 7. Orange 117 8. Costa Mesa 103 9. Westminster 92 10. Buena Park 70 "2017 Point In Time Count data provided by 2-1-1 Orange County • Peter Katz, noted that letters from residents have sent letters on the matter; Costa Mesa has viable option; opposed to abandonment • Abigail, concerned with current status. • Connie Hamilton, noted that petition initiated to support efforts; support countywide assistance. • Phil Becerra, support City Council efforts; • Francisco Arriola, concerned with current situation. • David De Leon, encouraged City Council to unite and work on matter. CLOSED SESSION MEETING COUNCIL RECESSED to Room 147 for Closed Session discussion at 9:21 a.m. CLOSED SESSION ITEMS - The Brown Act permits legislative bodies to discuss certain matters without members of the public present. The City Council finds, based on advice from the City Attorney, that discussion in open session of the following matters will prejudice the position of the City in existing and anticipated litigation: 1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - INITIATION OF LITIGATION pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9 of the Government Code: One Case. 2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION pursuant to Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9 of the Government Code: Orange County Catholic Worker, et al. v. Orange County, City of Santa Ana, et al.; United States District Court, Central District Case No. 8:18-cv-00155-DOC-JDE. CLOSED SESSION REPORT - The City Attorney will report on any action(s) to be taken at the Regular Meeting which will begin immediately following the Closed Session Meeting. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 1 OA_n MARCH 30, 2018 ADJOURNED CLOSED SESSION AND CONVENED TO THE REGULAR OPEN SESSION AT 9:43 A.M. WITH SAME MEMBERS PRESENT. OPEN SESSION MEETING CLOSED SESSION ACTION — Councilmember Sarmiento thanked speakers and noted homeless situation in the Civic Center has been many years; Judge Carter has made it a priority; issue is Countywide and not just the city of Santa Ana. Councilmember Solorio, request ground and remedies including County efforts on enforcement, identify area or agencies to address issues; supports closing the temporary Courtyard; timeline to move the encampment from the Civic Center to other areas; finalize the action plan. Councilmember Benavides, supports action as proposed. Mayor Pulido, need to stand up for City and moving in the right direction. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - INITIATION OF LITIGATION pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9 of the Government Code: One Case. MOTION: Provided direction to the City Attorney to research grounds on a federal question to file an action against the County of Orange to provide relief and to relocate the homelessness encampment in the Civic Center and throughout the City as well on a cost recovery basis and request that research and recommendations be brought back to the City Council at the April 3, 2018 City Council Meeting. MOTION: Sarmiento VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: SECOND: Martinez Benavides, Martinez, Solorio, Villegas (6) None (0) None (0) Tinajero (1) Mayor Pulido left the Meeting at 9:20 a.m. and did not return. PUBLIC COMMENTS Pulido, Sarmiento, CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 1 OA33 MARCH 30, 2018 • Susana Sandoval, supports City's efforts. • Irma Macias, on behalf of Comlink and several neighborhood associations; spoke in support of addressing homeless and safeguard the students that deal with the issue. • Tim Johnson, thanked the City Council for leadership; support temporary shelter in the City of Irvine. • Peter Katz, representing Comlink and neighborhood associations, reiterated comments made earlier; concerned with comments from residents from other cities; stop abandonment of homeless in the City. • Dave Hoen, expressed concern that many homeless are not from Santa Ana. • Elizabeth Webber, thanked the City for championing issue. 85A. CITY COUNCIL TO APPROVE SHORT-TERM HOMELESS PLAN AND PROVIDE INPUT AND DIRECTION AND ACTION ON CITY-WIDE PLAN — MAYOR PRO TEM MARTINEZ Mayor Pro Tem Martinez, spoke about the comprehensive plan needed; spoke of letter to the County about voucher expiration at the end of the month, continue vouchers at motels until shelterfor all homeless; short-term + plan for staff to immediately do a count of all encampments throughout the city; close to 400+ that have been identified by the heart program; come back to council with plan on how to do immediate count and then develop a plan to address homeless throughout the city; include plan on the City's website to seek input. Councilmember Solorio, commented that at the April 31d City Council meeting have agendized items for consideration; letter to regional agencies about dumping/abandonment and ordinance; ordinance abandonment ordinance for consideration in addition to panhandling; request tripling the quality of life team (HEART) through overtime and subcontracting with other agencies that may assist. Councilmember Villegas, agree with suggestion of ordinance to have enforcement measures; agree with need for count; encouraged all to notify police department if they witness other agencies dumping homeless. Councilmember Sarmiento, agree with motion by Mayor Pro Tem Martinez, need for count; momentum in City's favor; commented on impacts to the City for decades that other surrounding cities have not borne — library, residents and employees have been impacted; need judicial fix. Councilmember Benavides, frustrated that other cities in the county with the mere threat of homeless came in masses; our city and community members deserve equal treatment; staff directed to bring options for consideration. Unanimously agreed to add homeless plan on the city's website and receive input from the community; move forward with count and contact card and CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 10 4 MARCH 30, 2018 staff to come back with plan on quality of life and identify staffing needs; to increase HEART program. Motion by Councilmember Sarmiento, seconded by Martinez to give direction to City Attorney to research grounds on a federal question to file an action against the County of Orange to provide relief and to relocate the homelessness encampment in the Civic Center and throughout the City, as well on a cost recovery basis. Staff to research recommendations and be brought back to the City Council at their regularly scheduled meeting on April 3, 2018. Approved unanimously by a 6-0 vote (Tinajero absent). Councilmember Benavides, a final request that residents remember Board of Supervisor that have failed the City. ADJOURNED - 10:21 A.M. - The next meeting of the City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. for the Closed Session Meeting immediately followed by the Regular Open Business Meeting at 5:45 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, California. Maria D. Huizar, Clerk of the Council CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 1 OA 55 MARCH 30, 2018 10A-6