Read the March 19 meeting.

Now please stand up for the Pledge of Allegiance. Ready? Begin. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. If you can remain standing, we have our invocation this evening by Bob Barnett, our police chaplain.

Welcome.

Thank you.

Lord, we begin this session by inviting your presence to fill this place. We pray that it would be obvious through the discussions and the wisdom displayed. Your word says, Lord, that if we ever lack wisdom, we can ask you and you'll give it generously. So tonight we always ask for wisdom. We pray that you would make our city a city that always smiles at the future. We're grateful for those that serve our community. We ask a blessing upon them, and we're grateful for those to be recognized by our city as well. Bless this evening. In the name of the Lord, amen.

You may be seated.

If we can have our County Fire Authority Division Chief, James Henry, if you could please come forward.

Thank you.

Mayor Pro Tem who serves on the Orange County Fire Authority to make the following presentation and I'll be up here to support. Thank you Mr. Mayor. Good

evening everyone. They say that when you love what you do you don't look at pay and our newest division chief Jim Henry started his career in 1984 as a reserved non-paid firefighter here in the city of Santa Ana. He has a long history of working in the city of Santa Ana. He loves Santa Ana. When I first met the chief a while back, he was a battalion chief, and you could just tell of how much he loves this city, how much he loves the fire department. 10 years ago, was it that we went to OCFA? Is that correct?

Seven years ago, went to OCFA. And we are now part of that family. But his heart is still here. And he remained working here. And from what I'm told, when you were transferred recently, you had to promote to come back to Santa Ana. And that's tough to go out there and earn a promotion so you can come back to the city of Santa Ana. They say when you love something enough, it loves you back. Chief Henry, sit down and I love you. Welcome back, sir. And our newest division chief, Chief Jim Henry.

Chief, if you could say a few words, a little bit about yourself. When you started the fire, tell us a little bit about yourself, sir.

Well, I won't bore you with all of that, but let's just say I've been doing it a long time. And I still enjoy what I do. And it's an honor and a pleasure to be back in the city and the community where I want to be. Just a very proud moment for myself and a humbling moment as well to be back here to support the community and support the elected officials and to support all those guys standing in the back as well. So thank you. And I look forward to continuing to work with all of you. Thank you.

Chief, it is my pleasure and honor to present you this executive management pin. It's got the city seal on it. I'm sure you'll wear it with pride and I'm very, very happy to give it to you. Thank you, sir. Thank you. Appreciate it.

Who's next? Oh, okay.

Hold on.

Wait a minute.

I'm going to get a bigger photo.

Yeah, why don't you come on down? Come on. Jose, you're here.

we're going to get the city council we're going to get the council members keep the chief in the center

we didn't even have a requirement

Very special person.

Joseph, how are you here? Come on around.

Thank you.

I'm going to allow Mr. Joseph Hawa to say a few words here in a moment. But first let me tell you why he's here and a little bit about who he is.

He's a famous artist and he does work here in Santa Ana. and we're blessed and honored to have him. He began many years ago at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, and he took additional courses at Northwestern University, also in Chicago, and that landed him a job in graphic design and illustrating position with Sears Roebuck, and that was his first job out of art school.

In 1975, Mr. Hawan knew that art was his calling and he took a leap of faith and just went full time to becoming an artist. And now he's a well-known artist here in Santa Ana. He's a master of many styles, different genres, also different mediums. He's been a positive force in the community within Santa Ana, both as an artist and as someone who's taken great pride here in our beautiful city.

Today, which is his birthday, we're going to thank Joseph Hawa for his contribution to the community and for bestowing his artistic talents and abilities among those who live within it. So with that, Mr. Joseph Howe, I want you to say a few words if you like.

I want to thank you for introducing me to the people around here and the city of Santa Ana. In the meantime, I'm very happy to donate my oil painting to the city.

It's an old painting that represents the first street in California to be paved and asphalted in the whole state of California. That's why I brought this painting to the city of Sanana to have it as a memory of my work. Mr. Yostra. Applause

Is it below where they can see your face?

We don't want it to cover you.

I understand that street is Los Rios Drive in San Juan Capistrano. I'm sure we had dirt streets here in Santa Ana in those years. Because, you know, Santa Ana and San Juan are some of the oldest cities around. But, and I noticed you painted that in 1997. And you've been painting a long time.

Yeah, but when I was doing it, an interview of that town told me, do you know what you are doing? I said, I'm painting a street. He said, no, this is not a real street. This is the first street in California to be paved and asphalted in the state of California. So I'm very happy to do that because it's something to remember for everybody. That this is the first day to be paved and asphalted in California. Thank you very much.

Joseph Hawa, let me give you this token of appreciation from the city of San Antonio. you and this is in recognition of your outstanding contributions to the community and we'll hang that your painting here in City Hall and we're very appreciative for the work that you've done thank you very much

He wants to thank everybody for coming here to help us celebrate here today. Thank you.

Happy birthday.

Thank you.

Attorney, is there anything to report out of closed session, please?

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem —

Mayor, we have two reportable items. The first is the first item, City of Santa Ana v. Robert Marlin, the trustee. The City Council unanimously approved a settlement for the purchase of the property in relation to the Bristol Street widening. Council Member Sarmiento was absent. In the second matter, the City Council approved a settlement of $250,000. The vote was positive with Council Member Sarmiento and Mayor Polito absent.

All right, I'm now going to turn our attention to the consent calendar. Are there any items that council members wish to pull from the consent calendar? Council member Martinez?

I know, right?

No, I knew CZ Glaser. That's a little joke.

because she questioned everything, so that's good.

Keep going.

Okay, 11A, 19C, 19E, 19F, 22A, and 25D.

B or D? 22D.

Okay, she pulled 11A, 19C, 19E, 19F, 21A, and 21B, as in David. No, 22A. and 22A. Yeah, not 21. Sorry.

22A.

22A.

All right, so with that, I would entertain a motion.

Mr. Mayor, I think I did hear 19E is one of them.

19E, yes. Okay, great. Thank you. So with that, I would entertain a motion on the balance of the consent calendar. Those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Those opposed, motion carries. So now 11A.

Council Member Iglesias.

For 11A, I just wanted it to be separate because at the prior council meeting, I voted against it. So I just wanted it to be pulled so we can vote separately. So that's pretty much it.

Move the item.

So we have a motion.

Second. Those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Those opposed? Aye. Motion carries. Item 19C.

We've got my notebook.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem —

19C. Okay, this one I just need a...

You can't hear me. For this one, I just need a clarification from... This is where, you know, we're doing destruction of obsolete city records just to make sure that the police records are not included in this item.

I understand that's the case. Is that the case, City Manager?

The records that we're deleting, what records are they?

Those are both records from Financial and Management Services Department, which is Catherine's department, and then Parks and Rec Department.

Okay, but the police records are not included in this item. Separate. Correct. Okay, thank you.

Can I have a motion? Motion approved. Is there a second? Second. Those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Those opposed, the motion carries. 19-E.

And I know this is just a receive and file, but I do have some questions. So I don't know who is going to be the person that's going to come up here. Who's going to be the person that's going to come up here to answer some questions?

Our homeless services manager, Hafsa Keika, is available to answer any questions on the report.

Okay, thank you.

So what exactly is this report, Hafsa? Good evening, Council Member. So last year we began starting to have the Homeless Services Quarterly Report to provide basic macro-level updates to the Council on all of our efforts concerning homelessness.

So what's included in here? The type of, I guess, shelters that we have? How many shelters? How many beds? What are we looking at?

Not necessarily. They're quarterly reports, so they discuss the major initiatives that have happened during that quarterly period. Our shelters, the basic fact sheet has that, and that's on our website. But as you can see, we talk about three major components, law enforcement relative to homelessness, affordable housing, and then other services initiatives. So you can see the eight highlighted projects that we had. One of the biggest projects we had during this last quarter, which, well, this quarter, which is October 2018 to December 2018, was establishment of the link, the interim shelter. So that was a big, major update.

So how many shelters do we have in the city?

So in the city of Santa Ana, as you can see, this is the homeless fact sheet that we have on our website. And in that, we have the courtyard, which is not operated by the city. It's operated by the county. We have the link, which is our 200-bed shelter.

How many do we have? How many beds do we have in each?

Well, it's 450 courtyard, 200 link. Hospitality house is 50 beds, which is Salvation Army. And then, of course, safe place and wise place, which is 60 beds. And on a seasonal basis, we have the two, well, not we, but the county operates the 200-bed shelter in the armory.

So how many do we have now?

So if you total that, that's probably, let's see, 450, 250, over 600, 700. 700 available year-round? Not year-round. This includes the 200-bed armory shelter. Okay.

So without that, it would be about 500 beds that would have year-round?

Yeah. Okay.

So then you said 450 at the...

Well, with the inclusion of our new 200-bed shelter. So that would be the 450 plus the 50 plus our 200 bed link and then the 200 that's seasonal armory. Okay.

So the link is, I guess, the capacity is 200 beds. And pretty much we're hitting that mark, aren't we? Yes. Okay. So then we have 450 at the courtyard. So then that's about 650. And then you said we have 50 somewhere else at Salvation Army? Yeah. So we have about 700 already here in Santa Ana that the city's already providing for. Okay, and that's all in here in this report.

Mm-hm.

Yeah. Okay. The reason I'm asking is because there's a very contentious shelter that's being open on Yale Street on the west end of Santa Ana. And it's something that we're very, and it's supposed to be a 600 bed shelter. So for us, it's a concern on that end, just for the city itself. And it seems like we're just attracting more and more and more. So I know that's going to be a conversation. The supervisor has agreed that he's going to be coming at our second meeting in April to make a presentation. So hopefully we're able to address that because there's a lot of concern that,

it's said that we don't have enough shelter, I mean beds, but we do have enough. I mean, just by hearing what you're saying, we already have almost 700 shelter, I mean, beds in the shelter. So I just wanted just for you to just, you know, be, I guess, aware of what's coming up. There's going to be a lot of concerns shared by the residents. And that's something that is right now is just barely the talk of the conversation and what's happening with that shelter. So thank you for this information, but this gives our community a little bit more information on where we're at when it comes to providing shelter.

But that's something that's going to be forthcoming. I know there's going to be a lot of questions coming to you. Personally, I don't know because you're the director for that. But thank you so much, HOSA, for this information. And I guess with that, I just wanted to let you know that there's concerns that we're already doing more than our fair share.

Thank you, and we're working hard to ensure that we're safeguarding the city. And then I also wanted to just quickly let you guys know that the link shelter that we have, we have been since inception housed 26 individuals and families into permanent housing in less than 100 days with our partnership with Mercy House, and that's a huge success. Thank you.

Mr. Mayor? Yes, Councilor Salorio. Thank you. I had also wanted to pull this item up. Maybe a few points, but we've got one question here as well. First, I do want to thank code enforcement staff, city attorney staff, and PD. I think it was about a month ago I led an item alongside Council Member Benanosa and Iglesias regarding more enforcement on the railroad properties. Because they come out every now and then to help clean up, but clearly not often enough. And a lot of our problems start to end at the railroad, so kudos to the staff.

I know they gave the council an update on how they now have given notice to these railroad companies, even including their out of state headquarters, they posted notices on the railroads. And so we really are beginning, really what's going to be a good compliance and legal process to have them clean up and do so on a regular basis or we'll do it for them and just bill them. Because it needs to be done but should not be done at our expense, so thank you for staff there. with respect to that new facility on on Yale Street I know there has been discussions about inviting the county to come to a council meeting to talk about

that facility is there a date set yet and do we know who the the presenter is I know we've been hearing information but I just wanted to confirm it I think it is

the next council meeting that they are expected and I'm not sure of the the person representing it I will get back to the council okay this does maybe our

our homeless coordinator know who's coming from the county?

We're expecting someone from the county.

We don't know? Either we know or we don't. We don't know yet.

We don't know who's accepted the invitation.

The councilman thought it was Supervisor Andrew Doe. Maybe he's communicated with us or not or declined? I mean, I'd like to know just because we've mentioned for two or three weeks that he's coming. And I'm fine if it's somebody else, but we have the audience here and we ought to just have some clarity about this.

I will get back to the council on the confirmation of who and when they're attending.

So right now we don't know?

Correct. I don't have the information with me right now.

Okay, well maybe you can let us know tomorrow so we can let the public know.

Also with respect to that same facility, I think it was last year when working with the court and surrounding cities. We began to put together what that plan and shared responsibilities might be there. Number of beds, who's going to pay, timing, etc. It'd be good if staff could give us an update on what outstanding actions remain that the city needs to think about or do. because I'll be honest with you there's some folks in town that are having second thoughts about a facility that big or for example and I already raised it to the county right now we have 400 beds at the courtyard the city doesn't

pay a dime for any of that when we go to the county they want to do the same 400 and then they want to dedicate another 125 for the city but charges for those beds well do you know do any of the cities other cities get charged for putting folks in there I don't think so so I don't know that that is something that we permanently want in there and there may be other items particularly since we have new council members they may or may not be uh privy to that and i'd like them to and if there are action items that we need to do uh that impacts the reality the timing cost etc with that facility

and we need to have that conversation uh as a council and then with uh with others i know in this report that you also mentioned that the staff did that we made the request to the county some months ago to please not reopen the armory and they did anyway including without letting us know but they did reopen it and I recently checked with some of the school leaders and the nonprofit about impacts there's a lot of impacts they've had a higher security deal with a number of issues They got children both at a pre-K program there and the Del High Center and an elementary school and an intermediate school nearby.

So we need to, I think, as a council and staff, be a little bit more aggressive about saying we don't want them to reopen it. I've mentioned, too, also we have multiple staff members that serve on boards with the county to address homeless. And why should we be on those boards if they don't listen to us? And then we're the ones paying for all the impacts. So that's very inappropriate. So let's begin to highlight that again so that they don't just surprise us after the fact last year.

And then finally, the quality of life team that we have a crew that goes out Monday through Thursday to look at encampments, talk to folks, office services. But we really need to have that work effort be times three or times four. And with Measure X that highlighted itself as a homelessness measure, although I didn't support it, I do feel that we need to do right by the voters and dedicate a lot of resources there. So I hope that you can work with our city manager's office and the budget office. And we're discussing a budget workshop as well at the end of this meeting.

I really want us to put a priority on expanding the quality of life to you for the benefit of the community. Thank you.

All right.

So what action do we take on this item?

Move the action on this item.

Just move it because it's a file.

Receive the file. All right.

I'll move it.

Second. Any opposition? Motion carries. Next.

For 19F.

19F, before we take action, I have one speaker. Please come forward. Adele.

Good evening, Mayor and Council. I just wanted to say, Yahoo, Santa Ana. You guys exceeded the regional housing needs allocation by a tremendous amount. I think it's great that we're doing this. The affordable housing number was 743 more than what we were targeting. I think it's a great job. and I think some of the other cities that have come down here to this council and expressed the fact that we aren't doing enough ought to take a look at this report

and it shows that Santa Ana is doing a remarkable job in addressing the affordable housing issue. So, kudos to you guys. Thanks.

Okay, any other comments? Please go ahead. Councilman Iglesias.

So, Dale had stole my thunder. What I wanted to say was that what this shows is that the City of Santa Ana is doing its job to ensure that we do have the affordable housing component. So I just wanted to double check with staff. How many units do we already have approved for affordable housing?

So the number of units in terms of affordable is 857 unit total. were required by the previous we not to have 114 so as mentioned we are we have produced approximately 743 units in excess of what's have been required of

the city and that's for a seven-year period or correct okay so then what happens say in this next seven years are we going to be held responsible for

114 units? I mean how does the... So the allocation process is through the state and through SCAG and our staff is working with SCAG to go through the process of determining what is the allocation for the City of Santa based on the next planning cycle. We think it's gonna be seven more years it could be five but we're gonna be working with the the state and SCAG on the next year's planning cycle is allocation.

So then our excess doesn't carry over?

Unfortunately, currently it doesn't, but that's something that we have talked internally to. We can start lobbying and asking for that, asking those types of questions when we work with staff, but currently, no.

Well, could that be a question that we could start asking? Absolutely. We're like five times the amount that they're asking us to do. Absolutely. Okay, so that was pretty much it. My question just wanted to see where we're at with that. So when would you start having those conversations with lobbyists and SCAG?

We're already beginning to get contact by staff to be part of the RENA allocation process. And during that cycle, during that process, we will start to voice some of our areas of our excess and to see if we can get credit for that.

Okay, thank you, Mayor.

Thank you.

Mr. Mayor, I'd like to add, parallel to this discussion of what cities are doing, the State of California, particularly Governor Newsom, he's revisiting all the RHNA numbers and he's going to give every city a new RHNA number. So every city, I suspect, including ours, is going to be asked to do considerably more. I think statewide his goal is for the next five years or something, in literally like 3.5 million new units. And so while we're doing good, you know, based off, you know, this new goal and arena effort, that number is going to change.

Fortunately, at least this go around resources to go with it, both for planning as well as construction and other items. And maybe we may want to, you know, ask our lobbyists to help get some of that planning money so that we can do a better job of documenting the work that we've done. and making the case for them to be reasonable and the next step forward for us. But these numbers are going to change and go upward for every city.

They will. Thank you. That's all. Thank you.

Okay, so any other questions? So a motion?

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem —

I'll move it.

Okay, we have a motion, a second. Those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Those opposed, motion carries. Next item.

Okay, this is 22A, right? So for this, what we're doing is, for this one, you're asking us to increase the amount right to, let's see, by $460,000, making the amount not to exceed $983,000. My understanding this was a bid, right? So they won the bid two years ago?

Yes, that's correct. Orange County striping was a low bid, and it was based on amounts that we believed would complete striping in quadrant number two, which is the northeast part of the city. We have excellent unit pricing. We have available funding that we can transfer to use this construction contract, and we would be able to complete the remaining three quadrants in the city. So that's great news in using the excellent unit pricing.

But my question is, when this was a bid, what was the specification of the RFP? what was it that they were going to give us for the amount that we approved it when we did two years ago?

So that was primarily to do quadrant two in the city which is north of First Street and east of Flower to do the entire city and also to do sign maintenance and other miscellaneous items that are not necessarily striping lanes in the roadways. So it was more than just doing quadrant two. It was to do also so some sign maintenance and some curb markings citywide. But now with the excellent pricing and the additional funding, we can move on to quadrant, which is the southwest corner of the city, south of 1st and west of Flower Street, and then we would move on to quadrant 4 and then go back up to quadrant 1.

But why wouldn't we go back for a bid?

We could, but we would like to get the work completed before June. We have an available contractor. We have excellent pricing, and we'd like to proceed. We'd like to do the entire city in a one-and-a-half-year cycle, and by doing this, we could accomplish that.

But what was the initial contract that we gave them? It was $400?

It was $523,000 annually, so that was going to be an annual contract, several multi-year annual contract for $523,000. However, at that level, we could not complete the entire city in a two-year, one-and-a-half-year cycle that we desire. So again, by adding the additional $460,000 to the remaining year's contract by June 30th, we can complete the city.

Okay, thank you.

Okay, so given that, do we have a motion?

Motion approved.

Is there a second?

Second.

Those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Those who are opposed, motion carries. No. will we have one no next item that was pulled was 25 diaz and david i believe and if i may um with concurrence of the city staff and madam clerk if you could make sure we do this correctly i want to take this item and i want to continue it until the 22nd of march at 5 p.m and in order to do so I want to continue this council meeting time certain date certain to

that time is that everybody following me okay so is there a motion to that effect or a session approve that motion I'll be happy to second

councilor Solario yeah just one comment that thanks for doing that mr. mayor I did speak with councilmember Vince Sarmiento and he had a very unfortunate

death in the family and this is an important decision and he wanted to try to be there and I think he did that all day so thank you. So with that we have a motion to second. Those in favor please say aye. Aye. Aye. Those votes motion carries. Next item I believe I have we already kind of voted on this Dale but why don't you come on up 32B you want to speak on that as well.

Good evening, Mayor and Councilmembers, once again. I just wanted to point out that this is an example of how a project can be approved and then development agreements agreed upon, and then they can be changed multiple times. A couple things that I noticed in the staff report, and that was this project was originally approved back in 2012, not 2017.

And exactly seven years ago, you guys approved an amendment to this, and it revised the project. And one of the project's stipulations were it would create an area equal to 0.8 acres of land instead of the 0.6 that was originally there. again in May of 2015 another amendment was processed through the City Council and again it stipulated that it keeps the point eight acres as originally

designated in the 2012 City Council meeting this map request changes that stipulation that you guys voted on in 2015. It creates a map parcel of 2.18 acres instead of 2.3 and it creates a parcel of 0.92 instead of 0.8. So I don't know how it is that it morphed into this approval to change the boundaries on on what you guys voted on back in 2015.

And, but the main point I wanted to make was, not only is that incorrect and it shouldn't be approved,

but development agreements change over time. And this is a clear example of how they do change. Three times it came before the council to change. Nothing has been built yet, and who knows whether it will change again. Thank you.

Okay, I know we already voted on this item, but Mayor Pro Tem has a question or comment. Please go ahead.

Yeah, I think this one slipped by me. Actually, I was a no item on 32A. So we can make it. 32A. Do we need to retake the vote?

or i'll i'll bring it back up for reconsideration the reason is because there's a there's a big

problem with parking in this area so artesia pilar is in my ward and i was i would feel better if it was a less to instead of six it would be four or three lots but that's my reasoning on that

can we look madam clerk i think we can bring it back for reconsideration so the council member

who motioned it was jose salario he can reconsider or if he agrees to reconsider the item because

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem —

that was part of the global right consent calendar actually anyone who voted in favor of the matter

may make a motion which is yourself as well okay so i'll make a motion to reconsider want to do a re-vote or do you want to well first let's bring it back so with that i'll i'll second your motion you want to hear it again so now we're reconsidering it vote take a vote on that motion is there a those in favor of reconsidering it I'll say aye aye so we got three ayes and O and some and a guy and Jose thinking

all right all right so we're reconsidering so we can talk about it again and revote or change it or whatever you could continue it you can seek amendments well I only wanted to make a comment

And I know it went through the planning commission, but this is six lots here they're dividing this lot into. And we have a big enough parking issue in that neighborhood, like many of us suffer in this city. And I just think this is going to contribute to it. And so I'm not in favor of that many lots. I would be in favor of less or so. So I'm going to be a no on this item. And is there any other comments from my colleagues?

Well, you could also continue it. You could also seek to bring it back with a different recommendation from staff. If there's something you would be supportive of. I mean, Council Member Iglesias. I'm open to hear what my colleagues have to say about it.

Tell me what the process is at this time. but I would be comfortable with reconsidering it, taking it back, and bringing it to us once we have more information on this item.

So this map is a request to consolidate two lots in a single-family residential area, and we subdivide that lot into six single-family lots and a private drive. based on the review of the project it actually complies with all the code requirements including the city's parking requirements for that size of units the units about 27 square feet each requiring a two-car garage and two open parking spaces which each one has it has a two-car garage plus two parking spaces in the driveway so it complies with the subdivision standard as well as

the design standard for the proposed development. The Planning Commission did recommend approval of the project. Of course, this is something that needs to come also before the City Council under consent. And you do have the ability to provide direction to staff if you see that additional direction is needed. I just want to let you know that the Planning Commission did recommend approval. And the project did not require any type of variances or deviation from city design standards, including parking.

Yeah, Mr. Mayor, along those lines, I have a question probably to our city attorney. What I'm hearing staff say is this is really more of a ministerial action that we're being asked to take. Really the action is just to approve the tentative track map. Everything else, it sounds like by right they can do that. So I do worry that if we don't approve this, we have some legal issues. Maybe city attorney Carbolio, can you speak to that?

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem —

So, Mayor and Councilmembers, I think this is one of those instances where our provisions are a little bit outdated. In a normal proceeding, City Councils really probably wouldn't take a look at a tentative map. It happens at the Planning Commission level. It is an oddity of our system that we bring these things to and we say, here they are, but you really can't do anything about them. I know that planning staff has taken a look at these types of provisions and want to come with some clean up. So, in short, you are correct. It appears that this action was previously approved. There might be some reliance upon it.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem —

But having said that, if there are some issues that you want staff to address, they can go back now and begin to work on those issues.

But related to the track map, there's something else. Maybe we need to bring back a different item.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem —

That's right. And this is tentative approval, so I don't know if there's any conditions of approval that you've imposed that you might, that are going to address the council members' concerns or not?

What I would like to know is what are some of the specific concerns that we can help address it. If it's related to parking, it complies with code standards, so if there were some directions for us to work on a different configuration, we can assist.

Well, you and I met the other day. We spoke about this, and I understand that legally they're compliant. I'm just not supportive because there's so many, you know, vehicles. I mean, one thing is what it says and another thing is common sense. And reality is that there's a lot of parking issues there. So, you know, I'm going to be a no vote on this, but I understand that legally they're within the law. So I know to separate, but I just wanted to be a no vote on this.

I suggest we let them be a no vote and the rest of the council just move forward if possible.

um all right then it doesn't pass then you're blocking the project

yeah but but look right now we brought it back for reconsideration and there's enough four votes in the affirmative well let's just continue this later to the meeting if it rolls

into the friday rolls into the friday and maybe or just bring it back to the next council member

in the future and then they can vote.

I say continue at 30 days or something like that would probably be better. Was there any direction

for us to work on any specific issues?

I don't think there's anything you can do. I mean, they're meeting

Is there two

stories, right? These are two stories, correct. And the walls behind the on the border that you can still see over, are they close enough? They can see or is there I just have a lot of problems with this. This is just too many. I'm afraid that they build their homes and they get a lot of people in there, it's going to be a million cars it's just going to add to the problem we already have I understand your concerns I'll make a motion to table for 30 days and if we have another council member here then maybe we can have four votes then

Alright, those in favor, please say aye Aye Those opposed No So that motion fails So we can't vote on it We can't continue it

Okay, may we consider later on Friday. I do worry too, just that legally there's issues for us to raise a lot of issues here without giving the applicant an opportunity to be here.

Are you good with a two week continuance to give them a little bit of time? There's nothing we can do.

It sounds like just one or two we want to vote. No, you're a council member short, you might have a different vote.

Right, right. Yes, I'd like to pull this item, give Min a chance to explain some of the legal with our attorney and all three of these tentative items.

That sounds good and then staff could bring it back when ready. Okay, so I withdraw the motion.

All right.

Yeah.

All right. Now we're on to item 50A then.

There's an ordinance of first reading amendment in the San Municipal Code regarding loud and ranqueous noise. I'd like to speak on it. Just speak softly. Go ahead.

Okay, I want to make a motion to approve that I want with comment, sir.

Go ahead.

I just want to thank all the staff that worked on this. This is item 58, is it correct? Yeah. The loud noise. Everyone on the Public Safety Committee, including our city attorney, Boghossian, and the chief, and all the city staff, and in particular also Esther Fonseca, who is a member of the Artesia Pilar Neighborhood Association who was very instrumental in helping us bring this ordinance. If I could have the Chief, or let's say Deputy Chief Gaminski, come up and speak a little bit about the ordinance,

how this differs from the previous ordinance that we had.

Yes, sir. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today. The police department has for some time struggled with the enforcement of 10-153, the loud and raucous noise ordinance. Our issues generally go to responding to the same address over and over. We have issues in finding out who's in charge of the party and then trying to hold people accountable for disturbing their neighbors. Based on input from numerous different sources as well as the community, we re-evaluated what the municipal code could be, and we have identified some new verbiage.

Most importantly is the concept that an owner of property is responsible for what goes on on that property, much like we look at when we take code enforcement issues. for a property owner to allow loud and raucous noise to occur over and over again this law will now allow us to take administrative enforcement action against that property owner we identified within this ordinance what a property owner is and talked about specifically the authority to impose like i said administrative fines

Should an individual have a party, I'm sorry, a loud and raucous event on their property, the first response is no fine. The second subsequent response is $100. The third is $250. The fourth is $500. The fifth is $750. And the sixth is $1,000. These fines are for one calendar year.

We believe that having the opportunity, much like other cities already are, by holding property owners accountable for the conduct that occurs on their properties, we'll be able to lower the amount of calls for service that the police department receives in regards to loud and raucous noise, and we will be able to provide a better service to the community in general.

Thank you, Deputy Chief. Thank you for your good work on the committee, putting this together. And again, thank you to the City Attorney's Office, Ms. Magosian. And I'll hand it over back to the Mayor.

Okay, so with that, any additional comment?

David PenalozaItem —

I have a question for Deputy Chief. I'm supportive of this, but I just want to know what happens with a lot of the households here in Santa Ana are rental properties. so you don't have the property owners present frequently. I mean, I know it's not saying all the time, but a lot of times you don't have the property owner present, so you'll have the person renting the house, and they're having a party. What happens then? Do we go on a search for the property owner? Do we?

So just like we would with any code enforcement-related issue, The first time that we go out and deal with a party at a location, we will issue a notice that says, we had a problem here, everybody needs to know. We will also send information to the property owner to alert them of the issue. It is our hope that the property owner will then contact his or her renters and encourage them to abide by the law.

If we have to go out there again, then the property owner would get another notice, this time of a fine, saying your residents are doing this activity. The hope is that we have property owners hold their renters responsible for the activity.

I think we are also hoping that when you talk about some of the large scale or larger locations that we respond to consistently, like an apartment complex, we have had issues with responding to that same apartment complex over and over again and having the residents complain because the manager rents out the center courtyard and then gets all the money. and the residents have to put up with all these parties. It's our hope that by giving notice to the owners, we will raise awareness of the ongoing problem, whether you live in the area, live in the state,

or whether you're a de facto out-of-state owner.

Thank you.

Yes, go ahead. And, Councilor Soloria, did you have a question as well?

I want to second it.

Got it. Councilor Cecilia. Yeah.

Okay, my question is, I know one issue that we're faced with and the police department keeps telling us is we don't have enough officers to respond to service calls. So this here, is this going to be something that the police department's going to be responding? How long is it going to take them to respond to these calls? Or is this something that is going to just going to be referred to code enforcement? Because I know right now that is the practice. We call and say we really can't do anything about it. You know, code enforcement, you know, refer it out. So it's never that department's, I would say, responsibility.

So I always, you know, pass the buck. So for this one, what's going to change with what's happening now?

So the police department responds to hundreds and thousands of these calls for service every year. They are one of our highest volume calls for service. We do not refer any loud music calls for service to code enforcement, nor have we ever. We will continue to address these calls for service as we already have been and deal with them as manpower allows. However, when we do get out there and we do find that in fact there is a violation of municipal code, we will attempt to contact the person who says they're responsible for the party.

But that often is a problem in and of itself, to try to get somebody to say that, yeah, it's my party and I'll take responsibility for it. We're going to complete a separate form in-house, which will allow us to now track this activity and send information out. We're going to take care of the changes in this law administerily within-house.

I know you mentioned that you don't have, the manpower allows you to do this, so what's the response time for these type of calls?

That depends, ma'am. It depends on time of week, time of day, day of week, time of day. A call for service for a loud party can last 10 minutes. It could last four or five hours, depending upon what the volume is.

My experience has been more what you stated in four to five hours. Hours, sure. It's never like you're there right away.

The goal of this ordinance is to hold property owners accountable, which will in fact hold their residents accountable, and hopefully we will have less of these calls for service, so our response time to these types of quality of life issues will drop.

Okay, so then no referring to code enforcement. That's what you're saying.

We do not and never have these types of calls.

Okay. I'll call you if we do.

Mr. Mayor, I want to follow up with that. Go ahead. Because I think some good points that have been made. Number one, I think often for lower level calls like this, it probably does take hours for it to be responded to. And I don't think I hear otherwise, which is unfortunate and just speaks to staffing.

But if and when we do need to reach out to property owners just to confirm it's no code enforcement staff or staff in any other departments are going to be sending letters, calling property owners, or any of that. That's going to be all PD staff.

The police department will handle this administerily.

Okay. That is good. But then I would just ask that we could continue to work on the staffing because

every day we're getting more and more complaints about calls not being answered or taking too long. Even when I have to get involved, there was an issue with noise where an issue started last Friday. And it was until noon on Monday that we were able to go out and visit and respond to it. And it took two council members to do that and then some additional follow ups. And last I heard, we went from 51 vacancies, lapse of September, to 61. At the end of December, as of a couple weeks ago, we're at 64 vacancies. And the trend line isn't necessarily good. So I do worry that this looks like we're going to be doing a lot.

But if we don't respond in two, three, four hours, these people are gone. The party's over. I mean, it makes it very difficult. So when we do policies like this, we've got to tie them with staffing. because if not, it just looks good, but it makes it hard for us to really do anything about it.

You'd be surprised how often the parties still go in loss.

Yep. Depends also on when you get the call, though. But if you can't call at, you know, one in the morning, they're not going to be there at 6 in the morning. Maybe sometimes they will.

Thank you. So, pleasure of the council on this. I made a motion to approve. I think we have a motion to second. Those in favor, please say aye. Aye. I suppose motion carries.

Next item. Is that 55A? I would entertain a motion. Move it. Second. Those in favor, please say aye. Comment? Councilor Iglesias.

What exactly is this doing for the city of Santa Ana?

This does more for our businesses that are city that use recycled products than it does for the city as a policy. It's an incentive for businesses in Orange County. We take the, Huntington Beach takes the lead and we're a member of city in this area. It's state planning to cow recycle and offers low interest loans to federal assistance, permitting assistance and connects businesses to recycling materials for manufacturing.

Okay, so that's not going to be an extra cost. It's a volunteer effort, right? They volunteer if they want.

It's a continuing program, it's not a new program.

Okay, thank you.

Alright, did we get a motion on that? Those in favor, please say aye. Aye. I suppose the motion carries 65A.

We have one committee with no members, Mr. Mayor.

Maybe we don't need that committee.

They meet biannually? It's the Ethics Legislative Affairs Committee?

David PenalozaItem —

I'll be on it.

Go ahead. What I was told was, as Councilmembers, we can't serve on more than two committees. Correct. That's what it was.

Correct. And you already are, and so is Solario. and panel those is already so look we have had it we've not had it is there a reason why we can't serve them more than two you could serve on ten if we decide you want to serve on town but I know that it was a big issue not too long ago it's almost funny but but last year probably about

this time or two years ago the the city council on a split vote uh said they didn't want me to be on on so many it was an anti jose salario i was too i was too influential at city hall and so that i couldn't be on i think i was on three committees maybe that i couldn't be on more than more than two they got tired and not the ones that i wanted to be on so i said well then you you go ahead so that's that's why we're here i think if folks want to give of their time and service they have to be able to. I think here we have a committee where we haven't had that much interest

yet. You know we also hopefully in the near future we'll have another council member.

What happens if right now we appoint two people to that committee or whoever wants to serve and

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem —

it's more than three? Then we would just bring back a resolution for me to fix your restriction.

We'd lift it. We'd lift the current restriction. So bring it back. Because I had asked Julie and that's what Julie had told me. That we couldn't serve on more than two. Yeah because it's in a current resolution but that's a policy statement.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem —

So you guys can change it.

This one only meets twice a year.

So why don't we bring it back in April? We'll change it and then we'll decide-

The other key point to this staff report, I know the staff really has been meaning to simplify the schedule a little bit. We did discuss this at the last meeting, but given that there were vacancies in that legislative committee, They also wanted to again encourage us to consider the proposed meeting schedule, which is reasonable. Some are going up, some are going down, and really the committees can add additional meetings if they so warranted. But I think staff really did want to also get that reviewed and considered and voted on today.

Yes, that's correct.

David PenalozaItem —

I have a question just for-Go ahead, please. The youth education and community services, is that with joint use? Are those two separate ones?

Traditionally it's the same individuals. I think staff was wanting to see if we wanted to split it up, but I think given right now the other complexities that we have, it should just be those three individuals for both.

David PenalozaItem —

And the other clarity I needed is on the proposed meeting schedule. I was thinking, and I'm new, so if you guys could, maybe for public safety and admit, it's better to leave them as is versus quarterly as proposed. Because there's just a lot that's always happening, and to be pushing it out for three months, I think that's problematic.

Also, we would like to keep in mind that you can always call for special meetings. Yeah. Oh, okay. Scheduled meetings. Of course, yeah. You always do have that option.

David PenalozaItem —

Okay, yeah, never mind.

Do you feel better having every other month?

David PenalozaItem —

No, I mean, we could call for special meetings, that's fine. It would just require two members on the committee to do it, right? Or the chair could call it. Okay.

So that's where we have some flexibility.

Okay, so then for this one, what would be the motion?

I think right now it would be we probably just move on for the moment. In April you come back, we change that rule that we had, and then at that time we go ahead and appoint people to the legislative committee.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem —

You would approve what's before you tonight. We will return in April with a resolution and asking you to appoint to the legislative and ethics. That would be the follow-up. But you would approve what's before you tonight. we would come back with the reso and a recommendation on ethics and legislative. Okay.

And I think too really what she's saying, because for the purpose of the members and the public that might be watching at home, I think it really means let's vote on part two and three. So we're approving the current list of members that have asked for these committee assignments and then we're approving the amended proposed schedule. So I'll make that as a motion that we move parts two and three of 65A. And then subsequently in the future we'll address the legislative affairs, but that doesn't really need to be acted on.

All right, so we have a motion and a second. Those in favor please say aye. Aye. Aye. Those opposed motion carries.

Yes. Who made the motion? Solorio?

Yes.

And second was? Iglesias.

Item 65, Beers and Boy.

Just for clarification, do I have to abstain from this vote since I'm the one that's going to be asking to be the delegate or?

It's a public entity, so I don't think you have any real conflict. It's like voting for yourself for an appointment. Yeah, on this side, we do have Council Member Iglesias that already does serve us on our behalf before SCAG. So I'd be fine recommending her as the voting delegate, and we need an alternate. I think I'm her OCOG alternate, so for now I'm willing to accept that if and when we get an additional Council Member.

I will second that.

Unless if there's somebody else that's interested, but we're serving comparable roles elsewhere.

is that good okay so we have a motion and you seconded it those in favor please say aye aye aye those opposed motion carries next item is uh 65c and i know we have several uh uh folks that are interested in being appointed to ward four uh what i would suggest is that we go ahead and listen to all the applicants that are here so we'll go ahead and give them time to speak

I know we do not have our sixth council member here today, Councilman Sarmiento, and so I would suggest that we also roll this over to Friday after our, well as part of our meeting, regularly meeting that we're moving over, and include that item to be continued to that time as well. But first we're going to hear from them. But first, yeah, they're here, and I think we should hear from them.

And I'd like a clarification that when we come back to this item, do the candidates need to be present or not?

It's a little short notice. It's short notice.

It's a public meeting.

If you can, it's a public meeting. I invite folks to come back if they're able to make it.

If they cannot come back.

If they can't come back, they can't come back. It'll be an individual choice. So with that, Madam Clerk, what are the order of the candidates?

So, just for clarification, at this point there will not be an interview of the candidates. There will be. There will be. There will be.

I'm going to do the interview.

So we do have a process for consideration I'd like to pass out. And we do have a ranking order that's based on the Secretary of State randomized alphabet drawing that was used for November 6th.

I saw this reading your names.

Go ahead and give you the list. Each has been conveyed that they will have three minutes to introduce themselves. Okay, let's start the clock.

Maricela Vallejo, if you can come down, followed by Ken Nguyen, followed by Jennifer Oliva.

Please go ahead.

Good evening, Mayor and Council Members. My name is Maricela Vallejo, and I'm here tonight to humbly request your consideration for approval and honor to represent Ward 4 on behalf of all of the residents of our beautiful city, Santa Ana. A little information about myself. I was born and raised in Santa Ana. I come from a very close-knit family. I'm one of five children. My parents have been residents in the city of Santa Ana for 47 years, and I am proud to say that they have been married for that long. I have two younger brothers and two younger sisters who all but one live in Santa Ana, and I'm a proud owner in Ward 4.

I attended Adams Elementary, McFadden Intermediate, and I graduated from Saddleback High School. I then went on to do a double major at Chapman University in organizational leadership and criminal justice. and I'm currently working on my master's degree through Brandman University in Irvine to proceed with my organizational leadership degree with an emphasis on human resources and God willing I have less than about a year to be done with my with my degree. As a child my parents taught me to give back to my community. I volunteered at Our Lady of Guadalupe del High Church since the

age of 11 through 18 and that was only the beginning of my volunteerism. I have a 16 year old son who attends Segerstrom High School and he is extremely involved in many of the sports there. Throughout his education I have been involved and have been involved parent as well as a present citizen for my ward. While still holding a full-time job as a senior analyst at Verizon Wireless I was on the parent-teacher organization at Jefferson High Jefferson Elementary School for six years I also served as a registrar with the Santa Ana AYSO for 14 years and I

coached in AYSO additionally I've been a team parent for various Valley Little League teams as well as in AYSO once my son entered high school a few years back I became involved in the football boosters I revamped the soccer boosters and I'm currently in the process of creating a booster club for the track and field team. Additionally, I have had the pleasure of serving as a commissioner on the Parks and Recreation Board for about five years, and I'm currently serving as a commissioner on the Personnel Board, and that's been roughly the last two years. I can continue, but I do not want to board you guys.

I do want you to know that I'm a person of faith, family, and community. I have found great enjoyment in serving my community through all of the organizations. I believe that I am a good fit for Ward 4 as I have invested my family and time in it. I'm not tied to any special interest groups, nor do I care to be. I believe in making ethical and fiscal responsible decisions, whether they're easier or difficult. For me, it's not me first. It's my community and city. I hope that you will consider my years of experience and involvement within the city as a valuable asset as appointed as a council member. Thank you so much for your time.

Thank you for your testimony.

Thank you.

Now, Ken, and Madam Clerk, can we do the three minutes with the lights so that they get a yellow light as a warning? Go ahead, Ken Wynn. And then after Jennifer, it's going to be Gail Lee Oliver Jr.

Good meeting, Mayor and Councilmember of Santa Ana. My name is Ken Nguyen. I have been a resident of Santa Ana for over 40 years and in World War for over 33 years. I am a retired businessman. I have devoted most of my time providing services to the community and organizing charity projects. I love my city and I am an incredibly proud resident of Santa Ana. I'm also a proud Vietnamese American with my history have been shared cause of the city roof the city and this is the first city of Orange County that embraced Vietnamese refugee after fall of Saigon

1975 and also the city where the little Saigon was started in 1978 I have they keep most my 40 years in service to community and I am part of I have served a commission commission of a city board Park Recreation for 10 years and since night 2016 I have been serving on city planning commissioner I sigh from the city of Santa Ana presently I'm serving at the board member of the major Q bond oversight committee for the Rancho Central Community College District Vietnamese Advisory Commissioner foreign district attorney external affair officer for the Interfaith Council

in America member of the Santa Ana Unified School District measure I independent initiative committee an officer of a Federation of Vietnamese Catholic in Western region and active leader of many various nonprofit organization as my involvement in various organization initiative may indicate it I'm a passionate working toward the bettering our community and devoted my time and energy to advocate for our city and its continuing for the best interests why I'm eager and afford to devote my life to myself to the city

and I love and this community member I believe my particular candidacy can make a significant impact for community at large I believe that I can offer the new perspective serving the council and the country we develop positive relationship with key decision maker across various organization to best benefit the people people interest the most important reason why I'm I running I've put my sound in the application for the to be appointment that I we weigh the financial impact of this process is stated my candidacy application but

budgetary concern at a top priority for me it including my name among other qualified candidate is it my hope that I can offer a very option that would hold the process from going to special election and to save the city over half a million dollars. As my history and working with nonprofit work may indicate it, I would rather fund the fund to be directed to address our great need in the community for a special election. Thank you so

much for my time. Thank you Ken and you kept it to three minutes. Now Jennifer then followed by Gail then followed by Philip Perez Ortiz Jr. Mr. Mayor, members of the council, my name is Jennifer

Oliva and I currently serve the city of Santa Ana as an arts and culture commissioner. I'm going to share a little bit about myself, my qualifications, and why I want to serve the city of Santa Ana. So a little bit of my background, I am a lifelong resident of the city of Santa Ana. My family has lived in Ward 4 the majority of my life, and I am a product of the Santa Unified School District. I attended Jefferson Elementary, McFadden Intermediate, and graduated from Z.U.S. High School. I currently have my Master's Degree in Communication Studies, where I really emphasize in instructional

communication, strategic communication, and race and gender studies. So really encompassing all these three things, I feel I could be an asset to the City Council My line of work has always revolved around academia, so for the last two years I taught at California State University, Los Angeles. And prior to that, I was able to serve my community as an assistant instructional provider for the San Iannified School District.

Why I want to serve on the City Council is because I feel that as a young person who wants to be involved in the community, I can provide some sort of perspective as a Latina, as an educated individual, and someone who has lived in the city my entire life. I can provide some sort of perspective and provide input and opinion on how to better improve our city. And, yeah, I think that's all I want to state. Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Now, if we're going to have Gail Lee come forward, followed by Philip Perez, followed by Phil Becerra.

All right. Hello, Mayor and Councilman and everyone who are here, Councilmen and Councilwomen. I thank God for this opportunity. I am a bishop pastor of the Greater Light Family Church here in Santa Ana. Been doing that since year 2000, a man serving God, serving God's people, serving the city of Santa Ana. I've been born and raised here since 1965. My mom and dad are here tonight. They've been here since, I believe, 1964, still married. And so one of the things we stand for is definitely leading people and guiding them in the right direction. I am already involved in serving Santa Ana.

I've been serving wholeheartedly since 2005. I've been a part of Love Santa Ana alongside of David Benavides under the guidance and inspiration of Michelle Martinez. So we've served five different neighborhoods in this area, focused on the worst neighborhoods going in there, witnessing, feeding, whatever they need. We've been able to paint at least one house and one apartment for free, everything, every project we've done. we've done it and no money was owed after we walked away I've also been blessed to we have jail ministry

right here in Santa Ana five days out of the month we also have we serve the elementaries here teaching them Bible study and I've been involved in

sex trafficking it's one thing that I want to help get a hold of that helped victims get off the streets worked alongside with pastor kevin brown i've also worked alongside kevin brown and gang prevention and and uh keeping people from jumping other people into gangs so i was able to work on that project with him as well and so i'm wholeheartedly involved in in uh serving san anna i am a team player i'm not trying to get in here so i can do

work for Santa Ana or serve Santa Ana, I'm already serving Santa Ana. So now I just need to thank God for this opportunity to represent Santa Ana and to become a representative for Ward 4. And so I thank everyone of you for serving and I thank God for everyone who is serving Santa Ana. I don't have to fall in love with Santa Ana. I'm already in love with Santa Ana. Also, we started a prayer right here at the flag area under the approval of David Benelitas to come together every Thursday at to pray for the city of Santa Ana. I've been praying for revival here at Santa Ana. I'm asking God to pour out his spirit.

I truly believe that Santa Ana is going to be a great city, and I'm asking God to just pour out his spirit because we need to have Santa Ana be a great city, a safe city, family city, and we need to learn how to love our neighbors. And that's what I stand for. Love, family, doing God's will. So I thank you for the opportunity to come before you. God bless you. Thank you.

Philip Perez Ortiz Jr.

If he is not present, let's go on to Phil Becerra.

Phil BacerraItem —

Good evening, Mayor Polito and members of the council. Phil Becerra, resident of Ward 4, with my wife Wendy over five years, four over five years, and a resident of Santa Ana even longer. My Filipino grandfather bought a home in Artesia Pilar back in the 1930s, and Becerras have been in Santa Ana ever since. Now in other cities, the City Council looks to the next highest vote getter, to fill a vacant seat. I was the only other candidate in Ward 4 in 2018 and finished with almost 24,000 votes. Prior to becoming a candidate for Ward 4, I served on our city's planning commission for over five years,

Phil BacerraItem —

as well as the General Plan Update Committee, the Historic Resources Commission, and the OCTA's Citizens Advisory Committee. I've also worked as a city planner for cities both large and small. I earned my bachelor's degree from USC in urban planning with a minor in public administration. My experience in those roles and my education would allow me to hit the ground running if I was appointed to the city council. But experience and education are not the only traits that are needed in the next ward for a city council member. We need a council member who can be collaborative and work with those who have different perspectives.

Phil BacerraItem —

If you need proof of my ability, just take the fact that as a proud Trojan from USC, I even married a Bruin from UCLA. But all kidding aside, our residents need and deserve an ethical council member who is willing to stand up and take action that benefits our community and not well-funded out-of-town interests. During my campaign, I was blessed to have a very diverse base of support from business leaders and neighborhood leaders throughout the city. from French Park to Park Santiago, from South Coast Shores to Sandpoint.

Phil BacerraItem —

Regardless of who has supported my candidacy, I've always been an independent voice with an unwavering commitment to our community. When I believed that a proposed project would not benefit the residents of Santa Ana, I voted my conscience and opposed it. it's because of that that developers and other cowardly dark money interests attacked me in 2018 with over $300,000 in the smear campaign that experience is not and will not deter my optimism in our city and my commitment to roll up my sleeves and help our Golden City thrive and I hope to do that as the next Ward

for councilmember thank you I know I want to bring it back to council and again what I would suggest is that we continue the balance of this discussion but oh yes we do Dale I'm on down I think you've been down here before Dale

Go ahead. I'm sure there's someone else that will speak, too.

As stated earlier, I think all the candidates have good credentials. But I do believe in the process, and I think that we lack a real well-defined process. But picking the candidate that had the second most votes in the election, I think, is the right thing to do.

as Phil stated he had almost 24,000 votes that's 24,000 people in Santa Ana that wanted him as Ward 4 representative and I think that should be honored as much as anything else so I hope you take that into consideration thank you thank you Connie Hamilton followed by Dr. Kimberly Ho who's the vice mayor for the city of Westminster

Good evening, Mayor Polito and the council members. Hi, Norma. Anyway, my name is Connie Hamilton, and I have with me the board members of the South Coast Neighborhood Association, and we want to ask you to please appoint Phil Becerra. Becerra, we voted for him. We're sorry about everything that happened, but he did come in what was with 44% of the vote. And the residents really like him. And Phil has been very visible in our ward from the neighborhood meetings to the South Coast Neighborhood Alliance meeting. He's just, he's always there.

He's helped us with some matters. He's the only one of these candidates. I'm sure they're all fine candidates, but Phil has been out there and been visible in helping us. So that makes a difference to us. And I just wanted to read a couple comments. We did a petition, and it got circulated, and people made comments about Phil. And I just wanted to, it was, I believe it was given to you guys, and I just want to go over some of the comments that were made. One, appointing Phil to replace Roman is the right thing to do. Somebody said, I live in Ward 4 and I want representation on the city council without delay.

I'm opposed to the city of Santa Ana spending our limited funds on a special election. The people of Santa Ana were wronged by Roman Reina's fraudulent registration to run and by his spurious campaign tactics. Make this wrong right by appointing Phil Becerra to represent Ward 4. Do I have more time? I voted for Phil and was dismayed, this was another one, at the large amount of money spent on the slur tactics against him in the election. I think he's the voice of reason that the city council needs desperately.

One says, I've known Phil for many years, and he does have the experience and knowledge to serve as the Ward 4 council person. Phil is accessible, I'm agreeable to this, easy to speak with, and versed in the business of the city. I trust him to remain objective and focused on the needs of the community. We need more open space and linear recreation and updated general plan and growth which protects neighborhoods from negative impacts. I don't see anyone else better suited for Ward 4 seat than Bill Becerra. And it just goes on and on. Another one I want to read right here. He's absolutely the very best qualified applicant.

not to mention he would be seated already, but for the illegal candidacy of Mr. Reyna. But we have all types of signatures and comments, and it speaks for itself. Please appoint Phil to this position. Thank you, Connie. Thank you.

Thank you.

Dr. Kimberly Ho, please.

Welcome. And Councilwoman, welcome.

mayor pro-town hi there my name is Kimberly Ho I'm the vice mayor city of Westminster I'd like to say hello to mayor Pulido and vice mayor mayor pro 10 and council members I am here representing mayor treetop mayor of city at Westminster. I'd like to read his letter and actually I would like to also later give you a copy of this letter if you don't mind. Dear Mayor Pulido and

council members, I would like to express my support to Ken Conwen to be appointed to the Santa Ana City Council representing Ward 4. Ken is one of the unique community leaders that put his people first before himself. He is a selfless man who quietly engages in a diverse cross-section of our society, always trying to improve the lives of the community members. His efforts have helped Little Saigon flourish and become an educational and cultural asset to the county. He led important projects in the city of Westminster, such as the

Vietnam War Memorial and Little Saigon Business District Monument signs. In addition he has helped organize many annual public events such as Christmas Wish Program, the Tech Parade, Moon Festival and many others as part of his goal to build a multicultural county to promote cultural awareness and togetherness. Ken has a significant and sustained influence through his non-bias positively focus interests in the community's needs. He has made significant inroads within city and county government, opening lines of communication necessary for the

growth and success of the city. Ken's contributions to the city of Westminster have been greatly appreciated and we are confident that his efforts and expertise would benefit other cities as well. therefore we strongly encourage you to vote to appoint Ken Wynn to serve on the Santa Ana City Council representing Ward 4 thank you Mayor Pulido and council members and Mayor Pro Tem I do believe Ken Wynn will represent Ward 4 well and will be a great colleague and partner to your City Council thank you so much

Thank you, Mayor Pro Temp. Please say hello to Mayor Atreta for us.

I will thank you.

With that, I believe we have no more speakers on this item. So I would bring it back to Council.

I just have a question for the process. Now that we're here, Ms. Madam, City Attorney, we're here with, you know, listening to the five candidates that showed up today. So I know that there was a request for us to delay it until Friday, bring it back and have, I guess, continuation of this meeting. But what is that exactly? What does it

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem —

exactly mean? So part of your process is you could address this situation tonight. I think there was a previous motion to adjourn this item. You heard the candidates It says, out of respect, they were here this evening. So if you continue this or adjourn this item to Friday, the next point and the next step in the process would be for you to select who you might want to interview again or to ask a question or additional questions of all of the people who interviewed today. What is proposed and what is before you today, it would then be a process where each of you might want to identify your top one or two individuals.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem —

and you could, I think it is recommended that you could then take only those individuals who received at least, that were ranked at least one or two by four or more of you, and then you could ask those individuals additional questions as well. This process is similar to the one you engaged in in 2006, but again, you can use whatever process you want. It's just a recommended process. But this would be on Friday or today? This would be on Friday. Since you voted to adjourn to Friday, you would do that on Friday, Unless there was a motion to reconsider and you wanted to do that this evening.

Do we have the questions? Because I know when we were trying, I guess in other processes, there's a list of recommended questions that you as an attorney would recommend for us to ask.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem —

Do you have that? We could put some questions together for you. Out of respect for the council, we've left it up to you to ask the questions you want. If you want some recommended, suggested questions, we can gather those from our last process and from some other cities that have engaged in this process most recently in the last few months.

I would like that just to, you know, so we're all like on the same page.

It's strictly up to us, you know. That's right. It's strictly up to whatever we want to ask, 10 questions or 100 questions, whatever we want to do. Councilor Salodio?

Yeah, just very brief. I wanted to speak with Councilman Sarmento today. He reminded me that when he went through this process some years ago, they did a special meeting as well. And so he actually got appointed through a very similar process as well.

It was a lot of back and forth. I remember it well. And finally, because there was no four votes, finally somebody switched their position. And all of a sudden there was four votes and he was appointed. but it was a multi-hour process, and that's fine. I'm not suggesting others, but I think if we do bring up questions, we can ask people on Friday additional questions, and then it's up to four members of the City Council. Four people decide on a candidate. You've got a candidate. If not, you've got a special election.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem —

So, Mayor, my question would be to you and the Council members. would you like to be given the freedom and the discretion to ask questions at will so that you would bring every candidate up and each of you could ask them whatever you want or would you prefer that you can submit some questions to the city clerk before Friday the city clerk can then put those questions on a piece of paper and then you could ask each candidate those questions that part of the process is really up to you I really don't have a

preference. I've done it both ways and it's really up to the individual members what they're comfortable with. I think folks have told us pretty much some of their credentials. Frankly, I think we've got some good candidates, only one of which decided to run. So this kind of says, gee, maybe instead of having elections we just gotta ask people. Because it's painful to run. $175,000. And it discourages a lot of people. A lot of people say, I want to be on

the council, but I don't want to be beaten up like that. And so they stay home and have normal lives. And now we saw some good candidates here, but again, only one of that group wanted it badly enough to run. And that, of course, is Phil Becerra. But I think, what I'd suggest is if you have questions we could ask them of the candidates between now and Friday through the clerk also if staff has questions that they want to suggest for us to consider again it's up to us they could give us questions and we can say we want to ask them or we don't want to ask them it's up to us I would feel more

comfortable being the first time that I go through this it would be like if you could give me some questions that are typically asked and then if I have like a follow-up question to those questions and that would be you can add it all

David PenalozaItem —

right so I have a go ahead just in regards to the questions the city attorney I would my preference would be that we do you do put together 10 15 20 questions that are normally asked but that those questions are kept away from us so that no you know questions are leaked to candidates before in advanced or any and whatnot and that way everybody has a fair chance and we see the questions when when we receive them and the applicants as well and nothing

David PenalozaItem —

is leaked I mean I think it just make the process fair for for these applicants but I wasn't here the last time that this happened I was in high school so So, yeah, close to no, maybe. So just wanted to state that.

So to be clear, you want the questions emailed to all of you in advance or no?

Well, I was suggesting that, and I was suggesting they even get to the candidates and that they all answer. Another way to do it is give it to nobody, and then we just ask them on the spot on Friday.

I know the way they've done it before on Friday, like 30 minutes before, kind of give it to the candidates so that at least they're prepared. Yeah. To all the candidates at the same time and then we just ask them those questions.

Okay, so the questions will be available for both the council and the public 30 minutes prior. That's fine. Got it.

I'm good with it. It's another way to do it. Yeah, that works. And they're sample questions until you pick them.

But you also don't have to follow the questions.

Correct, correct. You can-That's just a guidance. It's a guideline. You can decide I want to have my own question.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem —

And I want to remind the council that in your packets this evening are the applications that the candidates filled out, and they answer quite a few questions as well. So if you haven't had the opportunity to look at those, you have the answers to those questions.

All right.

Any other thoughts? So did we already take the vote to put this?

There is a mention to adjourn, but I do not have the vote.

All right, so let's do a motion, a second, just to formalize it.

David PenalozaItem —

I have a comment that's related, but not related. Go ahead, make your comment. And this is for Ms. Vallejo. You look very familiar. Are you a twin? Oh, see, I went to Dale High Church as well, and I remember always seeing the two twins collecting the money as a little kid. that's all I was like is she a twin was that okay I think they're both equally

good I was an AYSO with you as well as parents yeah small world all right so

I'd like to consider motion by mayor pro tem motion second by councilor Solodio and that this also be brought to our next meeting which is really going to be a continuation of this meeting you know five o'clock on Friday after after we take up the other item that we've already continued. And we'll limit it to those two items. I don't want to put more things on the agenda. I think that's enough. So we have a motion to second. Those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Those opposed. Motion carries unanimously.

So now, Madam Clerk, where are we? And thank you for all the candidates.

We have 75A. Staff recommendation is requesting to continue.

75A is a request for a continuous. I'd entertain a motion.

So moved. Second. Those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye.

Those opposed, motion carries.

Item 75B.

Can we just go back to the 75A?

Yes, we can go back.

We can go back to 75A.

Is that going to be for the next meeting, or what meeting?

I think it's a tabling.

Tabling for how long?

You're removing it from the agenda, and we will go ahead and place it on a future agenda.

They'll decide when. you'll decide one yeah okay all right 60 75 B as in boy what was the reason that

David PenalozaItem —

that the items getting rolled over is it just more more information of be

presented we needed some additional information regarding the application so we wanted to do the research before we come back to City Council okay

okay yeah so so I just wanted to know how if if I may yes so just knowing because I won't be here at the next meeting April 2nd you know just putting it out there that I won't be here so I will it be after April 2nd it may or

may not be but we would definitely have to re-notice so um i don't think probably i think

what she's requesting is can we do it at the second meeting in april but with that because

you won't be there on the first meeting in april yes but how does that affect their process does

it hurt the project um depending on the information we'll update you but i don't think we'll be ready

by april 2nd so so it'll be the second meeting yes but it would would it hurt the project though

At this point, the information that we need made Denise some additional time for us to do the research to be complete. I don't think it will hurt the project because they potentially could still be able to meet their September timeline.

Okay. So the reasons why you're delaying this is because you're waiting for some information from them?

Yes.

Did you ask them that information from them?

before this meeting? We have. Before this meeting you had asked? Before this meeting we may contact with them and share with them some of the questions that we have and share with them that we're going to recommend we're going to recommend for continuance. Okay yeah I kind of have I do have

an issue because you know if we had those concerns why didn't we bring them up before?

It actually came up during our process today, the necessity for that information.

So we were given an incomplete, I guess an incomplete package.

I think there were additional questions that we want to make sure we have confirmation of the answer before we present it to the public for the public hearing at this point. That came up after the Planning Commission heard the matter.

And they were okay with that?

It's something that we needed to make sure we have an answer to it before we would present it to the council.

Okay, well, I'm not okay with... I think if you put it on the agenda, it should already be complete. You should already have everything before we...

That would be the ideal situation, but we also want to make sure we have all of the information for you, and that wasn't available.

Okay, and I get that, but I'm not comfortable with just moving something because you don't have the information. It should have already been there.

Understood.

All right, so we have motion and a second, but we have one no.

75B. This time and place for the agreement with the 10 franchise vehicle dealers in Santa Ana for establishment of a resident vehicle incentive program in the annual amount of $1.7 million, not to exceed $8.5 million over five years, and approve appropriate adjustment. I know we went over this before.

Any words from the city manager on this item?

We're actually very supportive and proud of this. There you go. Sorry. We're actually very supportive and proud of this program as it will provide an incentive for our residents to purchase one of the most expensive purchases of their family here in the city of Santa Ana.

All right. Let me open up the public hearing. Is there anybody that wishes to address this on this item? I know we have representatives. Go ahead, Peter.

Thank you, Mayor and Council Members. I'll just very quickly thank the Council for its direction, thank staff for working with us over the last seven months on bringing to you a program that will benefit your residents. These monies will go to them to incentivize them to purchase or lease their vehicle here in Santa Ana, and the proceeds will be going to the City. So thank you again. Happy to answer any questions, but just wanted to...

Thank you. Why don't you be on standby? I think we might be ready just to move forward.

Councilor Iglesias?

Just a question for this. This is a program that's also been implemented in another city, right?

Yes, Westminster has had this program for several years, a version of this program.

So the $1.7 million that we have here that is going to be, where's that money coming from?

from the general fund? From the sales tax generated by the vehicle

sold. Okay, but that's going to go into the general fund and the general fund we're going to rebate it back to the dealer who's going to rebate it to the

customer. Correct. And then we will reimburse the dealer every 30 days after the first 90 day period. Every 30 days we'll be reimbursing the dealership. And then I know there's

here something about doing some type of, I guess,

marketing or some type of they've made a commitment to spend $25,000 each dealership that's 10 dealerships $25,000 each to get the word on the street to

our residents okay I thought it was $25,000 total so it's $250,000 right

that's what their commitment is and then in the resolution the action for you to approved tonight is $25,000 for staff to take care of the administrative cost, our portion of the

administrative cost to do all the reimbursements. And where's that money coming from? General fund. And how many staff would that be? About 0.25. Okay. Okay. 0.25. And then, but is that a going, is that going to be like a permanent 0.25 or how long does this rebate go for? It could go as

long as two years if it's extended to the maximum of the contract so we're not hiring a new body we'll have an economic development person doing the rebates and then they will they will work with the finance department to issue the

check all right do we have motion to second on this one I just wanted to you

David PenalozaItem —

know voice my support for it just and make it clear that this isn't money that's going to the auto dealers it's money it's going to go back to our residents in a form of a rebate the the sales tax is increasing unfortunately and we want to make sure that our residents continue to shop here in our city especially big items like a car I just bought one in February yeah wanted to buy it before the the sales tax increase but so but yeah and then that's

pretty much it. Mr. Mayor I have a couple questions. Yes go ahead. You know on just just bookkeeping stuff and maybe staff or somebody representing the association can address some of these questions. How are we going to prove residency because once they come to San Antonio Auto Mall they hear that we have this thing everyone's gonna be a San Antonio resident and they're to be showing old driver's licenses old car registrations all sorts of documentation um

what what are we going to use certainly councilman salario the the onus is on the on the uh the auto dealer uh the staff has provided and will be working with us on demonstrating that this is actual a resident of the city currently when they buy purchase the vehicle if it does not meet match the the city's records the that which records we have a variety of records we have water

bill records we have traffic tick records we have all sorts of records

city staff will be mostly checking their residency and our maps to make sure

they're not in an unincorporated area of San Diego. What proof? A driver's license water bill maybe it needs to be like an active water bill with their name on it I want something that ensures that the day of they are Santa Ana residents Because a lot of folks have an older address on their driver's license or different names on all sorts of documents. And so which one are we going to use?

We'll use a number of documents to use. Driver's license registration of the new vehicle, where that will be. And then we'll verify it.

Maybe that might be it, requiring that those cards be registered to send in as a start. I don't know that that should be the only thing, because I could buy a card and I'm going to say, I'm going to keep it at my grandma's house and use that address. It's probably legal for them to do that.

And it is a discussion we've had with each of the dealers, because they want to make sure that they're making that initial outlay.

And I hear you, but seven months later, we still don't have definition on that. And this, because it's an expensive program, I want good, not just verification on the front end, but some accounting on the back end. I mean, we're talking about over $8 million over a few years. That's a substantial amount of money. Maybe that comes back separately so we could agree on it, but I want to be very clear that it seems like there's absolutely no rules on who's going to be eligible to receive this.

Councilmember Solari, as you know that the approval is separate than the actual guidelines. We could bring the guidelines back to you and polish that up.

Well, interestingly enough, the last time we did the guidelines and this time was going to be actually approving the agreement. But I think that piece hasn't come back. Maybe that could come back separate. Absolutely. But that's very, very critical at a number of levels.

And we'll be happy to work with staff to make sure that we have all of them.

Yes. So that's one thing. The second thing, I know it starts off I think with the two year with some renewals. You know we may see after year one that the program is not going well. And so what flexibility on their end or our end, because it could be an issue that you have on your end, what could we do if we wanted to stop it after one year? At their insistence or ours?

Well, the first term of the program is two years. And then we have the one two-year extension and then a one more year extension in the agreement that you have. We will be evaluating the effectiveness based on the increase of Santa Ana cars sold to Santa Ana residents. We took 2017 as the base year. That's some of the numbers you'll see in your staff report. I believe it was 1,600 new cars. So we're going to look for increase of that from the baseline in all categories of new, used, and lease.

So, again, my question is if after the very first year they don't like the numbers, we don't like the number, what flexibility is there to stop the program then?

Yeah, it's a two-year agreement. There's flexibility after two years.

Well, I have a little bit of concerns with that because, again, they may want to have major revisions. We may want to have major revisions. There may be issues of, you know, the money going back and forth. These are big dollars. These are very, very big dollars. What makes it tricky about just making this a true cost-benefit with the increment in how many residents is the unknown factor in this is that if we don't do this, some folks from Santa may not buy in Santa Ana and that would be hard to track because you can't track what doesn't happen.

So I do believe we need to do something very similar to this, but I just want to make sure that we have some tight constraints on how we spend the dollars because $8 million. I know some of us were concerned about the $4 million for the new MOU with the police officers. This is $8 million with very little accountability this far and again I want to do this but we just need some additional detail on that.

So if I may Councilman, the program that was mentioned earlier in Westminster the actual duration was for the length of the duration of the sales tax increase which was 10 years. We understood that we were not going to be able to achieve that here with the 1.5 cent and the 1 cent. So understanding that the city was looking for a commitment to marketing the program, which was not in place in Westminster. The dealers each agreed to a minimum of $25,000 per dealer, $250,000 marketing program. Understanding that investment, anything less than at least an initial two years, was a challenge.

So what we've worked out with staff, with the council's direction, is the two, two, and one. At any point in time, and candidly, at any point in time, if we aren't hitting the numbers that we think, understanding that car sales are already down so we're looking to just make sure we have the ability to continue to even there but we're going to be working with staff just continuing to monitor the program and providing numbers and again totally understand the sensitivity to the lump sum of the appropriation that's money that's going back into the residents of the city kind of offset by

the increase in the sales tax and you're still getting that base one set

I don't want to discount the $250,000 that you're using for marketing, but on our side, it's over $8 million from a low-income community. So I just want to make sure that we have all the checks and balances there. Absolutely.

Thank you.

If I may, right before we vote, do you have a comment?

David PenalozaItem —

Quick follow-up. I agree with what Councilman Salario said. There should be that accountability. Definitely. And I think maybe an idea that we could play with is requiring on part of the auto dealers, when the person comes in as part of proof of residency, maybe bring a utility bill with them. A utility bill and your driver's license and have multiple factors that they need to bring. Like when you go get a job at a 99. Driver's license, a utility bill, same address in Santa Ana, boom. just to make sure that there is that accountability because that is important.

I apologize. So what we're going to be working with staff on coming back is what we've done in Westminster as well that has actually worked there and to whatever degree gives a level of comfort that we are making sure that it is a Santa Ana resident. Again, the onus is on the dealer to demonstrate that proof to whatever satisfaction of the council there might be.

If I may, let me step in. I know that I had meetings with you, Peter, and dealers and others as we were struggling with this. And another aspect that's important is we want to sell cars. If we don't sell cars, we're just going around in circles here. And we don't want to do that. We have some of the best dealers in the country here in Santa Ana. And we don't want to get in their way and end up reducing sales. So as we do this, we need to work with them, make sure we're verifying. We don't want to give the money to the wrong people. But I think we could be doing campaigns here in town encouraging more of our residents to shop local.

And we could use this to do that. Also, we have to help the dealers because there's a lot of folks that come here that are not Santa Ana residents. And we have to make sure we don't scare them away. Because if they go to another dealer in another town, now we've got zero. And so this is a slippery slope and a dangerous slope. And we have to help our friends as they market to non-Santa Ana residents that come into town and give us their tax dollars by buying here. Forget the rebate. There's no rebate there. They're just people that are coming here.

So putting the right spin on this is very important because people from outside the city, they don't have a lot of time to look at all the details. they're just gonna say gee you know there's a big problem in Santa Ana they have higher taxes let's go to Tustin we don't want that you know now we've really gone backwards now we're gonna punish our friends you know people that are out here competing every day on a very difficult basis so as we do this yes let's work with staff and work together but make sure that that we succeed at the end of the day absolutely and and that we don't scare people away because some cities have

some cities you know the wrong image gets out there people don't know all the rules they figure if i go in another city i'm going to pay less money and truth is you're not because this tax only applies to san anna residents which is why we're giving them the rebate but we don't want to scare everybody else peter do you or some of the dealers here do you know what percentage of your sales are non-Santa Ana residents like how much 90% see like a crevier BMW 90% of the folks that come and give us money because every time they buy a car or lease a car or service a car at Santa

Ana taxes they're not from Santa Ana we can't lose track of that and all of a sudden hurt 10% of the 90 i mean that would be devastating devastating so so let's track this one closely make sure we don't create any unintended consequences and and to the dealers look if you see us making a mistake or peter you know we're putting our fit our foot in quicksand because we have an unintended consequence let us know right away because we want you to sell cars That's your purpose. That's what you need to be doing.

And we want to be partners with you because that's part of what keeps our general fund going. And money's coming in. Councilman Iglesias.

So for Westminster, what do they use for proof of residency?

I don't have that answer for you right now. But I imagine it is something like Council Member Solorio is asking. Utility bills, driver's license, or rental agreements.

Zip code.

Zip code. Just the zip code?

Can you come over there?

So what Al is saying is we have a list of zip codes, etc. Now, in Westminster we don't have the same challenge as you do here where you have zip codes for Santa Ana that are actually in an unincorporated area. Or other cities. Right, exactly. So we do need to make sure that we have perhaps some other levels of identification and actual residency to demonstrate to that.

And a zip code on which document. You can have multiple zip codes on multiple documents.

Yeah, because also, too, my question would be for, like, young buyers that don't have, you know, any bills in their name. So, other than a driver's license.

There is a component of this program. The threshold for the purchase has to be over $15,000. So just the assumption that anyone who is going to make that level of purchase is going to have something in their name that demonstrates their residency. But we'll work with staff certainly to clarify that so it's unquestioned.

Yeah, so that would be something that you're going to be monitoring, your department?

Yeah, what we can do is you can give us the guidance tonight to add a section to the guidelines asking for verification via utility bills and driver's license and other appropriate documentation and move the program forward. Or you could have us bringing the guidelines back to you and approve the agreement tonight.

And then the .25 person will be monitoring that information.

Absolutely. Our economic development department will be the intake. they will take the applications verify the information attached to the application if we can't verify it then we don't rebate the money and then it would be transferred down to finance for issuance of a check

Al I know you're here Alfred Ix from Crevier did you want to add anything go

ahead come to the mic I just wanted to let Jose know that the residents is we're just trying to protect the residents of san anna the dealers aren't getting one penny now zero in regards to this and we did the stats and it's about 10 of all the dealers that we have and we have six of them belonging to uh penske automotive group and the san anna auto mall that prevail or are involved in this but the residents that show up they're not going to show up with the utility bill they're not going to do that and the only reason we're going to try to do the paperwork for the

city is so that quite frankly they don't have to spend the money or you don't have to spend the money to do it we're better at it but they're not going to show up with their utility bills

so it's going to lose sales if uh you ask them too many questions and they go to another dealership

they're just going to leave they're just going to leave so what we do in finance is we get their zip code and if the zip code is in Santa Ana then they get the rebate and if they don't get the if we don't get the rebate monies then we as the dealers are stuck

so that probably would be a more functional mechanism so through finance

and I made a little that made sense so when they go through the financing they have to write their address and everything so so essentially they fill

out the paperwork etc they get that rebate which they typically put into their down payment. After the fact, the dealer then submits it to the city for verification and reimbursement. And if it doesn't match up with city records, there's further follow-up to demonstrate if they actually are a city resident and the conclusion is that they are not, that rebate does not go back to the dealer. Yeah, but the finance is something

too that it's pretty... Correct. Pretty straightforward.

Straightforward, but again, if there's clear rules, both on the marketing side on the accountability side there just needs to be real clear rules on which documents and how recent and similarly with Santa Ana business licensees. There's some businesses they have to be licensed in every city to do business in that city. So you may be thinking you're helping a Santa Ana business but it's really somebody you know in Beverly Hills that has a business license here because they operate you know some business. But for some businesses, you've got to be registered at multiple cities.

I think along those lines, we should be making sure that whenever we can buy from Santa Ana dealers, we ought to be for all our fleets and all the things that we do. Also, maybe a little program to encourage city employees. We all get paid city employees from the general fund, which is supported. So when they can buy Santa Ana, even though they're not Santa Ana residents, we ought to be encouraging those sales as well and if somebody can't prove residency well then they don't get the rebate from the get-go but let's let's not turn the sale away let's try to

bring the customer in and get them to sign on the bottom line and have them drive out in a new car that's what we need to be doing all right can we wrap it up mr hamlin did you want to say something

It's going to seem like you wanted to.

David PenalozaItem —

While he's walking up, where you just said sign on the bottom line in finance, there's like 15 sheets that customers sign already. Why not just have one that says under penalty and perjury, this is where you live. Just confirming you live there in Santa Ana. That way there's at least some kind of legality to it.

There is a document that says that this money is coming from the city of San Diego.

David PenalozaItem —

Exactly.

One of the things I wanted to say is that if you have somebody that we're going to be giving the rebate to, they're also going to be paying the 1.5% sales tax. So if a guy's buying a $40,000 car, he's going to pay $600 more in sales tax to get a $500 rebate. So the problem only becomes a problem when we get up into that area below $37,000 or $35,000 where someone's trying to do that. The other thing that I'm concerned about that we were talking to our staff about is people that live in Santa Ana That want to use a Tustin address so they don't have to pay the one and a half percent sales tax

That's another aspect that nobody's even brought up So we got to make sure that when you have somebody that lives in Santa Ana that they're gonna pay the one and a half percent They prefer no rebate exactly yeah because they're gonna exactly so you know that's what and again that's where you have a driver's license and some other proof of uh you know where they live and someone brought up um uh you have a college student you know a lot of these young young adults are still living at home well that utility bill is not in their name probably their phone

bill is not in their name water bill is not in their name so the only thing we're going to have license is a driver's license that's hopefully going to show you know where they're living so it gets a little bit tricky at times but um you know we're just going to do our best and whatever you come up with from the staff, we'll work with.

We need to make it simple, otherwise we'll drive Santa Ana residents out of Santa Ana, and let's go buy a car and test them. And then you've lost everything, except for the 1.5% that you're going to get because they're going to pay it. Yeah, but we've lost the sale, we've lost everything. Yes, Al?

So the average price of a BMW is $58,000. The average price, and we sell $8,400 a month.

it's a lot of cars a lot of cars 8 400 at 50 58 000. we don't want to lose any of them now

not one all right i think we beat this one to death pretty good um did we have a motion on this one

I'll move it.

Second by Mayor Potem. Those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Those opposed, motion carries. Opposed as is.

I do have a question for our city attorney if she...

No, no, let's just move on.

Mr. Mayor, this is a public hearing. Right. So we'd like you to conduct the public hearing if you could take any testimony.

Well, I asked if anybody wished to address this as a public hearing.

Okay. We have not received any.

So we'll close the public hearing. This was just for counsel. We have a motion and a second. Those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye, those opposed. No. Motion carries.

I believe that's a five-vote item. I'm correct.

We do have an appropriation adjustment. Yeah. And we have five-zero, is that correct?

No, there was a no. Four-zero. So it doesn't go anywhere.

I do have a suggestion that I'd like our city attorney to see if it might be okay. And then you'll vote yes? Or maybe the staff, yeah, I want to figure out how as part of this motion we could say that it's still conditional on council approved set of verifiable residency stats for the residents and then comparable documentation for the business licensees. Because that wasn't in the agreement we saw a month or so ago and it's not here. So I'm willing to approve everything as is. I just want an additional clause or

part of this motion that it says that this is not valid until there are approved

list of verifiable IDs or documentations for both to prove residency and business license.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem —

And do you want that to come back to you or do you want that to be in the prescription?

I want it to come back to us so that it could be approved.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem —

He'd like the guidelines brought back to him. So whoever made the motion, if you want to just make a friendly amendment, you could just say you make that motion conditioned upon those standards coming back to the council. And being approved. For final approval.

And being approved before this program is marketed. Because again, for clarity, we want to give that clarity to residents and businesses right away, not afterwards. That's what I've done.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem —

So you could do, if that's an option, if you wanted to do it that way.

either that or if it doesn't pass we'll have our next meeting in april we'll have councilman sarmiento maybe uh he is uh you know supportive because i know looking at the dealers in their faces um he'd rather keep it simple well and we want clarity But you don't want complicated clarity. No, just clarity. You want simple. Al, come to the mic, please.

Well, it was all effective April 1st. I know.

Yeah, so we need to approve this today.

We need to get it done today. Mr. Mayor, I think the way to do it is just have us approve the agreements tonight, which allows us to start the program. We won't be writing checks back to the dealerships for 90 days. So we'll just bring back the guidelines only back to you after April 2nd.

And if we can't agree on those, we'll get the dealers back in here and we'll pound it out.

Yeah, but what's holding us is appropriations.

The guidelines? No, they got to make amendments to customers in April.

They want to start April 1st. Yeah, we can work with them to establish the clarity, but we just won't come to you yet. that's what we'll have to establish but they want they want to be able to make

sales though from April 1st to whenever and we want them to as well can you do

David PenalozaItem —

it before this Friday put it on this Friday's agenda or do it later during

this I can add a paragraph or do it or do it during this meeting and we keep talking and maybe later on this meeting we can you go in another room right now

with the folks that are here yeah I accept that challenge all right or you know can you guys hang around a little bit longer Bruce go next door or we

take this into friday as well i know you prefer not to go ahead go ahead if you can figure it

better because we it's not like this is the first time you guys have thought about this we've been working on this for many months already because what's holding us is the appropriation right

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem —

yeah yes otherwise we get it just so that i'm clear you're just trying to look for verification

of residency that's that's the challenge i mean we're eight million bucks with no strings okay

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem —

Okay, verification of residence.

All right, let's see what else we can, so we'll not vote on that for a moment.

Go on to maybe 85A, B and C.

Councilman Pantaloza, 85A.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor.

David PenalozaItem —

I just wanted to, this is a California Senate bill that was introduced by Senator Moorlach, Senate Bill 689, which restricts the California Department of Public Health from authorizing or reauthorizing any needle and syringe exchange programs unless the city or county approves it. I just want to make myself clear that I believe in the science and the research. I know that needle exchange programs do help combat hepatitis and HIV diseases.

David PenalozaItem —

However, the way that these programs have been run and operated in our city has been very detrimental to our public, our kids, our parks, our library, our bike trails, you name it. We got really out of hand over the last couple of years just seeing how bad it got within our city. So I just wanted to put this on the agenda to see if my colleagues and us as a city could support this bill. Because it should be controlled by cities. It should be up to us to decide how these programs are going to operate in our city, where they're going to operate,

David PenalozaItem —

how are they going to go about operating and controlling them? Because we saw, you know, I sat through forums last summer with the needle exchange program. They had no answer to any of the questions that residents and business owners were asking. They just said, you know, we'll have to get back to you and never answer any questions. So it's a group of volunteers that don't have the adequate staff or resources to control it. And that's problematic for me. And I know it's a safety and health issue to all our residents and our kids. So that's my reason for putting this on the agenda, so

David PenalozaItem —

we could come together and voice our support for it. And hopefully we could get this passed in the Senate.

Thoughts, council members, Mayor Fulton?

No, I just want to thank council member Penalosa for bringing this up and I'm very supportive of it. Councilor?

I was going to agree with what you're saying. It had a lot of effects, especially in our beaches too. Because a lot of what was happening when the rains and stuff, they would end up in our beaches. So I think it's, even though they're not in Santa Ana, of course, but it's just that quality of life for residents has been affected. And I know that here in Santa Ana, especially at the library, I know that many of the employees were concerned. And they were asking us to do something about this epidemic in a way.

So, and I believe also, I know it's a Senate bill for Senator Moorlach, but also I believe Supervisor Doe also, I think the cities were sued, weren't they? or they did some type of resolution to say, you know, we don't want them in our city. So what you're asking for us is just to sign on to a resolution supporting the bill and just going up to the Senate and saying the city of Santa Ana is in support of the Senate bill? Is that how I'm understanding it?

David PenalozaItem —

That's what I was thinking. I spoke to our, what's his name, Casey, who does our legislation up in Sacramento. And it's basically, you know, us as a city will come together. If we approve this resolution, we'll basically send the message to whatever health committee in Sacramento is put together amongst other senators across the state and say, hey, you know, the city of Santa Ana is supporting this and what other other city wants to support it as well. And that will help, you know, we could help move the bill forward and get approved.

David PenalozaItem —

former Assemblymember Soloria will probably know more about that process but that's where I was coming from and it's good that you mentioned beaches, that they would end up in our beaches because when you look at the data and the stats, most of the overdoses do occur on our beach cities in the county and these programs aren't operating on our beach cities in the county. They choose to operate in Santa Ana and Costa Mesa sued them numerous cities sued them and and Santa Ana we were just kind of okay we'll operate in Santa Ana and that was my fear about this the way this program was

David PenalozaItem —

operating is that they had no regard to to the safety of our residents and we're taking advantage of a community that that we don't have many resources to fight these things and and they saw it as an easy area to do so so that's basically where this came from and why I'm hopeful that this could get and just to clarify this isn't banning the program outright this is just giving local control bringing local control to our county and the city and for us to be able to choose how these programs operate if they do and when and yeah that's pretty much it if anyone else has any comment

David PenalozaItem —

Mr. Meyer, thank you.

No, thank you. Make a motion to maybe adopt this, or what would you like?

It would be a motion to direct staff to bring back a resolution.

All right.

Can you make a motion? Yeah, I think for the sake of time, a letter, just direct the staff to write a letter in support of this piece of legislation. Committees are going to start, and they need to hear sooner than later.

So just direct staff to write a letter of support. I'll sign it, and we'll send it to Sacramento.

Can that be your motion? Yeah. All right, I'll second it. Those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Aye, those opposed. Motion carries. Item 85B, that's Mayor Pro Tem.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. So I brought this item forward because I sit on the Civic Center Authority, and Building 28, which is 605 Santa Ana Boulevard right next door, That is up for sale, it's the state building and I believe that we should look into it, purchasing it so we can have more room here. We have a lot of wear and tear in the council chambers and city hall next door. We should consider purchasing the building so we have a place to go to in case we redo this building here.

We, the city of Santa Ana, is in control of nine acres out of the 29 acres here in the Civic Center. And we're a stakeholder. And I really believe that we should seize the opportunity because this area here is within an opportunity zone, which President Trump has determined that these places here, there could be some tax cuts if you invest more. So it's a golden opportunity for us to go ahead and look into, see what we can do in purchasing the land and the building. Maybe we can use it to our advantage.

It also comes with the surrounding land. And if there's, it's Mr. Fuad here. You can speak to my colleagues a little bit about it, just briefly.

Good evening, Mayor and Council members.

Mayor Pro Tem Villegas said it perfectly. He covered most of the aspects. I serve alongside Mayor Pro Tem Villegas on the Civic Center Authority. Most of the land is owned by the county. We own about 32% of the Civic Center. This building became available for sale sometime last year. The state invited several entities to tour the building. We looked at it. We identified several deficiencies in it. We wrote a letter in January to the state expressing interest in it. We feel at some point, you know, when we take into consideration all these deficiencies in the building,

that, you know, this is a teardown, but not necessarily immediately. It can be used in the interim until the city decides what to do with it. And having control of a larger percentage of the civic center will allow the city to explore options such as public-private partnerships, maybe attract private funding to invest in a modern civic center that is fit for the city of Santa Ana. every building has a life cycle and at some point we will be replacing city hall and these chambers and we may need a bigger council chambers like you've seen in the last couple of months

how many people were sitting outside, we could not fit them in here. But there are so many applications that we can look into and consider when doing a master plan for civic center. So I'll be glad to answer any questions if you may have.

Anybody else? A couple of questions. I know sometimes there are timelines for different types of possible buyers to make offers. What are the timelines that we're working with?

I believe the first step was the state to advertise or issue a notice that the building is available for sale. And I think within 90 days anyone can express interest in it. They probably give priority to buyers who may have certain goals to accomplish, such as government agencies or housing.

And do you have a rough sense today on purchase price?

Well, according to our recent conversations with the Department of General Services, they had an appraisal conducted on this building, but they have not disclosed what that value is. And they left it to every interested party to do their own appraisal and evaluate what it is. But based on our initial estimates, I mean, if we take into consideration the code upgrades, you know, elevators, means of egress, Title 24, ADA improvements, maybe seismic improvements, you know, we can maybe conclude that this is a building that needs to come down at some point.

Not necessarily immediately, because currently it's being used by several departments. So there are tenants in it at this time.

And I think Councilman Vigas makes a good point that if and when we do need a move for seismic reasons, and I don't know the full details of timing for that, but we are at City Hall in an older structure, so I think there is some value to studying this and doing our own due diligence. But I do appreciate that.

I think if Council wishes, staff can come back with a more detailed report and pursue, with the support of Mayor Pro Tem, pursue the purchase of this, acquiring it, and also exploring what possibilities, whether up zones or any rezoning that we can create for Civic Center.

Thank you very much. Go ahead, Councilor.

So for this building, okay, you're saying you're going to go check to see how much the value it is, right, what we're going to be getting the building for, the amount.

I think the next step is to hire a professional appraiser to appraise the building and submit it to the state, you know, expressing interest. Here's what we, you know, believe the value is, and here's our offer. The value could be zero. We don't know yet at this time based on, as I said, all these upgrades or the cost of demolishing the building will be taken into consideration as well when such a report is prepared.

So how much would it cost to do all that? You'll be bringing that back to us to see how much the appraiser is, how much the building is, and where is that money coming from?

An appraisal will probably charge anywhere between, I would say, $7,000 and $15,000 to do a full appraisal on this. Once that's done, then we will be in a much better position to negotiate with the state and then come back to council with more specific recommendations.

Okay, so it's going to be coming back to us to see if we want to go with it or not. But right now, so what are we doing now?

So what I'm asking is my colleagues to support this item by directing the staff to look into the purchase of it. And it's also within an opportunity zone, which is a great, great opportunity for all of us, actually. If you can speak to my colleagues about that, just very briefly, about an opportunity zone, what that entails.

Definitely. Within Orange County, the IRS, the tax code revisions that were introduced in 2017, identified large portions of the city of Santa Ana and Fullerton as opportunity zones. Those are areas where a private investor can shelter their money through investing in those communities. And the way they do it, basically, any capital gain realized from investments, whether stock market, real estate, or any other profit from any business, can be invested in those areas.

And the tax that will be due on these amounts or the capital gain can be deferred five, seven, or ten years. If the investment is kept in those areas for 10 years or more, then the entire capital gain will be dismissed or wiped out. And there are certain conditions that an investor has to meet. The property has to be in an opportunity zone. The value of the land has to be equal or less than the amount that will be invested in improving the property, which basically the purpose of this

incentive which is create jobs and invest in certain communities that were underperforming in the last economic cycle. And then there are certain time limits that an investor has to meet. So the longer we wait, basically we're going to miss out on such opportunities in attracting capital gain money and investing in Sana'ana, whether here, Willowick, or any other area within those zones.

So we need to move quickly is what you're saying. And this is right here, right next door. Eventually, this city hall needs to be torn down and we need a new building. If you look across the street, the county already started. They're almost done with their first building. They're going to move on to the second phase of that side of the street. And then what about this side? I mean, we're going to have to do something. And this is a good opportunity with this building right next door. We can always, that's going to have to be demolished also.

at some point but we need to look into this so need direction from the uh my colleagues to uh make a motion want to make a motion for uh us to direct staff to pursue the purchase of the state building located at 605 san hannah boulevard right here in san hannah really quick um i just

David PenalozaItem —

wanted to thank mayor portent viegas for for uh putting this on here as well because it is in our in an opportunity zone and you know and I was just I've been throwing out ideas with various executives and and the city manager about this potential site and how you know how we talk you just mentioned moving into that building while this building gets repurposed but I just see a lot of opportunity to be able to move closer to the public view you know you know demolish that build us a new building maybe smaller in size but with the bigger council chambers because we

David PenalozaItem —

see a lot of space that's unused currently in this building that we're in you know the newest councilmember here I've walking into this building I was just shocked at just seeing how old and worn down everything looks we hold meetings here we're meeting right now with with with you know with the car dealers in there and I know it's embarrassing them for our residents and people that we have meetings here too so thank you this this could be good for us and and you know having a more efficient uh building and and bring it into the 21st century

David PenalozaItem —

20th century at least i have a motion all right let's do a motion and then we'll probably take a

little uh recess so they can wrap up what they're doing next door and we'll come back on the table okay motion do we have a second those in favor please say aye aye aye those opposed motion carries do we want to take on 85C right now or maybe take a little break and then come right back it's a quick one yeah all right go ahead who wants to lead it

I know they are so I was going to just take a recess people can go to the restroom whatever

and then we'll come back let's do a little recess for a few minutes

All right, do we have an amended motion or what do we have on the dealership issue?

I think staff and the dealers and their very able rep Whittingham came up with ways to address it on a 90 day test period. So if our city attorney can read it out and then the maker and seconder, you can just adopt it as a friendly and I'd be fine with it or we could do a new one. But I think just maybe as a friendly because I think you'll like it.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem —

It might be better to clarify and make a new motion. This motion would be to approve the program as presented to you this evening with a 90 day test program, after which the staff would come back to the City Council with a report. This program would require one of the following in addition to registering the car in Santa Ana. One of the following would be a driver's license, a property tax bill, a utility bill, proof of insurance, Santa Ana business license, or a bank statement with the address here in Santa Ana.

All right, so what is the pleasure? Everybody's good with that? I mean, I shouldn't ask that.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem —

Second, do you have a second to that or do you want to take a motion and a second?

All right, let's take this as an amendment to the original.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem —

Yeah.

Councilman Solario, seconded by Villegas. I was not the maker of it, but just whoever the-The amendment.

Yes. So it was Villegas and the license.

All right, so you accepted.

You accepted. Go ahead.

Okay, so you mentioned like six different things. One of them, one of the following.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem —

One of them. So in addition to registering the car in Santa Ana, it would be one of the following.

Okay.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem —

Any one of those items.

Okay, and then it's for 90 days and then it'll come back to the council and then-For a report.

Yep.

Okay.

And there's a nice elegance to that, the car will be a Santa Ana car as well. And that's official that they're going to claim Santa Ana.

All right, so with that, let's take a vote then on this. Those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Those opposed? Motion carries.

No. I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding.

They actually could believe it. It'll still pass 4-1, right? But you need appropriation adjustment on that thing.

Want to take a break and you go next door? No, I'm kidding. All right, so with that, you guys can go home. Go home before we change our mind. So with that, I now want to go to item 85C. And double your car sales.

So do you want to take it? Why don't you cancel? Okay, so this is for something that I've been asking for since I've been here. And when we're going to be addressing the budget for us to be able to make recommendations and appropriations. I wanted to see the true picture of our financial health per se. And I'm happy that at the Edibet meeting that we had last, was it last Monday?

We were talking about issues and I'm happy that all three of us that are on that committee agreed to bring it to council for all of us to see if we could have a special budget meeting before the end of the month. So we can start addressing issues, there are gaps in where we need to be focusing on. So I'm happy that it's here and I'm hoping that we can get it on the calendar. But, you know, it's going to be up to all of us. But if we could have it before March 30th would be great. So that would be my ask. And that's all I have to say.

Any other thought? I know we have two other council members on this item.

Council Member Penelope.

I think the councilwoman. spoke very well about it but i'll just quickly add that you know by the end of march or for sure by mid-april and it's to get a sense of the fiscal health as was mentioned but i think it's important for the staff because we have a lot of staff working on the budget that they understand what type of priorities that we have you know how we want to see general fund dollars spent how we want to see Measure X dollars spent. At our last edit committee we did talk about the spending requirements of Measure X. So in many ways we've begun that conversation finally, but we need to have that conversation as a council.

And again, staff preparing their draft budget to us, and it would be good for everybody, staff, council, and the community for that draft budget to have some of our thoughts and intentions in it. So I think the main message here is just, and I think the staff is very willing and wanting to do this as well, but we want our colleagues to understand the urgency as well. And it could be a special meeting or just a substantial portion of a very light meeting, but the main point is, you know, it really needs to occur over the next, you know, two to six weeks, in my humble opinion.

Any other thoughts, Councilor Peñalosa?

David PenalozaItem —

No. No other thoughts? I agree with both my colleagues. Okay.

So, for me, it would be if we could have it sooner rather than later. And I know we had put in here for March 2019. That would be either next week or the following week. So for me, that would be the ask that I would make the recommendation. If we could have it before March 30th.

So you want to maybe go to council members and see what availability is and include council member Sarmiento?

I think the staff now has heard from three of us. If the mayor can speak to your willingness and then they can work with our calendars and make it happen.

David PenalozaItem —

I would suggest since we're all I didn't want to cram more on to Friday but since we're all going to be here Friday maybe or is that too soon yeah yeah they have

my repair yeah they have to watch you uh you've already got from three you know go talk to the other three we can do it tomorrow let's see what we can come up with maybe sometime next week no but but you have an interest though in doing a budget workshop i i'd rather wait for the city manager to come on board and i said i mentioned that yeah but

that may be may or something and we gotta have a budget with that that has our ideas that's the

only issue with that i again i'm available anytime next week except there is well you know and and if

If not, then I'll just put it as an 85A adder for the next regular meeting, and we'll do it in that format, but it'd be better if it were more.

He's okay with next week.

Is he? Han's okay except Thursday.

Thursday evening, I'll see if I can't do it.

But you're willing to do it over the next few weeks? Okay. So it sounds like there's four giving direction.

Yeah.

We're just going to hear and give input.

So if there's four, then we'll poll each of you for preferred dates?

Yes. Yeah, but of the 7th, I mean the 6th, so we can schedule it. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, excellent. Thank you.

All right, so that's that. Next item. We're now going to recess to a special meeting for the Housing Authority.

I'd entertain a motion on Items 1 through 3. Move them. And we'd excuse Council Member Vince Armiento, I believe. Second. Those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Those opposed, motion carries. Item number four.

This is time and place to approve a Housing Authority annual plan and adopt a resolution.

Second.

Well, I think it's a public hearing. Let me just say, is there anybody that wishes to address this?

No, we have no.

All right. So with that, we'll close the public hearing. We have, I believe, a motion and a second. Those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye.

those opposed motion carries no clarification on the first and second for the public hearing item

you did the second right who did the first i had somebody from that side i think i did the first okay can you let her know she's right next to you all right and now we're adjourning the special housing authority meeting or reconvening the Council meeting, city manager comments?

Yes, Mr. Mayor. To confirm, Supervisor Doe will be here April 16th at 545. Oh, excellent. Thank you.

Boy, hold on a second. She just gave me some speakers.

Rose Finnegan?

come on if you want to speak come on down followed by romel diaz senior followed by sylvia almanza followed by irma macias followed by alonso lugo

please go ahead just bring the mic down

Is that okay?

Yes.

Good evening. My name is Rose Finnegan. I've been a resident of Santa Ana since 1960. I've seen a lot of changes and a lot of good. We have a problem with the ordinance that you drafted for us regarding the food trucks. We're inundated with them. Literally, the center of Santa Ana. North don't have a problem. South doesn't have a problem. But come to the north, and they're 24 hours a day. I happen to live also on a permit parking street. They are able to park there 24 hours a day.

One comes in at 6, leaves at midnight, has lights flaring around. all of four of your ordinance they have broken the police have come out sometimes they're cited sometimes they aren't because the police feel their hands are tied because one was told they went to court and a judge gave them permission i like to see that paper but we really need help We need to know who has the proper authority to have this problem corrected. Everybody's been passing the buck, and I've been working on this for over a year.

I think I'm going to be dead before this thing moves. I really do. I would like to know, because we're permit parking, what jurisdiction is that under?

Is it under code enforcement? because their hands are tied. Their police hands are tied because nobody knows what to do. All we can do is complain, but we need help. We need answers so that we can, in our way, try to help you get this corrected. But it's not just my area. It's numerous areas, and we really need help. I know Santa Ana has its problems, but if we keep pushing this stuff aside, it's developing bigger.

Thank you. Next, if you could speak to the city manager right here, we'll take your name.

Is that the gentleman?

Yes, and we will work on that for you.

Romel?

Buenas noches. this is the problem that I'm going to explain here is for example is that the the luncheon is by the shelter and the cabin and it's very close it's very close the stop of the traffic of the cubone then as it is very long the camioneta see see see they have to go to cama cama for not to have an accident or not to hit you, right? And then, that is grave for everyone who is running and everything, for all the peatons and everything.

And another thing, the luncheers, the clients that come there to the street, they park in front of my house. and then when they come to the luncheon, when they finish eating, they have the paper, the plate, the food, the food, the food, they have the left and all that, and that's not good, not correct for me because I have to put it together, and it's extra extra. and then otra otra cosa que quiero decir hay hay dos dos loncheras pero eso venden vende tortillas venden comida venden todo entonces hay clientes que llegan ahí se

paran en medio ponen las direccionales y entonces cuando para la direccionales se está comprando allá abajo entonces ese es otro peligro porque because if you have another car from here, you have to wait for the other car. Or if you're in trouble, you're in trouble. So, that's my suggestion that I have. If you take a card in the issue, see what can I do, because I already have to get to put papers and all that.

Thank you.

Good evening. I'm here about this problem with the lunch trucks. I'm talking about the one in specific in Sheldon and Cabo. and they're parking too close to the stop sign and the truck is just too long so the cars have to stop past the stop sign and that's very dangerous. It's not safe. And it's bad for everybody. It's bad for the pedestrians and the rest of the cars and all that. And there's another lunch truck that's there and it's bad for the clients for the lunch truck.

are there parking in front of my car, my house, I'm sorry, at all hours right there. And after the clients eat, they throw the trash around, and that's not right, so I have to go out and pick up the trash that they leave. And there are other lunch trucks there. And sometimes there are two other ones that have not only food, but other things that they sell there, tortillas and everything else. and the clients, the cars just double park and they put their blinkers on and it's very dangerous. You have to stop or pass around them and it's very dangerous. So please do something about this. I'm tired of picking up the trash for everybody.

Muchas gracias.

I called the next several speakers, so just come on up.

Good evening. My name is Sylvia Mansa, and I just come to totally ask directly to the mayor, Pulido, who is the one who gives the permit for all these vendors, trucks, and the city of Sanana. I've been fighting for this for more than a year. And as my neighborhood has been invaded for all these trucks, I live in the center of Sanana, and with less than three streets, we have more than ten vendors, including the taco truck that I have in the corner of my house, what happens when I leave my neighbor in Coven and Shelton.

She comes and parks from 5 o'clock in the afternoon to midnight. So I have a child. Sometimes I cannot even sleep because of the noise, and I would love to know because I've been asking for more than a year who is the one who gives the permits to this.

Well, let's answer it right now. Madam City Attorney, these trucks are basically permitted by state law. We've fought this for years. We don't give permits. The state says if it's a public street, like a car can park there, they can park there. I know it's a business. It's not a car. But believe me, cities around California have been fighting this. Can you speak to it, Madam City Attorney, just so she understands?

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem —

So the lunch trucks, the trucks can park on any city street that they want to. They have a legal right to park there, and we can't stop them. Unless, of course, we're posting no parking signs on all of our streets.

I do live in a permit parking area, which is ridiculous that I cannot even park in front of my house, because I do get a ticket, but no a pending truck.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem —

How that works? If they are parked in a permitted parking area that is restricted by permit, then we would be able to cite those individuals, the street. So whatever rules apply to everybody else applies to them. Two-hour parking, it applies to the trucks. Permit parking, it applies to the trucks. Well, it's not been working. No parking, it applies to the trucks. So if that is occurring, if they're parking in a permitted parking area without a permit, then they would be subject to citation.

It has not been working like that. And I would like to say thank you very much for all the police department. They've been doing a very good job. But unluckily for them, their hands are tight. Why? Because they cannot even do anything. Because the taco truck is the one I have in the corner of my house.

Sonia R. CarvalhoItem —

So the police department can site those trucks. They've been doing it. If they are parked in a permitted parking area and the trucks are there, they can be sited.

Sylvia, maybe meet with our city manager.

I would like to invite you to my house and you can see what is the problem that we have in my neighborhood. I love my city, but this is a major problem.

And we want to help you. just talk to the city manager and and and and you know he will follow up

we will address it we will follow okay thank you very much thank you who else wants to speak Irma evening Honorable Counsel ladies and gentlemen whoever is left here thank you so much for allowing us to speak this is some of the residents that are up to their necks with this food and vendor trucks. We've been arguing. Council Member José Solorio did a walk with our residents, including Joe Dunn, our former city manager, and they see the issues. Unfortunately, nothing has been addressed. Whatever they've

been working on is going backwards. We are still stuck with these individuals. They are frightened residents. They are inviting more crime, safety, and we are here to help, to ask for your guidance and the help and support because people is tired. I'm tired. The people that come to buy food from these vendor trucks and food trucks is like, you don't know who comes to your neighborhood. You don't know. They're being assaulted. I mean, they're being, it's crime around that neighborhood is between Highland

sheltered cabin nothing but gangs so you are exposing the residents and these individuals to come to this to this vendor trucks they are violated so many they're the cause they are were implemented to them they have the neon lights they have the chairs they have the tables they part of a double park and these residents are tired we are tired of this why we don't have the same issues on the north and the south of Santa Ana. Why the central part of Santa Ana? Supposedly it's because they buy from these trucks, but if you move them to a commercial,

these are commercial vehicles in residential zones. I remember that these vehicles,

commercial means they are in commercial zones, correct? So they fall into the category of commercial. They were implemented for UPS trucks, for delivering trucks, not for parks that are 24-7. We have the produce trucks parked 24-7 in areas that are overcrowded, there is no parking, people fighting for parking. You need to help these residents. And help us, please, because I don't know what to do. I go to meetings, and these are the residents that are asking me, I am nobody. So you need to understand that. It's on your hands and do something. Thank you.

affiliation with anybody in the city or any of the council members here. I just have a pure interest in serving my community. A little bit about myself. I'm a lifelong resident of the city of Santa Ana. I've been a homeowner for the last 14 years. Been married the last 10 years. I'm a Marine Corps veteran. I have a commercial land use development background and construction background. I work for AT&T and have a very technology and data-driven mindset. I'd like you to consider my application but I did want to make sure that I at very least introduced myself to you before you saw my application.

Thanks for coming down. Any questions? Alonzo Lugo. Thank you. Thank you very much. Are you a candidate for Ward 4? I am not. I'm kidding you. Thank you. All right. thank you all right now i think we already did the city manager's comments or we're done okay any council comments uh councillor solorio

thank you i'm asking this young gentleman please leave me his contact information because you are you're impressive and the patience to be here through the meeting also says a lot so i admire your effort. A few things, number one I quickly do want to address the the food truck issue. I can't talk about too much because it's not formally on the agenda. We did I think about a year and a half approve some rules. Most of the rules are being enforced. The issue is we don't have enough code enforcement staff. I can tell you from the number of complaints

and tickets that we've done that there's enforcement going on because we get complaints then from the trucks that don't like the enforcement but we need more code enforcement staff for sure and I would tell you and I had another meeting today with some of our our budget staff but you know there's money in the budget on the strategic plan there was two hundred fifty thousand dollars that they have for for code enforcement staffing the cannabis money from the adult from from the adult sales third of that revenue is supposed to go to code enforcement and it's not happening and that department is severely severely understaffed and

hopefully with this budget and you know all the new stuff that we have we can begin to rectify that and do right by that and next we are looking at ways to do permit areas we can kind of control it a little bit more but we do continue to ask for your patience and the work continues. Regarding parking, which came up today in many formats and will continue to, I know that Public Works is in the middle or hopefully towards the end of a pilot program to study parking constraints and lack of parking in certain parts of town.

If maybe they via email can let the council know when we might receive a status report or when that might be complete. Similarly with the scooter program folks may remember we approved that for a very limited time just to study it and if we can get timing on that so we can communicate that with our community and on the subject of reports something that we've done in a few organizations where I've been and we get a lot of reports on our agendas some reports are more useful than others to the public to the staff to my colleagues I'm very open to hearing

about what reports really shouldn't be items that get put on the agenda maybe just on a website or or annual or maybe there might be some of these reports where they're monthly and maybe you'd like to recommend that they're quarterly because based on timing and other reasons some of these reports are more valuable than others and I'd like to hear about that. Finally today you know my sisters I have a great family they reminded me it's the Dia de San Jose it's you know St. Joseph's Day and so happy St. Joseph's Day to all my namesakes and tocayos out there thank you.

David PenalozaItem —

All right Councilman Leroy Peñalosa. Thank you Mr. Mayor I just wanted a and again because it's not agendized I don't know how it would work but I do understand where these residents are coming from in regards to the food truck stuff so I'd like personally like because I don't hear I wasn't here back when this was done by Councilman Salorio but I would like some kind of update on how this operates because you know I've purchased items from these trucks and they never take card payment so it's cash only so who knows if we're collecting even the appropriate revenue that we should be and they're using our

David PenalozaItem —

streets you know it's so that's those are my concerns so I understand and and it is in Ward 2 so I'd be more than happy to come out whenever you'd like for me to see this I see a daily because I live in that neighborhood off of Bristol Nettinger so I have my fair share and just wanted to you know state a couple things i to the residents of ward four i've been trying to go to as many neighborhood association meetings as i can in ward four just to show the ward four that they're not you know during this you know cycle of change they're not being uh ignored or neglected i was elected at large

David PenalozaItem —

so i'm happy to be out there and and represent that ward for for as long as as i can and and make sure that those concerns don't go unnoticed and unheard. And we are listening, we are watching, we were all elected at large up here, so please reach out with anything. I went to the San Ana Police Department's award ceremony a couple weeks ago, along with the mayor and mayor pro tem, and I was just happy to see that a lot of our officers getting recognized for

David PenalozaItem —

saving lives, saving kids, saving cats and dogs, and a lot of inspiring stories that we don't hear from, that we don't hear of and aren't publicized as much. To the younger recruits and police officers on the force, hang out with these individuals, hang out with these older police officers that are getting recognized for these life-saving measures and carrying themselves with integrity and and uh because you know you're gonna rub rub shoulders with them you know learn from them and uh that's that's basically it thank you staff for for all the the help and members

David PenalozaItem —

that are still here thank you and good night council member iglesias so i just uh want to

I will report out that I had an opportunity to attend the SCAG board meeting on March 7th. And also, like we shared, we met for the Edibet meeting on March 11th. And then on the 13th, I also attended the Orange County Sanitation District Administration meeting. And last Friday, I attended the Santa Anita Neighborhood Association meeting. One thing that really took me back like years literally, because it's just the state of that community center.

It's very run down and it's a community center that needs to be, I think, brought to life in a way. And I know that we've already approved the resurfacing of the, or remodeling of the pools, right? So that should happen before the summer. But there were many concerns that the residents expressed, but one concern that really took me was the lighting in that park is very poor. And I know that we put in some lights, but it seemed like we just stopped halfway.

So I want to know why the entire field wasn't lighted up. Because it's very dark on the side, I think would be on the right hand side towards the back. And then also the building itself is very dark. Some of the light fixtures that are there are, some were broken. The bathroom is not health, I mean, I wouldn't go in there. I only went in there just to take pictures, but I wouldn't use it. And it's sad that our kids are put in that environment to use those restrooms. They're in very, very bad condition.

And so I'm hoping that we give some relief to that neighborhood because it's so needed. So if you could look into the lighting of that building, because I know there's a lot of homeless that camp out around that area. And, you know, it always takes like a, I would say like a, not catastrophe, but, you know, something bad to happen in order for us to pay attention. So right now I believe we should, you know, be in front of the issue. And if you could meet with, what's Felipe? I believe he's the Neighborhood Association president.

And if you could see what we can do, because it's very dark in there and

I'm afraid that something's going to happen. And then we're going to be liable for something even bigger than the amount of money that we can be investing in there. So I know Lisa you'll look into that and I believe that they want you out there too. So you might be getting an email that they want you to attend their meeting. And I also want to talk about Centennial. I know we talked about Centennial, the education center last meeting. But I know that we talked about creating like an ad hoc committee or something so we can meet so we can start talking about their MOU.

Because I want to see what return on our investment for that location. Because right now it seems like we're not getting much other than like $36,000 a year for that location. so I want to see if we can revisit the MOU and part of that committee. So I'm looking to you, Madam Attorney.

But I believe you and Councillor Solorio might be at least the two volunteers initially for that ad hoc. May we get a third member, maybe after Friday, let's see where we're at?

Because I want for us to start talking about that, because Centennial has a lot of issues, and I know we've already addressed them.

The sooner the better.

Yes. Because of the Orange County Sanitation.

Find a third member.

His mom.

Who what?

So I want a third member from up here because I want to start talking about Centennial because we truly definitely needed. So who would be?

David PenalozaItem —

The education center?

Ad hoc.

Ad hoc, yeah, and then also talking about Centennial.

All right, you got a third member.

Thank you.

Peer pressure, man. They're coming at you from both sides.

There you go. And then I just want to thank everyone for your patience. I know that I'm still in the learning curve. I know in six months I'll be asking more things. But I just want to thank again Stephen, our assistant, no, your interim city attorney. And thank you for all of your help. And I just want to thank everyone for being here. I know it's late and thank you for

thing and with that said thank you mayor pro tem any comments yes sir thank you mr mayor i just

want to thank the fire department chief henry and uh and our police department chief valentin last friday on the 15th about 5 a.m there was a fire on north ross street right by willard Elementary and there were six cars on fire. The fire department responded. They aggressively attacked the fire and they were able to contain it. The police department did a great job showing up and evacuating a two story building and a five story building there as the fire department continued to fight the car fires. There were six cars on fire. I couldn't believe

it. And they were able to contain it and the apartments didn't go up in flames. Senator PD went out, evacuated all the buildings. They were able to help everyone across the street into Willard. I want to thank also the Santa Ana Police Department or the Santa Ana School Police because they responded also and opened up the gym so these people wouldn't be sitting outside in the cold and gave them a place to stay until they got the all clear. So I just want to thank everyone for responding to that incident. It's very unfortunate what happened.

They also found, I guess in the search, they found a gun and a purse on the roof or something. Go figure, you never know what you're going to find. And it's still under investigation. But thank you to both the Santa Ana Police Department and the Orange County Fire Authority. And that is all, Mr. Mayor.

All right, and with that, I'm just going to remind us all we have that meeting on Friday, so let's be ready for that. And this meeting's gone long enough, so we're going to adjourn for now, and we'll continue on Friday. Thank you. Bye.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.