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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-20-2013 CDBG MinutesCDBG Minutes February 20, 2013 Page 1 of 12 CITY OF ORANGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM COMMITTEE MINUTES WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013 6:30 P.M. Weimer Room, Orange City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT STAFF PRESENT Mary-Ellen Manning Gina Scott Mary Ellen Laster Eva Perez Fernando Rico Robert Tunstall I.CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:35 P.M. Ms. Laster responded to the Committee’s inquiry regarding comments that Tracy Melvin of L’Abri Management made at the February 13 meeting during the Orange County Fair Housing Council’s proposal presentation. Ms. Melvin stated that the Fair Housing Foundation has targeted their company with six frivolous/baseless lawsuits in the past year and a half and that those cases have all been closed due to lack of evidence, Ms. Laster advised that she contacted the Fair Housing Foundation and was advised that the cases were conciliated; that they were not dismissed without cause; and that the Fair Housing Foundation will be providing her with documentation to confirm this. She added that those cases were all tenant-based; and that the Fair Housing Foundation indicates they follow up on all tenant complaints, following up with management to find out what the issues are. Ms. Laster noted the Committee will have that documentation from the Fair Housing Foundation before it makes the final funding recommendations. Ms. Laster stated that the Fair Housing Foundation advised her that they do not want to pay legal fees or take on a case unless it has validity; that the only way they know if a case is valid is to investigate the complaint, contact the owners, and try to mitigate the issue or conciliate it and not go to court; and she added that in most cases, they can take care of it through mediation without having to go to court. Ms. Laster stated that both the Fair Housing Council and the Fair Housing Foundation are making CDBG presentations before Irvine this evening; and advised that Huntington Beach will also be considering the Fair Housing Foundation for CDBG funding. CDBG Minutes February 20, 2013 Page 2 of 12 II.APPROVAL OF MINUTES – FEBRUARY 13, 2013 Committee Member Manning moved, seconded by Committee Member Tunstall, to approve the February 13, 2013, Minutes as presented. Motion carried, 4-0. III. FUNDING PRESENTATIONS BY NONPROFIT AGENCIES AGENCY:COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT PROJECT:El Camino Real Park, Prospect/Grijalva Park, and Killefer Park After-School Programs Request funding to supplement insurance, supplies, and salaries of part-time staff. Amount Requested:$43,170 Total Project Cost:$342,417 Recreation Services Supervisor Robinson stated that she oversees the after-school youth programs; thanked the Committee for its continuous support of this program over the years; explained that this after-school program consists of recreation and a tutoring component for kids in Orange who attend the Orange Unified School District; and that the age of their participants range from 5 through 12. She noted that these services are provided at three different park locations within Orange: El Camino Real, Prospect/Grijalva, and Killefer. She stated these kids love this program; and she distributed to the Committee and staff handmade thank you cards made by these children. Committee Member Rico asked that the children be advised how much this Committee enjoys their thoughtful gifts each year. Recreation Services Supervisor Robinson advised that the kids do a lot of fun activities, distributing photographs of the children enjoying various activities in the program; stated they had a Valentine’s Day party; that they play outdoor games; and that they get a lot out of this program. Committee Chair Perez asked staff to pass on the Committee’s appreciation. Committee Member Rico asked if there are more children participating in the program this year as compared to last year. Recreation Services Supervisor Robinson stated that the application reflects decreased numbers participating in the program, noting that for 2013 there are 450 participants; and the application for this year is for CDBG Minutes February 20, 2013 Page 3 of 12 350 participants. She explained they had to do a lot of outreach to meet that 450 number, which is why they decreased that number this year; and she added they anticipate the number will increase, but they want to make sure they can meet the targeted number. She added they lowered the number based on their tutoring needs, and they will adjust as the program grows. (NOTE: The estimated number of participants is 350 on both the FY 2011-12 and FY 2012-13 applications. The estimated number of participants is 450 on the FY 2010-11 application.) Committee Chair Perez asked why they felt outreach was necessary. Recreation Services Supervisor Robinson stated that outreach was necessary to let people know about the program; and that they conducted a special event to draw the interest of those who might typically not attend, to educate the public on what this free program is all about. Committee Chair Perez asked if the schools advise the families of this program. Recreation Services Supervisor Robinson stated they do work with the schools; however, there are now other after-school programs on school sites which have been popping up in recent years; explained that having these after-school programs on school sites is more convenient for the families because they don’t have to provide extra transportation to the parks; but added that there is a fee for the school site programs. She stated the families that cannot afford the school site programs are coming to the City’s free park program. She mentioned that they met their number last year of 450, but they are comfortable with a slightly lower number for this application as they try to build up this program. Committee Member Rico pointed out that last year their tutoring program was done offsite, asking how it worked out. Recreation Services Supervisor Robinson explained that they have a very strong partnership with Friendly Center, noting the tutoring program worked well and that children and parents have adapted well to the change; and stated that staff now treats this as a City program, using City funding. She stated that City staff closely oversees the program and the contract with Friendly Center; and that they perform site visits and conduct regular meetings with all involved. Committee Member Manning asked where the other funding comes from. Recreation Services Supervisor Robinson explained that is where the stronger tutoring component comes in because Friendly Center receives grant funding for its tutoring as well. The City’s General Fund is not used for this program. Ms. Laster asked if that is the $135,000 which is on the application. CDBG Minutes February 20, 2013 Page 4 of 12 Recreation Services Supervisor Robinson noted that the $164,247 is all grant funding through Friendly Center that Ms. Seelig oversees. She noted for Committee Member Rico that this year’s funding request is the same as last year’s amount, but with fewer participants; and that they are reallocating the supplies, and more of the CDBG funding would go to salaries. She explained that the cost of the program did not go up; that they had allocated $5,000 for supplies, that it turned out not to be necessary; and that they would rather put the funds towards salaries. The Committee commended staff on doing a great job with this program. AGENCY:POLICE DEPARTMENT PROJECT:Bike Patrol Program Request funds for salaries and benefits of the Orange Police Department Bike Team. Amount Requested:$120,000 Total Project Cost:$532,070 Code Enforcement Officer Echeverria stated that not much has changed from this year to last; that they have learned over the years their current list of their goals is a good fit for them; but pointed out the only thing they have changed is adding more field interview (FI) and STEP cards. She happily announced that current Bike Team Corporal Scott Barrett was promoted today to Sergeant. Congratulations were expressed by all. Corporal Scott Barrett explained that the FI cards and the STEP cards are important because it is how they identify people they need to target, people that are routinely causing problems; advised that the STEP cards are for gang members only, helping to identify a gang member and put some documentation behind them so they can use it in court; and noted the gang members typically say they are no longer gang members, but this documentation helps them prove they are still engaged in gang activity. He stated they are going to do 50 of those cards, but noted they will likely exceed that number within a year. Officer John Pickett stated he has been on the Bike Team since October 2012; explained that every time they come in contact with someone on probation, someone who has priors for burglaries, for example, they write their information down on the FI cards so they know they spoke with them; and that if a crime happens in a certain area where this person is located, he/she then becomes a person of interest. He stated these helpful FI cards include their personal information, such as address, phone numbers, work address, etc. He advised that the Bike Team is usually in contact with these people. CDBG Minutes February 20, 2013 Page 5 of 12 In response to Ms. Laster’s inquiry, Corporal Barrett stated that STEP stands for Street Terrorism Enforcement Program (STEP). Code Enforcement Officer Echeverria noted that the STEP cards look like a citation, though it is not; and that it only becomes a problem for that individual if he/she ever gets arrested. Officer Pickett explained there are 33 crimes that are attached to the STEP cards; that if they commit any one of these 33 crimes while representing a gang, it becomes an enhancement that is brought upon them in court. Corporal Barrett stated it is not a ticket and that if they do not commit any of those 33 “dirty” crimes, it does not count against them in court. Code Enforcement Officer Echeverria stated it is a good way for them to gather information from these people that are in these neighborhoods, the people that are probably the ones causing the problems and committing the crimes; stated the Bike Team knows a lot about them, where they live, whom they are hanging out with at the time; and mentioned they have a good database/method of bringing in this information to use for their purposes later on. She advised that last year, they increased the number of their covert operations for graffiti stings, which has become a big problem; that they increased the number to four for this current year; that they are working on Area 43, as indicated on the map, where they are seeing a large problem; and stated they have been out in that area for the last two weeks. She stated it is on South Oak in the rear alley, near Palmyra. Corporal Barrett stated it is gang graffiti/writing and noted that as soon as they get it cleaned up, it is back in no time. He noted for Committee Member Manning that they need to catch them in the act, noting they typically run when the police arrive; that if they are caught and are juveniles, they are released to their parents; and the department will ask for charges to be filed later on. Police Department Senior Administrative Analyst Darlene Chandler advised that they do have to make restitution for the damages, so there is a monetary cost that is involved. Committee Member Tunstall asked if the police go after their parents for restitution. Corporal Barrett stated that the courts get restitution from the parents; that if they catch an adult doing graffiti, they can be booked into jail and will have to pay restitution. Committee Member Rico asked if graffiti is one of the 33 dirty crimes. CDBG Minutes February 20, 2013 Page 6 of 12 Corporal Barrett stated no, it has to be felony based; he explained that they typically will use the same moniker over and over for weeks; and that if the police can tie them to those various sites with the same moniker, they can be charged to pay for removal of all the graffiti and can then be charged with a felony if it exceeds a certain amount of damage. Code Enforcement Officer Echeverria stated if the damage is less than $400, it is a misdemeanor; if it is over $400, it is a felony. Corporal Barrett stated it is charged by how much it costs to paint/clean up per square foot. Committee Member Rico asked what gang is in that area. Corporal Barrett stated the OVC gang. Code Enforcement Officer Echeverria stated they are in different pockets throughout the cities; and that they move around, which is part of the problem and why the STEP cards are so important. Officer Picket explained that the gang injunctions push them out of traditional gang areas; and that they then move to an area where there may be no gang injunctions. Committee Member Rico asked if the number of gangs in Orange is increasing or decreasing. Corporal Barrett stated the number of gangs has decreased over the years, noting the injunctions have helped. Ms. Manning asked if the F Troop gang still in Orange. Corporal Barrett stated they are primarily in Santa Ana, not too much in Orange. Committee Chair Perez asked where the Bike Team does most of its riding/patrolling. Corporal Barrett stated everywhere in the City, but they concentrate on the low-income areas; and that they will target those areas experiencing problems. Ms. Laster pointed out the Bike Team’s funding only covers low-mod areas. Police Department Sr. Administrative Analyst Chandler explained that if they are working outside of the low-mod areas, that time is not charged to the CDBG funds. CDBG Minutes February 20, 2013 Page 7 of 12 Corporal Barrett noted for Ms. Laster that the Bike Team’s primary job is to patrol on bikes and that they rarely, if ever, do their work from patrol cars; and stated that if they are low on personnel to patrol by car, they would pull from the Bike Team, but pointed out it has never happened while he has been on the Bike Team. Code Enforcement Officer Echeverria stated they typically patrol residential zones or park areas. Committee Member Rico asked if there have been many problems around Grijalva Park since the sports center opened. Officer Picket stated the problems have been minimal. Code Enforcement Officer Echeverria stated there have been some complaints with the back of Chapman Medical Center where the empty field is and down into the riverbed; and advised that they are working in an area near the old building, which is separate from the CDBG-funded areas. Ms. Laster mentioned that chances are, the Bike Team will be invited to give a presentation at the new multi-family apartment off Meats. Code Enforcement Officer Barrett stated they were working with the neighboring property owners about a year and a half ago, working with the GRIP project (Gang Reduction Intervention Program); that they informed all the property owners their neighborhood would be changing for the better; and that the developer invited their tenants to use their learning center, after-school program, computer labs, etc. Committee Member Rico asked about the current status with the homeless camps. Officer Picket explained that recently, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department swept those areas all the way from Lincoln into Santa Ana, clearing a lot of homeless camps for the Orange Police Department; and noted they wrote many citations and gave them notice to pack up their belongings and leave. Committee Member Rico asked if they were advised of a place to go. Officer Pickett stated they will recommend the armory in Fullerton, but noted some cannot go there because they do not have proper identification. Code Enforcement Officer Echeverria stated the armory is only offered during cold weather, only open certain times of the year; and advised that the people who run the armory indicate a lot of the homeless do not like going there because they have time limits and too many rules. CDBG Minutes February 20, 2013 Page 8 of 12 Corporal Barrett advised that the County primarily takes care of sweeping down inside the riverbed and that each City’s police department takes care of the top of the trails; and mentioned that the County will also store the homeless individuals’ items until they are able to pick them up. Code Enforcement Officer Echeverria stated they have an MOU with the County whereby the Orange Police Department can enforce County codes because of this MOU. Committee Chair Perez asked if they are contacting Crisis and Assessment Treatment Team (CATT) when confronted with someone with mental health problems. Corporal Barrett stated that a CATT representative rides with them on patrol a few nights a week and that they keep in routine contact with them. Ms. Laster asked the Committee to replace their notebook pages with the newly distributed maps and cover sheets for the Public Works projects. AGENCY:PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT/ENGINEERING PROJECT:Palm Avenue Overlay Request funds for cold planing, installation of pavement reinforcing fabric, asphalt concrete overlay, adjustment of manholes and water valves to grade. The project will also include removal and replacement of damaged sidewalk and curb and gutter within the project limits. Direct construction costs, $221,400; Engineering and Administration, $39,071. Amount Requested: $260,471 Total Project Cost:$260,471 CDBG Minutes February 20, 2013 Page 9 of 12 PROJECT:James Street Overlay Request funds for cold planing, installation of pavement reinforcing fabric, asphalt concrete overlay, adjustment of manholes and water valves to grade. The project will also include removal and replacement of damaged sidewalk and curb and gutter within the project limits. Direct construction costs, $128,456; Engineering and Administration, $22,669. Amount Requested: $151,125 Total Project Cost:$151,125 PROJECT:Victoria Drive Reconstruction Request funds for removal of existing asphalt concrete pavement and repaving with new asphalt concrete, adjustment of manholes and water valves to grade. The project will also include removal and replacement of damaged sidewalk and curb and gutter within the project limits. Direct construction costs, $77,897; Engineering and Administration, $13,747. Amount Requested: $91,644 Total Project Cost:$91,644 PROJECT:Shirley Drive Reconstruction Request funds for removal of existing asphalt concrete pavement and repaving with new asphalt concrete, adjustment of manholes and water valves to grade. The project will also include removal and replacement of damaged sidewalk and curb and gutter within the project limits. Direct construction costs, $77,897; Engineering and Administration, $13,747. Amount Requested: $91,644 Total Project Cost:$91,644 CDBG Minutes February 20, 2013 Page 10 of 12 PROJECT:Malena Drive Overlay Request funds for cold planing, installation of pavement reinforcing fabric, asphalt concrete overlay, adjustment of manholes and water valves to grade. The project will also include removal and replacement of damaged sidewalk and curb and gutter within the project limits. Direct construction costs, $131,235; Engineering and Administration, $23,159 Amount Requested: $154,394 Total Project Cost:$154,394 PROJECT:Bennett Avenue Overlay Request funds for cold planing, installation of pavement reinforcing fabric, asphalt concrete overlay, adjustment of manholes and water valves to grade. The project will also include removal and replacement of damaged sidewalk and curb and gutter within the project limits. Direct construction costs, $21,644; Engineering and Administration, $3,819 Amount Requested: $25,463 Total Project Cost:$25,463 PROJECT:Sherman Avenue Overlay Request funds for cold planing, installation of pavement reinforcing fabric, asphalt concrete overlay, adjustment of manholes and water valves to grade. The project will also include removal and replacement of damaged sidewalk and curb and gutter within the project limits. Direct construction costs, $21,141; Engineering and Administration, $3,731 Amount Requested: $24,872 Total Project Cost:$24,872 CDBG Minutes February 20, 2013 Page 11 of 12 PROJECT:ADA Wheelchair Access Ramps Request funds to construct sidewalk access ramps at various locations throughout the City. The construction of the ramps will be in compliance with the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG). Direct construction costs, $102,000; Engineering and Administration, $18,000 Amount Requested: $120,000 Total Project Cost:$120,000 Paul Tran, Engineer, distributed photographs of the current street condition for the proposed projects, noting he prepares the engineering plans for all the proposed CDBG projects. He explained that the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) given to the Committee members was taken from the most recent Pavement Management Report (August 2012), which a consultant provides approximately every two years; and advised that the PCI reflects the condition of the streets. Mr. Tran stated that Palm Avenue, from Main Street to Batavia Street, has a PCI of 30, which is very poor condition; that James Street, from Chapman Avenue to Palmyra Avenue, has a PCI of 25; that Victoria Drive, from Mayfair Avenue to North End, has a PCI of 24; that Shirley Drive, from Mayfair Avenue to North End, has a PCI of 28; that Malena Drive, from Chapman to North End, has a PCI of 38; that Bennett Avenue, from Malena Drive to West End, has a PCI of 38; and that Sherman Avenue, from Malena Drive to West End, has a PCI of 42. Mr. Tran stated they expect to do some ADA ramps at various locations, noting they do not yet know which locations will be done; and that they anticipate completing approximately 20 ADA ramps. He mentioned they recently opened bids for the ADA work, believing construction will commence in spring 2013; and mentioned that by the time these proposed 20 ADA ramps are completed, approximately 99 percent of the City’s ramps with curbs will be completed. He explained that because federal laws have changed since first starting the ADA ramp projects, they will need to go back and redo many of them to come up to current standards. He advised that last year’s bid estimate for the ADA ramps was $67,500; that this year, the lowest bid from three contractors was $95,375 for 25 ramps, and the highest bid was $109,400; and that staff is now evaluating those bids, pointing out that the bids are higher because the ramps are located all over the city and the concrete trucks need to travel to those locations and also due to traffic control costs. Committee Member Manning asked if all the streets in the City are given a PCI number. CDBG Minutes February 20, 2013 Page 12 of 12 Mr. Tran stated he only provided a representative sample of three proposed streets this evening. Ms. Laster asked Mr. Tran to provide the Committee with a PCI sheet for each proposed project. Committee Member Manning stated that Cambridge is in poor condition, from La Veta to Chapman. Mr. Tran stated that street will be part of another annual maintenance project which will take place this spring/summer, depending on weather conditions; explained they are going to rehabilitate Cambridge, from Palmyra to La Veta; and that the stretch of roadway from Palmyra to Chapman will be part of a separate upcoming storm drain project. Committee Chair Perez stated that a power pole light is completely out and needs to be fixed at 745 Highland Street, noting the pole is in the middle of the block. With regard to the Committee’s inquiry regarding not having a chance to ask questions of the Fair Housing Council because they departed the meeting immediately following their presentation, Ms. Laster stated the City Attorney advised her that all the groups were given the same amount of time to make their presentations and answer the Committee’s questions, noting it would not be fair to the other nonprofit agencies if Fair Housing Council were allowed additional time. Ms. Laster mentioned that she hoped the final figure for the CDBG funds will be known by the March 13th Committee meeting. VI. PUBLIC COMMENT None. VII. ADJOURNMENT At 8:20 P.M. the meeting was formally adjourned.