Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-18-2015 CDBG MinutesCDBG Minutes February 18, 2015 Page 1 of 7 CITY OF ORANGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM COMMITTEE MINUTES WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 6:30 P.M. Weimer Room, Orange City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT STAFF PRESENT Mary-Ellen Manning None Mary Ellen Laster Eva Perez Fernando Rico I.CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:58 P.M. II.APPROVAL OF MINUTES – FEBRUARY 11, 2015 Committee Member Perez moved, seconded by Committee Member Manning, to approve the February 11, 2015, Minutes as presented. Motion carried, 3-0. III. FUNDING PRESENTATIONS BY CITY DEPARTMENTS AGENCY:COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT PROJECT:AFTER SCHOOL RECREATION PROGRAM (AKA AFTER-SCHOOL COMMUNITY PROGRAMS) Request funds for part-time staff. Amount Requested:$43,170 Total Project Cost:$259,322 Emily Bustamante, Recreation Services Supervisor, stated that part of her responsibility is to oversee the after school program; and she distributed to the CDBG Minutes February 18, 2015 Page 2 of 7 Committee Members a flyer advertizing the after school program and some handmade cards/posters created by the children thanking this Committee for their prior support of this program. She explained that this is a free program for low- income children who live in Orange and attend the Orange Unified School District; advised that they are currently serving 350 children from the ages of 5 to 12; explained that this program has academic tutoring and recreational components; and that it provides homework assistance and provides snacks from Second Harvest. She noted that the recreation activities can include arts and crafts, various sports activities, group games, and special events; and that they have volunteers who teach various classes, such as ballet, soccer, and that there are instructors who visit each site to do a science experiment with the participants. Ms. Bustamante stated this program is important because it offers these kids a safe place after school, keeps them connected to a positive environment so they are not going home after school and getting in trouble or becoming latch key kids; and she stated this is a high priority for this department. Megan Shimada, Recreation Coordinator, stated that she manages the after school program. Committee Member Manning asked for further input on the snacks being provided by Second Harvest. Ms. Bustamante advised that Second Harvest provides healthy/nutritious snacks for the kids every day, which can consist of string cheese and a fruit; she advised that this is a grant-funded nutritional program; and noted that the food gets picked up by City staff and is then distributed to the participants and even nonparticipants under the age of 18 years of age who are on site and want a snack, noting they won’t turn any children away from having a snack. Committee Chairman Rico asked for further input on this program, as the Community Services Department is proposing to return control of the program to department staff instead of continuing to contract with Friendly Center. Ms. Bustamante stated this department has always managed this contract; and advised that City staff conducts regular site visits with Friendly Center staff management team to discuss any issues of concern and that the program is closely monitored. She confirmed that Friendly Center will no longer able to provide the recreational component of this program with its funding sources; and stated that because this program is high priority for this department, they have every intention of continuing on in the fall with the same structure that is now in place, noting that it is only a matter of who will be executing the program. She advised that the Community Services Department has several options/alternatives to consider for this program, but added that she is not aware of what those options are; and stated that the options are dependent on the City budget. She mentioned that they have requested additional funding. CDBG Minutes February 18, 2015 Page 3 of 7 Ms. Bustamante explained that there are different options that were put forth when requesting CDBG funding with various scenarios that depend on what funding is ultimately received, but reiterated she is not privy to what those scenarios are. She added that it is up to the City Manager and City Council to determine how this program will be funded. Ms. Laster noted it is her understanding the proposed budgets from all departments have been submitted to the City Manager’s office. Ms. Laster asked whether Friendly Center used to provide food for this program or Second Harvest has always provided the food. Ms. Bustamante stated that Second Harvest has always provided the food for this program. Ms. Bustamante reiterated that she is not aware of what the proposed scenarios are for this program, noting she was not involved in drafting the budget options/alternative for this program; and she stated she will have to obtain that information from her manager and forward that information to this Committee. Ms. Laster asked Ms. Bustamante to provide the budget options/alternatives to her by next week, noting that the information is necessary for this Committee to make its decision. Ms. Laster asked for clarification on who will be conducting this program, pointing out that the application indicated part-time City staff will be facilitating the program. Ms. Bustamante stated it is one of the options, noting it could be part-time staff from the Friendly Center or the Boys and Girls Club partnership, for instance. Ms. Laster stated that information will also need clarification. Committee Chairman Rico pointed out that the Orange County Register had a recent article about the Tustin Boys and Girls Club supporting Orange kids in a similar after school program. Ms. Bustamante stated that program has been in place since fall 2013, but advised that it is not funded with Orange dollars; stated that the Tustin Boys and Girls Club uses the Orange facility at Handy Park; and that they provide their own staffing for that similar after school program. Committee Member Manning asked if this department is working with that group to continue the work at Handy Park. Ms. Bustamante advised that the after school program at Handy Park is not funded with CDBG funds; and mentioned that just last week, a new director was appointed to the Tustin Boys and Girls Club and that they are looking forward to further developing this partnership and serving more recipients in the Orange CDBG Minutes February 18, 2015 Page 4 of 7 community. She reiterated that the program at Handy Park is not part of this request or alternatives; and she stated there are a lot of funding unknowns at this time for the City’s program. Ms. Bustamante added that whatever agency ultimately conducts this program, it will still be viewed as a City program even though an outside agency would execute and staff that program. Ms. Laster mentioned that three years ago, City Council decided it did not want to fund City staff to conduct this program and that the Community Services Department then subcontracted it out to the Friendly Center; and she stated that this Committee needs to determine if it is going to be feasible for the CDBG funds to be allocated Community Services for the program. Ms. Bustamante clarified for Ms. Laster that the Highlights flyer advertises that the program currently serves approximately 350 children, and that the department’s funding request shows that the program will serve 300 children, believing that is a more consistent number they know can be reached. The Committee noted their appreciation of the handmade cards. Committee Member Manning asked for clarification on what is considered professional services, as indicated in the application. Ms. Bustamante stated it is insurance costs. AGENCY:ORANGE POLICE DEPARTMENT PROJECT:Bike Patrol Program Request funds for bike team salaries and benefits. Amount Requested:$100,000 Total Project Cost:$300,000 Michele Echeverria, Code Enforcement Officer, stated that this year’s goals are similar to last year’s, with one major change being the deletion of graffiti stings; explained that they have come to believe these stings are manpower intensive, with numerous officers sitting and waiting for days to catch taggers in action, noting this action results in little return for the large number of man hours. She explained that they will now be utilizing the intelligence information they gather from the Public Works Department and graffiti hotlines, noting they know where the graffiti hotspots are located; and she stated that whether it is public or private property, the graffiti is removed as soon as possible. Officer Echeverria advised that patrols have been increased in some parks to minimize trouble spots; and she explained that the officers continue to use the Street Terrorism Enforcement Program (STEP) cards and the Field Interview (FI) Cards. CDBG Minutes February 18, 2015 Page 5 of 7 Darrin Hall, Bike Team Corporal, stated that the FI cards filled out by various officers will get processed and stored for future use by other officers/detectives when they are looking to solve a crime; explained that these cards also help to identify the migratory path of these criminals and gang members; that they are able to pull up these cards and focus their attention on potential suspects of crimes in various neighborhoods; and advised that the FI cards contain a lot of useful information, such as contact information, name and addresses, birth date, ID card number, physical description, license numbers, clothing, contact information, vehicle description, damage to the vehicle, whether they were the driver or passenger in a vehicle at the time the FI card was created, whether they are on parole, probation officer’s name, arrest record/history, drug usage, thumb print, friends/associates, gang affiliation, whether a STEP card has previously been filled out on them, scars, and tattoos. He stated that a lot of these criminals are transient in nature, moving from place to place all the time, and that the officers are able to match time, place and descriptions to help them solve crimes. Officer Echeverria stated that while the FI card is small, it is a valuable tool for the entire police department and that it is frequently used. Darlene Chandler, Senior Administrative Analyst, stated that all the data on the FI cards is entered into the records management system, which is not only available to the Orange Police Department, but also is part of a larger Countywide program called CopLink. Officer Hall stated that CopLink has the capability to cross-reference any information identified on these FI cards throughout the County; and he noted that he places the suspect’s thumb print on the FI cards, stating they usually will give their thumb print without any argument. He stated that they also ask for social security numbers for these cards; and he mentioned that anyone who has obtained a California driver’s license has given their thumb print. Officer Echeverria stated that for this current fiscal year, the application indicated they will complete 60 FI cards and 50 FI cards for the upcoming fiscal year; advised that they have already filled out 85 of the FI cards in the CDBG areas this fiscal year; and explained that these numbers are merely guideline numbers and that they typically fill out a lot more FI cards than proposed, noting they are likely to fill out 100 in this current fiscal year. Committee Chairman Rico stated he has seen a decrease in graffiti in the neighborhoods near Cambridge and Chapman. Officer Echeverria stated that the Public Works Department does an excellent job of finding the tagged properties and getting rid of the graffiti quickly on public property; explained that the Public Works Department has cameras that use GPS to pinpoint the location of the graffiti, the measurement/size of the area tagged, and takes pictures of the graffiti; and that this information is shared with a CDBG Minutes February 18, 2015 Page 6 of 7 Countywide network called TAGRS (Tracking and Automated Graffiti Reporting System), which shares graffiti photos Countywide. She added that when enough evidence has been collected on one tagger from all these cities, they are able to seek a felony conviction as opposed to a misdemeanor. She stated that this also includes private property, noting the property owners are advised to report the incident and take a picture of the graffiti before they paint over the graffiti; and mentioned that she is in contact both by phone and by email with property owners who regularly get tagged so the graffiti can be promptly removed. Officer Hall noted for Committee Member Manning that there are currently three bike team members, noting that because of the poor economy, it has been reduced from the original seven-member team. Officer Echeverria pointed out that the bike team is small but mighty. She added that the bike team does use the bike paths down the riverbed; and she noted how easily the bike team can ride up on unsuspecting criminal activity taking place. AGENCY:PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT PROJECT:Highland Neighborhood Streets and Alleys Request funds for construction, engineering, and administration costs. Amount Requested:$481,163 Total Project Cost:$481,163 Paul Tran, Associate Civil Engineer, stated that this year they narrowed down their applications to two, combining the six streets and alleyways in the same Highland neighborhood; and stated that they plan to do approximately $250,000 worth of ADA wheelchair ramps, approximately 50 ramps, depending on the bids. He distributed to the Committee Members photographs of the proposed streets/alleyways for the CDBG funding. Mr. Tran highlighted the following proposed street improvement projects: Del Mar Avenue, from Park Lane to Highland Street, with a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) of 49; North Alley Grove, from Grove Avenue to Highland Street, with a PCI of 44, noting that the driveway apron is very bad; Alley Highland, from Highland Street to Highland Street, with a PCI of 36, noting this alley is between Highland Street and the 55 Freeway and explained that it begins and ends on Highland; CDBG Minutes February 18, 2015 Page 7 of 7 South Alley Grove, from Grove Avenue to Highland Street, with a PCI of 16, noting this is the worst alley in the series; and noted that heavy trucks use this alleyway to empty the heavy trash dumpsters; Grove Avenue, from Tustin Street to Highland Street, with a PCI of 38, noting that the driveway apron will also be improved; and Park Lane, from Meats Avenue to Del Mar Avenue, with a PCI of 31. Committee Chairman Rico asked if they will be using asphalt or concrete. Mr. Tran explained that they will be doing a combination of asphalt and concrete, curb and gutters, and driveway aprons; explained that the inspectors will visit the sites and mark the damaged areas to show exactly where the damage exists; and noted that some very bad areas will have entire sections removed/replaced, which is called localized dig-outs. He stated that most of the areas will have an overlay. Mr. Tran highlighted the last page of the handout, noting it is a copy of the latest PCI ranges; and explained that it is slightly different from the past ranges because a new consultant updated the PCI report last May. Mr. Tran added that they plan to do more ADA wheelchair ramps this year. He noted for Committee Chairman Rico that these projects will not start until next year, noting they are still working on the 2013-14 projects. IV. PUBLIC COMMENT None. V.ADJOURNMENT At 8:17 P.M. the meeting was formally adjourned.