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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3_16_2004 - Council Minutes - Adjourned Regular MeetingAPPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON MARCH 23, 2004 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES ORANGE, CALIFORNIA OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING March 16,2004 The City Council of the City of Orange, California convened an Adjourned Regular Meeting at 5:00 p.m. in the Weimer Room, 300 E. Chapman Avenue, Orange, California. 5:00 P.M. STUDY SESSION 1. OPENING 1.2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Led by Mayor Murphy 1.3 ROLL CALL PRESENT - Ambriz, Alvarez, Mayor Murphy, Coontz, Cavecche ABSENT - None 1.4 PRESENTATIONS/ ANNOUNCEMENTS/ INTRODUCTIONS - None.2. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None.3. CONSENT CALENDAR All items on the Consent Calendar are considered routine and are enacted by one motion approving the recommended action listed on the Agenda. Any member of the City Council, staff or the public may request an item be removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion or separate action. Unless otherwise specified in the request to remove an item from the Consent Calendar, all items removed shall be considered immediately following action on the remaining items on the Consent Calendar.3.1 Declaration of City Clerk, Mary E. Murphy, declaring posting of the City Council Agenda of an Adjourned Regular Meeting of March 16, 2004 at Orange Civic Center in the north facing kiosk, Police Facility at 1107 North Batavia, and Shaffer Park; all of said locations being in the City of Orange and freely accessible to members of the public at least 72 hours before commencement of said Adjourned Regular Meeting; and also available at the City Clerk's Office and Main Library at 101 N. Center Street. ACTION: Accepted Declaration of Agenda Posting and authorized its retention as a public record in the Office ofthe City Clerk.MOTION - Cavecche SECOND - Ambriz AYES - Ambriz, Alvarez, Mayor Murphy, Coontz, Cavecche The Consent Calendar was approved as recommended. PAGE 1 T CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 16, 2004 END OF CONSENT CALENDAR 4. REPORTS FROM MAYOR MURPHY - None.5. REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS - None.6. REPORTS FROM BOARDS, COMMITTEES, AND COMMISSIONS - None.7. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS - None.8. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER 8.1 Proposed Mission Statements, Goals, Service Objectives, and Workplans by City Department for Fiscal Year 2004-05.Barbara Messick, Sr. Assistant to the City Manager, reviewed the format of the Study Session,noting this meeting is to review a draft set of goals and workplans for FY 2004-05 and that the financial aspects of the proposed budget will be reviewed at a later study session.City Council- Barbara Messick reviewed Goals and Workplans for the City Council Mayor pro tern Cavecche asked that firm dates be established for the community workshops noted in the workplan;and suggested instituting a large outreach effort to reach more people who might be interested in serving on City Boards, Committees and Commissions.Councilmember Coontz spoke on the Council Goal of supporting efforts to reduce the City's crime rate and eliminate blight and the need to enhance Code Enforcement. With the high cost of housing, she is receiving more complaints on overcrowding, which can lead to blight and cnme.She also wanted to ensure that community workshops would include other topics than fire safety and fiscal issues, which were listed as examples, and that there is as much participation as possible for these workshops.She spoke on the plan to work with community outreach programs, that the references to meetings need to be more specific.She also asked for a report on all the different aspects that pertain to the City's website; as references are made to the website in numerous department workplans.Councilmember Ambriz commented on the workplan to pursue grant opportunities for expansion ofthe Library system; and asked if funding is provided for a grant writer.The City Manager noted funding for a grant writer has not been contemplated, but staff will review that. Councilmember Ambriz asked if consideration had been gtVen to televising Planning Commission meetings. PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 16, 2004 The City Manager indicated staff will do a cost study oftelevising these meetings. Councilmember Ambriz commented on the goal to support legislation that reduces unnecessary regulations and unfunded mandates; and asked that each Councilmember be able to review letters sent to legislators before they are sent. Mayor Murphy suggested a review process for letters, noting that sometimes letters are time critical. Mayor pro tem Cavecche noted the Orange County League of Cities has a set of platforms which can be used as guideline and a starting point in reviewing legislation. Councilmember Coontz suggested a goal which emphasizes proactive participation by individual Councilmembers in working with the Library and Community Foundations. City Manager ~ Barbara Messick reviewed Goals and Workplans. Councilmember Coontz asked for a report on the issues involved with the LAFCO Municipal Service Review meetings. Mayor pro tem Cavecche expressed concern that the Council does not have any direct review of the Internal Audit function; and suggested there be a dialog on what role the Council should have with this function. The City Manager indicated staff will review the structure of the Audit functions and provide a report back to Council on both the internal and external audits and how they are related. Councilmember Coontz complimented the City Manager on the audit function, as Orange does more than most cities in this area. City Attorney - David DeBerry reviewed the Goals and Workplans.City Clerk - Mary Murphy reviewed the Goals and Workplans.Community Development - Alice Angus reviewed the Goals and Workplans.Councilmember Coontz wanted to ensure that requests from visitors to the Community Development counter were followed through and explained thoroughly by the staff; and spoke on the problem with visitors being given different interpretations to questions.PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 16, 2004 Councilmember Coontz spoke on the need for Code Enforcement, the need for a safe and livable community and the need for education in this area. There needs to be awareness of the laws governing overcrowding and better coordination between departments. Councilmember Alvarez suggested staff look at contracting for Code Enforcement on an as- needed basis, given the need to address certain problems at certain times. He asked for a plan of action in Code Enforcement for the next six months in order to get a better handle on it and be better able to respond to citizens. Councilmember Ambriz asked about affordable housing and how it was being addressed. Ms. Angus indicated affordable housing is a program that is shared with Economic Development and housing in general will be addressed as part of the General Plan. Community Services - Gary Wann reviewed Goals and Workplans Mayor pro tem Cavecche suggested working with the Orange Unified School District III reviewing joint use programs.Councilmember Ambriz asked about the Resource Center and the use of non-profit agencies in running the center; as it has been noticed that the day laborers are not using the Center as much as they should and are back out on the streets. Councilmember Coontz agreed with the need to enhance volunteer efforts for the Resource Center and that the problem with day laborers on Chapman is returning. Mr. Wann indicated they have contacted numerous non profit agencies in assisting with the Resource Center, but have not gotten any responses. Economic Development - Jim Reichert reviewed Goals and Workplans Councilmember Coontz asked for more information on the coordination and participation of the Orange Progress publication.Councilmember Ambriz asked if the amount of money for First Time Homebuyers is being increased, given the increased cost of housing.Mr. Reichert indicated they are currently reviewing several guidelines.Councilmember Ambriz asked about the new graphic identity logo. Staff indicated it was being introduced over time.Finance - Rich Jacobs reviewed Goals and Workplans PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 16, 2004 Fire - Chief Vince Bonacker reviewed Goals and Workplans Councilmember Alvarez asked for a report on the costs of the Emergency Medical Transport program. Library - Nora Jacobs reviewed Goals and Workplans Councilmember Ambriz complimented the Library staff on the work being done in getting the word out to the community on Library services.Personnel- Steven Pham reviewed Goals and Workplans Mayor pro tem Cavecche asked for a report on the costs involved with the Employee Rideshare Program.Councilmember Coontz wanted to ensure that outside maintenance crews were educated about safety regulations. Police - Chief Andy Romero reviewed Goals and Workplans Mayor pro tem Cavecche asked about the coordination of the activities of the Community Emergency Response Team ( CERT).She also wanted to ensure that the security requirements at The Block were being monitored and suggested adding a workplan to monitor the trigger requirements for security.Councilmember Alvarez asked if the Police Department was training the security personnel hired by The Block. Chief Romero indicated they were.Councilmember Coontz asked for a report with more clarification on the CERT program and an update on registered sex offenders living in Orange.Staff indicated there were no high risk sex offenders living in Orange.Councilmember Ambriz wanted to ensure the Police Department was working with local hospitals for emergency response.Councilmember Ambriz noted the environment at The Block has improved.PAGE 5 or CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 16, 2004 Public Works - Harry Thomas reviewed Goals and Workplans Mayor pro tem Cavecche asked about the graffiti removal program, as it seems some signs are looking bad again.Councilmember Alvarez asked about the water meter replacement program and the potential savings to the City if meters were replaced or ifleaks were repaired.9. LEGAL AFFAIRS - None.10. ADJOURNMENT The City Council adjourned at 7:10 p.m.MARY. HY / CITY CLERK if)tt PAGE6