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Special Meeting Minutes 09/26/17APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 24, 2017 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES ORANGE, CALIFORNIA SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 The City Council of the City of Orange, California convened on September 26, 2017, at 5:00 p.m. in a Special Meeting in the Council Chamber, 300 E. Chapman Avenue, Orange, California. 5:00 P.M. SESSION 1. ROLL CALL PRESENT — Alvarez, Whitaker, Smith, Murphy, Nichols ABSENT — None 2. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS — None 3. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION — The City Council recessed to Closed Session at 5:02 p.m. with all Members present. a. Conference with Labor Negotiator pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 City Negotiators: Laura Kalty, Special Counsel Employee Organizations: All Bargaining Groups and Unrepresented Employees. 4. RECESS TO SPECIAL MEETING — At 6:10 p.m. the City Council recessed from the Closed Session to a Special Meeting on Tuesday, September 26, 2017, in the Council Chamber. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6:00 P.M. SESSION SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 1. OPENING This Special Meeting of the Orange City Council was called to order by Mayor Smith at 6:10 p.m. 1.1 INVOCATION Given by Mayor Teresa E. Smith. 1.2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Led by Councilmember Kimberlee Nichols. 1.3 ROLL CALL PRESENT — Alvarez, Whitaker, Smith, Murphy, Nichols ABSENT — None 1.4 PRESENTATIONS/ ANNOUNCEMENTS/ INTRODUCTIONS — None 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS Bill Mariats — suggested installing pet waste bags and disposal containers in the Plaza. 3. CONSENT CALENDAR — None 4. REPORTS FROM MAYOR SMITH — None 5. REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS —None PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 6. REPORTS FROM BOARDS, COMMITTEES, AND COMMISSIONS — None 7. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS 7.1 Report on Homelessness in the City of Orange. City Manager Rick Otto introduced the item. He explained that the City is constantly evaluating the impacts of homelessness and, for many years, the City has been deeply involved in addressing this issue. Staff prepared a comprehensive report presented by Police Chief Tom Kisela utilizing a PowerPoint presentation. He outlined what the Police Department has been doing since the 1990s with a dedicated homeless liaison officer up to the present with the H.E.A.R.T. Patrol and Bike Team. The Orange Police Department is also involved with community businesses and neighborhoods by providing education through Neighborhood Watch and crime prevention programs, City -wide department meetings, and proactive enforcement of the laws. In addition, a private company has been hired to provide added security in City parks and libraries. Chief Kisela then described the challenges the Orange Police Department faces with the Santa Ana River area including health and safety issues, family and pets, jurisdiction, and managing the multiple agencies involved. Up until recently, the Orange County Sheriff's Department would not respond to calls for service in the Santa Ana riverbed area; Orange Police Department would handle these calls. However, at the direction of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, the Sheriff's Department has created a Homeless Task Force and began outreach on September 18. The Orange Police Department's role is now to support the Sheriff's Department in their efforts. The Orange Police Department is engaging the homeless and offering resources, supporting regional efforts, and increasing the presence of law enforcement officers adjacent to the riverbed. Chief Kisela ended by asking the community to get involved and participate in the legislative process at the state and federal levels. In particular, to change legislation that was approved by California voters that adversely impacts crime and homelessness. At the conclusion of the Chief's staff report, City Manager Otto proposed the following recommendations for City Council to consider: • establish two additional positions in the Orange Police Department dedicated solely to deal with homeless related service calls; • increase the contract with the City's private security company to enhance the level of service for patrolling the City's parks and libraries; and • create a two - member ad -hoc committee to coordinate regional communication efforts. City Manager Otto also reported that the video surveillance contract approved at the last meeting is moving forward and Hart Park, Grijalva Park, and some of the other parks that have been of concern will be the first to get the new cameras installed. In addition, staff will continue to coordinate their efforts with non - profits to address Orange's fair share of this County -wide issue. PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 7. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS (Continued) SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 City Attorney Wayne Winthers reported that he reviewed the City's Municipal Code as well as neighboring cities' codes and those of cities across the state. All cities have very similar ordinances that deal with the quality of life. One ordinance he did come across that other cities have adopted is an aggressive solicitation ordinance. However, this ordinance would require the cooperation of those that are the victims. It is difficult to prosecute without an individual victim. If directed by Council, the City Attorney can bring back an ordinance that prohibits aggressive solicitation for First Reading at the next Council meeting. During discussion, Chief Kisela answered Council's questions regarding the challenges of individuals being dropped off at UCI or St. Joseph hospitals for psychological evaluations. There are not many facilities in the area that can provide this type of service. Chief Kisela also answered questions regarding Prop 47 which redefines many felony offenses as misdemeanors and Prop 57 which noticeably reduced the prison population. Mayor Smith requested that Council vote on the aggressive solicitation ordinance before moving ahead to public speakers. MOTION — Nichols SECOND — Whitaker AYES — Alvarez, Whitaker, Smith, Murphy, Nichols Moved to direct the City Attorney to draft an ordinance prohibiting aggressive solicitation and bring it back for First Reading at the October 10, 2017, City Council meeting. Public Speakers Joseph Byrne — spoke regarding the homeless issue and the need for a regional effort. Wayne King —likes the idea of a regional coalition to address homeless issues and spoke regarding the need for one entity to take responsibility of the riverbed. Jeff Hall — suggested that the City create a citizen based committee, and requested that the City post information on the City's website regarding homelessness. Kimberly O'Neil — spoke regarding the homeless and the need for the City and County to do more. Emily Heebner — spoke regarding the homeless issue and the direct impact on her neighborhood. Dale Hartman — thanked the Police Department for their efforts, and expressed concerns that the homeless in the riverbed will move to the creek bed by the bike paths. Christopher Gonzalez — discussed using a "housing first" model to address homelessness and suggested putting together a citizen based committee. PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 7. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS (Continued) Public Speakers (Continued) Haley Strickland — discussed using a "housing first" model to address homelessness instead of criminalization and shared a personal story. Jeanine Robbins — discussed using a "housing first" model to address homelessness instead of criminalization; housing with permanent, supportive services. Susan Sonne — spoke regarding the lack of affordable housing in Orange County. Debra Bergholtz — gave the following suggestions: use trained dogs to alert police of people hiding in bushes while they patrol the parks, use the riverbed on a regular basis for community events such as walk -a -thons or bike -a -thons to ensure that it stays cleared out, and utilize the students in our community for innovative ideas and solutions. Lori Nadeau — spoke regarding the homeless and their effect on small businesses in the City, and suggested adopting loitering and camping ordinances like the City of Ontario. Matthew Cunningham — thanked the Police Department for the informative presentation, and discussed the reasons for the lack of affordable housing in California. Mike Robbins — discussed the "housing first" model as a viable solution. Rick Collins — spoke regarding the homeless acting with criminal intent and the need to protect businesses within the City from these individuals. Brad West — thanked the Police Department for their efforts and discussed the "housing first" model as the most cost effective and humane way to deal with homelessness. Lou Noble — spoke regarding the homeless issue and the need for housing like the Alfresco Gardens model. Steve Lichten — thanked the Police Department and Public Works for their efforts, and suggested that if the aggressive solicitation ordinance is adopted that residents and businesses are informed of any necessary actions required to enforce the new ordinance. City Attorney Winthers answered a question regarding the need to catalog abandoned property and maintain it for 90 days. He explained that it is necessary based on upheld federal court cases. It can be disposed of if the property is not claimed after 90 days. RECESS: The City Council took a short recess at 8:54 p.m. and reconvened at 9:08 p.m. with all members present. PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 7. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS (Continued) Chief Kisela and City Manager Otto answered Council's questions and questions asked during Public Comment. Mr. Otto reported that the City of Orange has funded over 3,000 units of affordable housing. In addition, the City has many resources available including Mary's Kitchen, shelters for women and children, and other forms of assistance provided by churches and service clubs in the City. The City will provide this information and more regarding homelessness on the City's website. Council then discussed the options for creating an ad hoc committee. After further discussion, they considered creating three separate committees. One to work directly with the County, a second to work with neighboring cities and other community activist groups, and a third to facilitate communication with the community. MOTION — Smith SECOND — Murphy AYES — Alvarez, Whitaker, Smith, Murphy, Nichols Moved to appoint Mayor pro tem Murphy and Councilmember Whitaker to the County Engagement Ad Hoc Committee, Councilmember Alvarez along with City staff members to the Community Communications Ad Hoc Committee, and Mayor Smith and Councilmember Nichols to the Cities and Non - profit Collaboration Ad Hoc Committee. MOTION — Murphy SECOND — Whitaker AYES — Alvarez, Whitaker, Smith, Murphy, Nichols Moved to establish two additional Police Officer positions to be solely responsible to respond to homeless calls for service as well as be proactive throughout the community, with the program being evaluated after the first three months to determine its effectiveness; and increase the private security contract by an additional $40,000 to enhance the private security presence at parks and libraries. 8. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER — None 9. LEGAL AFFAIRS — None 10. ITEMS RELATING TO THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY OF THE ORANGE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY — None PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 11. PUBLIC HEARINGS — None SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 The City Council recessed at 9:36 p.m. and reconvened in Closed Session with all Members present. The City Council reconvened in Open Session at 10:15 p.m. with all Members present. 12. ADJOURNMENT — There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m. The next City Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 10, 2017, at 4:30 p.m. for an Employee Recognition and the Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, with Closed Session beginning at 5:00 p.m., if necessary. PAMELA COLEMAN DEPUTY CITY CLERK TERESA E. S ITH MAYOR PAGE 7