Loading...
02-21-2018 CDBG MinutesCDBG Minutes February 20, 2018 Page 1 of 8 CITY OF ORANGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM COMMITTEE MINUTES WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2018 6:30 P.M. Weimer Room, Orange City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT STAFF PRESENT Mary-Ellen Manning Alternate David Gillanders Mary Ellen Laster Megan Penn Eva Perez Fernando Rico Janice Mickelson-Weilmuenster I.CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:47 P.M. II.APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JANUARY 31, 2018 Committee Member Rico moved, seconded by Committee Member Penn, to approve the January 31, 2018, Minutes with a change to the 6th paragraph on page 3, changing the word “Taft” to “Meats.” Motion carried, 5-0 (absent Alternate Member Gillanders) CDBG Minutes February 20, 2018 Page 2 of 8 III.FY 2018-19 CDBG FUNDING PRESENTTIONS BY CITY DEPARTMENTS AGENCY:COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT PROJECT:After School Community Programs Request funds for staff salaries and supplies Amount Requested:$43,170 Total Project Cost:$294,059 Danielle. Valadez, Recreation Services Supervisor, stated that the After-School Community Programs consist of homework assistance, tutoring and recreational activities; that the After- School Community Programs take place at Killefer, El Camino Real, and Grijalva Parks; and explained that these programs are currently transitioning from partnering with Friendly Center to the Boys and Girls Club of Orange. She explained that the City is currently in partnership with the Girls and Boys Club of Tustin for Handy Park program and that the Boy and Girls Club will be extending those services to Killefer, El Camino Real, and Grijalva Parks. Ms. Valadez explained for Committee Member Manning that the City currently contracts with the Boys and Girls Club of Tustin for the Handy Park program; mentioned that the City owns the building where the program is carried out; and noted that the City allows the Boys and Girls Club to use the building but does not provide any funding for the Handy Park program. She explained that there are now enough Orange residents participating in the Boys and Girls Club of Tustin that this group will now be able to split and become the Boys and Girls Club of Orange. She stated this program at Handy Park has been successful and added that it is for a specific age group, from grades four through six. Committee Member Rico asked if any of these parks are undergoing construction. Ms. Valadez responded that Shaffer Park is the only park currently undergoing construction. Ms. Laster asked if the Boys and Girls Club of Tustin will now be called the Boys and Girls Club of Orange. CDBG Minutes February 20, 2018 Page 3 of 8 Ms. Valadez stated that it takes approximately 80 participants to create a separate Boys and Girls Club, noting that there are now enough Orange residents to create a new club; and that the Orange branch will now be managing the Handy Park location. She stated that the Tustin branch is large enough to exist without the Orange residents and that the clubs will operate separately. Ms. Laster asked if the Boys and Girls Club of Tustin will still have a contract for Handy Park. Ms. Valadez stated the City will prepare a contract with the Boys and Girls Club of Orange for the After-School Community Programs to include Handy Park. Ms. Laster asked if the application will need to be changed. Ms. Valadez stated they will not need to change the application, stating they have never provided funding for the Handy Park activities. She added that their format will not be changing either. She stated the contract will be for the use of the building at Handy Park only, with no funding being provided. Ms. Valadez clarified that the City owns the building at Handy Park and the Presbyterian Church owns the building (on Grand Street) where the Boys and Girls Club of Orange is operating another after- school program. Committee Member Penn asked if there will be an overlap with students enrolled in the Community After-School Programs and the programs operated by the Boys and Girls Club of Orange. Ms. Valadez stated these are two different groups of kids. Committee Member Rico asked who will fund the Boys and Girls Club of Orange. Ms. Valadez stated that the national Boys and Girls Club of America helps to fund the local chapters. She added that they like the Boys and Girls Club programming format and that they will try to mirror some of their programs, noting these clubs have a good reputation and do well in communities. CDBG Minutes February 20, 2018 Page 4 of 8 AGENCY:ORANGE POLICE DEPARTMENT PROJECT:Bike Patrol Program Request funds for bike team salaries and benefits Amount Requested:$100,000 Total Project Cost:$726,470 Corporal Daniel Contreras advised that the Bike Team has met this year’s goals, focusing its efforts in areas with high drug activity. He added they are making a lot of contacts and arresting a lot of people for various charges, from warrants to drug-related offenses; and stated that the Bike Team deals mostly with narcotics activities. He added that their goals have not changed. He stated that the Bike Team has a heavy presence at the parks and libraries, making sure they are safe for families. He stated he has been with the department for 10 years and with the Bike Team for two years. Code Enforcement Officer Michelle Echeverria stated their goals have basically stayed the same as last year’s; that they easily have met and in some instances exceeded their goals; and she explained that it is hard to know what the hot spots are going to be in advance. She stated that the Bike Team has a sergeant, corporal, regular officer, code enforcement officer, and she noted they will soon get another officer on the team. Committee Member Perez asked if they have been riding in the El Modena area. Code Enforcement Officer Echeverria stated yes, and that they also ride in neighborhoods, parks, schools, libraries and along the riverbed. Committee Member Penn noted her appreciation of the Bike Team’s presence at the Farmer’s Markets. Corporal Contreras stated that they routinely like to speak with the business owners/operators to see if they can help with any problems they may be experiencing; and stated they are very proactive in speaking with members of the community. He commented on their proactive activities in the parks, noting the homeless tend to hide in the corners of the parks; and stated that the Bike Team deals so much with the homeless population that CDBG Minutes February 20, 2018 Page 5 of 8 they are on a first name basis with many in this community. He added that they not only do enforcement, but they also provide referrals to the homeless population for shelters, and mental health, drug, and alcohol services. Code Enforcement Officer Echeverria stated they are getting many calls from residents who are seeing a greater homeless presence in the neighborhoods. She noted for Committee Member Perez that they have a wonderful case worker from the County who works with the Bike Team four days a week, someone who has a wealth of resource information to provide to the community and homeless population. Committee Member Rico asked if the Bike Team gets a lot of the homeless population taking advantage of these services. Corporal Contreras stated a lot of people do not take advantage of the shelters or other resources being offered; and he stated that some of those who use these services often return to the riverbed. AGENCY:PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT PROJECT:ADA Wheelchair Access Ramps Request funds to construct sidewalk access ramps at various locations throughout the City. Direct construction costs, $215,500; Engineering and Administration, $37,500. Amount Requested: $250,000 PROJECT:Palm Avenue Street Rehabilitation Request funds to include but will not be limited to cold planing existing asphalt, asphalt concrete overlay, adjustment of manholes and water valves to grade, new curb and gutter, new sidewalk, on Palm Avenue. The project limits are from Milford Street to Handy Street. Direct construction costs, $119,646; CDBG Minutes February 20, 2018 Page 6 of 8 Engineering and Administration, $21,114. Amount Requested: $140,760 PROJECT:Maple Neighborhood Street Rehabilitation Request funds to include but will not be limited to cold planing existing asphalt, asphalt concrete overlay, sidewalks, curb and gutter, adjustment of manholes and water valves to grade. The project limits are Maple Avenue from Prospect Street to Olympia Street, Olympia Way from Spring Street to Maple Avenue, Vine Avenue from west end to Olympia Street, Shasta Street from north end to Maple Avenue and Dunas Street from north end to Maple Avenue. Direct construction costs, $261,467; Engineering and Administration,$46,141. Amount Requested: $307,608 PROJECT:Sacramento Street Rehabilitation Request funds to include but will not be limited to cold planing existing asphalt, asphalt concrete overlay, adjustment of manholes and water valves to grade, new curb and gutter, new sidewalk, on Sacramento Street from Mt. Vernon Avenue to the south end. Direct construction costs,$230,694; Engineering and Administration, $40,710. Amount Requested: $271,404 Eduardo Lopez, Senior Civil Engineer, stated that they are seeking funding to replace 50 wheelchair ramps that do not meet the most CDBG Minutes February 20, 2018 Page 7 of 8 up-to-date ADA requirements; noted that with the new requirements, there must be a four-foot landing at the top level of the ramp, a minimum 48-inches deep, and not exceed more than a five percent grade for the wheelchair ramp; and stated they also try to center the ramp with the pathway. He displayed photographs of various wheelchair ramps in the City. Mr. Lopez stated the next project they are seeking funding for is Palm Avenue, with project limits from Milford Street to Handy Street and Fern Street; advised that this street is in need of repair because of significant pavement cracking and raveling; advised that the current paving condition on Palm Avenue has a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) of 59; and he highlighted the photographs depicting the cracks at the centerline of the pavement and along the gutters and throughout the intersection. He added that they will also look at widening Palm Avenue and extend the sidewalk to join the connection to Handy Street and into the bike lanes. He mentioned that the vacant lot is owned by Orange and that this would simply be dedicated as a right-of-way. Committee Member Rico asked if the ramp improvements would be considered part of this street project or done as a completely separate project. Mr. Lopez explained that roadway improvements and ramp improvements in the same area would be considered in the same project and taken from the same project funds. Committee Member Penn asked if there are currently any plans for the vacant City-owned lot. Mr. Lopez indicated he is not aware of any current plans for that vacant lot. NOTE: Staff confirmed after the meeting that the vacant lot in question is privately owned, but the City has the right-of-way for the section of the property where the widening will be completed. Mr. Lopez stated they are seeking funding for the Maple Neighborhood Street Rehabilitation project, east of Prospect Street and north of Chapman Avenue; and advised that the PCI is 18 on Maple Avenue and in the 30’s for the remaining streets. He added that the cul-de-sacs have PCI’s in the 50’s. He explained that they will be grinding the overlay, putting pavement fabric down to prevent cracking from migrating up through the asphalt and CDBG Minutes February 20, 2018 Page 8 of 8 resetting the offsets/grades of those gutters. He mentioned that much of the damage is due to standing water; and stated they will also upgrade any wheelchair ramps that do not meet current ADA requirements. Mr. Lopez stated they are also seeking funding to rehabilitate Sacramento Street from Mt. Vernon Avenue to the south end; stated it may need to go all the way down to the natural grade and be completely rebuilt due to severe alligator cracking; and mentioned that noncompliant wheelchair ramps will also be brought into compliance. Ms. Laster pointed out that completing the Sacramento Street Rehabilitation project will be contingent on receiving adequate CDBG funding. Committee Member Rico stated it would be nice to complete the work in one area when possible to limit the impact to residents in those areas. Mr. Lopez stated they do all they can with the funding available. Mr. Lopez noted for Chairperson Mickelson-Weilmuenster that the truncated domes on the wheelchair ramps are to guide the blind. IV. PUBLIC COMMENT None V. ADJOURNMENT At 7:55 P.M. the meeting was formally adjourned.