HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/28/2012 - City Council - Study SessionL SPECIAL MEETING (STUDY SESSION) OF THE
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF COSTA MESA
February 28, 2012
The City Council of the City of Costa Mesa, California met in a Special Study
Session, on Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 4:32 p.m. in Council Chambers,
City Hall, 77, Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. The meeting was called to order by the
Mayor.
ROLL CALL:
Council Members Present: Mayor Gary Monahan
Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer
Council Member Wendy Leece
Council Member Steve Mensinger
Council Members Absent: Council Member Eric R. Bever
Officials Present: Chief Executive Officer Thomas R. Hatch
City Attorney Thomas Duarte
Transportation Services Manager Raja Sethuraman
Interim Development Services Director Khanh Nguyen
Finance/IT Director Bobby Young
Deputy City Attorney Elena Gerli
Neighborhood Improvement Manager Muriel Ullman
Homeless Task Force Chair Jeff Mathews
City Clerk Julie Folcik
PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Michael Craddock, Costa Mesa, spoke about problems with the homeless at the
Donald Dungan Library. (00:00:48)
2. Kathleen Eric, Costa Mesa, spoke about the residency requirements in the
Homeless Task Force proposed plan. (00:03:16)
3. Judy Berry, Costa Mesa, spoke about the homeless issue. (00:05:46)
4. Mike Berry, Costa Mesa, commented on the homeless issue. (00:07:00)
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
1. Homeless Task Force Update (00:08:31)
Homeless Task Force Chairman Jeff Mathews presented background on the formation
of the Homeless Task Force. Neighborhood Improvement Manager Muriel Ullman
spoke on the topics discussed by the Homeless Task Force as well as research,
studies, workshops and meetings with the County of Orange Social Services, Health
Care Agencies and law enforcement.
Chair Mathews presented statistics on successes since the implementation of the
Homeless Task Force — 137 arrests, 235 citations, four park rangers hired, 14 homeless
persons helped off the streets, Church Consortium coordination, residents, Costa Mesa
Police Department and staff working together, suspension of the food sharing programs,
50 storage units used by homeless, better coordination with the District Attorney's office
and the Housing and Urban Development office and cooperation by outside law
enforcement agencies.
Ms. Ullman provided an overview of the nine goals/action items the Homeless Task
Force recommended to end homelessness and stated that a housing project would only
house Costa Mesa homeless and advised that the Church Consortium's efforts to
provide the homeless with storage, mobile showers, laundry facilities and counseling
was working well.
Mayor Monahan thanked staff and the Homeless Task Force for their hard work and
asked questions about the bike rack ordinance and funding for the Lions Park project.
Council Member Leece commented on the hours the Homeless Task Force spent
discussing ideas and listening to presentations, and asked staff to research food
sharing programs, a ban on sex offenders and the bike rack issue so that families can
J
comfortably use the library. Council Member Leece complimented Laguna Beach for
coming up with a solution for housing their homeless and questioned enforcement of the
camping ordinance when the armory program is open.
Mayor Pro Tem Righeimer thanked the Homeless Task Force for their efforts and asked
questions about the Check -In Center storage facility and mobile shower at The
Crossing, the smoking ordinance, food sharing programs, and stated that he would like
Lions Park to be more useful for residents and asked if the Police Department could
look into homeless sleeping on private property and crime activity at Talbert Park.
Council Member Mensinger thanked Chair Mathews for the hard work of the Homeless
Task Force and asked staff to research costs to manage the program, provide a count
of homeless persons in the City and costs related to operating the program. Council
Member Mensinger directed CEO Hatch to address security for private property.
CEO Hatch thanked the Homeless Task Force for their hard work and stated that Costa
Mesa was doing their share of work to alleviate the homeless problem and challenged
Chair Mathews and Larry Haynes to manage costs for the program.
Chair Mathews advised that concerns are reasonable, but services alone will not clear
the Lions Park area. Ultimately, housing -based solutions are needed to end
homelessness for the community and the magnet effect would be addressed with the
residency requirement.
Ms. Ullman, Mr. Haynes, Elena Gerli, Rebecca Heyhoe and Chair Mathews responded
to questions and concerns from Council Members on bike racks, Lions Park
` improvements, and enforcement of ordinances.
Mayor Monahan left the meeting at 6:00 p.m.
2. Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Mid -Year Budget Report (01:27:46)
CEO Hatch introduced the presentation and Finance/IT Director Bobby Young provided
an overview of the mid -year budget presentation and invited the Council to ask
questions as information is presented.
Council Member Mensinger questioned the equipment replacement fund, capitol
replacements, reserves for capitol replacements and reserves for recovery of data in the
event of a disaster. Mr. Young and CEO Hatch advised that as revenues increase,
funds will be added to the Internal Rent fund and maintenance items.
Council Member Leece asked questions about systematic maintenance and repair on
vehicles and buildings and reasons for a decrease in Police Department citations. Mr.
Young advised that the City put a hold on maintenance in previous years but will be
contributing funds this year to gear up for replacements in the 2012/2013 budget and
the reduced Police citations may be attributed to a reduction in staffing.
Mr. Young provided historical data on revenues and expenditures showing improvement
for 2011 and 2012. A recent sales tax analysis indicated an 11.7 percent increase in
holiday revenue. Staff budgeted for 5.2 percent overall for this year. Mr. Young
reported that a detailed line item budget will be presented at the second meeting in
March.
The Mayor Pro Tem recessed the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
The Mayor Pro Tem reconvened the meeting at 6:35 p.m.
Mr. Young continued the presentation stating that no large increase was expected and
there are no recommended changes for the contingency account.
Mayor Pro Tem Righeimer asked questions about the five percent no longer contributed
by the Costa Mesa Fire Association members and their budget for overtime and
commented on department overtime budgets.
Mr. Young reported no recommended increases in overtime budgets and requested
council priorities for rest of the fiscal year to build into the budget during March and April
to present in May and June.
COUNCIL MEMBERS REPORTS, COMMENTS, AND SUGGESTIONS
No Council Member comments were received.
ADJOURNMENT
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7 p.m.
Mayor of the City of Costa Mesa
ATTEST:
4-4
Acting Deputy City Clerk of the
City of Costa Mesa
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j
SPECIAL MEETING (STUDY SESSION) OF THE
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF COSTA MESA
February 28, 2012
The City Council of the City of Costa Mesa, California met in a Special Study Session,
on Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 4:32 p.m. in Council Chambers, City Hall, 77, Fair
Drive, Costa Mesa. The meeting was called to order by the Mayor.
ROLL CALL:
Council Members Present: Mayor Gary Monahan
Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer
Council Member Wendy Leece
Council Member Steve Mensinger
Council Members Absent: Council Member Eric R. Bever
Officials Present: Chief Executive Officer Thomas R. Hatch
City Attorney Thomas Duarte
Transportation Services Manager Raja Sethuraman
Interim Development Services Director Khanh Nguyen
Finance/IT Director Bobby Young
Deputy City Attorney Elena Gerli
Neighborhood Improvement Manager Muriel Ullman
Homeless Task Force Chair Jeff Mathews
City Clerk Julie Folcik
PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Michael Craddock, Costa Mesa, spoke about problems with the homeless at the
Donald Dungan Library. (00:00:48)
2. Kathleen Eric, Costa Mesa, spoke about the residency requirements in the
Homeless Task Force proposed plan. (00:03:16)
3. Judy Berry, Costa Mesa, spoke about the homeless issue. (00:05:46)
4. Mike Berry, Costa Mesa, commented on the homeless issue. (00:07:00)
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
1. Homeless Task Force Update (00:08:31)
Minutes — Special Study Session Meeting — February 28, 2012 - Page 1
Homeless Task Force Chairman Jeff Mathews presented background on the formation
of the Homeless Task Force. Neighborhood Improvement Manager Muriel Ullman
spoke on the topics discussed by the Homeless Task Force as well as research,
studies, workshops and meetings with the County of Orange Social Services, Health
Care Agencies and law enforcement.
Chair Mathews presented statistics on successes since the implementation of the
Homeless Task Force —137 arrests, 235 citations, four park rangers hired, 14 homeless
persons helped off the streets, Church Consortium coordination, residents, Costa Mesa
Police Department and staff working together, suspension of the food sharing programs,
50 storage units used by homeless, better coordination with the District Attorney's office
and the Housing and Urban Development office and cooperation by outside law
enforcement agencies.
Ms. Ullman provided an overview of the nine goals/action items the Homeless Task
Force recommended to end homelessness and stated that a housing project would only
house Costa Mesa homeless and advised that the Church Consortium's efforts to
provide the homeless with storage, mobile showers, laundry facilities and counseling
was working well.
Mayor Monahan thanked staff and the Homeless Task Force for their hard work and
asked questions about the bike rack ordinance and funding for the Lions Park project.
Council Member Leece commented on the hours the Homeless Task Force spent
discussing ideas and listening to presentations, and asked staff to research food
sharing programs, a ban on sex offenders and the bike rack issue so that families can
comfortably use the library. Council Member Leece complimented Laguna Beach for
coming up with a solution for housing their homeless and questioned enforcement of the
camping ordinance when the armory program is open.
Mayor Pro Tem Righeimer thanked the Homeless Task Force for their efforts and asked
questions about the Check -In Center storage facility and mobile shower at The
Crossing, the smoking ordinance, food sharing programs, and stated that he would like
Lions Park to be more useful for residents and asked if the Police Department could
look into homeless sleeping on private property and crime activity at Talbert Park.
Council Member Mensinger thanked Chair Mathews for the hard work of the Homeless
Task Force and asked staff to research costs to manage the program, provide a count
of homeless persons in the City and costs related to operating the program. Council
Member Mensinger directed CEO Hatch to address security for private property.
CEO Hatch thanked the Homeless Task Force for their hard work and stated that Costa
Mesa was doing their share of work to alleviate the homeless problem and challenged
Chair Mathews and Larry Haynes to manage costs for the program.
Minutes — Special Study Session Meeting — February 28, 2012 - Page 2
Chair Mathews advised that concerns are reasonable, but services alone will not clear
the Lions Park area. Ultimately, housing -based solutions are needed to end
homelessness for the community and the magnet effect would be addressed with the
residency requirement.
Ms. Ullman, Mr. Haynes, Elena Gerli, Rebecca Heyhoe and Chair Mathews responded
to questions and concerns from Council Members on bike racks, Lions Park
improvements, and enforcement of ordinances.
Mayor Monahan left the meeting at 6:00 p.m.
2. Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Mid -Year Budget Report (01:27:46)
CEO Hatch introduced the presentation and Finance/IT Director Bobby Young provided
an overview of the mid -year budget presentation and invited the Council to ask
questions as information is presented.
Council Member Mensinger questioned the equipment replacement fund, capitol
replacements, reserves for capitol replacements and reserves for recovery of data in the
event of a disaster. Mr. Young and CEO Hatch advised that as revenues increase,
funds will be added to the Internal Rent fund and maintenance items.
(^I Council Member Leece asked questions about systematic maintenance and repair on
[i vehicles and buildings and reasons for a decrease in Police Department citations. Mr.
Young advised that the City put a hold on maintenance in previous years but will be
contributing funds this year to gear up for replacements in the 2012/2013 budget and
the reduced Police citations may be attributed to a reduction in staffing.
Mr. Young provided historical data on revenues and expenditures showing improvement
for 2011 and 2012. A recent sales tax analysis indicated an 11.7 percent increase in
holiday revenue. Staff budgeted for 5.2 percent overall for this year. Mr. Young
reported that a detailed line item budget will be presented at the second meeting in
March.
The Mayor Pro Tem recessed the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
The Mayor Pro Tem reconvened the meeting at 6:35 p.m.
Mr. Young continued the presentation stating that no large increase was expected and
there are no recommended changes for the contingency account.
Mayor Pro Tem Righeimer asked questions about the five percent no longer contributed
by the Costa Mesa Fire Association members and their budget for overtime and
commented on department overtime budgets.
�I
Minutes — Special Study Session Meeting — February 28, 2012 - Page 3
0
Mr. Young reported no recommended increases in overtime budgets and requested
council priorities for rest of the fiscal year to build into the budget during March and April
to present in May and June.
COUNCIL MEMBERS REPORTS, COMMENTS, AND SUGGESTIONS
No Council Member comments were received.
ADJOURNMENT
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Gary Mo Ma r
a l.'q,�
Brenda Green, Ci Clerk
Minutes — Special Study Session Meeting — February 28, 2012 - Page 4