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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/28/2012 - Study SessionSPECIAL 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 Gedi, 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: Acting Deputy City Clerk of the City of Costa Mesa 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. �I 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. 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. 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. IA- Gary Mo Ma r (�rA'r' Brenda Green, Ci Clerk Minutes — Special Study Session Meeting — February 28, 2012 - Page 4