HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/09/2013 - City Council Adjourned Meeting - City Council Study SessionREGULAR ADJOURNED/STUDY SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF COSTA MESA
April 9, 2013
The City Council of the City of Costa Mesa, California met in a Regular Adjourned/Study
Session on Tuesday, May 9, 2013 at 4:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall, 77
Fair Drive, Costa Mesa.
The meeting was called to order by the Mayor.
ROLL CALL:
Council Members Present: Mayor James M. Righeimer, Mayor Pro Tem Stephen
M. Mensinger, Council Member Sandra Genis,
Council Member Wendy Leece, Council Member Gary
Monahan
Council Members Absent: None
Officials Present: CEO Thomas R. Hatch
Assistant CEO Rick Francis
City Attorney Thomas Duarte
Deputy CEO/Economic & Develop Dir. Peter Naghavi
Public Services Director Ernesto Munoz
PUBLIC COMMENTS (01:07)
None Received.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
1. 2013-2014 Community Development Block Grant Funding (01:23)
Mike Linares, CDBG/HOME Coordinator presented a PowerPoint presentation
summarizing the report. Mr. Linares presented slides showing use of CDBG funds for
the current fiscal year including carry-over funds and a table reporting a five-year
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) expenditure history.
The report presented three options for use of the CDBG funds based on current Council
priorities including maintaining the status quo. Recommendations for the CDBG Public
Service Grants were planned for a June 2013 Council meeting.
Mayor Righeimer requested clarification on Home Investment Partnership (HOME) and
CDBG programs. Mr. Linares explained that all the charts and tables pertained to
CDBG only.
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Mayor Pro Tem Mensinger spoke on administrative costs and asked if there were any
potential cost savings if public service grant allocations were eliminated. Mr. Linares
explained that administrative costs may not change due to required reporting.
Council Member Monahan asked questions on administrative costs for public service
grants, Neighbors for Neighbors, Capital Improvement budget and the possibility that
HUD would reduce the City's grant allocation if less than 15 percent was used for public
services. Mr. Linares explained that HUD refers to the City's Consolidated Plan that
identifies the needs of the City. and the plan to meet the needs. Mr. Linares also
referred to the annual action plan and five-year plan that has shown the City to be in the
"good" category for meeting the needs.
Council Member Leece asked questions on HUD identified areas in the city and about
code enforcement. Mr. Linares indicated that that there are areas in the City, mostly on
the Westside that are identified by HUD as CDBG qualified areas. Acting Chief of Code
Enforcement, Willa Bouwens-Killeen reported that there are two code enforcement
officers for the CDBG areas and three code enforcement officers were added to focus
on motels.
Council Member Leece spoke on fair housing and stated that she preferred not to
eliminate or reduce public service grants because of the needs of residents and
potential problems if eliminated.
Council Member Genis asked questions regarding the costs for the CDBG program and
stated that she would prefer to continue the public service grants, however she would
like to focus on improving areas around Lions Park and an overall strategy to reduce
homelessness.
Council Member Monahan spoke on options presented and reductions in staffing in
HCD, loss of redevelopment and HUD allocations. Council Member Monahan also
inquired as to the effectiveness of homeless programs and the option to redirect funds
to the Neighborhood Improvement Task Force.
Discussion took place on reduced staffing and changing priorities as well as redirecting
funds to the Neighborhood Improvement Task Force, using CDBG funds in other areas
and possibly using general fund money rather than CDBG.
Council Member Leece spoke on the Neighbors for Neighbors program and the benefit
of continuing to recruit volunteers to keep the program. Council Member Leece
described programs that benefit the community and indicated a preference not to go in
a different direction.
Mayor Pro Tem Mensinger spoke on using CDBG funds for one objective rather than
three and charities and non -profits surviving without grant money from the city.
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Council Member Genis expressed her support to continue the 15 percent allocation of
CDBG funds to public services as needed and prefers the use of CDBG funds rather
than general fund dollars because of the stricter requirements for reporting, auditing and
less chance of money given to organizations that cannot meet requirements.
Mayor Righeimer spoke on efficiency of using one organization versus several and
using general fund money and reporting requirements for CDBG programs.
Discussion ensued on the Neighbors for Neighbors program, non -profits, administrative
costs, reporting requirements and the needs identified in the City's Consolidated Plan.
4. Employee of the Month
No nominations were received.
COUNCIL MEMBERS' REPORTS, COMMENTS, AND SUGGESTIONS (01:35:56)
Council Member Leece spoke on the 60th Anniversary Committee and thanked staff for
their efforts.
Mayor Pro Tem Mensinger inquired regarding the military banners and spoke of the
upcoming Mayor's Ball.
Council Member Monahan spoke on noticeable improvements due to code enforcement
efforts.
Council Member Genis spoke on the Neighbors for Neighbors program starting out with
community volunteers and the April deadline for paying property taxes.
ADJOURNMENT (01:39:07)
The Mayor adjournedtheStudy Session at 6:08 p.m.
of Costa Mesa
City Clerk of the Uity of Costa Mesa
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