Neighborhood Improvement Task Force Report

QUARTERLY REPORT CITES PROGRESS
In a press release issued today, HERE, the City of Costa Mesa informed us that the efforts of the Neighborhood Improvement Task Force, as defined by its 4th Quarter Report - a 28 page document replete with lists of accomplishments and charts and graphs - HERE, has made major inroads with so-called "problem motels" and in the broader homelessness issue within the city.

 (click on chart to enlarge for easier reading)

SOME HIGHLIGHTS
Highlights of the report include:

• 710 citations were issued citywide for violations such as drinking in public, urinating or defecating in public, and smoking in a public park.
• The city inspected 14 motels in 2013 and issued 981 citations for various municipal code violations totaling nearly $26,000 in fines.
• Among the 12 most problematic motels (in terms of calls for police and fire service), only the Ali Baba, Motel 6 (Gisler Avenue) and Regency Inn had increased in total public safety calls for service in 2013. The Ali Baba had the most significant increase at 36%. The remaining motels had decreased police calls with the La Quinta Inn and Tern Inn having the most significant drops at approximately 43% each.
• Police officers made nearly 1,700 patrol checks of Lions Park.
• City staff provided homeless persons with 194 connections to various governmental and private-sector services, including rehabilitation. 

KUDOS, BUT...
This is great news and all parties involved are to be commended.  It makes one wonder just how much more might have been accomplished if our public safety organizations had been properly staffed.

Meetings on Supportive Housing For Homeless Scheduled

WORKSHOPS SET TO CLARIFY THE ISSUE
Few issues have evoked as much public outcry and angst lately as the recent announcement of the possibility of placing so-called "supportive housing for homeless" at the site of the Civic Center Park on Fair Drive, across the street from the Costa Mesa Police Station.  Since this issue was first brought up earlier this month much inaccurate information has been swirling around the community that needs clarification.  For example, some folks got the idea that the City was planning to build an emergency shelter for the mentally ill and/or a one-stop mental health center for the entire homeless community.  Those ideas are false.

TWO MEETINGS IN TWO WEEKS, BACK-TO-BACK
As a result of that intense interest, particularly by residents of homes nearby that location, and because of the misinformation being circulated - and because time is of the essence if funding is to be acquired for the project by the end of February - two meetings have been scheduled in two weeks to provide ACCURATE information to members of the public.  These meetings, described as community workshops, will be held back-to-back in City Council Chambers at 77 Fair Drive from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 15, 2014 and Thursday, January 16, 2014.  You can read the lengthy announcement released yesterday about these meetings HERE.  Mark your calendars...

SOME HOMEWORK FOR YOU
The City Council held a study session on December 10, 2013 on this subject which included some excellent information.  You can read the staff report from that meeting HERE and view the PowerPoint presentation HERE.  I strongly recommend that those who are seriously interested in this issue take a few minutes to review those two documents as well as the announcement BEFORE attending the workshops.

TIME TO PLAN NOW...
I will remind you at least once more of these meetings, but am doing so very early to help you clear your calendars for one or the other (or both) of these important meetings.  You can get more information by contacting the City's Neighborhood Improvement Task Force hotline at 714-754-4977.

Planning Commission Wrap

AS ANTICIPATED, A SHORT MEETING LAST NIGHT
Tuesday evening the Costa Mesa Planning Commission met for its first meeting of the month.  As anticipated, it was a short meeting due to a short agenda and one of the more controversial items was shoved off to the meeting of June 24th.

MISSION STATEMENT AND MORE MEETINGS
One of the items on the Consent Calendar, the modification of the Planning Commission bylaws, took a curious turn.  This issue, which included a "Mission Statement" for the Planning Commission that included a dozen items - read it HERE - evoked such euphoria on the part of its primary sponsor, Chairman Jim Fitzpatrick, that he completely forgot to permit Public Comments before having the commission vote on it.  They did, and it passed 5-0.  Then staff reminded him - after some outcry from the audience - that he had neglected to permit public comments.  So, he invited anyone from the audience who wished to speak on the issue to do so.  Long time resident and activist Beth Refakes stepped up and told them that the list was too long - more a list of goals than a short mission statement - and she was correct.  Fitzpatrick and the other commissioners agreed and directed staff to return at the next meeting with a condensed version, then they re-voted on the remainder again, which passed again, 5-0.  Part of that vote included a decision for the Planning Commission to begin meeting twice a month again, which it will.  Ironically, this decision came at the shortest meeting in months.  We were out of there by 7:40!

NEIGHBORHOOD  IMPROVEMENT TASK FORCE UPDATE
Perhaps the most interesting part of the meeting was the report by Assistant Chief Executive Officer Rick Francis and Costa Mesa Police Lieutenant Mark Manley of the Neighborhood Improvement Task Force Update.  This item was moved to the front of the agenda because, according to Fitzpatrick, Francis and Manley had busy schedules. (?)  You can read the staff report HERE.  As you read through that staff report you'll find some very interesting information.  Francis and Manley focused on a couple of them - the "troubled motels" and sober living/rehabilitation facilities.

MANAGING MOTELS IS COSTLY
Manley quantified the impact of having to police the motels.  He told us that a dozen motels throughout the city are serious problems, accounting for extraordinary numbers of calls for service.  He told us they accounted for 1,835 calls for service in 2012 and that those calls, plus the 440 other reports taken, were responsible for over $104,000 in costs.

PAROLEES A MOVING TARGET
Vice Chairman Rob Dickson asked how many parolees reside in those motels, to which Manley responded that it's a moving target.  They come and go and that the redistribution of inmates due to Assembly Bill 109 (thank you, Governor Brown!) make isolating a specific number on a specific date difficult.  He did stress the excellent relationship the CMPD has with Orange County Probation in managing this issue.  He frequently used the term "awesome" when referring to the current enforcement climate - something he'd not seen during his long tenure on the CMPD.

CODE ENFORCEMENT
In response to a question by commissioner Colin McCarthy about the relationship of the 2nd floor code enforcement folks to the 5th floor operations, Francis told him that the two code enforcement officers that work on the 5th floor executive offices have specific targeted responsibilities, including parolees and the sober living/rehab. homes.  Costa Mesa presently has 26% of all such facilities in Orange County - much more than our fair share.

MODEL PROGRAM?
Manley emphasized the effectiveness of the Neighborhood Improvement Task Force and suggested that it could/should be the model for other cities to follow as they all grapple with similar problems.



LIONS PARK HOMELESS SITUATION IMPROVING
Included in this discussion was a mention of the improvement of Lions Park from a homelessness standpoint.  Manley and Francis - and commissioners as well - commented on how much things have improved there lately.  It was attributed to new tools available to them - the fact that there is now a place for homeless folks to park their goods safely and the availability of a mental health worker a couple days each week, for example - and the hard work of Sergeant Vic Bakkila and Officer Julian Trevino and others.  Beth Refakes related how the homelessness problem has diminished around the Historical Society building in Lions Park.  Ironically, as I drove home from the meeting I noticed a half-dozen homeless enclaves along Harbor Boulevard - shopping carts piled high with plastic bags of belongings.

COUNCIL MEETINGS TUESDAY
Tuesday brings a full agenda with the City Council, beginning at 4:30 for a Special Study Session and followed at 6:00 by a Special Council Meeting.  It's going to be a long week.  NOTE:  Both meetings will be televised LIVE this afternoon/evening on CMTV, Channel 3 on Time Warner Cable and Channel 99 on ATT U-Verse.

Homeless, Wireless, "COIN" And Fire Deals

TIME TO GET BACK TO BUSINESS
OK, folks... you're back from your long weekend away celebrating the labor of yourselves and others that has made this a great country in which to live.  Time to get back to the business at hand - the actions taken by some of your elected and appointed officials that are trying to make Costa Mesa a less-desirable and safe place to live. 
 
A NEW, STRANGE HOUR FOR THE CLOSED SESSION
First, the Costa Mesa City Council meeting of Tuesday, September 4, 2012 will commence at 4:00 with a Special Joint Closed Session of the Costa Mesa City Council and the Costa Mesa Housing Authority beginning.  Normally closed session meetings begin at 5 and are followed immediately by the regular meeting at 6 p.m, but the event previously mentioned caused the schedule shift.  This closed session has two (2) items on the agenda.  The first is a conference with CEO Tom Hatch to discuss labor negotiations.  The second, as a "joint council and housing authority meeting", apparently to deal with anticipated litigation.  Sound familiar?  It should, since we've racked up well over $2 million in legal fees since this council took over.  Anyhow, the agenda for this meeting is available for viewing HERE.  
 

HONORING OLYMPIANS
 Next, at 5 p.m. on the City Hall lawn, as mentioned in my previous post, the City will honor five Olympians with ties to Costa Mesa.  Kudos to each of them and to the City for this event. 

REGULAR MEETING BEGINS AT 6:00 P.M.
During the regular meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., there will be several items worthy of your attention.  I'll mention them in the order they appear on the agenda so you can follow along.  
 

LIQUOR LICENSE CONTROVERSY
First is the only Public Hearing on the agenda, but this one should generate some interesting discussion.  It is a "de novo" hearing for a 7-11 at 1548 Adams Avenue, where the liquor license is being transferred and the applicant wants 24/7/365 operating hours.  The Planning Commission didn't buy that and changed the hours.  The applicant is back with what amounts to a brand new hearing before the council.  You can read the staff report and all it's attachments HERE. 


ANOTHER TRY AT THIS ISSUE
Old Business #1 is the Neighborhood Improvement Task Force update.  This item was shoved off from the last meeting after members of the community, volunteers from the faith-based organizations that have a big stake in it plus a half-dozen staffers were told to go home at 11 p.m., having spent basically an entire work day waiting.  The staff report can be read HERE.  This is a pretty big deal and takes off where the Homeless Task Force left off earlier this year.  I'm not going to re-print the staff report, but will tell you that it looks like much progress is being made.  The goals established by this task force following its creation in February read as follows:

Goal 1: Reduce Homelessness
Goal 2: Improve Motel Standards
Goal 3: Minimize Nuisances from Problem Properties
Goal 4: Develop Citywide Policies and Ordinances to Improve Quality of Life
Goal 5: Better Utilize Law Enforcement Resources to Protect the Public’s Health and Safety
Take some time to read the report. 

 WIRELESS TELECOMM
Old Business #2 is the second reading of the change to the Municipal Code regarding Telecommunications Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way.  You can read that staff report HERE.  Hopefully, this will help avoid monstrosities like this "super suppository" that was erected in my neighborhood last year.

"COIN" - A GOOD START, BUT NOT ENOUGH
Old Business #3 is the second pass at Steve Mensinger's Civic Openness in Negotiations (COIN) Ordinance.  You can read that staff report HERE.  I'm not quite sure what to expect from this one because at the first reading last month Mensinger invited folks to contact him with suggestions for changes.  There is no indication in the staff report that he met with anyone or included any suggestions made by the public.  Perhaps he will enlighten us.  One thing is clear - he plans to use this as a major part of his campaign platform for his run for a legitimate council seat in November.  Before you get your shorts in a wad, no, I'm not suggesting that his presence on the council for the past 18 months has been illegitimate, but he did ONLY get three (3) votes when he was appointed.  There are many folks in the community that feel his scheme doesn't go far enough - that this "transparency" should be extended more broadly to include communications by council members and anyone else who might be trying to influence a vote - not just folks from labor.

 FIRE ORGANIZATIONS HAVE A DEAL - MAYBE
Following a short item about "resident only" parking on Ballow Lane, New Business #2 is going to be VERY interesting.  This is the discussion and vote on the Side Letters of Agreement to the existing Memorandums of Understanding between the City and the Costa Mesa Firefighters Association (CMFA) and the Costa Mesa Fire Management Association (CMFMA).  You can read the staff report HERE and the actual Side Letter for the CMFA HERE and the CMFMA HERE.  Take a few minutes to at least read the staff report.

In a nutshell, plucked right from the pages of the staff report, the CMFA agreed to six points.

1. Current employees covered by this agreement shall contribute 5% of the employee’s PERSable earnings towards their employee retirement contribution through June 30, 2017. This contribution will begin retroactive to the pay period beginning July 1, 2012.

2.The City will implement the 2%@50 CalPERS Benefit Formula for new employees. New employees covered by the 2%@50 CalPERS Benefit Formula shall contribute 9% of the employee’s PERSable earnings towards their employee retirement contribution.

3.Suspension of the RHS (Retirement Health Savings) Program - neither employee nor employer provides 1% retiree medical funding through June 30, 2017.

4.Through and including June 30, 2017, there shall be no base salary adjustments.

5.Staffing level – minimum staffing of Article 12.1 is null and void and to be replaced by Fire Department Operational Restructuring document (Exhibit A of Attachment A) prepared by the Fire Chief.

6. The there shall be no extension of the CMFA MOU expiring on June 30, 2014.

The CMFMA also agreed to six points:

1. Current employees covered by this agreement shall continue contributing 5% of the employee’s PERSable earnings towards their employee retirement contribution through June 30, 2017. This contribution will begin retroactive to the pay period beginning July 1, 2012.

2. The City will implement the 2%@50 CalPERS Benefit Formula for new employees. New employees covered by the 2%@50 CalPERS Benefit Formula shall contribute 9% of the employee’s PERSable earnings towards their employee retirement contribution.

3. Suspension of the RHS (Retirement Health Savings) Program -neither employee nor employer provides 1% retiree medical funding through June 30, 2017
.
4. Through and including June 30, 2017, there shall be no base salary adjustments.

5. Staffing level – minimum staffing is null and void and to be replaced by Fire Department Operational Restructuring document (Exhibit A of Attachment B) prepared by the Fire Chief.

6. The City’s contribution towards employees’ medical and health care benefit frozen at the 2010 level shall continue to be frozen for calendar year 2013.

HOW WILL BROWN'S PENSION REFORM PLAN IMPACT THIS?
It is unclear how these agreements will be affected by the Pension Reform deal hammered out in Sacramento late last week.  I suspect we'll find out about that during the council meeting, but you're going to have to stay late to hear about it.  Since it appears that the Fire organizations have given EVERYTHING the City negotiators has asked for, it will be interesting to see if the council approves these deals.  Without these agreements we cannot hire more firefighters nor implement Interim Fire Chief Tom Arnold's restructuring plan.

 FEET TO THE FIRE FORUM WEDNESDAY
And, just in case you're planning something special for Wednesday evening, please do not forget that the second Costa Mesa Candidate Forum - the Feet To The Fire Forum - hosted by Orange County Register columnist Barbara Venezia and her band of journalist/interrogators, will be held at the Neighborhood Community Center.  More details in a separate entry.

Busy Council Meeting Tuesday

ANOTHER BUSY EVENING TUESDAY
It looks like the next City Council meeting is going to be another full evening.  The agenda, HERE, is packed with items that will likely force some folks off their couches and into council chambers to hear - and perhaps speak - about the issues.

More or less in order, the Costa Mesa City Council will address the following items.

LEGAL FEES
In the Consent Calendar they will approve Warrant 2433, HERE, which includes a charge to contract City Attorney organization Jones and Mayer for $118,203.20.  The check was cut August 3rd, but we don't know whether this will be applied to this fiscal year or the last one.  If it's this year, we're starting off just like we finished the last one - spending at a rate that will exceed $1.4 million by July1, 2013.

SUCCESSOR AGENCY BUSINESS
Next up the council will convene as a joint meeting of the council and the successor agency to the Redevelopment Agency and will consider the successor agency budget, HERE, and the ROPS  payment schedule for monies due the successor agency, HERE and two attachments, HERE and  HERE.  This is necessary due to the State mandate that closed down all redevelopment agencies.  Another royal rip-off.

COPS/SLESF FUNDING
The first Public Hearing involves special funds for the Police Department, HERE.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS IN PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
The second Public Hearing is an ordinance regarding Telecommunication Facilities in the Public Right-of-way, HERE.  This issue was generated by the placement many months ago of such a facility about a block from my Eastside home.  As you can see from the photograph, it looks like a suppository on a stick.

CITYWIDE ALLEYWAY SURVEY
There is no Old Business presently scheduled, but several items under the New Business category.  The first is a proposal for a Citywide Alleyway Survey, HERE.
 

 CONTRACT FOR PARKS & LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE SERVICES
The second item under New Business, HERE, is the proposed contract with an outside vendor to provide Parks and Landscape Maintenance Services which, in theory, could result in annual savings of almost $1.4 million and just over $6.8 million over five years.   This contract is prohibited by the Temporary Injunction and MAY NOT be implemented until the current legal action is resolved.

TEWINKLE PARK ATHLETIC COMPLEX
The third item under New Business is the controversial project update, TeWinkle Park Athletic Complex Task Force, HERE.  I suspect this will generate much community interest.  The staff will make a presentation regarding the progress made by the Task Force and seek further direction from the council.   I've read the staff report and find many holes that remain unfilled.  This conversation should be interesting.  The item was demanded by Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer at the last council meeting - Gary Monahan, who started this whole thing, was mute.  In my opinion, we should just toss this item in the trash as a REALLY bad idea and put "professional Recreation Manager, Bob Knapp" - that's what Righeimer called him - to work finding ways to maximize the use of this facility without turning it over to an outside private concern.

NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT TASK FORCE
Next up is an update on the Neighborhood Improvement Task Force (NITF), HERE, by Assistant CEO Rick Francis.  This organization took over when the Homeless Task Force completed its mission earlier this year.  It consists of mainly government departments and has created five goals:
1 - Reduce Homelessness
2 - Improve Motel Standards
3 - Minimize Nuisances from Problem Properties
4 - Develop Citywide Policies and Ordinances to Improve Quality of Life
5 - Better Utilize Law Enforcement Resources to Protect the Public's Health and Safety.

A report on the Task Force's progress is included within the staff report.

CIVIC OPENNESS IN NEGOTIATIONS ORDINANCE (COIN)
The final item on the agenda Tuesday is a new ordinance - the Civic Openness In Negotiations Ordinance, (COIN), HERE.  If this passes I guess Costa Mesa will become a "coin-operated" city.  (Sorry - that one just cried out for that comment!)  I have no idea how this idea will be received by the various bargaining units within the city, but I imagine we may hear from their representatives Tuesday night.

ESTABLISHES A HIRED GUN NEGOTIATOR
One of the segments of this new ordinance, HERE, establishes the position of "principal representative" who will do the negotiating on behalf of the City.  According to Section 2-236, that person "1) shall not be an employee of the city, 2) shall not be a member of any retirement system providing a defined benefit to the member, and 3) shall have a demonstrated expertise in negotiating labor and employment agreements on behalf of municipalities."  Basically, this person will be a hired gun, perhaps Richard Kreisler - the lawyer we're spending thousands of dollars on now to perform this job.

NEW RULES AND FORMATS FOR REPORTING
It also establishes some new rules of the road for negotiations and the reporting of such negotiations to the Council and the public.  It also establishes a new, standardized reporting format, examples of which may be found HERE.  Until we hear the discussion on this item - including public comments - I'm not quite sure what to think about it.  On it's face it seems to be a good step in further Transparency.  We'll see.

MORE INFORMATION COMING
There has been a lot of stuff in the local media over the past couple days.  We'll get to that in a separate post.  So, this will give you something to chew on until Tuesday night.