Community Advisory Board Minutes
March 23, 2005
Present: Paul McKairnes, Donna Zapata, Lee Dibble, Ai-Chu Wu, Don Taylor, David Johnson, Anne Hudgins, Sally Mullen, Chris Carrieri, Mike Arendt, Alby Manuel, Monica Baldenegro, Benita Kimball
Excused Absence: Nancy Wang, Sam Rosales, Bonnie Hasenbeck, Derrick Castillo, Rita Runyan
Staff: Pat Fruiht, Scott Swanson
Chairwoman Sally Mullen called the meeting to order at 5:35. As part of public appearances, Ai-Chu read a letter from a resident in the NW asking how ordinary citizens can get involved in CAB and in the decision making process. She also read an email from Dyan Foster, Executive Director, Routes for Youth, sharing a story about a young man who needed a safe place for his family after some gang related violence that he was a witness to. Deputy Chief Swanson stated he would address this issue during his presentation.
The Minutes from the February 23, 2005, meeting were approved as mailed.
GANG EDUCATION: Deputy Chief Scott Swanson
-Gang members getting younger, more sophisticated and more violent
- Auto thefts have doubled—directly attributable to gangs
- Drug dealing was increased
- Gang members are clearly connected to Mexico and Southern California
- Of the 6 murders in SR last year, 5 were gang related
- Domestic violence and violence to young women is part of the gang culture
- SR has 80% of the gang activity in the county.
Mayor Jane Bender has established the Mayors Gang Prevention Task Force and Advisory Board. She has restructured the Advisory Board to include about 30 people who all are in decision-making positions such as Superintendent of Schools, District Attorney and others. There are other opportunities for people to get involved…one of the most important things that needs to happen is to engage families and neighborhoods in schools and with their children.
Scott explained that Chief Flint is reorganizing the Police Department so that the five lieutenants will each have an area of town as their responsibility.
ACTION: Pat will invite the lieutenants to meet with the CAB and set up a time where the area reps. can sit down with their area lieutenant and share asset information, etc.
Scott shared that he was familiar with the case referenced by Dyan Foster. He said that the District Attorney had been working hard to find a safe place for this young person and his family but it was not easy getting agreement from all parties. He encouraged CAB members when they get emails from residents to be sure to check out the facts before sending the information on to others.
STRATEGY PLAN/CITY COUNCIL GOALS
Pat indicated that with the exception of Economic Development, there had not been any Strat Plan Working group meetings. Traffic is scheduled for early April and Diversity is meeting on Friday, March 25. Staff conveners were aware of CAB interest and would be contacting them.
Monica shared she had a meeting with Spanish speaking parents at Piner High School. She said their interests were more ESL classes, more teachers that spoke Spanish and more gang prevention activities.
Chris commented that he is very involved in the environmental community and is attending the Climate Protection Program on Thursday. He shared a brochure on invasive plants that he thought might be of interest.
ACTION: Staff will get 100 copies of the brochure to share with CAB members.
David Johnson reported he attended a meeting about the Children's Village in southeast Santa Rosa.
Mike Behler said he attended an Economic Development subcommittee meeting and they discussed the possibility of a minor league baseball team in Santa Rosa.
RELATIONSHIP WITH CITY/AREA MEETING OUTREACH
Thoughts that were shared:
How can we get City Council to work more closely with CAB?
It is our responsibility to get City Council involved with areas.
Develop relationship with organized neighborhoods…encourage involvement in neighborhood leaders.
Promote neighborhood leaders forum to City Council members and encourage attendance.
When something big is going on in an area, i.e., Walkable Mendocino Avenue, City Council will attend, so it is important for CAB members to communicate with Council about what is going on and what is important to attend.
ACTION: Pat will follow up on why CAB members are not receiving info about development projects within their area.
ACTION: New members need copy of neighborhood leaders mailing list.
ACTION: When CAB meets with City Council next time, be sure to place on agenda for discussion, why City Council does not see importance of some issues in southwest area.
CAB REPORTS
Anne attended the "Guess Who Is Coming To Dinner" program at Community Baptist Church.
Chris is a member of the Bicycle Advisory Board and will share information from that group as appropriate.
Ai-Chu asked if the City had ever considered taking over/back on landscaping area from small homeowners associations? She said her association would be interested in exploring this option.
ACTION: Pat will talk with staff members who are currently looking at special assessment district to see if this issue is being seriously considered as part of the discussion.
WEBSITE
The CAB expressed interest in working with Jenny Baird to create a web-based site to neighborhood organizations.
ACTION: Pat will follow up with Jenny.
ACTION: Pat will check if the "Cultivating Community" brochures is on the website.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Next Meeting: April 27, 2005