Item 9-C

Council Meeting: September 22, 1998 Santa Monica, California

TO: Mayor and City Council

FROM: City Staff

SUBJECT: Recommendation That Council Review and Approve Members of the Community Advisory Committee Under the Neighborhood Livability Initiative

INTRODUCTION

This report recommends that the City Council review and approve the members of the Community Advisory Committee under the Neighborhood Livability Initiative.

BACKGROUND

At the May 12, 1998 meeting, Council approved the first phase of a initiative designed to improve community quality of life in the area bounded by 14^th Street to Stewart and Pico to Olympic Boulevards.

The initiative was the result of a public safety collaborative objective developed in fiscal years 1996-98. An Interdepartmental Team met over that period to discuss an outreach approach to enlist meaningful community involvement. It was determined that a Community Advisory Committee would be an appropriate vehicle to encourage community feedback. The team then studied neighborhoods which might serve as a pilot area for enhanced services and strategic improvements. For a multitude of reasons discussed in the attached staff report, the Pico Neighborhood was selected.

Since that time, a needs assessment survey requesting feedback on neighborhood concerns was developed and distributed to residents, businesses, service providers and schools in the area. The survey also contained an application for membership on a Community Advisory Committee. A total of 3,922 surveys in English and Spanish were distributed in person and via mail, and 319 or 8% were completed and returned. Of those, 122 respondents expressed interest in committee membership. Because of the large response, letters were sent to each requesting that they confirm their intent to participate. Letters in Spanish were sent to those who had completed the survey in Spanish.

Staff recommends that all of the 26 community members who live or work in the pilot area and who confirmed their interest in becoming members of the committee, be invited to join the committee. The group includes residents, business persons, social service providers and educators in the pilot neighborhood. They are: Loretta Bryant, Rosemary Cuadros, Jane Dawson, Katherine Demopoulos, Michele Duncan, Patrick Flanagan, George George, Kelly Greene, Daniel Hallal, Steven Keats, Michelle Maximo, Luanne McPherson, David Miller, Adam Nathan, Linda Norris, Richard Nortman, Nelle Pingree, Tom Rogers, Clara Romero, Ken Schneider, Michael Sommers, Peter Tigler, Douglas Thompson, Randy Walburger, David Whitehead, Janet Harclerode Yu.

Upon Council acceptance of the committee members, a series of meetings will be held at which committee members will review survey results and develop immediate and long term actions to address identified needs. Members will work with City department representatives, examining the services and programs available from the City and other involved agencies to meet the needs.

FISCAL/BUDGET IMPACT

None.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends that Council review and approve the members of the Community Advisory Committee under the Neighborhood Livability Initiative.

Prepared by: James T. Butts, Jr., Chief of Police

Alicia Cortrite, Deputy, City Attorney

Suzanne Frick, Director, Planning & Community Development

Walt Hard, Captain, Police Department

Katie Lichtig, Senior Management Analyst, City Manager

Jeff Mathieu, Director, Resource Management

Bob Moncrief, Housing Manager, Resource Management

Craig Perkins, Director, Environmental & Public Works Management Tracy Scruggs, Acting Human Services Manager, Community & Cultural Services

Barbara Stinchfield, Director, Community & Cultural Services

Kate Vernez, Senior Management Analyst, City Manager

Helen Albright, Senior Administrative Analyst, Police Department