Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/07/2008 1001DMAJW Uo �MUl»Q� Kern Count City!of Bakersfield Michael Rubio,Supervisor-Co-Chair Irma Carson, Councilmember-Co-Chair Mike Maggard,Supervisor Zack Scrivner,Councilmember Staff: Adel Klein Jacquie Sullivan,Councilmember Staff: John W.Stinson SPECIAL MEETING OF THE JOINT CITY/COUNTY STANDING COMMITTEE TO COMBAT GANG VIOLENCE February 7, 2008-10:00 a.m. Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce 1725 Eye St;Bakersfield, CA 93301 MINUTES ROLL CALL • Members Present:Rubio • Members Absent: Maggard,Carson,Scrivner,Sullivan 1. Public Presentations This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons to address the Committee on any matter not on this agenda but under the jurisdiction of the Committee. Committee members may respond briefly to statements made or questions posed. They may ask a question for clarification, make a referral to staff for factual information or request staff to report back to the Committee at a later meeting. Also, the Committee may act to direct the staff to place a matter of business on a future agenda. Please state your name and address for the record before making your presentation. SPEAKERS ARE LIMITED TO TWO MINUTES. • David Reese,Principal of Bakersfield High School,presented to the committee to provide information regarding a grant related to prevention efforts at the high school level that contribute to the community's efforts to combat gang violence. In addition to providing information regarding the grant,he requested the committee's involvement with the submission process and with future efforts to implement programs at the high school that are aligned with the committee's efforts. He requested the committee's support for this grant and emphasized the desire for the grant to serve as a concerted effort along with the goals/objectives of the committee. 2. Committee Member Announcements or Reports • Supervisor Rubio provided update on prevention/intervention efforts and status on CaIGRIP application. The State has notified applicants that awards&allocations will be determined in the next few weeks. 3. Statistics on Gang Violence Activity-Update • Both the Bakersfield Police Department and Kern County Sheriff's Department provided updates on gang activity in 2007/2008. • Chief Bill Rector offered introductory statements on the Bakersfield Police Department's update. He then introduced Deputy Joe Bianco who delivered a PowerPoint presentation that provided an overview of gang activity in Bakersfield,update on recent sting operations, and an update on the reorganization of the Special Enforcement Unit to better meet the demands of gang activity. • Keith Nelson made a few introductory comments on behalf of the Kem County Sheriffs Department. The formal update was delivered by Commander Kirk Foster. He provided an overview of gang activity in Kern County in 2007/2008 as well as updates on recent improvements made within the department's gang unit. 4. Combating Gang Violence through a Community/Business Partnership • Jan Castill with New Life Recovery provided an overview regarding this non-profit's vocational training programs,its training facility for construction training,its efforts to build homes in southeast Bakersfield,its relationship to Bakersfield College, and anecdotes demonstrating the participants' commitment to creating positive change in their lives. She emphasized the need for the business community to become more engaged with giving at- risk youth and adults a chance with employment opportunities in the community. • Supervisor Rubio then led a discussion amongst the 30+ business leaders who were present in the chamber. A few specific business leaders discussed the following: o Richard Mallard&Bob Tyner with WESTEC provided an overview of their 2-week training programs and shared experiences regarding their success with reducing recidivism within the population they serve. o Jeff Green with Grimmway Farms dispelled myths that an individual with a felony was NOT ABLE to gain employment.Mr.Green also noted that the New Life Recovery program should get connected with the Bakersfield Homeless Shelter about obtaining property in the southeast for the vocational trainees to build homes. • The following action items emerged from these discussions: • An overview of tax incentives available for business employing at-risk individuals should be provided to the Chamber of Commerce for distribution to the business community • Increase access to the Kern County Probation Department's Resource Guide • Supervisor Rubio plans to make a referral at the upcoming Board of Supervisors meeting to have County staff investigate whether or not the County can give higher priority to local businesses that bid for contracts who are employing more at-risk individuals in the community • The Bakersfield Police Department plans to link school officers to resource programs • Follow up with the Superintendent of Schools high at-risk youth programs to ensure they have easy referral system in place with newly developed mentor programs • Work with Bakersfield High School on their current grant and ensure the program's success 4. Discuss Potential Topics for Next Meeting • Feedback from attendees emphasized the logical next step in this process to better identify a streamlined path for Kern County's at-risk population to gain employment should involve a meeting with the local labor and trace union organizations. ADJOURNMENT AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (Government Code Section 54953.2) Disabled individuals who need special assistance to attend or participate in a meeting of the Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence may request assistance at the County Administrative Office, 1115 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, or by calling (661) 868-3198. Every effort will be made to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities by making meeting materials available in alternative formats. Requests for assistance should be made five(5)working days in advance wherever possible.