HOMELESSNESS is one of the issues addressed in a proposed “Community Improvement Initiative” for Westminster put forth by City Councilman Sergio Contreras.

A proposed “community improvement initiative” put forth by Councilman Sergio Contreras will highlight Wednesday’s meeting of the Westminster City Council.

The council will meet at 7 p.m. in its chambers at 8200 Westminster Blvd. (east of Beach Boulevard).

Contreras is proposing a three-part program, including:

• the establishment of a pilot program with City Net – an organization that works with cities on homelessness issues – to provide support services for people living outside of conventional housing. Anaheim, Buena Park, La Habra, Santa Ana and Stanton are currently involved.
• hiring of two part-time code enforcement officers to combat blight and launch a commercial area sweep program aimed at issues such as illegal banners, abandoned shopping carts and decaying shopping centers.
• addressing “troubled businesses” with special attention paid to massage and reflexology operations so they have a more “aesthetically pleasing appearance.”

The total cost of the initiatives was put at $95,000 in a report prepared by Assistant City Manager Chet Simmons.