HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/19/2014
B A K E R S F I E L D
Staff: City Council Members:
Rhonda Smiley, Assistant to the City Manager Terry Maxwell, Chair
Jacquie Sullivan
Russell Johnson
Regular Meeting of the
Legislative and Litigation Committee
of the City Council – City of Bakersfield
Monday, May 19, 2014
12:00 p.m.
City Hall North
1st Floor Conference Room A
1600 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield CA 93301
A G E N D A
1. ROLL CALL
2. ADOPT FEBRUARY 5, 2014 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
4. NEW BUSINESS
A. City Animal Control Program:
Update Regarding Spay/Neuter Efforts - Williamson / Gennaro
5. COMMITTEE COMMENTS
6. ADJOURNMENT
B A K E R S F I E L D
Committee Members:
Rhonda Smiley, Assistant to the City Manager Terry Maxwell, Chair
Jacquie Sullivan
Russell Johnson
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
LEGISLATIVE AND LITIGATION COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
12:00 p.m.
City Hall North
First Floor - Conference Room A
1600 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield CA 93301
The meeting was called to order at 12:03 P.M.
1. ROLL CALL
Committeemembers Present:
Councilmember Terry Maxwell, Chair
Councilmember Jacquie Sullivan
Councilmember Russell Johnson
Staff Present:
Alan Tandy, City Manager Virginia Gennaro, City Attorney
Rhonda Smiley, Asst. to the City Manager Tom Geddes, Associate Attorney
Caleb Blaschke, Management Assistant Andrew Cadriel, Accounting Clerk
Greg Williamson, Police Chief Brian Clayton, Police Captain
Others Present:
Mayor Harvey L Hall Theo Douglas, Bakersfield Californian
Jeff Hayward, Downtown Business Association Bob Bell, Downtown Bakersfield Develp. Corp
Scott Thackrey, KUZZ News Neda Mashayekhi, Greater Bakersfield Legal Asst.
John Marshall, Stewart Inc. Gerald Cantu, Stewart Inc.
Louis Gill, Bakersfield Homeless Center Caitlin Rearden, Channel 29 News
Chuck Dennis, KGET TV
2. ADOPT OCTOBER 21, 2013 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
Adopted as submitted
Legislative and Litigation Committee Meeting
Agenda Summary Report
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Page 2
3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
None
4. NEW BUSINESS
A. Discussion and Committee Recommendation Regarding the Feasibility of an
Ordinance to Prohibit or Limit Panhandling – Gennaro
City Attorney Virginia Gennaro provided a power point presentation summarizing
the legal issues associated with anti-panhandling ordinances, including legal
concepts surrounding the topic, illustrations of how other California municipalities
have dealt with panhandling issues, and sample ordinances from other cities. Ms.
Gennaro distributed copies of a proposed ordinance for the Committee’s review
and consideration.
Committee member Johnson requested a brief recess to acquire direction from the
City Attorney.
City Attorney Gennaro stated Committee member Johnson did not have any
conflicts of interest, as the ordinance would impact all businesses and citizens of
Bakersfield equally.
Jeff Hayward, representing the Downtown Business Association, thanked City
Attorney Gennaro for her thorough presentation. Mr. Hayward stated that the
Council should consider action to assist both downtown business owners and those
individuals who actually need services. He stated that panhandling in downtown
has grown out of control.
Bob Bell, representing Downtown Bakersfield Development Corporation
(DBDC)stated that as a business owner and Chairman of the DBDC, he has seen
two types of panhandling: the homeless beggar and the aggressive solicitor; the
latter is the main concern. Mr. Bell stated there are several resources in Bakersfield,
including the Bakersfield Homeless Center and the Mission of Kern County to assist
those in need of services.
Mayor Harvey L. Hall stated the issue has continued to grow every year for the last
five years. In order for potential businesses to locate to the downtown, a change
needs to be made to discourage panhandling and encourage safety for all
business owners and individuals visiting those businesses.
Chief of Police Greg Williamson stated there are additional issues, including
homelessness, mental health issues, substance abuse issues, and others, which are
also contributors to the rise of panhandling in the city and countywide. Any new
ordinance would need to be implemented citywide and it would be very difficult
for the Police Department to enforce.
Committee member Russell Johnson asked if the “Fill-A-Boot” campaign would be
affected and if a definition for a public transportation vehicle would be included in
the list of definitions in the proposed ordinance.
Legislative and Litigation Committee Meeting
Agenda Summary Report
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Page 3
City Attorney Gennaro stated the “Fill-A-Boot” campaign would not be affected
because a separate vehicle code exists which allows the campaign’s actions to
occur. She also stated “bus” and “public transportation vehicle” will be identified in
the list of definitions in the proposed ordinance.
Committee Chair Terry Maxwell requested that detailing false representations also
be included as an additional section in the ordinance. He also asked if
panhandling behavior is discouraged when businesses post certain signs, including
no loitering, no solicitation, and no panhandling.
City Attorney Gennaro stated that the prohibition of conduct detailing false
representations can be added to the ordinance. Police Chief Williamson stated the
effect of the signs has diminished over time as the interpretation of the First
Amendment has progressed.
Committee member Jacquie Sullivan asked if it was possible to exempt certain
organizations, such as the Salvation Army and the Girl/Boy Scouts.
City Attorney Gennaro stated the Constitution discourages such exemptions and
encourages consistency throughout. Organizations can seek permission from
private businesses to allow their campaigning efforts to take place on their
property.
Committee member Johnson made a motion to present the full Council with the
proposed ordinance, with the revisions to the definitions and the addition of
prohibiting false representations. The motion was unanimously approved.
B. Discussion and Recommendation Regarding Adoption of the 2014 Committee Meeting
Schedule - Smiley
Adopted as submitted
5. COMMITTEE COMMENTS
None
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 1:08 P.M.
cc: Honorable Mayor and Council
DOCUMENTS HANDED
OUT AT THE
COMMITTEE MEETING
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