HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/18/2006 B A K E R S F I E L D
Zack Scrivner, Chair
Sue Benham
David Couch
Staff: Alan Christensen
MEETING NOTICE
LEGISLATIVE AND LITIGATION COMMITTEE
of the City Council - City of Bakersfield
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
1:00 p.m.
City Manager's Conference Room
Second Floor - City Hall, Suite 201
1501 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA
AGENDA
1. ROLL CALL
2. ADOPT JUNE 20, 2006 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
4. NEW BUSINESS
A. Committee recommendation on City voting delegate and alternate to the
League of California Cities Annual Conference - Christensen
B. Review and Committee recommendation on cost recovery for Noise
Complaints/Cool Parents Ordinance - Gennaro
5. DEFERRED BUSINESS
A. Review and Committee recommendation on City Annexation Policy -
Christensen
6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS
7. ADJOURNMENT
AFT
B A K E R S FI EL D'
~ack Scrivner, Chair
Staff: Alan Christensen Sue Benham
For: Alan Tandy, City Manager David Couch
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
LEGISLATIVE AND LITIGATION COMMITTEE MEETING
TueSday, June 20, 2006 - 1:00 p.m.
City Manager's Conference Room, Suite 201
Second Floor- City Hall, 1501 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA
1. ROLL CALL
Called to Order at 1:03 p.m.
Present: Councilmembers Zack Scrivner, Chair; Sue Benham; and David Couch
2. ADOPT MAY 16, 2006 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
Adopted as submitted.
3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
4. NEW BUSINESS
A. Review and Committee recommendation on 2006 Legislative Platform
Assistant City Manager Alan Chdstensen' proVided an' overview of the
information in the Committee packet. The Legislative Platform is a policy
document the Council updates and adopts annually. It provides guidelines for
legislation the Council would like to support.
The Committee. reviewed the*draft update provided by staff in the Committee
packet and recommended the following changes to the Legislative Platform:.
Under GENERAL POLICY STATEMENTS add the following:
SUPPORT LEGISLATION WHICH ENSURES A GOOD, CLEAN, HiGH-QUALITY WATER
SUPPLY.
LEGISLATIVE AND LITIGATION COMMITTEE Page 2
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Under QUALITY OF LIFE add the following:.'
SuPPoRT LEGISLATION WHICH ENSURES THAT KERN RIVER WATER REMAINS IN THE
AREA, AND OPPOSE EFFORTS TO EXPORT IT OUT OF THE COUNTY OF KERN.
Committee Member Sue'Benham made a motion to recommend the above
changes and to forward the 2006 Legislative Platform to the City Council. The
Committee unanimously apprOved the motion.
5. DEFERRED BUSINESS
A. Review and Committee recommendation on City Annexation Policy
Assistant City Manager Alan christensen provided an update: Last year staff
brought to the Committee a recommendation to modify and streamline the
current annexation policy. This request was based upon the length of time it
took .for the City's most recent inhabited annexations where the residents
wanted to come into the City.
Changes to State Law have placed the legal responsibility for the annexation
process and hearings with the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO).
LAFCO has now put their policies in place, which also add to the timeline.
. The draft documents prepared by Barbara Fields, Barbara Fowler and Becky
Kaiser were also included in the Committee packet. Staff expressed the
changes they are proposing will add processes requiring additional staff time
and lengthening the timelines for the pre-annexation process.
City Attorney Ginny Gennaro gave an opinion from a legal prospective, which
did not agree with staff's request to streamline the process. The
recommendation of the City Attorney's Office was that Resolution 092-02 be
repealed in its entirety and not considered for modification. Any policy the City
Council adopts that extends beyond the requirements of State law affords the
potential for litigation should any of the steps be missed--regardless of intent.
The City Attorney stated to her knowledge other cities in California simply follow
State law. State law no longer requires cities to have responsibility in the pre-
annexation process. LAFCO is now responsible and all of the public headngs
and noticing requirements originate with LAFCO. The City Council would still
have State law to guide the City, as well as the Annexation Mission Statement
and Council Goals and Policies. Having a written resolution (policy) other than
State law leaves the City open for a diSgruntled person to perceive the City did
'not follow its policy and file a lawsuit.
Barbara Fields, Barbara Fowler, and Becky Kaiser spoke in support of their
proposed policy and related documents, and in opposition to the City's policy.
LEGISLATIVE AND LITIGATION COMMITTEE Page 3
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Committee Member Sue Benham spoke in support of commUnity involvement.
However, as the City Attorney gives excellent advice, Committee Member
Benham made a motion to support the recommendation of the City Attorney
and expressed the City should not overlay State law with a local policy, and the
City's policy should be to follow State law.
City Manager Alan Tandy explained following State law does not preclude the
Councilmember for the area from requesting staff to set up public meetings and
provide information for the residents in the proposed annexation area.
Committee Member David Couch expressed he would not want to go forward
with any policy until the Chief Officer of LAFCO provided his opinion on the City
having a pre-annexation policy. He would like staff to provide the Committee
with LAFCO's policy for a comparison with the CitY's policy.
Committee Member Sue Benham withdrew her motion and requested staff to
check with LAFCO and requested the City Attorney to confirm that Bakersfield
is unique with its policy and also that it does oveday State law even if the time
frames are different.
Committee Member Sue Benham expressed perhaps the advocacy from the
County residents should be directed toward State law and LAFCO if current.law
does not protect residents in the' annexation Process.
Committee Member David Couch asked for a change in the Annexation Mission
Statement. On bullet four, change "will be in the most hbnorable" to "will be in
an honorable."
Committee Chair Zack Scrivner asked staff to research the requested
information and bring it back to the Committee.
6. COMITTEE COMMENTS
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting Was adjourned at 2:10 p.m.
Staff: City Manager Alan Tandy; Assistant City Manager Alan Christensen; City
Attorney Ginny Gennaro; Police Captain Tim Taylor;, City Clerk Pam McCarthy; and
Assistant City Clerk Roberta Gafford
Others present: Fred Hupp; Barbara J. Fields; Barbara Fowler; Becky Kaiser; Erin
Kaiser; George Martin, Attorney at Law; and David Burger, reporter, The Bakersfield
Californian
cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council ·
S:~AC~06 Legislative&Litlgation\LL 06 jun 20 summary, doc
B A K E R S F I E L D
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
MEMORANDUM
July 10, 2006
TO: LEGISLATIVE AND LITIGATION COMMITTEE
CHRISTENSEN, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER/~..
FROM:
ALAN
SUBJECT: CITY VOTING DELEGATE AND ALTERNATE TO LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA
CITIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Each year the League of California Cities holds an annual conference for which cities are
asked to select a Voting Delegate and Alternate. The Voting Delegate and Altemate are
elected leaders or administrative staff appointed by the City Council after recommendation by
the Legislative and Litigation Committee.
This year the League Annual Conference is scheduled for September 6 - 8, 2006 in San
Diego. As resolutions setting League policy direction for the upcoming year are considered
during the General Assembly at the Annual Business Meeting, it is especially important for the
City to have a Delegate and/or Alternate present. The League's Concluding General
Session/General Assembly and Annual Business Meeting will be on Saturday morning,
September 9th,
Staff recommends appointing a City Councilmember attending the conference as voting
delegate and Alan Tandy'as altemate.
Recommendations from the Legislative and Litigation Committee will be placed on the City
Council's July 19th agenda for approval and will be forwarded to the League.
cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council
Alan Tandy, City Manager
John W. Stinson, Assistant City Manager
Pam McCarthy, City Clerk
Rhonda Smiley, Public Information Officer
S:~AC\06 Legislative&Litigation\MemoVoting DelegateandAItemate.doc
4oo ,: ST, ,,T LEAGUE
Sa. cremora'O, CA 95814
(916) 658-8200 OF CALIFORN IA
June 7, 2006
TO: Mayors, City Managers and City Clerks
RE: Designation of Voting :Delegate and Alternate.fOr 2006 Leagne
Anun~l Conference - ~eptember 6-~, Sau Diego
Please review this memo carefully, as new procedures have been adopted regarding
designation of voting delegates and alternates and voting at the Annual Conference.
The League's 2006 Annual Conference is scheduled for September 6-9 in San Diego. An
important part of the Annual Conference is the Annual Business Meeting, scheduled for Saturday
morning, September 9. At this meeting, the League membership considers and takes action on
resolutions that establish League policy.
In order to vote at the Annual Business Meeting your city council must designate a voting
delegate and may designate a voting delegate altemate.
Please complete the attached voting delegate form and return it to the League's office no
later than August 15 so that voting delegate/alternate records may be established prior to
the conference. At the conference, voting delegate forms may be returned to the Voting
Delegate desk located 'in the conference registration area.
Please note the following procedures that are intended to ensure the integrity of the voting
process at the Annual Business Meeting.
· Action by Council Required. Consistent with League bylaws, a city's voting delegate
and alternate must be designated by the city council. When completing the attached
voting delegate form, please attach either a copy of the council resolution that reflects the
council action taken, or, have your city clerk or mayor sign the form affirming that the
" names provided are those selected by the city council. Please note that designating the
voting delegate and alternate must be done by city council action and cannot be
accomplished by individual action of the mayor alone.
· Conference Registration Required. The voting delegate and alternate must be
registered to' attend the conference, At least one must be present at the Business Meeting
and in possession of voting card in order to cast a vote.
· Transferring Voting Card to Non-Designated Individuals Not Allowed. The voting
card may be transferred freely between the voting delegate and alternate, but only
between the voting delegate and alternate. If the voting delegate and alternate find
themselves unable to attend the Business Meeting, they may not transfer the voting card
to another city official.
-over-
· Options. In order to plan ahead for such situations, we suggest that when your council
adopts the initial resolution designating the voting delegate and alternate that they also
designate in a separate action, a seconal'alternate, should one be needed. Verification of
the appropriate city council action to designate the additional alternate should be used by
the individual when requesting new alternate status at the voting desk. (Please note: A
League bylaws change will be proposed at this .year's conference to increase the number
of alternates to two. However, if enacted, such a change will not go into effect until the
2007 conference.)
· New Seating Protocol during General Assembly; At the Business Meeting, individuals
· with the voting card will sit in a separate area; Admission to this area will be limited to
those individuals with a special stamp on their name badge identifying them as a voting
delegate or altemate. If the voting delegate and alternate wish to sit together, both should
sign in at the Voting Delegate desk and obtain the special stamps on their badges.
The voting procedures that will be used at the conference are attached to this memo. Please share
them with your council and especially with the individuals your council designates as your city's
voting delegate and alternate.
The Voting Delegate desk in the registration area will be open September 6, 7 and 8 and prior to
the Business Meeting on September 9. The Voting Delegate desk will also be open at the
Business Meeting, but not during a roll call vote, should one be undertaken.
Once again, thank you for completing the voting delegate and alternate form and returning it to
the League office by August 15, 2006. If you have questions, please call Debbie Kinsey at
(9.16) 658-8221.
Attachments: · 2006 Annual Conference Voting Procedures
· Voting Delegate/Altemate Form
~ ~,F~L i?O'U~ ~ 1400 K Street, Suite 400 · Sacramento, Califomia 95814
. Phone: 916.658.8200 Fax: 916.658.8240
www~cacities.org
CITIES
Annual Conference Voting Procedures
2006 Annual Conference
1. One City One Vote. Each member city has a right to east one vote on matters pertaining to
· League policy.
2. Designating a City Voting Representative. Prior to the Annual Conference, each city
council designates a voting delegate and an alternate; these individuals are identified in the
Voting Delegate Form provided to the League Credentials Committee.
3. Registering with the Credentials Committee. The voting delegate, or alternate, may pick
up the city's voting card at the voting card desk in the conference registration area.
4. Signing Initiated ResolUtion Petitions. Only those individuals registered and with
signatures on file with the Credentials Committee may sign petitions to initiate a resolution.
5. Voting. To cast the city's vote, a city official must have in.his or her possession the city's
voting card and be registered with the Credentials Committee.
6. New Voting Area at Business Meeting. At the Business Meeting, individuals with the
voting card will sit in a separate area. AdmiSsion will be limited to those individuals with a
special stamp on their'name badge identifying them as a voting delegate or altematel If the
voting delegate and alternate wish to sit together,, both should sign in at the Voting Delegate
desk and obtain the special stamps on their badges.
7. Resolving Disputes. In case of dispute, the Credentials Committee will deten'nine the
validity of signatures on petitioned resOlutions and the right of a city official to vote at the
Business Meeting.
OF C~L! FOl~'q LA.CITY:·
CITIES
2006 ANNUAL CONFERENCE'
VOTING DELEGATE/ALTERNATE FORM
Please complete this form and return it to the Leagueofficeby August 15, 2006, Forms'not
sent by this deadline may be returned, to the VOtingD~legate Desk located in the AnnUal
Conference RegistratiOn Area.
In order to vote at the Annual BUSiness Meeting, vOting delegates and alternates must be
designated by your cityComiCii. Please attach the:.c6~ei;l.~/es0.1ution aSproof0fd~ignation.. As
an alternative, the Mayor or City Clerk may sign this. f0rm~ affirming that' thi~'designafion reflects
the action taken by the council.
Please note: At this year's conference, voting delegates and alternates will be seated in a
separate area at the Annual Business Meeting. Admission .to this special area will be limited to
individuals (voting delegates and alternates) who are identified with a special stamp on their
conference badge. If your city's voting delegate and alternate wish to sit. together at the Business
Meeting, they are both encouraged to register at the:voting Desk.in order' to ob~ain the
identifying stamp that will admit them to .the special' voting area:
1. VOTING DELEGATE 2. VOTING DELEGATE ALTERNATE
Name: Name:
Title: Title:
ATTEST 0 affirm'that the information' pr0vided' reflects 'actiOn' b' the city cOunCil to
desi~ate .the Voting d~egate .an d.alte~ate.) ~
Name: Phone:
Title: Date:
Please complete.and'return by August 15 to:
League of California Cities
ATTN: Debbie Kinsey FAX: (916) 658-8240
1400 K Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
A C-'2006Vo~i~gDeleg~ mLe~er, doc
B A K E 'R S.F I E L D
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTO'RNEY
MEMORANDUM
July 6, 2006
TO: LEGISLATIVE AND LITIGATION'COMMITTEE
viRGiNiA'' ATT EYe. ~~
FROM:
GENNARO, CITY __OR.
· SUBJECT: COST RECOVERy'I COOL PARENT / ORDINANACE COMPAIRISON
At the preVious Legislative and Litigation meeting, the Committee requested that the
City Attomey's office compare our cost recovery ordinance (as it concems noise), to other
cities. In response, please find attached a memorandum on the subject. The bottom line
is that our ordinance is very well structured; however, the Committee may desire to change
our ordinance to allow more oPportunity for cost recovery. (ie., four times in a 30 day
period results in cost recovery vs.' two times in 12 hours).
· Also, our office was asked to review the Ventura ordinance and the proposed Kern
County "Cool Parents" ordinance. A comparison is also attached to this memo for the
Committee's review and possible direction.
VG:do
S:\COUNClL\C°mmittee~eg & LlfiO6-O7~Cost Recovery. doc
MEMORANDUM
CITY A 1-rORNEY'$ OFFICE
July 6, 2006
TO: VIRGINIA GENNARO, CITY ATTORNEY
FROM: Andrew Whang, Associate City Attorney
SUBJECT: Cost Recovery for Noise Complaint Calls: Comparison Chart Comments
Question Presented:
When police respond to multiple noise complaint calls, current Bakersfield Municipal
Code ordinances allow for those responsible to be fined and assessed a service fee to
reimburse the City for its costs. How do the Bakersfield Municipal Code ordinances
compare with the municipal ordinances of the ten survey cities to which Bakersfield is
commonly compared?
Short Answer:
See the attached chart (3 pages) and the copy of the memo from Captain Tim Taylor
(dated May ~24, 2006) describing Bakersfield's current procedures for enforcing existing
ordinances.
· Comments: -.
Bakersfield's ordinances pertaining to loud and unruly events are well structured and
detailed in comparison to the ordinances of the ten survey cities. In comparing the
ordinances, two general differences can be seen:
1) The Bakersfield Municipal Code addresses loud or unruly events in a specific
section of its code, and addresses noise as a nuisance in a different section. In
contrast, most of the other survey cities address noise generally (the only
exception is Ontario, which has a section specifically addressing "large parties on
Private property.") Consequently, some of the survey cities (e.g. Fresno) prohibit
noise generated by mechanical equipment or amplified sound systems (radios, CD
players, Speakers), but do not address noise generated by 'human activity.
2) Bakersfield specifically defines the procedures for giving notice before charging a
service fee for its costs.. Other survey city ordinances generally do not specify a
time period in which the individuals responsible for a noisy event become subject
to a fee for city costs. Instead, they simply state that a written warning must be
given first, after which subsequent responses may result in a fee. (See the "Notice
Virginia Gennaro, City Attorney
Cost Recovery for Noise Complaint
July 6, 2006
Page 2
and Timing Provisions" comments below for the three cities that do specify a time
pedod.)
We have submitted for the committee's consideration a revision of the Bakersfield
ordinances that would allow civil liability to be imposed when city police or fire department
personnel respond either four times within thirty days to the same address for loud or unruly
events or twice within a twelve hour pedod (as is the current policy). This proposed change
would address the potential problem of a location that hOlds loud or unruly events on a
weekly basis (for instance every Saturday night), but which does not hold events that last
twelve hours or back to back.
Further comments on each row of the attached chart are discussed below.
Notice and Timin,q Provision~
Most of the survey cities require a wdtten warning to be given to a responsible person
at the property where the noise is being generated before a subsequent response may
include the penalty, whether.
Other than Bakersfield, only 3 other cities specify time periods where further violations
of the relevant code sections lead to penalties or costs:
· Modesto states that civil penalties (including "administrative costs") are only
applicable when there are more than 5 calls within a 90 day period.
· Riverside states that there must b® a written Notice to Abate with a deadline of no
less than 10 days for abatement of the nuisance.
· Stockton. states that if there are three or more civil or cdminal judgments within a
two year Period, a court may impose treble the costs of the abatement.
Punishment
Some cities allow any noise violation to be charged as a misdemeanor or an infraction,
while others consider any violation not specifically defined as an infraction to be a
misdemeanor. Most of the entdeS list the general misdemeanor punishment for violation of
any city ordinance. The actual cdminal punishments and the actual amounts paid in fines for
noise ordinance violations are unknown.
Oxnard and Pasadena, on the other hand, specifically list their maximum fines and jail
sentences associated with noise violations in the code sections that address noise.
Virginia Gennaro, City Attorney
Cost Recovery for Noise Complaint
July 6, 2006
,Page 3
Cost Recovery Provisions
Many of the survey cities do not directly tie noise complaints to 'their cost recovery
procedures. Instead, noise is treated' as one of a number of types of nuisances, any of which
can be addresSed through abatement proceedings,'as well as accompanying cost recovery
procedures.
FOr example, the Pasadena Municipal Code sections addressing noise do not address
cost recovery directly. However, a general provision in their Code states that '~he property
owner or other responsible party may be charged for all city costs and incidental expenses
incurred in abating violations of this code."
Since unlawful noise is a violation of the code, those responsible can be charged for
the city costs invOlved under that provision, but whether Pasadena actually does so (or how
frequently it does so) is unknown.
The same uncertainty applies to most of the survey cities.
AW:do
Attachments
S:~POLICE\MEMOS\05-0$~Cost Recovery for Noise~Cost Recovery for Noise Memo.doc
Noise Ordinance Violations of Bakersfield and 10 Survey Cities
Bakersfield Fremont I Fresno I Glendale
Notice &Timing
Provisions
During the first response to a Written notice of any violation of the
nuisance (which includes noise), municipal code must be provided
the senior police officer on the first, which must include a deadline.
scene must deliver a written After this deadline has passed,
notice to at least one person. A administrative fees apply to the
second or subsequent service second inspection and all other follow,
response to a social gathering mai up inspections. (General nuisance
result in criminal penalties, procedure) .
Parents have joint and several
liability if their minor children are
responsible for the nuisance.
Punishment
Fine ~ $1000 per violation Fine < $500, and/or < 6 months jail
nuisances generally) Injunctions may also be imposed.
(general for many code violations)
Cost recovery
provisions
General abatement cost General abatement cost
recovery provisions appear recovery provisions appear~
to be intended for to be intended for
building code enforcement, building code enforcement,
but may also be applicable but may also be applicable
to noise, to noise.
Ordinances
Fremont Municipal Code Glendale Municipal Code
Sec. 3-17105 Sec. 8.36.160
Sec. 3-17115 Sec. 8.36.280
Sec. 3-17120 Sec. 8.36.300
Sec. 3-17130 Sec. 2.90.040 et seq
Sec. 4-9105 et seq
(general abatement cost recovery)
Page I of 3
Noise Ordinance Violations of Bakersfield'and 10 SurveY Cities '~
IModesto IOntario IOxnard IPasadena
Notice &Timing
Provisions
For a second or subsequent cell to a No provisions for notice are stated
large party, after a written warning is in the municipal code.
given, a police services fee may be
imposed. If the person responsible for
the large party is a minor, then the
or guardians of that minor will
~ and severally liable for the
fee.
Punishment
Police services fee < $500 unless Fine < $1000, and/or < 1 year jail
there is injury to a police officer (specific to noise violations)
or damage to City property. Each day cen be a separate
Each day can be a separate violation.
violation. Injunctions may also be sought.
Cost recovery
provisions
The "police services fee" includes Costs or expenses for which the
a charge of $75 per hour per police city may be reimbursed accrue
officer, plus any medicel costs and. at the time the city first receives
City property or equipment damage, a complaint and are recoverable
Personnel costs are limited to $500. even if corrected before a
nuisance abatement hearing
Ordinances!
Ontario Municipal Code Pasadena Municipal Code
Sec. 4-12.02 Sec. 9.36.250
Sec. 4-12.03 Sec. 9.36.260
Sec. 4-12.04 Sec. 1.30.030
Sec. 4-12.05
Page 2 of 3
Noise Ordinance Violations of Bakersfield and 10 Survey Cities
Riverside San Bemardino IStockton
I
Notice &Timing
Provisions
--- No provisions for notice are stated
in the municipal code.
Punishment
Infraction: 1st offense: fine
< $100; a 2nd offense within
1 yr: fine < $200; further offenses
within I yr: fine < $500; a 4th
violation can be a misdemeanor
< $1000; and/or 6 months
Cost recovery
provisions
In addition to the above, the
court may order the guilty
party to reimburse City costs
of investigating, analyzing,
and prosecuting the enforcement
action against the guilty party
Ordinancesi submission of proof of costs.
San Bernardino Municipal Code
Sec. 9.48.010
Sec. 9.48.020
Sec. 9.48.030
Sec. 9.48.050
Sec. 1.12.010
Page 3 of 3
REDLINED
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF BAKERSFIELD AMENDING
CHAPTER 9.23 OF THE ~BAKERSFIELD
MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO LOUD
AND UNRULY EVENTS.
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Bakersfield as follows:
SECTION 1.
Chapter 9.23 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as
follows:
Chapter 9,23 ASSESSMENT OF SERVICE FEE FOR COSTS FOR LOUD OR
UNRULY EVENTS
Sections:
9.23.010 Definitions.
9.23.020 Findings.
9,23.030 Loud or unruly events defined,
9.23.040 Persons responsible for a loud or unruly event.
9.23,050 Civil liability for the costs of a second response to a loud or
unrul' event.
Penalty and amount of service fee.
9.2: --__ Warning issued at time of !.-.!tl=! res
9.2; --__ Assessment of service fee
Notice of assessment of service fee.
9.2; Payment of service fee.
9.2; --__ Small claims enforcement.
9.23.010 Purpose.
This chapter is adopted pursuant to Article III of the City Charter in order to provide a
means for recovering the costs incurred by the city for the city police and fire
department personnel participating in a second response to a loud or unruh event from
the )erson or responsible for such event
S:~AC\06 Legislative&LitigationS9.23.110Noise Rdln.doc
-- Page 1 of 7 Pages --
REDLINED
9.23.020 Findin.qs.
The city council finds as follows:
A. That personnel from the city police and fire departments spend a significant
amount of their time responding to loud and unruly events as defined in this chapter;
B. That frequently, police and fire department personnel are required to respond a
second time to the same loud or unruly event after warning the person or persons
responsible for such event that the event is being conducted in an unlawful manner and
must be terminated by reason of the fact that such person or persons failed to take the
steps necessary to terminate such unlawful conduct; and
C. That it would be appropriate to recover from the person or persons responsible
for a loud or unruly event the costs incurred by the city for the police and fire department
personnel participating in a second response to such event in those situations in which
such person or persons were duly warned that a second response fee would be
assessed against them at the time of the initial response to the even~
9.23.030 Loud or unruly events defined.
For purposes of this chapter, the terms loud event and unruly event are defined as
follows:
A. A loud event means an event or incident which results ,in any loud or unusual
noise which disturbs the peace and quiet of a neighborhood or which causes discomfort
or annoyance to any reasonable person of normal sensitivity residing in the
neighborhood and is unlawful under the provisions of Chapter 9.22 of this code; and
B. An unruly event is any event or incident which threatens the public health, safety
or welfare and is unlawful under the provisions of this code or the laws of the state.
9.23.040 Persons responsible for a loud or unruly event.
For purposes of this chapter, a person shall be considered to be responsible for a
loud or unruly event if:
S 5AC\06 Legislative&LitigationS9.23.110Noise Rdln.doc
-- Page 2 of 7 Pages --
REDLINED
A. Such person is entitled to possession of any private property on which the event
occurs, either by reason of the fact that such person is an owner entitled to possession
of such property or by reason of the fact that such person is a lessee or tenant entitled
to possession of the property;, or
B. Such person is entitled to the use of any public property on which the event
occurs by reason of any permit or entitlement issued to such person by the city or any
other governmental agency owning or otherwise controlling the property; or
C. Such person accepts responsibility for the event.
9.23.050 Civil liability for the costs of a second response to a loud or unruly
event,
Any person responsible for a loud or unruly event shall be civilly liable to the city for
a service fee which fee shall represent all costs incurred by the city arising out of a
second response which is made by the city police or fire department to such event
where:
A. Any member of the police or fire department initially responded to the event
during the preceding twelve-hour period;
B. At the time of making such initial res~se, personnel from the city police or fire
department warned such person in writing, that the event was being
conducted in an unlawful manner, and that if police or fire department personnel were
required to respond a second time to the event, such person would be assessed a
.,.....,.,, ..... ,..'4, ........ ...,,.,.., ,.,,. ..... .... ~. fee as-a¢~ for the city's second response costs in the amount
provided for by this chapter; and
C. Following such initial response, the city police or fire department were required
to respond a second time to the event by reason of the fact that the event continued to
be conducted in an unlawful manner, notwithstanding such ~re~ :gUS written warning.
S 5AC\06 Leg/slative&LitigationXg.23.110Noi~ Rdln.doc
-- Page 3 of 7 Pages --
REDLINED
9.23.060~ Penalty and amount of service fee.
In addition to the penalty provided for in Chapter 1.40 of this code, the of
Bakersfield may assess the service fee specified in Section 9.23.050
~2~'~ pursuant to Chapter 3.70 of this code if the city has satisfied all the conditions
stated n' Sect on 9 23.050
9.23.~§ Warninq issued at time of !.-.!t!=l response.
Where personnel from the city police or fire department responding to a loud or
unruly event determine that the unlawful conduct occurring at such event can be
terminated or otherwise appropriately addressed without arresting or citing the person
or persons responsible for the event, such police or fire department personnel may
issue a warning to any ~erson responsible for the event in lieu of arresting or issuing a
citation to such person~ as a result of the event. Such warning shall set forth the date
and time of the !,-,iti~l response, a brief description of the unlawful activity complained of
and/or observed at event, the address of the property on which the event occurred, and
a statement that if city police or fire department personnel are required to respond a
second time to the same or a similar event within a twelve-hour period by reason of the
fact that the event continues to be conducted in an unlawful manner, such person~ will
be assessed a service fee as-a¢~ for ,= second res)onse costs in the amount
provided for b this cha
Such warning shall also state that
the service if any, shall be in addition to any criminal fine or other sanction arising
out of an' arrest of such person or the issuance of a citation to such person as a result
of such responseS. Any person issued a written warning in the manner
provided for by this section shall sign the warning acknowledging receipt thereof.
9.23.08G~,~ Assessment of service fee
Where the city manager or his designee determines that a second response has
been made to a loud or unruly event within a twelve-hour period following the initial
response to such event, the city manager or his designee shall assess a service fee
against any person or persons responsible for the event who was issued a written
warning at the time of the initial response to the event in the manner provided by this
chapter. Such service fee shall be determined pursuant to Chapter 3.70 and consistent
with the costs incurred by the city for all of the police and/or fire department personnel
S:L4.C\06 Legislative&LitigationS9.23.110Noise Rdln.doc
-- Page 4 of 7 Pages --
REDLINED
participating in the second response, or the sum of one thousand dollars, whichever is
less. Where two or more persons are assessed a service fee for the same loud or
unruly event, all such persons shall be jointly and severally liable to the city for the full
amount of such fee.
9.23 .... ~ Notice of assessment of service fee.
U to assess a under
against a person responsible for a loud or
unruly event, the city manager or his designee shall cause notice of the assessment to
be served on such person by depositing such notice, first class postage prepaid, in the
United States mail addressed to the person at the person's last known address, in
addition to setting forth the amount of the ..... '~ ........ ~;~e fee.
9.23.! 00~ Payment of service fee.
Every service fee assessed upon a person responsible for a loud or
unruly event in the manner provided by this chapter shall be due and payable on or
before the last day of the month immediately following the month in which notice of the
assessment of the fee was mailed to such person. In the event of the failure of a person
assessed a ° ....,4 ~'~:~?~"~'~i~
....... responso ~ fee to pay such fee when due, a delinquency
penalty of ten percent shall be added to the fee on the last day of each month after the
due date thereof; provided, however, that the total amount of such penalties shall not
exceed fifty percent of the fee. In addition, in the event of the failure of a person
assessed a second recponso fee to pay such fee when due, such person shall
be assessed interest on the amount of the delinquent fee, exclusive of any penalties
thereon, at the rate of one percent per month, or any fraction thereof, from the date the
fee first became delinquent until the date the fee is paid.
S 2AC\06 Legislative&LitigationXg. 23.110Noise Rdln.doc
-- Page 5 of 7 Pages --
REDLINED
9.23.'!. I 0~i~ Small claims enforcement.
The city or its agent may enforce the assessment of the service fee by filing an
action for the collection of money in the small claims court of the county. The city or its
agent may use all legal means to enforce any judgment obtained against the
responsible parties including but not limited to recording an abstract of judgment and
garnishment of wages.
SECTION 2.
This Ordinance shall be posted in accordance with the provisions of the
Bakersfield Municipal Code and shall become effective thirty (30) days from and after
the date of its passage.
....... oo0oo ........
S :~C\06 Legislative&LitigationS9.23.110Noise Rdln.doc
-- Page 6 of 7 Pages
REDLINED
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Ordinance was passed and adopted by
the Council of the City of Bakersfield at a regular meeting thereof held on ,
by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBER CARSON, BENHAM, MAGGARD, COUCH, HANSON, SULLIVAN, SCRIVNER
NOES: COUNCILMEMBER
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBER
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBER
CITY CLERK and EX OFFICIO of the
Council of the City of Bakersfield
APPROVED:
By:
HARVEY L. HALL, Mayor
CITY OF BAKERSFIELD
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
VIRGINIA GENNARO
City Attorney
By:
ANDREW WHANG
Associate City Attorney
S:~AC\06 Legislative&Litigat ionk9.23.110Noise Rdln.doc
-- Page 7 of 7 Pages --
BAKERSFIELD POLICE
MEMORANDUM
Date: May 24, 2006
To: Operation s Personnel
From: Captain Tim Taylor~
Subject: LOUd and/or Unruly Event Enforcement
Effective immediately, officers respOnding to loud or unrUly events shal/complete a
Loud and/or Unruly Event Form. This form is necessary.to begin a process which
provides a means for recovery of the costs incurred"by Police department pers0nnel'~
participating in.a seCond response to a lOud or unrulY eVent..The ~cost ~recoverycan be
made'from the person or persons responsible for. SUch event providing tliey were duly
warned that a second response fee woUld be assessedlagainst them atthe time of the
initial response to the event. - - '
Definitions: -
A'lOud event means 'an event or incident WhiCh results in'any:loUd Or'unusUal
noise whiCh'disturbs the peace and. quiet of a neighborhood or whiCh causes
discomfort or annOyance toany reasonable person of normal Sensitivity residing
in the neighborhood and is unlaWful under the provisions oflchapter 9,22 of the
Bakersfield Municipal Code or the. laws'Of the state:
An untuiy.event isa'ny event or'incident Which' threatens the public health,SafetY
· or welfareand is unlawful Under the' provisions of. the Bakersfield MUniciPal code
A person shall be considered t°'berespo'nsible fOr'a'loud Or unrUly event if: - ' '
A. Such person is entitled to possession of any. private property on Which the
event occurs~ either by reason of the fact that such person is an'oWner
entitled to possession of. such property or by reason of the fact that such
person is a lesSee 'or tenantentitled to possession of.the: property; or
B. Such person is entitled to the use of any public property on .which the
event occurs bY reason of any permit or entitlement issued to such person
by the city or any. other governmental agency owning or otherWise
Controlling the property; or
Loud and/or Unruly Event Enforcement
May 24, 2006 -
Page 2 of 2
C. Such person accepts responsibility for the event.
Should an officer respond to an event which fits the criteria listed above, he or she shall
complete a Bakersfield Police Department Loud and/or Unruly Event Form. As you can
see there are specific requirements involved'including the determination of a
"responsible person." The form has a signature line for that Pers0n;'however, the
responsible person may refuse to sign the form.. In such an instance,' the officer shall
print the person's name on the line followed by the notation "RefUsed to Sign." The
canary copy shall' be given to the person determined to be responsible.
The officer shall use the'comment.sectiOn of the'f°rrn to indicate;any special'
circumstances; identifY the respOnsible Person.in.the text of the Call; ai~d request
Communications'Center persOnnel to flag the 'call for the following :12 hoUrs, noting that
the.'form was issued. At the end of Shift the Officer Shall Provide the' cOpy to the
Records Section' Who will be responsible' for' routing to the Traffic seCtion.
If a Situation occurs Where a second reSpOnse is required, the responding officer shall
complete a GO titled "Loud and/or Unruly Event." The offiCer Shall recOrd the' facts
surrounding the loud or unruly eventand the fact'that his or her response Was the
second response, and. that the'form-was completed on the original reSPOnse. The
officer shall attempt to make 'contact 'with the original "responsible person" in order to
identify him orher ih the' GO.' If th'at person is unavailablethe office~.'shall identify
whoever the current "responsible person" is, The controlling c~§e numbershali be the'
number assigned o'n the original call With'the. second tag number being'an allied . .
number. ... : .......... .... .~_. ;.~.....~ . .~ ..:~ .......~..... ....
Records personnel Shall .forward reports of this nature along with'the 'corresPonding
Loud and/or Unruly Event Form to .the .Traffi~ SeCtion fOr'the recovery 'of cOStS incurred
by the city fOr the second ~esP°nse...~ln situations where Loud and/Or' UnrulY EVent
F0rmS are c°mpleted bUt a seCOnd reSPonseis neVer, warranted, th~e~fOr~S ~hall be
routed by Records Section personnel, White to records and pink to the OIC office. A
clipboard for pink coPies will be maintained inthe. OiC office; ' "' " '
TDT/GM " '" "' ' ·
· BAKERSFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT
Loud and/or Unruly Event
Bakersfield Municipal Code 9.23
-WARNING.
If police or fire personnel are required t° respond a second time within 12 hours
for the same or similar event, you may be assessed a service fee for the costs of
such response.
Case Number:
Location:
Date: Time: hrs.
RESPONSIBLE PERSON'S INFORMATION
Name:
( Status per BMC 9.23.040 on reverse (circle one): -A- -B- -C-. )
Address:
· .. ·Telephone: DOB
TYPE OF DISTURBANCF:
".' [] Party' [] Stereo [] Live Band [] Other
i.. [] Alcohol Involved [] Minors with alcohol
" Proximity to Reporting Person's reSidence:
~ Noise dUration:
~ ~ ii .. [] Constant [] RecUrrent E] Intermittent
·" Approximate number in attendance:
· '' Approximate diStance noise can be Clearly heard:
Properties in the immediate vicinity:
'; ~- '~ CommerCial n ResidenCes [] Religious
~.' Waming received by: ' ·
· (Signature'of responsible as listed above)
· ' Warning issued by: · Badge number:
· .~.. Comments: ·
-NOTICE-
Any service fee assessed relative to a second response to this dislurbance shall be in addition to any criminal fine or other sanction arising
out of any arrest of such person or the issuance of a citation to such person as a result of such second response.
White: Records Canary: Violator Pink: OIC
9.23.010 Purpose. This chapter is adopted pursuant to Article III of the City Charter in order to provide a means for recovering the costs incurred by the city for the c t!
police and fire department personnel parlicipating in a second response to a loud or unruly event from the person or persons responsible for such event. (Ord. 4183 § ·
(part), 2004)
9.23.020 Findings.
The city council finds as follows:
A. That personnel from the city police and fire departments spend a significant amount of their time responding to loud and unruly events as defined in this chapter;
B. That f~quently, police and fire department personnel are required t° respond a seCond time to the same loud or unruly event after warning the person or person:
responsible for such event that the event is being conducted in an unlawful manner and must be terminated by reason of the fact that such person or person.,
failed to take the steps necessary to terminate such unlawful conduct; and
C. That It would be appropriate to reC°ver from the person or persons responsible for a loud or unruly event the costs incurred by the city for the police and fire
department personnel participating in a second response to such event in those situations in which such person or persons were duly warned that a second
response fee would be assessed against them at the time of the initial response to the event. (Ord. 4183 § 1 (part), 2004)
9.23.030 Loud or unruly events defined.
For purposes of Ibis chapter, the terms loud event and unruly event are defined as follows:
A. A loud event means an event or incident which results in any loud or unusual noise which disturbs the peace and quiet of a neighborhood or which causes
discomfort or annoyance to any reasonable person of normal sensitivity residing in the neighborhood and is unlawful under the provisions of Chapter 9.22 of this
code; and
B. An unruly event is any event or incident which threatens the public health, safety or welfare and Is unlawful under the prOvisions of this code or the laws of the
state. (Ord. 4183 § 1 (pert), 2004)
9.23.040 Persons responsible for a loud or unruly event.
For purposes of {his chapter, a person shall be considered to bo responsible for a loud or unruly event if:
A. Such person is entitled to possession of any private property on which the event occurs, either by reason of ~he fact that such person is an owner entitled to
possession of such property or by reason of the fact that such person is a lessee or tenant entitled to possession of the property; or
B. Such person is entitled to the use of any public property on which the event occurs by reason of any permit or entitlemenl issued to such person by the city or any
other govemmental agency owning or otherwise controlling the property: or
C. Such person accepts responsibility for the event. (Ord. 4183 § 1 (part), 2004)
9.23.050 Civil liability for the costs of a second response to a loud or unruly event. Any person responsible for a loud or unruly event shall be
civilly liable to the city for a service fee which fee shall represent all costs incurred by the city arising out of a second response which is made by the city
r~olice or fire department to such event where:
Any member of the police or fire department initially responded to the event during the preceding twelve-hour period:
At the time of making such initial response, personnel from the city police or fire department warned such person, in writing, that the evenl wes being conducted in
an unlawful manner, and that if police or fire department personnel were required to respond a sec°nd time to the event, such person would be assessed a second
response fee as and for the city's second response costs in the amount provided for by this chapter; and
Following such initial response, the city police or fire department were required to respond a second time to the event by reason of the fact that the event
continued to be conducted in an unlawful manner, notwithstanding such written warning. (Ord. 4183 § 1 (part), 2004)
}.23.060 Penalty and amount of service fee. In addition to the penalty provided for in Chapter 1.40 of this code, the city of Bakersfield may assess the service fee
~pecified in Section 9.23.050 pursuant to Chapter 3.70 of this code if the city has satisfied all the conditions stated in Section 9.23.050. (Ord. 4183 § 1 (part), 2004)
}.23.070 Warning Issued at time of Initial response. Where personnel from the city police or fire department responding to a loud or unruly event determine thai the
~nlawful conduct occurring al such event can be terminated or otherwise appropriately addressed without arresting or citing the person or persons responsible for the event,
~uch police or fire department personnel may issue a warning to any person responsible for the event in lieu of arresting or issuing a citation to such person a~ a result of the
;vent. Such warning shall set forth lhe date and time of the initial response, a brief description of the unlawful activity complained of and/or observed al event, the address of
he property on which the event occurred, and a statement that if city police or fire departmenl personnel are required to respond a second time to the same or a similar event
vithin a twelve-hour period by reason of the fact that the event continues to be conducted i'n an unlawful manner, such person will be assessed a service fee as and for the
:ity's second response costs in the amount provided for by this chapter. Such warning shall also state that the service, if any shall be in addition to any criminal fine or other
~anctiOn arising out'of any arrest of such person or the issuance of a citation lo such person as a result of such second response. Any person issued a written warning in the
r~anner provided for by this section shall sign the Warning acknowledging receipt thereof. (Ord. 4183 § 1 (part), 2004)
r.23.080 Assessment of service fee. Where the city manager or his designee determines that a seCond response has been made to a loud or unruly event within a twelve-
tour period following the initial response to such event, the city manager or his designee shall assess a service fee against any person or persons responsible for the event
/no was issued a written warning at the time of the initial response to the evenl in the manner provided by this chapter. Such service fee shall be determined pursuant to
;hapter 3.70 and consistent with the costs incurred by the city for all of the police and/or fire department .personnel perticipeting in the second response, or the sum of one
~ousand dollars, whichever is less. Where two or more persons are assessed a service fee for the same loud or unruly event, all such persons shall be jointly and severally
able.to the city for the full amount of such fee. (Ord. 4183 § 1 (part), 2004)
.23,090 Notice of assessment of service fee. Upon determining to assess a second response fee against a person responsible for a loud or unruly event, the city
Janager or his designee shall cause notice of the assessment to be served on such person by depositing such notice, first class POstage prepaid, in the United States mail
ddressed to the person at the person's last known address, in addition to setting forth the amount of the second response fee. (Ord. 4183 § 1 (part), 2004)
,23.100 Payhtent of service fee. Every service fee assessed upon a person responsible for a loud or unruly event in the manner provided by this chapter shall be due and
ayable on or before the last day of the month Immediately following the month in which notice of the assessment of the fee was mailed to such person. In the event of the
~llure of a person assessed s second response fee to pay such fee when due, a delinquency penalty of ten percent shall be added to Ihe fee on the last day of each month
~er the due date thereof; provided, however, that the total amounl of such penalties shall not exceed fifty pe~ent of the fee. In addition, in the event of the failure of a person
~sessed a second response fee to pay such foe when due, such person shall be assessed Interest on the amount of the delinquent fee, exclusive of any penalties thereon,
the rate of one percent per month, or any fraction thereof, from the dale the fee first became delinquent until th® date the fee is paid. (Ord. 4183 § 1 (part), 2004)
23.'110 Small claims enforcement. The city or its agent may enforce the assessmenl of the service fee by filing an action for the collection of money in the small claims
~urt of the county. The city or its agent may use all legal means lo enforce any judgment obtained against the responsible parties including but not limited to recording an
~stract of judgment and garnishment of wages. (Ord. 4183 § 1 (part), 2004)
Oounty Executive Officer
April 4, 2006
Board of Supervisors
County of Ventura
800 South Victoria Avenue
Ventura, CA 93009
SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE IMPOSING FINES, COSTS, AND
OTHER CONSEQUENCES FOR HOSTING GATHERINGS OF UNDERAGE
DRINKERS
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Introduce, read in title only, and waive further reading of the attached
Ordinance, which will impose a civil fee against social hosts and landowners
for the recovery of costs associated with providing an appropriate response
for loud and unruly gatherings where alcoholic beverages are being served to
or consumed by underage persons.
2. Set second hearing and adoption of the final ordinance for April 18, 2006, at
9:30 a.m.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Fiscal impact is anticipated to be minimal.
DISCUSSION:
At your meeting of December 6, 2005, your Board directed the County Executive
Office to work with the Sheriff's Department, the Behavioral Health Department, and
County Counsel to review adopting a Social Host Liability Ordinance for the
unincorporated areas of the County in order to offer a more easily enforceable
disincentive for adults considering furnishing alcohol to minors.
Hail of Administration L'# 1940
800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93009 · (805) 654-2680 · FAX (805) 654-5106
· Board of Supervisors
Adoption of Social Host Ordinance
April 4, 2006
Page 2
Supervisors Kathy Long and Steve Bennett presented a draft ordinance for
consideration and discussion at your meeting of March 28, 2006. Based on direction
provided at that meeting, the attached Ordinance reflects a revision stating the owner
of pdvate property shall be determined as recorded by the Ventura County Clerk and
Recorder.
This Ordinance provides a mechanism to hold hosts financially responsible for the
costs of responding to gatherings on private property where underage persons are
consuming alcohol. In cases where a juvenile hosts a loud or unruly gathering, a
provision is made for an altemative penalty in the Direct Work Program, supervised
by the Ventura CoUnty Probatio'n Agency.
The Sheriff's Department, the Behavioral Health Department, the Probation Agency,
and County Counsel have reviewed this Ordinance. If you have questions regarding
this.~.~r~p'lease contact Suzy Watkins at 654-2685 or Paul Derse at 662-6792.
· ~John F. Johnston
County Executive Officer
'Attachment
ORDINANCE NO.
An Ordinance of the Ventura County
Board of Supervisors Imposing Fines,
COsts, and Other Consequences for
Hosting Gatherings of Underage
Drinkers
The Board of Supervisors of the County of Ventura ordains as follows:
Article 1.1 of Chapter 1 of Division 6 is hereby added to the Ventura County
Ordinance Code to read as follows:
Article 1.1 Social Hosts Liability
Sec6113: TITLE
This Ordinance shall, be known as the Ventura County Social Host
O~'dinance.
Sec. 6113-1: FINDINGS, INTENT, AND PURPOSE
The Board of Supervisors, pursuant to the police powers delegated to it by
the California Constitution, has the authority to enact laws which promote the
public health, safety and general welfare of its residents. The occurrence of loud
and unruly gatherings on private property where alcoholic beverages are served
to, or consumed by, underage persons is harmful to the underage persons
involved and a threat to public health, safety, quiet enjoyment of residential prop-
erty and the general welfare. Underage persons often obtain alcoholic beverages
at gatherings held at private residences or at rented residential and commercial
premises that are under the control of a person who knows, or should know, of
the underage consumption of alcohol.
The Board of Supervisors .finds that in too many cases, persons having
possession or control of private property who are responsible for the occurrence
of loud or unruly gatherings on that property have failed to ensure that alcoholic
beverages are neither served to, nor consumed by, underage persons at these
gatherings. Furthermore, problems associated with loud or unruly gatherings
where alcoholic beverages are served to, or consumed by, underage persons are
difficult to prevent and deter unless the Ventura County Sheriff has the legal
authority to direct the host to disperse the gathering.
In the past and present, law enforcement, fire and other emergency
response services personnel have, and .are required to, respond, sometimes on
multiple occasions in the same'calendar year, to lOud and unruly gatherings on
private property at which alcoholic beverages are served to, or consumed by,
underage persons, resulting in a disproportionate expenditure of public safety
resources and delaying officia!...responses to regular and emergency calls in the
rest of the County. Additionally, underage drinking at such gatherings has
resulted in disproportionately higher numbers of underage persons driving while
intoxicated, increased social Violence, and incidents of sexual assault.
The intent of this Ordinance is to protect the public health, safety, and quiet.
enjoyment of residential property, and general welfare, rather than to punish. An
ordinance that imposes strict liability on property Owners .and other responsible
persons for loud and unruly gatherings that allow underage drinking is necessary
to deter and prevent such gatherings. Persons who actively and passively aid;.
allow, or tolerate such loud gatherings shall be held strictly liable for the nui-
sances created by such gatherings and the costs associated with responding to
such gatherings.
The purposes of this Ordinance are to protect the public health, safety and
general welfare, to deter the service to, and consumption of alcoholic beverages
by, underage persons, and to reduce the costs of providing police, fire, and other
emergency response services to loud or unruly gatherings. These purposes are
implemented by the imposition of a civil money penalty against social hosts and
landowners (including landlords) as well as the imposition of a civil' fee for the
recovery of costs incurred by the County in providing appropriate law enforce-
ment, fire, and. other emergency responders for loud and unruly gatherings where
alcoholic beverages are served to, or consumed by, underage persons.
For these reasons, the Board of Supervisors declares that loud or unruly
gatherings on private property where alcoholic beverages are served to, or
consumed by, underage persons is a threat to the peace, health, safety and
general welfare of the public. Such gatherings constitute a public nuisance as
they affect at the same time the entire community of Ventura County as well as
the neighborhoods in which they occur. The nuisance created thereby presents
an immediate threat to the public health and safety, warranting summary
abatement by the Sheriff under Government Code section 25845, subdivision (a).
Sec. 6113-2: DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of this Ordinance, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
(a) "Alcohol" means ethyl alcohol, hydrated oxide of ethyl, or spidts of
wine, from whatever source or by whatever process produced.
(b) "Alcoholic beverage" includes alcohol, spirits, liquor, wine, beer, and
every liquid or solid containing alcohol, spirits, wine, or beer, and
which contains one-half of one percent or more of alcohol by volume
and which is fit for beverage purposes either alone or when diluted,
mixed, or combined with other substances.
(c) "Response costs" means the costs associated with responses by law
enforcement, fire and other emergency response providers to loud or
unruly gatherings including but not limited to:
1) salaries and benefits of law enforcement, fire or other emer-
gency' response personnel for the amount of time spent
responding to, remaining at, or otherwise dealing with loud or
unruly gatherings, and the administrative costs attributable to
such response(s);
2) the cost of any medical treatment to or for any law enforce-
ment, fire or other emergency response personnel injured
responding to, remaining at or leaving the scene of a loud or
unruly gathering;
3) the cost of repairing any County equipment or property
damaged, and the cost of the use of any such equipment, in
responding to, remaining at or leaving the scene of a loud or
unruly gathering; and
4) any other costs recoverable in compliance with California Civil
Code section 1714.9.
d) "Juvenile" means any person under eighteen years of age.
e) "Underage person" means any person under twenty-one years of
age.
f) "Loud or unruly gathering" means a party or gathering of two or more
persons at a residence or other private property conducted in such a
manner as to constitute a substantial disturbance of the quiet enjoy-
ment of private or public property in a significant segment of a
neighborhood, as....a result of conduct constituting a violation of law.
Illustrative of such unlawful conduct is excessive noise, excessive
traffic, obstruction of public streets by crowds or vehicles, public
drunkenness or unlawful public consumption of alcohol or alcoholic
beverages, assaults, batteries, fights, domestic violence or other
disturbances of peace, vandalism, litter, and any other conduct which
constitutes a threat to public health, safety, quiet enjoyment of
residential property or general welfare.
(g) "Responsible person" means a person or persons with a right of pos-
session of the residence or other private property at which a loud or
unruly gathering is conducted, including, but not limited to:
1 ) any owner of the residence or other private property, meaning
the record owner of the title to property as of the time of the
loud or unruly gathering, wheresoever that person or entity
may currently reside;
2) a tenant or lessee of the residence or other private properly;
3) the landlord of another person responsible for the gathering,
provided that the landlord has received notice of a prior loud or
unrul'y gathering at the same residence 'or other private prop-
erty;
4) the person(s) in charge of the residence or other private
property; and
5) the person(s) who organizes, supervises, officiates, conducts
or controls the gathering or any other person(s) accepting
responsibility for such a gathering. A responsible person for
the loud or unruly gathering need not be present at such
4
gathering resulting in the response giving rise to the imposition
of civil money penalties or response costs. Prior knowledge of
the loud or unruly gathering is not pre-requisite to a finding that
any specific individual is a responsible person as defined by
this section.
(h) "Residence" or "other private property" means a home, yard, apart-
ment, condominium, hotel or motel room, or other dwelling unit, or a
hall or .meeting room, whether occupied on a temporary or perma-
nent basis, whether occupied as a dwelling, party or other social
function, and whether owned, leased, rented, or used with or without
compensation.
Sec. 6113-3 RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROPER PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
Every owner, occupant, lessee or holder of any possessory interest of a
residence or other private property within the County of Ventura is required to
maintain, manage and supervise the property and all persons thereon in a man-
her so as not to violate the provisions of this Ordinance. The owner of the prop-
erty remains liable for such violations regardless of any contract or agreement
with any third party regarding the property.
Sec. 6113-4 PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF ORDINANCE
It is a civil violation of this Ordinance, and a public nuisance constituting an
immediate threat to public health and safety warranting summary abatement, for
any responsible person to conduct or allow a loud or unruly gathering at a
residence or other private property at which service to, or consumption of alcohol
or alcoholic beverages by, underage persons occurs. Such a violation subjects
any and all responsible persons to a civil money penalty of $1000 in addition to
any recovery of response costs that might be imposed under Section 6113-5.
Violations of this section shall be noticed by citation, issued by the Sheriff,
to any and all responsible persons identified by the Sheriff within 30 days of the
loud or unruly gathering at a residence or: other private property at which service
to, or consumption of alcohol or alcoholic beverages by, underage persons
occurs..The citation shall also give notice of the right to request an administrative
hearing to challenge the validity of the citation, the time for requesting that
hearing and the warning relating to the recovery of response costs for subse-
quent citations under this ordinance as described under Section 6113-5.
5
In the event that a loud or unruly gathering at a residence or other private
property at which service to, or consumption of alcohol or alcoholic beverages by,
underage persons occurs is hosted by a juvenile, then the parents or guardians of
that juvenile will be jointly and severally liable for any penalties and response
costs incurred pursuant to the Ordinance.
In the event that an underage person is found to be a responsible person
as defined by this ordinance, the underage person may elect to serve 40 hours in
the Direct Work Program and pay the program fees as an alternative to paying
the civil money penalty of $1000...
The parents or guardians of a juvenile found to have hosted a loud or
unruly gathering may also elect to have that juvenile serve 40 hours in the Direct
Work Program and rpay the program fees as an alternative penalty to paying the
civil money penalty of $1000.
The Direct Work Program, administered by the Ventura County Probation
Agency, shall retain the discretion to admit, or deny admission to, the program as
the standards and program policies applicable to the Direct Work Program allow.
Failure to gain admission to the Direct Work Program, and failure to complete the
Direct Work Program after admission, shall restore the original civil money
penalty of $1000 immediately and without further right to appeal.
Failure by either an underage person or a juvenile host to complete the
alternative penalty within one calendar year of the issuance of the citation shall
result in the penalty being converted to a civil money penalty of $1000. No reduc-
tion in the penalty is authorized for completion of less than 40 hours of community
service.
Sec. 6113-5 RECOVERY OF RESPONSE COST.~
When a law enforcement, fire, or other emergency response provider.
makes an initial response to a loud or unruly gathering at a residence or other
private .property within the County of Ventura, the official shall, in writing, inform
any responsible person(s) for the gathering at the scene that:
(a) The official has determined that a loud or unruly gathering exists;
and
(b) Responsible person(s) will be charged for any response costs
required for subsequent responses to the scene for a loud or unruly gathering
within a 12-month period.
This warning will be given to all identified responsible persons at the time of
the first response to a loud or unruly gathering at a residence or other private
property at which service to, or consumption of alcohol or alcoholic beverages by,
underage persons occurs within the County before assessing response services
costs pursuant to this section for subsequent responses within a 12-month
period.
Within 30 calendar days.- of the initial response an additional written warn-
ing shall be transmitted via certified mail to the record owner of the private
property as shown in the records of the Ventura County Clerk and Recorder's
Office.
When a law enforcement, fire or other emergency response provider
responds to a loud or.unruly gathering at a residence or other private property
within the County of Ventura within 12 months of a warning or citation given to a
responsible person at the same location for a prior loud or unruly gathering at a
residence or other private property at which service to, or consumption of alcohol
or alcoholic beverages by, underage persons occurs, all responsible persons
shall be jointly and severally liable for the County's costs of responding to that
loud or unruly gathering and all subsequent loud or unruly gatherings at the
residence or other private property at which service to, or consumption of alcohol
or alcoholic beverages by, underage persons occurs during the warning period.
Such costs are deemed to be costs incurred in the physical abatement of the
public nuisance.
This section applies' to the costs of abatement of the summary nuisance
described in Section 6113-4 and costs are recovered pursuant to California
Government Code section 25845, subdivision (b).
Sec. 6113-6 BILLING AND COLLECTION OF RESPONSE COSTS
The amount of response costs shall be deemed a debt owed to the County
by the responsible person held liable in Section 6113-5 and, if a juvenile, by the
juvenile's parents or guardians. Any person owing such costs shall be liable in an
administrative civil action brought in the name of the County for recovery for such
costs, including reasonable attorney fees.
7
The Sheriff shall mail notice of the costs for which the responsible person is
liable, on behalf of all response providers, via certified mail within 30 calendar
days of the response giving rise to such costs. The Sheriff shall calculate and
compile an itemized list of the applicable response costs. The notice shall con-
tain the following information:
(a) the name(s) of the person(s) being held liable for the payment of
such costs;
(b) the address of the residence or other private property where the loud
or unruly gathering:.occurred;
(c) the date and time of the response;
(d) the law enforcement, fire or emergency service provider who
responded;
(e) the date and time of any previous warning given pursuant to
Section 6113-5 and/or previous responses to loud or unruly gather-
ings at the residence or other private property in question within the
previous 12 months;
(f) an itemized list of the response costs for wh!ch the person(s) is being
held liable; and
(g) information regarding the date payment is due;
(h) the right to request an administrative hearing to challenge the
imposition of response costs;
(i) the imposition of a lien on the subject property in the event of non-
payment of response costs; and
(j) the election by the County under Government Code section 25845,
subdivision (c), to allow for recovery of the prevailing party's attorney
fees in the event of an administrative hearing or subsequent appeal.
The responsible person must remit payment of the noticed response costs
to .the County of Ventura within 45 days of the notice thereof. The payment of
any such costs shall be stayed upon a timely request for an administrative
hearing made pursuant to Section 6113-8.
8
If a timely request for an administrative hearing pursuant to Section 6113-8
is not made, such costs, if unpaid within 45 days of notice, shall become a lien
against the property with the priority of a judgment lien:
If, following an administrative hearing, appeal, or other final determination,
the owner of the property is determined to responsible for any costs pursuant to
this section, such costs, if unpaid within 45 days of notice of the final determina-
tion, shall become a lien against, the property with the priority of a judgment lien.
in either case, a notice of lien shall be filed with the County Clerk and
Recorder's Office which states the identity of the record owner or possessor of
the property, the date upon whi~:h the citation was issued, a description of the real
property subject to the lien, and the amount of the abatement costs incurred to
date. It is the intent of the Board of Supervisors that abatement costs incurred
after the filing of the notice of abatement lien relate back to the date upon which
the lien was recorded for purposes of priority; however, in order to preserve its
rights, after all abatement costs have been incurred and the abatement is
complete, the County Executive Office shall cause a supplemental notice of
abatement lien to be recorded. The supplemental notice shall contain all of the
information required for the original notice and shall also refer to the recordation
date and recorder's document number of the odginal notice.
Sec. 6113-7 CUMULATIVE REMEDIES
Nothing in this Ordinance shall be construed as a waiver by the County of
Ventura of any right to seek reimbursement for actual costs of response services
through other legal remedies or procedure.
Sec. 6113-8 ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING ON CHALLENGED CITATIONS
AND/OR-RESPONSE COST RECOVERY ASSESSMENTS
Any person subject to a civil money penalty pursuant to Section 6113-4
and/or response costs recovery fees pursuant to Sections 6113-5 and 6113-6
shall have the right to request an administrative hearing before an impartial
Hearing Officer within 45 days of the issuance of a citation and/or notice of the
imposition of response costs under this ordinance, pursuant to the authority
granted to the Board of Supervisors by Government Code section 25845,
subdivision (i). To request such a hearing, the person requesting the hearing
shall notify the Ventura County Executive Office in writing.-
9
The Ventura County ExecUtive Office shall assign a neutral Hearing Officer
within 90 days of the enactment of this Ordinance for the purpose of conducting
such administrative hearings as may be required. The Venture County Executive
Office may contract for the services of neutral Hearing Officers as appropriate
and the Hearing Officers may be compensated for their services.
All hearings under this chapter shall be governed by the procedures
established in Sections 13102-1, 13102-2, and 13103 of the Ventura County
Ordinance Code.
The costs of the administrative hearing shall be assessed to the respons-
ible person in addition to any O~her fines and penalties in the event that the cita-
tion is upheld. Pursuant to Government Code section 25845, subdivision (c), the
County of Ventura may elect, at the initiation of proceedings under this section
regarding abatement of the nuisance described in this chapter, to seek recovery
of its attorney fees. That election shall be noticed to the liable party at the time
notice of the applicable costs is provided to the liable party under Section 6113-6.
In. that event, attorneys' fees may be recovered by the prevailing party. In no
action, administrative proceeding, or special proceeding shall an award of
attorney fees to a prevailing party exceed the amount of reasonable attorney fees
incurred by the County of Ventura in the action or proceeding.
sec. 6113-9 CIVIL APPEAL AFTER HEARING
Any person upon whom is imposed a penalty pursuant to Section 6113-4
and/or response costs recovery fees pursuant to Sections 6113-5 and 6113-6
shall have the right to appeal the imposition of such penalty or fees within 20
days after service of the final decision issued by the administrative hearing officer
pursuant to Government Code section 53069.4, subdivision (b), and applying the
procedures detailed therein, if, and only if, that person first properly requests and
obtains a hearing under Section 6113-8 of the Ventura County Ordinance Code.
10
Sec. 6113-10 SEVERABILITY
If any provisions of this Ordinance or its application to any person or cir-
cumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or appli-
cations of this Ordinance that can be given effect without the invalid provision or
application, and to this end, the provisions of this Ordinance are severable.
Sec. 6113-11 PROTECTED ACTIVITIES
This ordinance shall n°t:~pply to activities protected by article I, section 4
of the California Constitution.
Sec. 6113-12 ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY
A loud or unruly gathering at a residence or other private property at which
service to or consumption of alcohol or alcoholic beverages by underage persons
occurs constitutes a public nuisance and an immediate threat to public health and.
safety and shall be summarily abated by the Sheriff by all reasonable means
including, but not limited to, an order requiring the gathering to be disbanded and
citation under this ordinance as well as citation and/or arrest of any law violators
under any other applicable ordinances and state statutes such as: Ventura
County Ordinance Code ("VCOC") Section 6112 (Consumption of Alcohol in
Public Places); VCOC Division 6, Chapter 1, Article 6 (Sale and Display of Drug
Paraphernalia to Minors); VCOC Division 6, Chapter 2, Article 11 (Loud or
Raucous Nighttime Noise in Residential Zones); VCOC Section 6249 (Juvenile
Loitering); VCOC Section 6281 et seq. (Abandoned Vehicles a Public Nuisance);
VCOC Division 13 (Abatement of Public Nuisances); Penal Code section 374
et seq. (Litter); Penal Code section 647 (Public Intoxication/Obstruction of Public
Way); Business and Professions Code section 25658 (Selling Alcohol to Minors);
Vehicle Code section 23224 (Possession of alcoholic beverage in vehicle,
persons under 21); and Penal Code section 12020 et seq. (Unlawful Carrying
and Possession of Concealed Weapons).
The District Attorney and the Sheriff are authorized to administer and
enforce the provisions of this chapter. The District Attorney and the Sheriff may
exercise any enforcement powers provided by law in executing this ordinance.
11
Sec. 6113-13 EFFECTIVE DATE
This Ordinance shall take effect on
PASSED AND ADOPTED this _ day of ,2006, by the
following vote:
AYES: Supervisors
NOES:
ABSENT:'
CHAIR, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
ATTEST: JOHN F. JOHNSTON,
Clerk of the Board of Supervisors,
County of Ventura, State of California.
By:
Deputy Clerk of the Board
12
Kern County
"Cool Parents" Ordinance
FACT S H E ET
I) "Social host" ordinance will impose a civil fee on adults and
juveniles where alcoholic beverages are being served to or
consumed by underage persons.
Impose:
a) $1,000 fine on adults who have an underage drinking party
b) 40 hours of community service
c) Recovery ofresponse costs
d) Lien on property
II) How can it be implemented?
a) Kern County can implement in the unincorporated areas
(including county islands within Metro Bakersfield)
b) The eleven incorporated cities in Kern County would need
to bring this! ordinance before its respective City Councils
for adoption and implementation within their city
boundaries
III) Advantages
a) Provides a mechanism to hold adult hosts responsible
b) Warning will:, be issued at the time of the first response
c) Direct Work ~Program available for juvenile hosts
d) AdministratiVely handled
e) Benefit of not going through the District Attorney's office
f) Right to request an administrative hearing to challenge the
citation before an impartial Hearing Officer
g) Subsequentiright to appeal imposed penalties or fines
IV) Disadvantages
a) Possible legal challenge to "Recovery of Response Costs"
b) 45 days may be insufficient time to collect monies before a
lien is placed on the property
BAKERSFIELD: Chapter 9.23 Assessment of Service fee
VENTURA COUNTY: Social Hosts Ordinance
for Costs for Loud or Unruly Events
Reduce costs incurred by public agencies which respond to
Purpose of law Recovery for costs incurred by public agencies for second loud or unruly events involving the consumption of
response incidents to a loud or unruly event, alcoholic beverage by underage persons.
It is a civil violation of this ordinance, and a public
Police or fire department initially respond to a loud or
nuisance constituting an immediate threat to public health
unruly event, warn responsible persons in writing of and safety warranting summary abatement, for any
consequences of a second response. Police or fire
responsible person to conduct or allow a loud or unruly
Events~ Tri~,~erin8 Penalties departments required to respond a second time to the event
gathering at a residence/private property at which service
because the event was continued to be conducted in an
unlawful manner. (Within a twelve hour period) to, or consumption of alcoholic beverage by, underage
Maximum fine is $1000) persons occurs. Responsible persons fined $1000 in
addition to any recovery .of response costs.
Additionally, responsible persons will be charged for any
response costs required for subsequent responses to the
scene for a loud or unruly gathering within a 12 month
period. (This subsequen event does not need to involve
underage consumption of alcoholic beverag6s)
Persons entitled to possession of private property involved, Persons with a fight of possession of private property
LiablePersons involved, either by capacity as an owner or a tenant or
either by capacity as an owner or a lessee or tenant, lessee.
Landlord of another person responsible for the gathering, if
Does not specifically hold landlords liable, landlord has received notice of a prior loud or unruly
gathering at same property.
Persons entitled to the use of any public property involved,
by way of permit or entitlement issued by city or other Does not address public property.
governmental agency.
· Persons who organize, supervises, officiates, Conducts or
controls the gathering or any other person accepting
Persons accepting reSponsibility for the event.
responsibility for such a gather. (Presence at the property is
not required, nor is knowledge)
No equivalent in the ordinance. Persons in charge of the residence or other private property.
If two or more responsible persons, all will be jointly and
No eqUiValent in the ordinance.
severally liable for the full service fee
Responsibility for Property Property Management: Any
persOn with a possessory interest in the property is required
to maintain, manage and supervise the property and persons
No equivalent· in the ordinance.
thereon as to not violate this ordinance. Owner will be held
liable regardless of any contract / agreement with third
parties regarding the property.
Underage persons held liable: If the loud / unruly gathering
is hosted by a juvenile, then the parents or guardians will be
No equivalent in the ordinance, jointly and severally liable for anY penalties. Underage
person and parents or guardians may elect to. serve 40
hourse in the Direct Work Program and pay the program
fees as an alternative to paying the civil penalty of $1000.
Costs associated with response by law enforcement, fire
and other emergency responsive providers to loud and
All costs incurred by the city for all of the police and/or fire unruly gathers. (Salary of public agency Workers and
Response costs del'med, department personnel Participating in second response, or administrative Costs, medical treatment of responding
the sum of one thousand dollars, whichever is less. personnel, cost of damaged equipment or property
· damaged, other costs in compliance w/Cal. Civ. Code
section 1714.9.
Event resulting in loud or unusual noise disturbance which Substantial disturbance of the quiet enjoyment of private or
Loud or Unruly Event Defined disturbs/annoys, or an event which threatens the public public property as a result of conduct constituting a
health, safety or welfare and is unlawful under this code or violation of law. (excessive noise, excessive traffic,
state laws. obstruction of streets, public drunkenness)
Section 2. Chapter 9.34 is hereby added to the Kern County Ordinance Code
to read as follows:
CHAPTER 9.34
, SOCIAL HOST LIABILITY
9.34.010 Findings, Intent, and Purpose.
The Board of Supervisors, pursuant to the police powers delegated
to it by the California Constitution, has the authority to enact laws which
promote the public health, safety and general welfare of its residents. The
occurrence of loud and unruly gatherings on private property Where
alcoholic beverages are served to, or consumed by, underage persons is
harmful to the underage persons involved and a threat to public health,
safety, quiet enjoyment of residential property and the general welfare.
Underage persons often obtain alcoholic beverages at gatherings held at
private residences or at rented residential and commercial premises that
are under the control of a person who knows, or should know, of the
underage consumption of alcohol
The Board of Supervisors finds that in too many cases, persons
having possession or control of private property who are responsible for
the occurrence of loud or unruly gatherings on that property have failed to
ensure that alcoholic beverages are neither served to, nor consumed by,
underage persons at these gatherings. Furthermore, problems associated
with loud or unruly gatherings where alcoholic beverages are served to, or
consumed by, underage persons are difficult to prevent and deter unless
the Kern County Sheriff has the legal authority to direct the host to
disperse the gathering.
In the past and present, law enforcement, fire and other emergency
response services personnel have, and are required to, respond,
sometimes on multiple occasions in the same calendar year, to loud and
unruly gatherings on private property at which alcoholic beverages are
served to, or consumed by, underage persons, resulting in a
disproportionate expenditure of public safety resources and delaying
official responses to regular and emergency calls in the rest of the County.
Additionally, underage drinking at such gatherings has resulted in
disproportionately higher numbers of underage persons driving while
intoxicated, increased social violence, and incidents of sexual assault.
The intent of this Chapter is to protect the public health, safety, and
quiet enjoyment of residential property, and general welfare, rather than to
punish. An ordinance that imposes stdct liability on property owners and
other responsible persons for loud and unruly gatherings that allow
2
underage drinking is necessary to deter and prevent such gatherings.
Persons who actively and passively aid, allow, or tolerate such loud
gatherings.
The purposes of this Chapter are to protect the public health, safety
and general welfare, to deter the service to, and consumption of alcoholic
beverages by, underage persons, and to reduce the costs of providing
police, fire, and other emergency response services to loud or unruly
gatherings. These purposes are implemented by the imposition of a civil
money penalty against social hosts and landowners (including landlords)
for loud and unruly gatherings where alcoholic beverages are served to or
consumed by, underage persons.
For these reasons, the Board of Supervisors declares that loud or
unruly gatherings on private property where alcoholic beverages are
served to, or consumed by, underage persons is a threat to the peace,
health, safety and general welfare of the public. Such gatherings
constitute a public nuisance as they affect at the same time the entire
community of Kern County as well as the neighborhoods in which they
occur. The nuisance created thereby presents an immediate threat to the
public health and safety, warranting'summary abatement by the Sheriff
under Government Code section 25845, subdivision (a).
9.34.020 Definitions.
For the purposes of the Chapter, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
A. "Alcohol" means ethyl alcohol, hydrated oxide of ethyl, or
spirits of wine, from whatever source or by whatever process produced.
B. "Alcoholic beverage" includes alcohol, spirits, liquor, wine,
beer, and which contains one-half of one percent or more of alcohol by
volume and which is fit for beverage purposes either alone or when
diluted, mixed, or combined with other substances.
C. "Juvenile" means any person under eighteen years of age.
D. "Underage person" means any person under twenty-one
years of age.
E. "Loud or unruly gathering" means a party or gathering of two
or more persons at a residence or other private property conducted in
such a manner as to constitute a substantial disturbance of the quiet
enjoyment of private or public property in a significant segment of a
neighborhood,-as a result of conduct constituting a violation of law.
Illustrative of such unlawful conduct is excessive noise, excessive traffic,
obstruction of public streets by crowds or vehicles, public drunkenness or
unlawful public consumption of alcohol or alcoholic beverages, assaults,
batteries, fights, domestic violence or other disturbances .of peace,
vandalism, litter, and any other conduct which constitutes a threat to public
health, safety, quiet enjoyment of residential property or general welfare.
F. "Responsible person" means a person or persons, with a
right of possession of the residence or other private, property at which a
loud or unruly gathering is conducted, including, but not limited to:
1) any owner of the residence or other private property,
meaning the record owner of the title to property as of the
time of the loud or unruly gathering, wheresoever that
person or entity may currently reside;
2) a tenant or lessee of the residence or other private
property;
3) the landlord of another person responsible for the
gathering, provided that the landlord has received notice of a
prior 'loud or unruly gathering at the same residence or other
private property;
4) the person(s) in charge of the residence or other
private property; and
5) the person(s) who organizes, supervises, officiates,
conducts or controls the gathering or any other person(s)
accepting responsibility for such a gathering.
A responsible person for the loud or unruly gathering need not be
present at such gathering resulting in the response giving rise to the
imposition of civil money penalties or response costs. Prior knowledge of
the loud or unruly gathering is not pre-requisite to a finding that any
specific individual is a responsible person as defined by this section.
G. "Residence" or "other private property" means a home, yard,
apartment, condominium, hotel or motel room, or other dwelling unit, or a
hall or meeting roOm, whether occupied on a temporary or permanent
basis, whether occupied as a dwelling, party or other social function, and
whether owned, leased, rented, or used with or without compensation.
9.34.030 Responsibility For Proper Property Management.
Every owner, occupant, lessee or holder of any posSessory interest
of a residence or other private property within the County of Kern is
required to maintain, manage and supervise the property and all persons
thereon in a manner so as not to violate the provisions of this Chapter.
The owner of the property remains liable for such violations regardless of
any contract or agreement with any third party regarding the property.
9.34.40 Penalties for Violation.
It is a civil violation of this Chapter, and a public nuisance
constituting an immediate threat to public health and safety warranting
summary abatement, for any responsible person to conduct or allow a
loud or unruly gathering at a residence or other private property at which
4
service to, or consumption of alcohol or alcoholic beverages by, underage
persons occurs. Such a violation subjects any and all responsible persons
to a civil money penalty of $1000.
Violations of this section shall be noticed by citation, issued by the
Sheriff, to any and all responsible persons identified by the Sheriff within
30 days of the loud or unruly gathering at a residence or other private
property at which service to, or consumption of alcohol or alcoholic
beverages by, underage persons occurs. The citation shall also give
notice of the right to request an administrative hearing to challenge the
validity of the citation, the time for requesting that hearing.
In the event that a loud or unruly gathering at a residence or other
private property at which service to, or consumption of alcohol or alcoholic
beverages by underage persons occurs is hosted by a juvenile, then the
parents or guardians of that juvenile will be jointly and severally liable or
any penalties incurred pursuant to this Chapter.
In the event that an underage person is found to be a responsible
person as defined by this Chapter, the underage person may elect to
serve 40 hours in a community service program, as approved by the
Sheriff or Probation Officer as appropriate and pay any required program
fees as an alternative to paying the civil money penalty of $1000.
The parents or guardians of a juvenile found to have hosted a loud
or unruly gathering may also elect to have that juvenile serve 40 hours in
community service and pay the program fees as an alternative penalty to
paying the civil money penalty of $1000.
The community service program shall retain the discretion to admit,
or deny admission to, the program as the standards and program policies
applicable to that program allow. Failure to gain admission to a
community service program, and failure to complete the program after
admission, shall restore the original civil money penalty of $1000
immediately and without further right to appeal.
Failure by either an underage person or a juvenile host to complete
the alternative penalty within one calendar year of the issuance of the
citation shall result in the penalty being converted to a civil money penalty
of $1000. No reduction in the penalty is authorized for completioh of less
than 40 hours of community service.
9.34.050 Cumulative Remedies.
Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed as a waiver by the
County of Kern of any right to seek reimbursement for actual costs of
response services through other legal remedies or procedure.
9.34.060 Right to appeal administrative order to Board of
Supervisors.
A. A responsible party who is subject to an administrative
penalty issued pursuant to Section 9.34.040, may contest the
administrative penalty by filing an appeal with the clerk of the board of
supervisors within fifteen (15) days from service of the administrative
penalty.
B. The board of supervisors may reverse, .affirm wholly or
partly, or modify the administrative penalty. The decision of the board of
supervisors on any such appeal shall be final on adoption of an order
containing its determination. Notice of the final decision shall be served
by certified or registered mail on the affected persons.
C. Pursuant to Section 1085 of the Code of Civil Procedure,
any person who has been named in an order issued pursuant to this
chapter, may, following exhaustion of administrative remedies, seek
judicial review of the order by filing a petition for writ of mandate within
ninety (90) days after the order becomes final and binding pursuant to this
chapter. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 1094.5 or 1094.6 of
the Code of'Civil Procedure, any person who contests the final
administrative order issued under this chapter regarding the imposition,
enforcement of collection of the administrative penalties imposed, may
seek judicial review of the order by filing an appeal with the Superior Court
within twenty (20) days after service of the order in accordance with
Section 53069.4 of the Government Code. Any other person who has the
dght to seek judicial review of the order by filing a petition for writ of
mandate pursuant to Section 1085 of the Code of Civil Procedure shall do
so within one hundred eighty (180) days after the order has become final
and binding pursuant to this chapter. The filing of a petition for writ of
mandate to review the order shall not Stay any action specified in the
order.
9.34.070 Protected actiVities.
This Chapter shall not apply to activities protected by article I,
section 4 of the Califomia Constitution.
9.34.080 Enforcement authority.
A loud Or unruly gathering at a residence or other private property'
at whiCh service to or consumption of alcohol or alcoholic beverages by
underage persons occurs constitutes a public nuisance and an immediate
threat to public health and safety and shall be summarily abated by the
Sheriff by all reasonable means including, but not limited to, an order
requiring the gathering to be disbanded and citation under this Chapter as
well as citation and/or arrest of any law violators under any other
applicable ordinances and state statute.
The District Attorney and the Sheriff are authorized to administer
and enforce the provisions of this chapter. The District Attorney and the
Sheriff may exercise any enforcement powers provided by law in
executing this Chapter.
Section 3. Severability.
If any clause, 'provision, sentence or paragraph of this ordinance, or the
application thereof, is deemed to be invalid as to any person, entity, establishment, or
circumstance, such invalidity shall not effect the other provisions of this ordinance which
still remain in effect, and to its end, it is hereby declared that the provisions of this
ordinance are severable.
SDS:gm
#137453
06.1010
BOARD
:cident is wake-up call
Target '¢ool. parents'
9 drive and obey bnsi¢ *l~ ~' °st ~.~i~q~at least betty hmmnor to hnn8 ovor irresponsi. ':
ent~'who~:tuanye~d IV! .one*'partFcentnd.,'r~yorethe bleadult~Andffhomesm.erupemd~-:
'--w-~-nemesw'nerethe'coo]pat~,, used for teen dflnldng parties, law
abe ddn]dn8 of ~ tire. .,
the othor ~ or host teen drinking par- resp~ costs -- 8ddim, ~3,000 to
ingthemdofthescbool Tn the wRke oF trufl~c accidents se~ sentences for hoslb~.~
intotbeaduitworM, involvin8 drunk Uelm~ clovers, we Pa~esintheirhome~.
s~blLBepmud~.Talk always ~ Whc~e did the~ 8et the TWocitiesinVentuntCoun~eireedy
srparentsorarmpon, board a~ to impose $1,000 civil join the eflbrt. . .
t a ride home. fines on adults who allow or ot~ How many Kern Coum3*teens have
n~ enouah and no law ~ drtnktn~ parties in their behur~orkllled, howmanyotborpe~
pie on the road hav~ to fall victim tO'
,ultimate rmpon~ibili- Althou~ state Luw long has held underage drunk drivers befol~ local'
lawmakers rot*ce "axd parents" m ~.
mm~ nmb parties, a civil fi~e is a responsible?
B A K E R S F I E L D
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
MEMORANDUM
July 13, 2006
TO: Legislative & Litigation Committee
FROM: Pamela McCarthy, City Clerk~ ·
SUBJECT: Survey of Cities Regarding Annexation Policy
At the request of the Committee, I placed a survey question on the City Clerk's
"List Serve." Through this venue, I sent an e-mail requesting information to 345
City Clerks throughout the State, with only five responding.
No one reported having a policy that is as detailed or complicated as our current
policy. Those that responded were merely recaps of the State Law and LAFCO
procedures. There were no specifics regarding dates, times or language to be
used in notices. There were no particulars regarding neighborhood meetings and
there were none reported holding any Pre-LAFCO hearings before the City
Council.
Additionally, I requested information from each of the eleven incorporated cities
in Kern County. California City, Maricopa, McFarland, Shafter, Tehachapi and
Wasco responded that they follow LAFCO guidelines only. Arvin, Delano,
Ridgecrest and Taft failed to respond.
The following' is a recap of the responses received.
City Information Provided
CIOVris Most of their annexations are rural
residential where the homeowners are
looking for services. The City enters into
Annexation Agreements with the Property,
which outlines the services to be provided,
zoning, etc. They do not however, have a
formal "Pre-Annexation" procedure.
Gilroy Their Policy is more of a Guideline focusing
on zoning, agriculture and special districts.
It does not address steps to be taken prior
to proceeding with annexation. It does not
provide a time-line nor does it reference
neighborhood meetings or FAQ's.
Legislative & Litigation Committee
Re: Survey of Cities regarding Annexation Policy
July 13, 2006
Irvine They follow LAFCO only.
Montclair No formal written policy. They do have a
process used in recent years, which include
informal workshops to discuss impacts and
have available a Q & A sheet available.
There is no specific time-line referenced.
Santa No formal written policy. They do have a
Clarita process, which includes a Community
Meeting. No specific time frame outlined
and no Protest Hearing other than LAFCO.
S:\MEMOS\COUNCIL\Leg&Lit-Annex Survey3.DOC
Page 2 of 2
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE CITY
OF BAKERSFIELD AMENDING AND RE-AFFIRMING
CITY'S ANNEXATION MISSION STATEMENT AND
ESTABLISHING A PRE-APPLICATION PROCESS FOR
ANNEXATIONS.
WHEREAS, the City Council for the City of Bakersfield adopted an Annexation Mission
Statement on February 21, 1996 which outlines several reasons why the City pursues
annexations and the manner and outcomes which are expected to result from said annexations;
and
WHEREAS, the City Council for the City of Bakersfield adopted Resolution 029-02
regarding the City's Pre-Application Process for Annexations; and
WHEREAS, the City Council for the City of Bakersfield adopted Resolution 029-02
regarding the City's Pre-Application Process for Annexations; and
WHEREAS, State law requires the annexation procedure to be under the auspices of
the Local Formation Agency Commission (herein "LAFCO"); and
WHEREAS, annexation remains an identifiable-goal of the City Council, a recommended
positive step in the Vision 2020 Plan, and a supported finding from the 1999-2000 Kern County
Grand Jury; and
WHEREAS, the City Council intends to disseminate annexation information prior to the
involvement of LAFCO and desires to assure citizens that to the extent annexation information
is provided by the City, that it occurs in an honorable, courteous, informative, timely and honest
manner; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to re-affirm the goals and pledge of said Mission Statement
by establishing a Pre-Application Process which will govern how City Council and City staff
handle annexations, prior to the involvement of LAFCO; and
WHEREAS, the Pre-Application Process will include a number of steps, to notify the
property owners/occupants within the proposed area o~o of wh!ch
~v,v. ~"~"'"" *~".,,v __..v. v,,v.~~'~'"r"+~""~ ~,,,~... ,--vv~, .~..~' prior to adoption of the Resolution of Application.
NOW THEREFORE, incorporating the above recitals herein, the City Council for the City
of Bakersfield hereby:
1. Amends and re-affirms the Annexation Mission Statement adopted by the
Bakersfield City Council on February 21, 1996, attached hereto as Exhibit "A"
and incorporated by reference herein.
2. Adopts the Annexation Pre-Application Process attached hereto as Exhibit "B"
and incorporated by reference herein.
3. This Resolution supersedes Resolution 029-02.
-oo0oo-
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted by
the Council of the City of Bakersfield at a regular meeting thereof held on
, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBER: CARSON, BENHAM, MAGGARD, COUCH HANSON, SULLIVAN, SCRIVNER
NOES: COUNCILMEMBER:
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBER:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBER:
PAMELA A. McCARTHY, CMC
CITY CLERK and Ex Officio Clerk of the
Council of the City of Bakersfield
APPROVED:
By:
HARVEY L. HALL
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
VIRGINIA GENNARO
City Attorney
By:
VIRGINIA GENNARO
City Attorney
:pmc
S:\HEARINGS~ANN EXSPolicy\RedLine Strikeout~AnnexReso. DOC
Created on 6/21/2006 1:11:00 PM
EXHIBIT "A"
ANNEXATION MISSION STATEMENT
The purpose of the City of Bakersfield's annexation efforts is to provide clear
consolidated boundaries which result in the most effective delivery of urban services
and in the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars. In fulfilling this mission, we, the city of
Bakersfield elected officials and staff pledge the following:
· To deliver services to citizens within newly annexed county areas more efficiently
and with a greater transfer of benefits as a result of becoming a part of the City;
and
· To provide quality services to citizens in the most efficient, effective and courteous
manner possible; and
· To encourage current and future residents to participate in determining the direction
and spirit of the City and its neighborhoods; and
· To assure our contact with citizens will be in the-me~ an honorable, courteous,
informative, timely and honest manner in our efforts to encourage adjacent
residents to unite with the City of Bakersfield; and
· To make continual efforts to improve the quality of life, the delivery of services and
the community spirit within and around Bakersfield; and
· To preserve the integrity of each property owner's vote, by not combining non-
contiguous areas on the Resolution of Application, unless 100% owner approval
is received in writing by the City.
EXHIBIT "B"
AN N EXATION
PRE-APPLICATION PROCESS
The following steps are proposed for the City of Bakersfield prior to application for
annexation to LAFCO of territory inhabited by 12 or more resident electors:
· Identify Proposed Annexation Area
Development Services Department - Planning Division will identify
the proposed annexation area, based on request by City or Citizens
to initiate annexation.
· Notify City Council
The Development Services Director will notify the Council, in writing
of the annexation proposal. This notification, by way of
memorandum, will be distributed through City Manager's weekly
General Information Memo, which is available in the City Clerk's
Office.
· Send out "Frequently Asked Questions"
Frequently asked questions and responses regarding the proposed
annexation ^
.,~ ...... ~ ......~ ......... rsspons~c will be prepared by the
n~...~., made available on the
Staff n .... , .... ~, q~,i~. -~ ...........
City's website at ~.bakersfieldcity.us and provided at
informational meetings. Additionally, a copy will be included with
the Notice of Proposed Annexation and mailed to all propeAy.
owners/occupants within the proposed area. Standard questions
will appear on all le~ers. Some additional questions and / answers
with regard to taxes or other issues specific to the area may be
included.
· Informational Meetings
At least one mandatory noticed informational meeting at a public
facility will be conducted within the proposed annexation area. The
Kern County Supervisor representing the area and County staff will
be invited to these meetings ~'-o* .,~,..~.. . .... ;, ~.., .,..~,4,..., .... ,4,,,.,
City Councilmembers may wish to also schedule additional informal
meetings in the area in order to share information and this should
not be precluded. In all cases, the Councilmember will be invited to
any informational meeting. In all cases, the Councilmember will be
invited to any informational meeting. Efforts will be made to use
public facilities for informational meetings. However, this does not
preclude the use of resident homes.
· It is the intent of this section to assure that
information is readily available and shared with
citizens. With this in mind, staff will attempt to use
the internet to disseminate annexation information
when financially feasible. It is imperative that staff
be available to respond to questions by citizens
and share information in either a group or individual
setting.
Notification
r~,.,.~. ,he h.....~,.,-, h.~o ~'~'e" °"~"~'~"~'~'~ written notice will be mailed
to all property owners/occupants within the proposed area, Net-iee
,A/ill ;n,-,h .,4,~ ,'.1--~+~ fi .... ,N I,-,,',--~{';,'~n ,~ h~:~."~rin,,-* A~l~li{'i,~n,-~lh, There
will be a prepaid post card included in the net!ce giving requesting
the owner/occupant a.. ,-,r~r-v.~"~';*",~...,~ to express their opinion
regarding the annexation, by mail or personal delivery. This is an
informal request for information and not a formal voting procedure.
The notice will be prepared and mailed by City Clerk Staff no later
than 20 days prior to the heaci~ Resolution of Application. See
attached Exhibit "1" and "2"
2
· Resolution of Application
A Resolution of Application for Annexation of a proposed area will
be brought to the Council for ........ ~ ''* the
~,,l~ ~+i~ ~ll .... ;~ t~ ~*;~ he3' g
................... ~ .......... ~,,~ ........ ~,,~ ~ ~,~1~,,~ ~,,
~*h .... ~.~ h,, ~ ..... n consideration. The public can address the
Council at this time. Final approval of the proposed annexation will
be determined by the Local Agency Formation Commission
(LAFCO). Contact LAFCO at (66.1) 716-1076 for additional
information on their proceedings.
3
EXHIBIT "1"
NOTICE OF HE^RING n=."r~o," 'ru,-
t'~t'~l IId/~ll t'tr. TUr''' /~ITV f'~r-- i:~AI4, r'D~I=iI=i rt
PROPOSED ANNEXATION BY THE CITY OF BAKERSFIELD
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN cf =Hcadng bcfcrc that the Bakersfield City Council
is propose~ing annexation of inhabited territory to the City of Bakersfield known as City of
Bakersfield ANNEXATION NO. 398, GENERALLY KNOWN AS PANAMA #12.
Thc hear!n§ A Resolution of Application will be held heard before the City Council of the City of
Bakersfield and '::!!! be~!~ at 7:00 p.m. at 6:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be
heard on WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2001, in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 1501
Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, California, 93301 Th .......... 'F I-k. k~,~rinn ;¢ 1' .....
purpose of this action is to initiate proceedings with the Local Agency Formation Commission
(LAFCO).
The area being considered is generally located north and south of Panama Lane, west of State
Route 99 (Freeway 99). See the attached map (Exhibit A) that shows the affected territory.
These proceedings were initiated by the property owner(s) or City (choose one).. The reason
the 'has proposed this annexation is
WRITTE.H CO.M.MENTS The City Council is interested in your written comments regarding the
proposed annexation. Comments may be filed by any owner/occupant within the proposed
annexation area, by returning the enclosed, postage paid postcard, or letter with the City Clerk
at any time prior to adoption of the Resolution of Application by the City Council.
Final approval of the proposed annexation will be determined by the Local Agency Formation
Commission (LAFCO). Contact LAFCO at (661) 716-1076 for additional information on their
proceedings.
Dated:
Pamela A. McCarthy, CMC
City Clerk and Ex Officio Clerk of the
Council of the City of Bakersfield
NOTE: Notice to be mailed in City of Bakersfield Envelope with "Public Hecring ,Not!cc" in Red Ink.
NOTICE OF HEAR!NG
R,~GARDgNG PROPOSED ANNEXATION
Date: ,November !4, 200!
T;~. 7.~ ~ ~'~,r ~ ~m
I ~;~. 4 ;~4 Tr, ,vt, ,~ A.,~ ~ ~;f,~ W~II ~, ,~;I
A Resolution of Application is being proposed for the following territory.
The City Council would like to receive your comments, prior to adopting
the Resolution. Please complete this card and return to the City Clerk.
This is for information purposes only and not an official vote.
Regarding: Annexation No. 398, Generally Known as Panama ~12 __ I
suppo~ the proposed annexation
__ I oppose the proposed annexation
__/have no preference regarding annexation
__ I request additional information regarding:
For Annexation Information Contact:
For Annexation Information Contact City Planning ~ (661)326-3733
LAFCO ~ (661) 716-1076
Councilmember ~ (661) ~x-x~x
B A K E R S F i E L D'
City Clerk's Office
1501 Truxtun Ave.
Bakersfield, CA 93301
CITY CLERK
CITY OF BAKERSFIELD
1501 TRUXTUN AVENUE
BAKERSFIELD CA 93301