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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/15/2008 B A K E R S F I E L D 04,1,�-,J" Sue Benham, Chair Rhoncta Smiley, Assi nt to the City Manager/ P.I.O. David Couch For: Alan Tandy, City Manager Jacquie Sullivan AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Regular Meeting of the LEGISLATIVE AND LITIGATION COMMITTEE MEETING Tuesday, January 15, 2008 —2:00 p.m. City Manager's Conference Room — Suite 201 City Hall, 1501 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA The meeting was called to order at 2:00 PM. 1. ROLL CALL Present: Councilmember Sue Benham; Chair Councilmember David Couch Councilmember Jacquie Sullivan Staff present: Alan Tandy, City Manager Phil Burns, Building Director Ginny Gennaro, City Attorney Chris Lee, Asst. Building Director Jefferson Billingsly, Associate Attorney Steven Teglia, Admin Analyst III Michael Richards, Associate Attorney Bryan Lynn, Asst. Police Chief Rhonda Smiley, Assistant to the City Manager/P.I.O. Glen Grundeis, Police Sergeant Stan Grady, Development Services Director Gary Moore, Police Sergeant Others present: Laurie McCarty, Caldwell Banker Antonio Carpio, Massage Therapist Linda Vernon, Association of Realtors Darrell Sparks, Sparks Realty Corrie Coats, Association of Realtors Gene Cooks, Eyewitness News James Geluso, Bakersfield Californian Steve Nash, Channel 17 News Peter Samore, KUZZ Radio AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT LEGISLATIVE AND LITIGATION COMMITTEE MEETING Tuesday, January 15, 2008 2. ADOPT NOVEMBER 27, 2007 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Adopted as submitted. 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS None 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS None 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and Committee recommendation regarding amending and adopting the 2008 Committee meeting schedule — Smiley Adopted with the revision of February 20, 2008 changed to February 19, 2008. b. Update on Feasibility of Enacting Stricter Code Enforcement Standards (re: Vacant Properties) — Grady / Burns / Gennaro Phil Burns gave a slide presentation explaining our current ordinance regarding vacant properties. A list of comparisons between various cities' ordinances was also provided. Bakersfield's process is more expeditious than many other cities. There are a few different paths that the City can take to enforce this issue, but will require additional staff, which is not an option at this time, due to budget circumstances. Darrell Sparks of Sparks Realty submitted a listing of foreclosure issues that the mortgage companies have to deal with. He is hoping that these issues will be considered in formulating a plan that works for everyone. Laurie McCarty of Caldwell Banker stated that the lenders want their properties to look great and not bring down the neighborhood by their appearance. The nicer the properties look, the lender can sell them at a higher price. The lenders are very willing to cooperate, but there are many timing issues that have to be dealt with and there's no way around them. Assistant Police Chief Lynn explained various programs that are available through the Police Department to work with Code Enforcement and help monitor any illegal activity at the foreclosed properties. Darrell Sparks stated that a registration policy would be beneficial in order for everyone to know where these properties were, and would assist the police in knowing which properties should not be occupied. Councilmember Chair Benham requested that staff meet with Mr. Sparks and Ms. McCarty regarding the feasibility of a property registration system and prepare a report for future discussion at the next Legislative and Litigation meeting. AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT LEGISLATIVE AND LITIGATION COMMITTEE MEETING Tuesday, January 15, 2008 c. Big Rig Parking Fines— Rector/Gennaro Assistant Police Chief Lynn surveyed several cities to determine their fines for parking commercial trucks off of the truck route. The enforcement of our new fine of $150.00 began in December, 2007. Since then, the amount of calls have decreased. The fine increase is definitely helping control this issue. d. Massage Ordinance — Rector/ Grundeis Sergeant Grundeis reported on the toilet facility regulations for massage establishments in response to a letter received from Mr. Antonio Carpio who questioned the reasonableness of a provision in the Massage/Bodywork Establishments ordinance. Sergeant Grundeis explained that no establishments have been closed for failing to have a restroom. There are several licensed massage establishments that were licensed prior to the ordinance taking effect. These remain open, but any new massage establishments would be required to meet all current requirements. Staff recommends that no change be made to the current ordinance. Antonio Carpio stated that he had previously spoken with Sergeant Grundeis and apparently misunderstood that some businesses would be closed for lack of compliance. He expressed the difficulty for him to rent certain locations, due to the ordinance stating that the toilet facility be "within" the establishment. Committee Chair Benham thanked Mr. Carpio for his concern, but stated that there would be no change to the ordinance at this time. 6. CLOSED SESSION None 7. COMMITTEE COMMENTS None 8. ADJOURNMENT 2:58 PM cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council APPROVED FEBRUARY 19, 2008