HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983 11-22 CC ADJ MINBook 63
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MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY, CALIFORNIA
NOVEMBER 22, 1983
The adjourned meeting of the City Council of the City of National City
was called to order at 9:02 a.m. by Mayor Morgan,
ROLL CALL
Council members present: Camacho, Dana, Van Deventer, Waters, Morgan.
Absent: None. Administrative officials present: Campbell, Code
Conformance Officer Kearney, McCabe, McLean, Acting Planning Director
Post.
Mayor Morgan asked Acting Planning Director Post to explain the work
shop portion of the meeting. Mr. Post said Council has copies of the
THIRD DRAFT (February 1, 1983) OF THE PROPOSED PROPERTY CONSERVATION &
COMMUNITY CODE, TITLE 7 OF THE NATIONAL CITY MUNICIPAL CODE (Document
No. 69688) and an outline of same printed on yellow sheets (Document
No. 69689); he thought it would be easiest to work from the yellow
sheets; this will allow Council to make changes before the proposal
goes to formal hearings. Mr. Post said Jack Kearney, Code Conformance
Officer, was present to answer any questions,
There was discussion regarding the time required for abatement of the
various items contained within the proposed addition to the Code; that
the proposal would provide the City the necessary tools for eliminating
and/or preventing blight; the items contained within the proposal are
things which Council has brought up in the past and referred to staff.
Consensus was that each item be presented separately and if Council
wished to change any of the items now, before the proposed code
amendment was finalized and formal hearing was held, their feelings be
made known in order that staff incorporate them.
Acting Planning Director Post presented the following items of Proposed
Title 7:
1. 7.06.020 - ABANDONED REFRIGERATORS, ETC" gives City the ability to
eliminate hazards involving abandoned refrigerators, etc., left outside
where children can become trapped. Council did not indicate they
wished to change this section.
2. 7.06.030 - ABANDONED BUILDINGS, gives the City quicker and more
effective control of abandoned buildings that have become dangerous to
the public; allows recovery of costs. There was discussion regarding
the last paragraph of 7,06.030: "...buildings that have been vacant
for more than ten years..." The City Attorney said a dangerous
building could be abated without any waiting period; perhaps the period
of time for abandoned buildings could be five years or less if the
Director of Building and Safety finds that cost of rehabilitating the
structure exceeds the value of the structure. Oauncil consensus was
to change to five years as suggested by the City Attorney be approved.
3. 7.06.040 - CLEAN-UP WHEN BUILDINGS ARE TORN DOWN, requires that when
buildings are demolished or moved away, the foundations must also be
removed, Has a one-year abatement for situations that now exist.
Council did not indicate they wished to change this section.
4, 7.06.050 - EVACUATING AND BARRICADING DANGEROUS BUILDINGS, improves
the City's ability to barricade dangerous buildings and places when
owners refuse or are unable to cooperate; allows recovery of costs.
Council did not indicate they wished to change this section.
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5. 7.06.060 - ABANDONED FURNITURE, Outdoors, gives property owners
reassurance when removing and disposing of items that have been
abandoned on their property; requires such removal after NOTICE by City;
clarifies City's ability to do the same thing on public property.
Councilman Waters asked if there was a fine if it was known who
abandoned the furniture. The City Attorney answered all violations of
this Code will be either infractions or misdemeanors, and there would be
a fine to which the City's recovery cost could be added. Council did
not indicate they wished to change this section.
6. 7.08.010 - BAD C3>;ORS, allows the City to control the emission of
bad odors reaching residences; allows for ordering of utility
disconnects when odors are related. Council did not indicate they
wished to change this section.
7. 7.08.020 - POISONS, reinforces existing County Health Department
regulations controlling the storage of deadly poisons where public
contact is possible; allows Fire Department to take swift action;
allows recovery of costs, Council did not indicate they wished to
change this section.
8. 7.08.030 - HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES, is a Code Section reserved here
for later insertion of "hazardous substance" regulations. The Fire
Department is preparing recommendations.
9. 7.08.040 - SPRAYING AND SANDBLASTING, regulates the careless use
of sandblasting and paint spraying equipment that Dhows materials to
drift from one property to another, Councilman Van Deventer said the
way Sec. 7.08.040 is spelled out would be hard to enforce; when
sandblasting or spraying paint it is almost impossible to keep it
confined to the property; the cost would be prohibitive. Consensus was
to add the words "reasonable measures" be taken to prevent the
migration of sprayed paint, sandblasting compounds or similar industrial
materials...
10, 7.08.050 - COMPOST PILES (rotting plant materials), prohibits the
maintenance of materials which produce bad odors which reach other
residences. Mr. Post said there are other problems with compost piles
besides odors; they attract vermin and insects. Council did not
indicate they wished to change this section.
11. and 12. Chapter 7.0 - GARBAGE AND REFUSE, establishes for the first
time a few simple but much needed rules for garbage and refuse.
disposal.
7.10.020 - DISPOSAL OF GARBAGE AND REFUSE REQUIRED, requires that each
property owner or tenant must contract for or arrange for garbage and
refuse collection. Discussion re the number of people who do not now
use the refuse service; is this City one of a few cities where service
is not mandatory; the problems in Chula Vista, The City Attorney said
someone could live in this City for thirty years and never sign for
trash service and as long as they have service, we will never hear
about it; if they haul it on their own we will never know unless there
is a complaint, or if they accumulate it in their yard we will never
know unless there is a complaint. Discussion about the Mayor's concern
that a bill for refuse service would be sent to everyone in the City.
Mr, Post was asked to look into the problems Chula Vista has
experienced.
13. 7.10.030 - BURYING OR BURNING GARBAGE, is prohibited. Council did
not indicate they wished to change this section,
14. 7,10.040 - RUBBISH CONTAINERS REQUIRED: a. requires that
containers must be provided and on the same property where the rubbish
originates; b. requires that container storage areas must be screened
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from public view; c. requires that enough containers be provided to
hold all the refuse being stored for collection. Discussion. Council
did not indicate they wished to change this section.
15. 7.10.050 - STANDARDS FOR RUBBISH CONTAINERS: a. updated an old
(1961) City Council Resolution that describes permitted types of refuse
containers; allows the use of heavy plastic bags; be forbids the
unauthorized use of rubbish containers belonging to other persons.
Discussion. Council did not indicate they wished to change this
section.
16. 7.10.060 - MIXING GARBAGE AND REFUSE, requires "fly -proof" lids on
dumpster bins containing n4,red garbage and refuse; forbids "dangerous
substances." Council did not indicate they wished to change this
section.
17. 7.10.070 - REFUSE CONTAINERS TO BE SANITARY, requires that refuse
containers be kept clean and sanitary. Council did not indicate they
wished to change this section.
18. 7.10.080 - SCREENED ENCLOSURES REQUIRED: a. requires screened
(view obscuring) enclosure of trash storage areas having capacity of
60 gallons or more, at all commercial and industrial locations where
the storage area is visible from public streets, alleys or adjoining
properties; b. when such storage areas are inside buildings, floor
drains are required. Discussion re item 'c' (not included on yellow
pages) which requires installation of automatic fire sprinkler and
that floor drain be connected to the public sewer system; cost of such
installations; necessity of such installations; were there real
problems with containers inside buildings; was this intended for
application where chemicals were used. Acting Planning Director Post
said this section was developed by the Fire Department, he could talk
with the Fire Chief and restructure the section, breaking it down to
chemicals and other types of materials. Council appeared to be in
agreement.
19. 7.10.090 - MAINTENANCE OF REFUSE STORAGE AREAS, establishes
minimum standards for maintenance of cleanliness at rubbish storage
areas. Discussion re striking the words "self -closing" from the
sentence "Gates shall be maintained in an operable, self -closing
condition at all times." It was suggested that it be made to read
"Gates shall be closed at all times." Council consensus was the
suggestion be incorporated in the section. There was further
discussion regarding the City Manager meeting with the trash company
representatives to go over all items in the ordinance pertaining to
garbage and refuse once it was adopted.
20. Table 1 - DESIGN STANDARDS FOR MASONRY ENCLOSURES FOR RUBBISH
STORAGE, requires masonry construction of certain trash storage
enclosures, gates are required, other design standards are included.
Council did not indicate they wished to change the table.
21. 7.10.100 - RETROACTIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR RUBBISH STORAGE
ENCLOSURES: a. requires that all pre-existing apartment house,
commercial and industrial places that do not now have enclosures shall
be corrected within three years; b. allows encroachment of trash
enclosures into parking areas where no other solution is practical.
Discussion regarding adequate number of containers to be furnished by
apartment owners; apartments across from Food Basket, trash containers
not adequate for number of units; would this ordinance require them to
upgrade? could City get cooperation from the trash company? with the
cooperation of the trash company, it could be referred to the code
conformance officer; who is better qualified to determine how many
trash containers are needed than the trash company. Acting Planning
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Director Post said many of these standards were developed with the
trash company, Council did not indicate they wished to change this
section.
22. 7.10.110 - PLACING GARBAGE AND REFUSE CONTAINERS OUT FOR COLLECTION,
adds a new provision requiring a minimum distance of 10 feet between
rubbish containers and any window in a dwelling. Discussion.
Councilman Van Deventer said one problem that was not addressed was
being able to roll the containers out to the street and suggested in
certain cases, owners be allowed to cut the curb (similar to
handicapped curbs) where the trash enclosure has to be located and
cannot be approached from the driveway. Council appeared to be in
agreement. Mr. Post said they could work with Public Works on this.
23. 7.10.120 - HOURS FOR PLACING CONTAINERS OUT FOR COLLECTION, limits
the hours that containers can be left out on the street, Council did
not indicate any wish to change this section.
24. 7.10.130 - CLEAN-UP AFTER COLLECTION, requires clean-up of
collection areas after collection is made. Council did not indicate
any wish to change this section.
25. 7.10.130 - BAD ODORS FROM RUBBISH STORAGE AREAS, prohibits the
emission of bad odors that disturb residential occupants. Council did
not indicate any wish to change this section.
26. 7.10.150 - SCAVENGERS PROHIBITED, prohibits strangers picking
through rubbish containers and carrying away whatever they find.
Code Conformance Officer Kearney reported people go through dumpsters,
tear open bags looking for aluminum cans and leave the other contents
of the bag and the bag on the sidewalk. Discussion re not wanting
anyone arrested for scavenging; scavenging is supplemental or only
income for some people, City Attorney McLean said they were
contemplating handling scavenging as infraction and arrest would be
unlikely; it might present a problem for people who could not identify
themselves. Consensus was that the item remain with the understanding
that warnings would be given.
27. 7.10.160 - INTERFERENCE WITH COLLECTION, makes it unlawful to
interfere in any way with the City's refuse collection service or with
any rubbish containers. Council did not indicate they wished to change
this section.
28. 7.10.170 - DUMPING PROHIBITED, "Dumping" is described as the
unauthorized placing of junk, trash, etc., on any public or private
property; dumping is prohibited; allows for recovery of costs for
removing materials that have been dumped. Council did not indicate
they wished to change this section.
29. 7.10.180 - HAULING GARBAGE THROUGH CITY, prohibits the hauling of
garbage through the City on City streets; City Council can grant
permits. Discussion re "permit in writing" to be applied for and
approved by the City Council; permit should be handled at staff level;
Council would not allow a "City Dump" within the City limits; litter
and debris blow off trucks going through the City and perhaps they
should be required to cover trucks with tarp or canvas; would this
section interfere with the twice a year Clean -Up sponsored by the
Chamber of Commerce and National City Refuse? eliminating "no person
shall bring, carry, transport, or convey into the City any rubbish or
garbage, etc"; whether the paragraph should be eliminated totally. Mr.
Post said they would re -work the section.
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30. Chapter 7.12 - ACCUMULATION OF JUNK, adds several regulations to
the Code to deal with unsightly accumulations of junk such as discarded
furniture, packing crates, old cardboard boxes, etc., that are
sometimes left outdoors for long periods of time with no effort made to
remove them; this is one of the items specifically requested by the
City Council some time ago. Councilman Van Deventer spoke in regard to
Sec. 7.12.040e (not on yellow pages) saying firewood length should be
changed from 18" to 36"; also a company might have 2 x 4ts for future
construction; if this remains as is, there will be constant complaints
about violations.
31. 7.12.060 - ELIMINATION OF EXISTING ACCUMULATIONS OF JUNK, sets a
two-year abatement period for cleaning up pre-existing accumulations of
junk. Council did not indicate they wished to change this section.
32. 7.12.090 - ABATEMENT BY CITY, allows City co clean up severe junk
accumulations when all other efforts have failed; allows recovery of
costs. Vice Mayor Dalia spoke of the lengthy letter to be sent to
people in violation, saying it is too long and the language is not
easily understandable. Acting Planning Director Post said he would
work with the City Attorney to improve the letter.
33. Chapter 7.14 - "ANTI -LITTER" ORDINANCE, adds a complete "anti -
litter" ordinance to the Municipal Code for the first time; the City
does not now have an effective "anti -litter" law; the new rules closely
follow the model ordinance prepared by the League of California Cities
and which has been adopted by many California cities; this does not
interfere with the present "weed abatement" program managed by the Fire
Department. These "anti -litter" regulations cover: Littering any
public place or private property; littering streets and alleys; dumping
"sweepings" upon public sidewalks; littering of parks; allows placement
of litter cans; littering of vacant lots; littering bayfront areas;
scattering of lunch remains; dropping litter or handbills from
airplanes; requires tow truck operators to clean up debris from the
scene of auto collisions where they have been called to remove damaged
vehicles. Council did not indicate they wished to make any change to
this chapter.
34. 7.14.050 - LITTER ON SIDEWALKS, requires that adjoining property
owners or tenants keep their sidewalks clean. In answer to a gb°estion
from Council, the City Attorney said penalties for this were set up with
the option of infraction or misdemeanor. Vice Mayor Dalla said if
someone driving down the street threw a bag out of the window, penalties
and fines in other jurisdictions are substantial; Council might give
some consideration on how to deal with littering; if they are going to
get a citation and nothing else, they will not stop littering. City
Attorney McLean said the code gives the option of infraction or
misdemeanor; the fact of the matter is the fine is fixed by the Court,
not the City; for example, a taxicab permit violation and a man
urinating in the Kimball Park --the taxicab driver will probably not be
fined more than $15-20, he has taken off half a day from work; on the
other hand, in the case of the individual urinating in the Park, the
Court will give the maximum. Discussion regarding litter receptacles,
could it be made mandatory for fast food restaurants to place
receptacles off their own property, say a half block away; should
people be required to eat the food they buy at fast food restaurants at
the restaurant.
35. 7.14.070 - DUMPING INTO SEWERS AND STORM DRAINS, prohibits dumping
sewage into storm drains or rain water into sewers. Councilman Waters
asked where it states "unlawful to place, etc." what do you intend to
do with them when they are caught. Acting Planning Director Post said
they will be given a citation; they could look at it again and try to
put some teeth in it. City Attorney McLean said the Court would look
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at it in terms of seriousness; the judge will fine if the evidence is
there and will suspend if the individual pays a satisfactory cost of
clean-up. Councilman Waters said people throw dog feces in drains.
City Manager McCabe said City crews had to go out and clean it --at a
cost of $50-100, City Attorney McLean said if we can prove an
individual did it, the Court will require him to pay the bill for the
clean-up.
Mayor Morgan called a recess at 10:35 a.m.
Council reconvened at 10:45 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Council members present: Camacho, Dalla, Van Deventer, Waters, Morgan.
Absent: None. Administrative officials present: Campbell, Code
Conformance Officer Kearney, McCabe, Acting Planning Director Post.
Absent: McLean (Excused for doctor's appointment)
36. 7.14.080 - LITTER CANS REQUIRED, requires Flitter receptacles"
(trash cans) for public use at certain locations such as fast food
restaurants; these are now required by State law; putting the same
requirements into this Code makes local enforcement much simpler; also
regulates design, maintenance and vandalism of litter cans. Council-
man Van Deventer asked if this would be retroactive, Acting Planning
Director Post said the way it is written now there is no requirement to
make it retroactive.
37. 7.14.090 - REMOVAL OF BUILDING PROJECT REFUSE, requires that
building project locations be cleaned up after project is completed.
Mayor Morgan spoke of some paper left from construction that was never
finished and has been sitting there for five years, Acting Planning
Director Post said that would not be covered in this Code section.
Discussion. The Mayor asked if a one-year limitation could be placed
on removal. Mr. Post is to determine if it was covered in the Uniform
Building Code.
38. 7.24.100 - RESPONSIBILITY FOR LITTER REMOVAL, makes both tenants
and owners responsible for cleaning up litter on their property;
existing code does not include tenants --leaving us unable to enforce
the code whenever non-resident property owners cannot be found. Council
did not indicate any wish to change this section.
39. 7.14.120 - ALLOWS CITY TO REMOVE LITTER, allows City to clean up
serious litter problems on private property when all other efforts have
failed; costs could be recovered; this would be used in very severe
cases where danger to the public was clearly threatened. Council did
not indicate a wish to change this section,
40. Chapter 7.16 - GRAFFITI CONTROL, adds new "graffiti control"
regulations to the Code for the first time; a. makes it a violation to
apply graffiti anywhere in the City; b. requires that property owners
must remove graffiti; c, sets a one-year abatement period for removal
of all existing graffiti; d. refers to the "Graffiti Control Guidelines"
adopted by the City Council a few months ago; e. suggests that new
buildings include design provisions for graffiti control. Councilman
Van Deventer said Sec. 7.16.020A makes it the responsibility of the
property owner; nothing is said about the person who committed the act;
parents of juveniles should be responsible; but it all comes back to
the property owner; 99% is not caused by the property owner; he should
be able to get restitution. Discussion. Councilman Van Deventer asked
if a paragraph could be added specifying that each person who committed
a crime, should he be apprehended, is to be held responsible. Acting
Planning Director Post said we do have a law regarding malicious
mischief. Vice Mayor Dalla said if an individual piece of residential
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property is adjacent to where young people gather, if we leave it to
the property owner to press charges, they may not want to do so because
they are afraid to take action. Councilman Van Deventer said he
thought we would have to retain the whole section, but add to it.
Mayor Morgan said to word it the best you can. Councilman Waters said
he thought a year is a long time to allow graffiti to remain on a
building; it shouldn't be more than six months. Councilman Van Deventer
said he was thinking anytime over ninety days is too long. Councilman
Camacho said make it ninety days.
41. 7.18.020 - VEHICLES ON SIDEWALKS, prohibits the parking of vehicles
so that they overhang public sidewalks; allows impounding where
necessary. Councilman Van Deventer said the sooner it goes in, the
happier they will be between Second and Third. Councilman Camacho
spoke of the problem in his neighborhood, employees of Ball Oldsmobile
do not park on their property; they create all kinds of problems
parking at corners of streets and across driveways; something needs to
be done. Mayor Morgan said what we need is to lay out parking slots
for cars, mark the driveways and corners and post "2-hour" parking
signs; and asked the City Manager to see that it was brought before the
Traffic Safety Committee. Discussion of when the new parking
enforcement program will go into effect. Vice Mayor Della said before
the "2-hour" signs go up, you can have off-street parking for those
individuals, but you cannot force them to use it. Councilman Camacho
said he was sure that if Management said "We have parking for you and
you are creating a problem here" the employees would not park on the
street.
42. 7.18.030 - VEHICLES ON PARKWAYS, prohibits parking upon street
"parkways"(the space between the curb and the property line); allows
impounding where necessary. Mayor Morgan said cars set at 1404 'K'
and 1405 'K' and asked if this would take care of them. Code
Conformance Officer Kearney said if they are on a paved area, they can
park. Mayor Morgan said there was one place on Highland where the
Police gave them orders to move all the cars except the ones that
belonged there; they had 15-20 cars; since that in his neighborhood
there are two people who live there and there should be something we
could do. Mr. Kearney said basically they have gotten rid of cars not
on paved areas. Mayor Morgan said Sunday morning on that corner of
Division Street at least 75 cars were parked. Mr. Kearney said Mr.
Bethea owns about 14 of those cars; the Police Dept. has been reluctant
to enforce; the language in this section of the Code would give them
the authority. Mayor Morgan asked how about if they had to be moved
once a week so the sweeper could get in --all over the City? Councilman
Camacho said there was an apartment near him, six units and all with
garages and all of them park in the street. Acting planning Director
Post said the garages would be kept operational for parking and then we
could get them. Councilman Waters said how about the 14/75 cars on
Division? Mr. Kearney said we have not been able to ascertain the
selling of auto parts there. Mayor Morgan said at Fourth and 'F' they
have a tow truck there and Hove cars around with the tow truck-10-15
cars there, and asked if we can handle this. Mr. Kearney said he did
not know if we could specifically handle that; the man who owns and
drives the tow truck is in business somewhere else. Mayor Morgan asked
what can you do with this? Mr. Kearney said nothing he knew of.
Councilman Van Deventer asked if he had a business license to operate
there? and said he can't do business if he doesn't have a City license.
Acting Planning Director Post said the problem they have is they try to
monitor these violations closely and if he is operating tow truck
business out of that house...Mayor Morgan asked about how many people
could live in this single-family home, he thought there was only one
bathroom. Councilman Waters said he was told all he does is towing on
weekends; the only way is to go through the Police Dept. and find out
to whom the license numbers are registered. Mayor Morgan asked if
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anyone checked on the license numbers on the vehicles to see who they
belong to? Mr. Kearney said the Police Dept. has investigated for
stolen vehicles; there is nothing that says you cannot have vehicles
that don't belong to you on private property. Councilman Waters asked
if there was something about storing cars on private property.
Councilman Camacho said 72 hours; all they have to do is move the car a
few inches. Mr. Kearney said the intent of the law is 72 hour parking;
the Police Dept. will not accept token movement. City Manager McCabe
said also the Police Dept. has been going to nearby property owners
and asking if the residents know who cars belong to.
43. 7.18.040 - "A -BOARD" SIGNS ON PARKWAYS AND SIDEWALKS, prohibits the
placing of "A -Board" signs on public sidewalks and street parkways;
allows Public Works Dept. to remove them when necessary. Code
Conformance -Officer Kearney said the real problem was with newspaper
stands; this section will give him proper authority. Council did not
indicate they wished to make any change to this section.
44. 7.18.050 - PLACING OBSTACLES UPON STREETS, forbids the placing of
trash, building materials or obstacles upon public streets; allows
Public Works Dept. to remove them and charge costs to the offender
where xecessary. Council did not indicate they wished to make a change
to this section.
45. 7.18.050 - TRACKING MUD ONTO PUBLIC STREETS, prohibits the tracking
of large quantities of mud onto streets. Council did not indicate they
wished to change this section.
46. 7.18.070 - REPAIRING OR WASHING CARS ON PUBLIC STREETS, prohibited
except for emergencies; allows impounding where necessary. Discussion
in regard to substances used to wash cars; would this include common
soap or detergent; could cause problems as written. Consensus was that
washing with gasoline or solvents, anything other than common soap or
detergent, should be prohibited.
47. 7.18.080 - BUS BENCHES ON SIDEWALKS AND PARKWAYS, adds regulations
for the control of bus benches on public sidewalks and parkways; the
Municipal Code does not now cover bus benches; makes permits and control
subject to Council review when needed. Discussion. Consensus that
permits and control be handled by staff.
48. 7.18.100 - SIDEWALK "PITCH -MEN", prohibits sidewalk salesmen
(pitch -men) activities where pedestrians are "hassled" or otherwise
interferred with. Council did not indicate a wish to change this
section.
49. 7.18.110 - VEHICLES USED AS "BILLBOARDS", On -Street, regulates
vehicles used as "billboards". It was determined under discussion, this
would not apply to political campaign signs. Council did not indicate
a wish to change this section.
50. 7.18.20 - SIDEWALK AND PARKWAY MAINTENANCE REQUIRED, requires that
adjoining property owners or tenants must clean their sidewalks and
parkways. Council did not indicate a wish to change this section.
51. 7.18.130 - "JUMPING" OF CURBS PROHIBITED, controls vehicles
"jumping" curbs where there are no driveway openings; exceptions could
be allowed by staff. Council did not indicate a wish to change this
section.
52. 17.18.140 - HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, this section is reserved for later
adoption of a "hazardous substances" ordinance; the Fire Dept. is
preparing suggestions.
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53. 7.20.030 - CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION "COLLECTION STATIONS", controls
the placement and maintenance of outdoor collection bins operated by
charitable organizations; requires City Council approval; removal could
be ordered where necessary. In answer to a question regarding such
problems as existed at South Bay Plaza where people were dumping such
things as old sofas adjacent to a bin, Acting Planning Director Post
said this section should handle that (Mayor Morgan spoke of oil and
sand spread at South Bay Plaza on the parking lot and said it would
only last a few years. Acting Planning Director Post said that is
something that is under the control of the City Engineer. Councilman
Camacho asked if there was something to mandate the repair of chuck
holes. Mayor Morgan said we laid off of them because this remodeling
was coming along; he was going to be after them if this happened again;
they didn't do a good job and it will not last; we need something that
will require them to keep the parking lot in repair.)
54. 7.20.030 - DUMPING LAUNDRY DRAINAGE ONTO GROUND, forbids the
dumping of laundry waste water upon the open ground or into storm
drains. Council did not indicate any wish to change this section.
55. 7.20.060 - REFERENCE TO UNIFIED PORT DISTRICT REGULATIONS, makes it
clear that this Code does not interfere with Port District regulations
or with their enforcement efforts. Council did not indicate any wish
to change this section.
56. 7.20.070 - PARKING LOT PEDDLERS, recently adopted regulations
controlling "parking lot peddlers" are added to this Code to simplify
enforcement; an additional rule is added to make it a violation to
peddle or solicit on private property posted with "NO PEDDLERS" or "NO
SOLICITORS" signs. In answer to a question, Acting Planning Director
Post said this section would cover such situations as the "Lobster Man."
Council did not indicate any wish to change this section.
57. 7.20.080 - RESIDING OR "CAMPING" IN VEHICLES ON PUBLIC STREETS,
prohibits "camping" in recreational vehicles on public streets; does
not limit approved trailer parks or campgrounds. Council did not
indicate any wish to change this section.
58. 7.20.090 - SHOPPING CARTS, regulates the removal and abandonment of
shopping carts from shopping centers; this is now covered by State law;
by adding it here, local enforcement will be simplified. Councilman
Waters said yesterday four carts were pushed way up Highland and left;
a businessman had to call the market and tell them to come and get
them; and asked if we could make the owner of the shopping carts
responsible. Councilman Van Deventer spoke of the way Alpha Beta
handles shopping carts. Vice Mayor Dalla said they have an 800
telephone number and they will come and get the carts. Councilman
Camacho said the markets do enough by providing the carts, it is the
bad behavior of people that causes problems; he appreciated the fact
that they were available. Councilman Waters said the market is no
different; it is their responsibility.
59. 7.20.100 - OFF -ROAD VEHICLES, adds regulations covering "off -road"
vehicles that enter private property for "joy -riding;" covers motor-
cycles and all types of motorized vehicles; allows impounding where
necessary. Council did not indicate any wish to •hange this section.
60. 7.20.100 - DANGEROUS TRAFFIC OBSTRUCTIONS BLOCKING VISION OF
DRIVERS, allows City Council to order the removal or correction of
obstacles such as fences or hedges that create dangerous traffic
conditions by blocking the vision of drivers. Council did not indicate
any wish to change this section.
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61. 7.20.120 - YARD SALES PROHIBITED ON SIDEWALKS AND PARKWAYS, "Yard
Sales" cannot be conducted on public sidewalks or parkways. Council
did not indicate any wish to change this section.
62, 7.20.130 - VEHICLE REPAIRING ON LAWNS AND ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES,
prohibits vehicle repairing on lawns and landscaped areas, forbids
vehicle repairing on residential lots, except vehicles belonging to the
family at that address. Council did not indicate any desire to change
this section.
f3. 7.20.140 - VEHICLE PARKING ON LAWNS, prohibits parking of vehicles
on lawns or in certain yard setback areas, except on approved and
improved parking pads. Vice Mayor Dalla requested Sec. 7.20.140A be
made to match 7.18.070, if needed.
64. 7.20.150 - VEHICLES USED AS "BILLBOARDS," Off -Street, Vehicles
decorated with signs to become "billboards" would not be allowed to
park in certain locations. (Also see #49) Council did not indicate
any desire to change this section.
65. Chapter 7.22 - OVERCROWDING OF HOUSING, a new "housing conditions"
chapter is added to the Municipal Code to deal with some of the
overcrowding and apartment house maintenance problems over which we now
have very little control: a. Prohibits sleeping or residing in
abandoned vehicles, storm drains and a variety of unhealthful places;
b. requires that dwellings have public utilities for heat and hot
water and garbage and refuse collection; c. places maximum occupant
load limits on "boarding houses and similar places." Mayor Morgan
asked ifCouncil could limit occupancy to "two people per bathroom."
Acting Planning Director Post said this was very difficult to deal
with; the proposal provides that in boarding houses, group housing,
etc., there be 150 sq. ft./efson and one bathroom (full facility) for
each sex and for each/n iden;s; the City Attorney's input was needed;
there are a number of conflicting court cases; we have to comply.
Mayor Morgan asked Code Conformance Officer Kearney about the residence
at 'F' and Fourth. Mr. Kearney said there are apartments there; do
they have a license to operate apartments there? Mr. Kearney said the
County controls that. Mayor Morgan said he was referring to a City
license on apartments; all apartments have to have licenses; check
that. Councilman Waters spoke of a situation on Angelo Drive where
there are eleven residents (if it were one family there would be no
regulation); this violates the law; he did not know why staff could
not find that law. Acting Planning Director Post said recent court
decisions have limited the City's ability to control. Councilman
Waters said they are setting bunks up out in the yard. Mayor Morgan
said they have a "For Sale" sign on the property. Code Conformance
Officer Kearney said he thinks the sign represents a sincere effort by
the owner to sell the property; the residents all go to the same
church; they claim they are looking for another location; the neighbors
across the street said when they first moved in, they cleaned up the
yard. Mayor Morgan said the neighbors he talked to have a different
opinion; it has upset the whole neighborhood. Councilman Waters said
since you say there is a religious affiliation, he wanted to say he has
seen them carrying each other into the house and asked if they use some
kind of hypnotic. Vice Mayor Dalla reminded Council that Chula Vista
had a problem with a residence that went to the Supreme Court;
sometimes these things can create more problems than the original
problem we have. Mayor Morgan said he is just trying to trigger their
thinking on how tlis matter could be handled. Vice Mayor Dalla said
when this was referred to the City Attorney, he thought he would
research recent court decisions. Acting Planning Director Post said
the situation on Angelo brings up a situation that has not been
addressed by our proposed code: people sleeping in the backyard and
garages; maybe there should be regulations against these things. Mayor
Morgan said use the strongest language you can, he will vote for it if
11/29/83
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Page 234
it is there. Councilman Waters said and let the courts find we have it
in the Code, like Mr. Case said about zoning laws and alcoholic
licenses; years ago you could just put a bar anywhere; if you don't
allow it; then let them find it out in court and if enough do find out,
maybe the churches will change their minds.
66. Chapter 7.24 - APARTMENT HOUSE MANAGEMENT, this is an entirely new
addition to the Municipal Code which may need to be expended in future
years; only a few items are included at this time: a. requires
"managers" of apartment houses (see text for details) - Chapter 7.24),
b. requires that City must be notified of changes in managers, and
c. requires that condominium "home owners' associations" designate a
spokesman for contact with City health and safety agencies and
departments. Vice Mayor Dalla said it does no good to have a manager
if we do not know who the manager is. Mayor Morgan said that could
create a need for a lot of extra help. Acting Planning Director Post
said the responsibility lies with the owner to tell us who the managers
are.
67. 7.14.030 - COMPLIANCE WITH APARTMENT HOUSE RULES, a new provision
encourages, but does not require tenant compliance with private
apartment house management rules, specifically removes City from any
sort of arbitration or "rent control" relationship, requires that
owners and managers are responsible for all code compliance on the
property they control. Council consensus was that "tenant compliance
with private...rules" be advisory only; the City does not want to be
in position of enforcing.
68. Chapter 7.26 - VANDALISM AND SECURITY, is reserved for later
addition of a "Vandalism and Security" ordinance; the Police Dept. will
be involved in the preparation of suggestions.
69. Chapter 7.28 - "HANDBILLS" AND "BILLPOSTING": "Handbills" rre now
regulated...but the Code is weak, sketchy and confusing; improvement in
those regulations include: a. prohibits the scattering of handbills
except when personally handed to a willing person (7.28.020);
b. prohibits the placing of handbills on parked vehicles, incorporating
an existing City law. (7.28.030); c. prohibits posting of "billposters"
on posted property (7.28.040); d. requires property owner's permission
and zoning code compliance for all billposting (7.28.050); e. allows
City to remove improper billposters where other means have failed;
costs may be recovered (7.28.060). Discussion regarding See..7.28.020;
very few people are at home; should be handled for example like election
materials left hanging on doorknobs.
70. Chapter 7.30 - FLIES AND MOSQUITOES, reinforces existing regulations
for control of fly and mosquito breeding places; does NOT put City into
any sort of "ABATEMENT" program; abatement is the duty of the County
Health Dept. Council did not indicate any wish to change this chapter.
71. Chapter 7.32 - ENFORCEMENT, several improved enforcement techniques
are added: a. names the Code Conformance Officer as the principal
person responsible for the enforcement of these regulations (7.32.020);
b. provides that the City Manager may assign administrative
responsibilities and establish administrative guidelines (7.32.020);
c. allows the use of citations for enforcement of these regulations;
gives the Code Conformance Officer authority to write citations
(7.32.030); d. gives the Code Conformance Officer a=uthor.t,.- to see;
nspectao_: .asrannts" when they are necessary (7.32.040); and
3. allows violations to be cited either as misdemeanors or as
infractions -- WOBLERS (7.32.050). Council did not indicate they
wished to change Chapter 7.32. (This ended the review of the proposed
code chances.) Acting Planning Director Post said this would come back
for formal public hearing after notice was published.
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CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Morgan said he had heard some talk of cutting down on City crews
and asked the City Manager to be sure they were not cut too far.
Mayor Morgan asked if we were using outside sweepers. City Manager
McCabe said there was one vacancy and an outside sweeper had been used.
Mayor Morgan asked instead of outside help, don't we have people in
house who could do this? City Manager McCabe replied, we do, one of
the persons is on the sewer crew and that would cut down there.
Councilman Camacho asked if Planning Commission members have any form
of identification, saying they and members of other commissions,
boards, or committees sometimes go into the field to investigage a
situation and have nothing to show if they are challenged. Council was
in consensus that ID cards be given to the members of commissions,
boards, or committees who request them, and the members should be
advised of the availability of these ID cards at their regular meetings.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Camacho, seconded by Waters, the meeting be adjourned.
Carried by unanimous vote. The meeting closed at 11:55 a.m.
The foregoing minutes were approved at the regular meeting of the City
Council on December 13, 1983. /
Corrections
No Corrections
CITY OF NATIONAL CITY, CALIFORNIA
11/29/83