HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/16/2025 Item 7b, Rowley
RQN of SLO <rqn.board@yahoo.com>
Sent:Monday,
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Subject: Item 7b, Response to Grand Jury Report
Dear Mayor Stewart and Members of the Council,
The RQN members I’ve spoken with were hoping city staff would take the opportunity provided by the
Grand Jury report to devise new approaches to frequent, noisy disruptions in neighborhoods near Cal
Poly. With Cal Poly continuing to increase enrollment, plus inviting additional fraternities to come here
(without having accommodations for them), the disruptions currently being experienced will undoubtedly
increase and spread. Thus it’s important to find what policies work - and soon. Why? Because, day-to-
day, what we’re doing now isn’t working.
With the exception of St Fratty’s Day 2025, where enforcement by SLOPD and allied law enforcement
agencies was enormously successful, problems with weekend parties - particularly those associated with
fraternities - still exist.
A. There are some small things that could be done.
General
– Article I, SEC. 3. (a) of the California Constitution states: “The people have the right to
instruct their representatives, petition government for redress of grievances, and assemble
freely to consult for the common good.” There seems to be a misunderstanding about the right to
assemble. We have heard several staff members equate student parties with the right to assemble, but
this is not the intention of Article I, SEC. 3. (a). The article does not indicate or imply that people have
the right to assemble to interact with each other at a party - to drink, to shout, to listen to loud music; in
other words, to cause a disturbance in their neighborhood either at night or during the day. More staff
education would help dispel this inaccuracy.
SLOPD
– The Party Registration Application form could, and should, include the statement “No live bands or Djs
are permitted in the neighborhoods. I certify under penalty of perjury that there will be no band or DJ at
the party.” The Party Registration page states no band/DJ, but that has shown to be insufficient.
– The prohibition of amplified music in residential neighborhoods is included in the noise
ordinance. However, when a DAC or citation is issued for a noisy party with a band or DJ, we have not
seen an additional comment showing the issuance of a second citation for having the band or DJ at the
party. It seems the host as well as the band could also be cited.
– Either eliminate the policy of clearing premised properties at the start of each school year, or add
“Submitted under penalty of perjury.” to the Early Removal Form. Properties housing fraternity members
have taken advantage of this process as evidenced by residents who have contacted specific fraternity
houses by calling a student who lived there the previous year, finding he still lives there.
– Ensure that all individuals that hear noise violation appeals are aware that body cams are calibrated to
record voices while reducing other types of noise, so they know that body cam footage is not a good
source for determining how loud a party was. Captain Amoroso explained this when providing Council
information about noise violations that had their appeal erroneously approved.
– Provide a copy of the flyer given to residents in the northern part of the city (and posted on Nextdoor)
to SNAP and patrol officers/sergeants so they know what was distributed and can remind violators that the
noise ordinance applies both day and night and is measured from the noisemaker.
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Community Development
– Both Municipal Code 9.12.10 B, regarding noise control, and Municipal Code 9.13.010 B, regarding
unruly gatherings, state violations of either chapter can be treated as a public nuisance. Doing so to
repeat noise/unruly gathering offenders could create the deterrent residents have been hoping for and
asking for to control the loud/unruly parties.
– Repeat your request for an additional employee in Code Enforcement at your earliest opportunity,
even if just part-time, to concentrate on the fraternities. Said individual could check social media for
fraternity/sorority parties and events, and perform other administrative tasks. Additionally, look for
residents willing to volunteer; there must be tasks that don’t require a code enforcement officer.
City Council
– The cost of appeals by residents should be revisited. For example, the new cost to appeal to the City
Council is exorbitant and stifles, even eliminates, residents’ voices. In general residents don’t appeal
complex development projects requiring Community Development to coordinate with other
departments. For example, the most recent RQN appeal was about a fraternity’s Conditional Use Permit,
involving only Planning; it cost a whopping $745.35 - and that was before the fee increases. You should
ask that this item be returned to you with recommendations for significantly reduced fees for
residents. Fairness is setting appeals fees so that residents can participate, not equating them to
developers’ fees.
– Actively search for the funds to hire another full-time Code Enforcement employee. It is sorely
needed.
– The maximum fine for noise violations and for unruly gatherings is $1,000. Several California cities
have increased their maximum fine amount to $1,500. Suggest this be researched for use in SLO.
B. There are some larger, but necessary, things that could be done.
– Unlike the Chamber of Commerce and those who attend the Developers Round Table, SLO residents
have been gradually phased out of routine collaboration with city staff, thus limiting the airing of their
perspectives and allowing their input to decisions that will affect them.
1. Recommend the Community Development Department reinstate the Neighborhood Services Team
and the hosting of quarterly meetings with community members to discuss problems/solutions.
2. Recommend the Community Development Director reinstate regular meetings with RQN.
3. Recommend the Chief of Police or Deputy Chief reinstate regular meetings with RQN.
Thank you for your time and your attention.
Sincerely,
Sandra Rowley
Chairperson, RQN
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