HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/10/2026 Item 7a, Walker
Otta, Kaitlin
From:kathie walker <kathiewalkerslo@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday,
To:Marx, Jan; Boswell, Mike; Shoresman, Michelle; Stewart, Erica A; Francis, Emily; E-mail
Council Website
Subject:Item 7 a, Budget Report
Dear Council Members,
In connection with today's consideration of the FY 2025–26 Year End Budget Report, I request that
Council direct staff to allocate one-time funding for a dedicated contract (temporary) Code Enforcement
official to address unlawful fraternity uses in residential neighborhoods. This request was made a year
ago and was rejected and code enforcement has faltered. The City has already issued Notices of
Violation to property owners identifying unlawful fraternity use as a public nuisance and directing that
the use cease. Yet these unlawful uses have continued without meaningful abatement.
My California Public Records Act litigation against Cal Poly and the CSU Board of Trustees is scheduled
for hearing on December 9. The law supports disclosure of these records, which would provide the City
with the addresses that have continued to hold fraternity parties. The City has already issued Notices to
the property owners of the fraternity operations in the neighborhoods and just needs confirmation,
through the records, that the parties at the addresses have continued (which they have).
The City should be prepared to act promptly when those addresses become available. A dedicated
contract Code Enforcement officer could review the locations, document continuing violations, follow
up on previously issued Notices of Violation, and coordinate appropriate abatement proceedings with
the City Attorney's Office. The City already has the legal framework to address unlawful fraternity uses.
What is needed is the staffing and commitment to carry enforcement through to actual abatement,
rather than allowing violations to continue after notices have been issued.
The Year End Budget Report identifies approximately $12 million in preliminary undesignated General
Fund balance, with nearly $10 million expected to remain following the proposed storm-preparation
appropriation. This presents an opportunity to fund a targeted, time-limited enforcement initiative
without creating a permanent staffing obligation.
I ask Council to direct staff to develop a cost estimate and funding proposal for a dedicated contract
Code Enforcement officer, with measurable objectives and regular reporting on the number of unlawful
fraternity uses investigated, enforcement actions completed, and nuisances successfully abated.
The objective must be compliance and abatement, not simply additional investigations and notices.
The City has spent years identifying unlawful fraternity uses. It is time to devote the resources necessary
to bring those uses to an end.
Thank you for your consideration.
Kathie Walker
1