HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-21-2013 ac clr smithGoodwin, Heather
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Grimes, Maeve
Tuesday, May 2L,2013 8:26 AM
Goodwin, Heather
Agenda Correspondence - CLR
Memo News Racks.doc; Newsrack Timeline.doc; Council action update 2-1,-Llpdf
Heather,
Please forward the attached files for Agenda Correspondence under CLR for this evening. Vice Mayor Smith
will be bringing up this topic.
Thank you AOENDA
mâev€ kenneòy qRrmes
City Clerk
crty of s.ln Lurs orlrspo
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
¡rhcrre, (805) 781-7102
emÀl[, mgrimes@slocitv.orq
CORRESPONDENCE
Date5/zl /t< ttem* @
R D
MAY 21 2013
1
16May 2013
To Kathy Smith, City Council Member
and City Council Liaison to the Downtown Association
From: Deborah Cash, Executive Director
San Luis Obispo Downtown Association
Re: News racks in the Downtown Area
As you are aware from the discussion of the Downtown Association Board of Directors
on 14 May,20l3, news rack issues in the Downtown remain unresolved after more than
two years of sincere joint efforts on behalf of the City and the Downtown Association to
bring the racks up to standards that reflect the values of our community.
Currently, racks are 'maintained' through a voluntary "self-policing" program. After the
third and most recent "round" of inspections occurred, we realized that the program as it
stands is ineffective and without suff,rcient consequences for non-compliance to warrant
our continued efforts.
The Council, on February 1,2011 voted to support the voluntary compliance program,
with the item to return within a year for review.
As you can see by the attached inspection reports and photos, many of the racks are
unsightly and grimy, broken, rusted and covered with graffrti, stickers and food, etc. The
resulting blight is an eyesore and not the message we want to convey to visitors and
guests about how we care for our Downtown.
It is apparent that most vendors (a few have shown good faith efforts) simply are not
interested in the condition of their racks and with no enforcement consequence to worry
about, they are not motivated to bring racks into compliance.
The Board is requesting that Council consider having this item returned for review and
new to ensure compliance and remedy the problem.
In previous discussions regarding solutions, one idea was offered that seems to have
merit, though I am unsure if it is legally applicable. That would be to inform all news
rack vendors that (once adopted) a mandatory program is in force with violators receiving
first a warning, then a citation. If the citation is not paid and/or the rack remains in
violation, a removal warning will be issued followed by removal of the rack to a secured
area where it can be retrieved by the owner following payment of the citation.
It is apparent that most vendors (a few have shown good faith efforts) simply are not
interested in the condition of their racks and with no enforcement consequence to worry
about, they are not motivated to bring racks into compliance. Your assistance in
advancing this item to appear on a future Council agenda is greatly appreciated.
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News rack Timeline (update)
s-14-13
News rack ordinance to Council2lllll
See attached Council action including "returning to Council in one yeaf'
City working to get permit holder information and fees within one-month;
letter to be issued 4ll1 for delinquent vendors to secure permit with 30-
day deadline
City still receiving permits/info from vendors (city staff reduction)
Letter thanking vendors for obtaining permits and reminding of
compliance requirements (from City)
First inspection (by DA Security)
Compliance letters issued (by City for l0-day re-inspection)
Communication between DA/City; GIS developing map of rack locations
Second inspection (by DA Security)
Second compliance letter (with July 20 deadline for compliance)
Third inspection (by DA Security)
Third compliance letter (with October l5 deadline for compliance)
Fourth Inspection (by DA Security)
Fourth compliance letter (with April24 deadline)
Communication regarding enforcement, no "next step"
City Council Meeting
Tuesday, February 1,2011
Page 3
I CONSENT AGENDA
CI. MINUTES.
ACTION: Moved by Ca,rge/snlith to waive oral reading and approve the mlnutes of
November 9 and 16, 2010, as amended; motion carried 4:0 (Smith recused).
ACTloN:Movedby@[htowaiveoralreadingandapprovetheminutesof
December 1 and 7,2010, as presented; motion canied 5:0'
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. coNslDERArloU oF GURRENT AND PRqPPSED.SEçu!4\I9NS
oovenutla¡ne mAlnreNençe or ¡¡ewsn¡lcxs ltt clly nlqlrr or
WAY.
Citv Ajtomevlietrich and Public Works DeoutyDl , and Supervislng Civil
enqin.-elHánnqlA presented the agenda report and responded lo questions.
Council Membqr Çartef recused himsetf due to a potential conflict of interest and left the
Council Charnber.
Public Comments
Eiene- Radarnaker. San Luis Obispo, referrenced a letter submitted to the Council by the
ffitionwhichstatestheirsupportofstaffsrecommendation.
Stevq Owens, San Luis Obispo, spoke ln support of the staffs recommendation and
responded to Council questlons.
Chris Gardner. spoke about his concems and observations of "condo type" newsracks
and responded to Council guestions.
--end of public comments--
ACTION: Moved by Smith/Camenter to direcl staff to take an incremental approach to
regulation, focusingon stakeholder engagement, enforcement of existing regulations,
an-d progress tracking and retum to Council ln one year wlth a report on effectiveness of
enfoicernent efforts ãnd recommendations regarding the need for additional regulation
(4:0, Carter rocused).
2.REM9VAL OF MEMBELOF TOURISM BUSINESS IMPROVEHENT DISTRICT
fiBrDl BO,A&DI
I
t Citv Clerk Cano presented the agenda report