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FROM:
Prepared By:
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
Steve Gesell, Chief of Police
Derek Johnson, Community Development Director
Christine'Wallace, Nei ghborhood Outreach Manager
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION
CIVILITY INITIATIVES
OF NEIGHBORHOOD V/ELLNESS/COMMUNITY
RECOMMENDATION
1. Consider the proposed Neighborhood V/ellness/Community Civility Effort and provide
direction to staff; and
2. Direct staff to bring forth an amendment to the Safety Enhancement Zone Ordinance to
include the start of the academic school year for Cal Poly State University.
DISCUSSION
Background
Over the last several years, the City has experienced a significant increase in calls for service in
August and September which coincides with the start of school for both Cuesta Community College
and Cal Poly, respectively. The most notable increase coincides with the start of school for Cal Poly
University. New students move into campus housing and participate in orientation programs while
marry returning students move into ofÊcampus housing, either multi-unit apartment buildings or
single family residential units.
There has been a notable effort by Cal Poly to schedule activities and move-in times to campus
housing to address community concerns. Though scheduled activities associated with orientation
and housing are programmed through the late evening hours, students are opting out of
participation. This results in large groups of students leaving the Cal Poly campus for the
neighborhoods to explore the community and socialize. While many students do not engage in
illegal activity, there is a considerable increase in the number of public order offenses such as noise
violations, minor in possession of alcohol, urinating in public, open container and drunk in public
arrests during this time.
ln Septemb er 2012, it was estimated that over 2,000 student-aged revelers entered the neighborhood
directly south of Cal Poly's campus on the first night of orientation. The composition of this crowd
included Cal Poly and Cuesta students as well as guests from out of the area. The mass of people in
the area presented a safety concern as they made the roadways impassable for police and f,tre
vehicles, which impedes emergency response and hinders public safety oversight of the area.
Alcohol consumption within large groups of people increases the potential for civil unrest and
rioting. Riots are often the result of a number of variables including crowd size and the feeling of
anonymity, as well as the inability of officials to prevent or address public order offenses early. San
Luis Obispo has experienced two such riots, Poly Royal in 1990 and Mardi Gras in 2004, where
81 -1
attempts to address a loud party complaint and assist with medical calls for service quickly
deteriorated into a large-scale riot resulting in multiple arrests, injuries to officers and citizens, and
property damage.
As demonstrated by the data below, the start of school time period (approximately 10 days each
September) reveals a significant number of minor in possession of alcohol, drunk in public, open
container, and urinating in public citations and arrests.
In comparison, the first weekend of November shows an average number of calls and subsequent
citations for the same infractions. For noise party calls alone, the start of school exhibits and 80o/o
increase in calls for service. For minor in possession, the start of school exhibits a 9lo/o increase in
citations given.
Noise
Party
Citations
Start of School'Wellness Effort
Shortly after the start of the academic school year for Cal Poly in the fall of 2012, City staff met
with Cal Poly Administration to discuss the adverse impacts of the start of school on the
neighborhoods surrounding campus. As neighborhood wellness continues to be a Major City Goal,
collaboration with Cal Poly and Cuesta College is vital to the success of building positive
relationships between students and year-round residents. From this initial discussion and subsequent
meetings, the Neighborhood Wellness/Community Civility concept was envisioned. The objective
of these collaborative efforts is focused on neighborhood wellness and student academic success
and is intended to create an environment that fosters mutual respect and understanding which in turn
is intended change attitudes and culture (Attachment 1).
In January 2013 as part of the city's goal setting process Cal Poly President Jeff Armstrong
submitted a letter (Attachment 2) to the City Council which underscored Cal Poly's desire to help
create an even more remarkable place to live, work and learn. This letter acknowledged the
linkages between neighborhood wellness and student success. Following that letter, staff from the
Start of
School
Minor in
Possession
Drunk
in
Public
Open
Container
Urinating
in Public
Unruly
Gathering
Social
Host
Noise
Party
Calls
Noise
Party
Citations
9lts109-9121109 23 28 37 13 0 0 r73 23
9ltslr0-9126n0 74 25 45 29 0 2 9l 20
9ll4llt-9l2sltt 66 21 60 t4 0 0 r22 40
9l13lr2-91231t2 67 30 20 27 0 0 97 27
First Weekend
of November
Minor in
Possession
Drunk
in
Public
Open
Container
Urinating
in Public
Unruly
Gathering
Social
Host
Noise
Party
Calls
IIlsl09-rU8l09 0 2I 42 7 0 0 29 2
IIl4ltj-IU7lt0 4 I4 23 5 0 0 28 5
1 1 t3t 1 1 1 I l6lr 1 0 5 2 4 0 0 18 J
t1/8/12-1111),1t2 J 10 ^J 4 0 0 18 6
B1 -2
City and Cal Poly began discussions to formulate a comprehensive strategy for a short, medium and
long term effort. An overall goal emerged (outlined in Attachment 1), as follows:
To enhance the quality of life for all residents, with particular emphasis on building positive
relations between residential and student-aged neighbors through a cultural shift in social
behaviors.
The preliminary objectives were def,rned by the Neighborhood'Wellness/Community Civility Effort
and are as follows:
1) Define short-term actions that can be implemented to enhance quality of life for all
residents particularly associated in the timeframe around the start of school for Cal Poly;
2) Define stakeholders' needs and success;
3) Identify University/City best practices;
4) Review Enforcement best practices;
5) Engage stakeholders and review current education and information efforts.
The Neighborhood Wellness/Community Civility Effort will actively seek feedback from residents
and other stakeholders and make recommendations to Council, Cal Poly, and Cuesta College that
support neighborhood wellness. Additionally, SLO Solutions/Creative Mediation is in the process
of retaining an intern who will work directly with staff to assist the effort by identifying
deliverables and strategizing methodology to produce desired outcomes consistent with the overall
goal.
ln addition, a Staft of School V/hite Paper was researched and written by Police Department staff in
anticipation of this effort. The V/hite Paper (Attachment 3) identifies problems and issues related to
the beginning of the collegiate school year with possible best practices to consider for mitigating the
issues. This paper provides a summary of activity surrounding the start of school and initiatives that
the Cal Poly and City have taken and can embrace in the future to help ameliorate the impacts of
negative behaviors surrounding the start of school and other times of the year.
Attachment 1 includes a graphic that outlines the connection between the working group and the
existing Neighborhood Services Team. Ideas and strategies would be reviewed with the
Neighborhood Services Team which is comprised of residents, neighborhood groups, student
organizations, student representatives, and any interested member of the public before bringing
forward these ideas to decision makers for decision and implementation. The proposal is to use the
working group to research and implement council-approved strategies to enhance the quality of life
for all residents with an emphasis on building positive relations between residential and student
aged neighbors through a cultural shift in social behaviors.
Strategies
New student orientation also known as the Week of Welcome (V/OW) has traditionally taken place
the week prior to the start of class. In the last several years, WOW has made changes to the
schedule shifting from activities scheduled only during the week to activities engaging students
during the week and through the weekencl. Aclditionally, Cal Poly Housing has made efforts at
increasing the length of time activities take place into the evening in order to encourage students to
81 -3
remain engaged in positive activities on campus. For the upcoming academic school year, the
WOW orientation program is being adjusted to include additional academic time and programming
for parents of incoming and returning students. Finally, Cal Poly plans to create and staff an off-
campus student life coordinator who will help with neighborhood wellness. These efforts are
highlighted in correspondence from President Armstrong to Mayor and Council dated May 8, 2013
(Attachment 4).
In addition, Cal Poly University Police will be assisting the City's Police Department in response to
off-campus violations presenting a health or safety risk that potentially involve groups of students.
The Cal Poly Police role will focus on alcohol and noise violations and will be educational in
nature. Cal Poly is also making plans to build more on-campus housing, though this may be six to
ten years in the future.
Furthermore, the Cal Poly Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) has introduced a campaign relating to
campus culture dubbed "The Mustang Way." As new students arrive annually to Cal Poly and San
Luis Obispo, the ASI Board is looking to message The Mustang 'Way principals of pride,
responsibility and character as the foundation for student behaviors both on and off campus.
Cuesta College is also an enthusiastic partner is the Neighborhood Wellness/Community Civility
Effort. Involvement in the effort is fully endorsed by Dr. Gil Stork, the President of Cuesta College
(Attachment 5).
Safety Enhancem ent Zone
In December 2004, Council enacted Chapter 9.22 of the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code, which
allows for the designation of safety enhancement zones with specific time frames. Violation of
specified municipal code ordinances during the enacted safety enhancement zone time frames
results in higher fines. In ll4ay 2010, Council approved the use of safety enhancement zones for
Halloween, and St. Patrick's Day.
As the data below demonstrates, the doubling of fines over the Halloween weekend has proven to
be an effective deterrent. Noise calls and subsequent citations have been reduced by 50% since
safety enhancement was enacted. Minor in possession and urinating in public citations are also on
the decline, and most significantly open container citations with a 70o/o deuease. Staff believes the
decrease in violations is the direct result of the educational and outreach efforts highlighting the
increased fines that are in place and encouraging voluntary compliance
Staff believes that the expansion of time zones to include the period of the start of school could
have a similar impact on negative behaviors and potentially enhance students' potential for success.
Minor in
Possession
Drunk
in
Public
Open
Container
Urinating
in Public
Unruly
Gathering
Social
Host
Noise
Party
Calls
Noise
Party
Citations
2009 6 20 34 10 0 0 43 t7
20r0 22 15 27 I9 0 0 42 9
20TI 30 10 20 9 0 0 46 7
2012 18 24 10 8 0 0 24 9
81 -4
Should Council concur and provide direction, Staff would prepare a proposed ordinance to amend
Chapter 9.22 of the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code to include the time period when school move
in period begins and the first two weeks after the academic quarter commences.
CONCURRENCES
The Community Development and Fire Departments concur with this recommendation.
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impacts were identified by forming the Neighborhood Wellness/Community Civility
Effort Any ordinance changes that result in increased fines are not likely to generate any significant
revenue to offset the existing enforcement costs.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Direct Staff to make no changes to the existing safety enhancementzone ordinance.
2. Provide additional direction or changes to the proposed collaborative effort between Cal
Poly, Cuesta, and the City of San Luis Obispo.
ATTACHMENTS
Objectives for Start of School Neighborhood 'Wellness Effort
January 8.2013 Cal Poly President Corresnondence
White Paper Start of School Impacts
May 8, 2013 Cal Poly President Correspondence
May 9. 2013 Cuesta College Correspondence
1.
2.
aJ.
4.
5.
start
81 -5
Vision:
Goals:
Objectives:
Att.achment 1
DRAFT
City of San Luis Obispo-Cal Poly-Cuesta
Neighborhood Wellness/Community Civility Effort
M.ay 7,2013
A community in which year round residents and students actively
collaborate to build community, communicate in an environment that
fosters mutual respect and understanding.
To enhance the quality of life for all residents, with particular
emphasis on building positive relations between residential and
student-aged neighbors through a cultural shift in social behaviors.
I Define short-term actions that could be implemented to enhance quality of life for
all residents particularly associated in the timeframe around the opening of the
Cal Poly and Cuesta Campuses at the beginning of the school year.
Tasks: Develop list of suggested short¡term actions (i.e. low-hanging
fruit) to lessen the negative impacts on quality of life at this time of
yeat.
Assess feasibility of making changes
Implement changes
Define stakeholders' needs and success
Tasks: Develop clear picture of various stakeholders' perceptions
of situation (permanent residents, students, landlords)
Understand and identify key events/ inflection points (e.g., start of
school year, key holidays, events throughout the year, Graduation)
Establish possible goals and measurements
Define what success looks like.
Develop working group structure and approach to engage
neighborhood and student organizations.
Identify University/City Best Practices
Tasks: Research though International Town Gown Association
Reach out to comparable university towns
Gather research on key factors known to help nurture excellent
Community-University relations and civility.
Develop approaches based on best practices that deliver immediate
results and phase in future actions over specified time period to
achieve stated vision.
Understand any barriers to enhancing the student code of conduct
to include off-campus behavior.
Review Enforcement Best Practices
Tasks: Compare current ordinances and enforcement to best practices
Review student j udiciary practices
Review city-university jurisdictional rights and responsibilities
2.
J
4
81 -6
4.
Review university's disciplinary rights and practices
Engage Stakeholders: Review Current Educational and Information Efforts
Tasks: lnventory information channels to residents, students, and
landlords
Examine content and effectiveness of educational efforts by Cal
Poly, Cuesta, City, student and resident groups
Compare to identified best practices
Develop Education-Communications Plan(s), including input on
development of messages, advertising, and other outreach from
residents as well as student leadership, campus administration, city
leadership (staffand elected) and other stakeholders on problem
definition and solutions.
6. Prepare for sustained engagement to achieve desired vision and goal.
81 -7
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Attachment 2CerPoLY
SAN LUIS OBISPO
January 8,2013
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Mayor Jan Howell Marx and Members of the City Council
City of San Luis Obispo
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3249
Re: City goal-setting and budget process for 2013-15
Dear Mayor Marx and Council Members:
As you undertake the important process of establishing the city's major goals for the 2013-15
cycle, I want to underscore Cal Poly's desire to help you create an even more remarkable place
to live, work and, of course, to leam.
I note that two of the city's top 2011-13 major goals - Economic Development and
Neighborhood Wellness - were especially relevant to Cal Poly's mission, and I encourage you to
retain these as major goals for 2013-15.
While I believe Cal Poly has made tangible contributions toward these two goals, my colleagues
and I all agree that we can be even more helpful in these areas. Improvements would be helpful
to all who live here, of course, but they also have a direct bearing on our primary focus as a
university - the success of Cal Poly students.
The Economic Development goal specif,rcally included a desire for expanded collaboration with
Cal Poly. In the last two years, with encouragement and support from the County and the City of
San Luis Obispo, as well as elected offrcials and civic leaders throughout the region, Cal Poly
has opened the Tech Park and established both the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
and the Small Business Development Center for Innovation. Additionally, a very focused
partnership involving city officials, local business leaders and Cal Poly gave birth to the SLO
HotHouse business incubator.
We are continuing to look at how Cal Poly can be more effective at promoting partnerships with
business, industry and government to promote economic development tfuoughout the region and
look forward to what we can contribute to the city's efforts should economic development
remain a major goal. While our core mission is educating students enrolled in our degree
programs, we recognizethat economic opportunity, intercollegiate athletics and performing and
CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA 93407-1OOO
805-756.6000 PHONE PRESIDENTSOFFICE@CALPOLY.EDU 805-756.7729 FAX
www.cALpoLy.EDU
805-756'1'72e FAx 81 - 9
rrol
z
At.tachment 2
Mayor Jan Flowell Marx and Members of the City Council
Page2
January 8,20)3
visual arts enhance our community for residents and visitors. We also know that as we expand
partnerships, we are creating more opportunities for our students to interact with and learn from
some of the region's fìnest minds.
With regard to Neighborhood'Wellness, improvements are vital not only as a matter of
respecting our neighbors, but they also are important to our students' success, as their leanring is
done best in a safe, welcoming and respectful environment. There has been some success
regarding code compliance and overall reductions in noise complaints, and I believe it has been
the result of a combination of education and enforcement efforts. The council deserves credit for
its leadership in approving tougher fines and encouraging stricter code compliance, efforts that
Cal Poly publicly supported at a September 2009 city workshop.
On the education front, our students, on their own initiative, developed The Mustang Way, a set
ofprinciplestoguidestudentdecisionmaking@.Additionally,ourStudent
Affairs divisiori implemented an educational program about the dangers of alcohol abuse called
Aware Awake Alive
Neighborhood Wellness is a rich concept, and, of course, is about more than code enforcement
and noise complaints. V/orking together to adclress Neighborhood Wellness in a holistic way, \rye
can do even more to continue to improve the quality of life for all residents, including the
thousands of residents who are students at Cal Poly and Cuesta.
In urging you to retain and expand Neighborhood'Wellness as an initiative, Cal Poly pledges to
be an active, constructive partner. Keith Humphrey, our new vice president for student affairs, is
eager to assist; ASI President Katie Morrow affirms the same commitment to help in the work
ahead. While I mention these two important Cal Poly leaders, please know that all of us at
Cal Poly are committed to assisting the city attain its goals,
As our students wrote in The Mustang'Way, "'We are one community. 'We accept
responsibility." They speak for all of us at Cal Poly.
Thank you for the opportunity to share Cal Poly's perspective with you. And thank for your
leadership in addressing these complex, challenging issues.
Sincerely,
o.
Jeffrey D. Armstrong
President
81 -10
Attachment 3
ctty oF
sân Luls oBrspo
Evaluating the start of school move in weêk,
addressing neighborhood impacts and
otential solutions
City of San Luis Obispo White Paper
Steve Gesell, Chief of Police
Chris Staley, Police Captain
Jeff Smith, Police Lieutenant
SUMMARY
During the past several years, the San Luis Obispo Police Department has seen an increase in the
number of students congregating in the neighborhoods surrounding the Cal Poly campus during
the start of school, prior to starting the fall quarter. The greatest impact has been during the
evening and early morning hours when thousands of students enter these neighborhoods causing
traffic congestion, create excessive noise, and participate in parties which result in physical
assaults, alcohol related problems, acts of vandalism and other adverse behaviors detrimental to
the neighborhoods. Many of the violations involving alcohol include minors in possession, open
containers, drunk in public and social host violations. As a result, the San Luis Obispo Police
Department has had to significantly increase the number of officers deployed during this time.
The purpose of this paper is to give a summary of the problems associated with orientation week,
review what the City of Chico and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff s Department are doing
regarding similar events and make recommendations to address issues related to orientation
week.
SUMMARY OF ORIENTATION WEEK AND RELATED PROBLEMS
Orientation week at Cal Poly is the time period which allows new and retuming students to
move-in to their college residence and begin preparing for the upcoming fall class schedule.
During this time period, there are University programs and activities that occupy the students day
and evening until approximately midnight, but there is also a great deal of free time for the
students. This free time gives college students the opportunity to take care of personal business,
reconnect with friends and for many new students become familiar with their nervv community.
During the evening and early morning hours alarge number of students use their free time to go
off campus and into the neighborhoods which becomes a large social event. The majority of
these students are well behaved and do not commit any violations of the law. Many of the issues
during this time (i.e. excessive noise, traffic congestion) are a direct result of the vast number of
students in the neighborhoods. It is often difficult for law enforcement officers to address marry
of these issues when there is no clear violation of law. Violations involving noise associated with
a specific address, drunkenness, assaults, open alcohol containers and alcohol in the possession
of a minor are problems that law enforcement officer can clearly take enforcement action. Many
of the violations involving alcohol include minors in possession, open containers, drunk in public
and social host violations.
Alcohol related problems during orientation week have also had a significant impact on local
hospital emergency rooms. During this time, they experience a significant increase in the number
of students being admitted to the emergency room for excessive alcohol consumption and
injuries related to assaults. While individuals are highly encouraged to seek medical attention,
the desire is to find ways to reduce the number that need such attention.
In considering what course of action can or should be taken during orientation week, evaluation
of current enforcement measures must take place but also engage the student population to
change the culture to value the importance of neighborhood wellness. While University life
becomes part of their identity, there needs to be a prevailing realization that when living in the
surrounding off campus community, they are also residents with a committed interest for the
welfare of the City of San Luis Obispo.
As the City of San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly State University evaluate measures to change the
culture, this paper will explore opportunities to modify city ordinances, improve enforcement in
partnership with the Cal Poly Police Department, analyze educational and programmatic
opportunities, and increase involvement with Student Rights and Responsibility. The key being
a shift in the student culture and bring a greater understanding to the importance of "community"
in San Luis Obispo.
BACKGROUND
Cal Poly's orientation week is the fall move-in prior to classes starting and consists of a number
of programs for new and returning students. New students attend orientation programs hosted by
on-campus housing and by the V/eek of 'Welcome program (V/OW). Second-year students are
allowed to move in to on-campus housing during this time period and many students who live in
off campus rental housing also move in or have akeady occupied their housing. Students
attending Cuesta College, who live in the city, have already moved into their housing by this
time as Cuesta begins classes in mid-August.
In 2010, the San Luis Obispo Police Department did a comparison of activity during Fall Move-
in period 2009 to 2010. After an increase in the level of alcohol and party related violations
occurred during move-in period in 2009, Cal Poly reviewed its move-in and orientation
schedules in an effort to decrease problems associated with the return of students. After
evaluating the process and receiving input from stakeholders, the university made a shift in the
move-in date for new and second-year students in 2010.
In2009, students moved into on-campus housing on the Saturday two weekends before the start
of classes. tn 2010, Cal Poly shifted on-campus move-in to Monday, one week before classes
began. The shift in the move-in date eliminated a full weekend where students would not be
participating in planned orientation week activities. In 2010, new students were immediately
engaged in orientation programs that lasted through Sunday evening, with classes beginning on
Monday. Also in 2010, Cal Poly made multiple presentations to new students during orientation
regarding the risks associated with alcohol use and also emphasized students' responsibility to be
good neighbors. Students were given in-depth information about applicable laws and City
ordinances and discussion sessions followed.
ln addition to Cal Poly staff shifting of move-in date for new and second-year students, the City
Council modified an existing noise ordinance and enacted a new unruly gathering ordinance,
which took effect in the spring of 2010. The new ordinances reduced the required number of
warnings before issuing a citation and contained provisions for fining property owners for repeat
violations.
ln summary the combined tactics of changing the move-in schedule, increasing the information
efforts and strengthening the noise ordinance appeared to have an immediate effect in reducing
certain problems (such as noise violations) during the fall move-in period. Police Department
staff remained concemed about the overall increase in the level of social activity and alcohol-
related problems, especially the increased numbers of out-of-town partiers.
Since the completion of this comparison, the San Luis Obispo Police Department has continued
to experience many of the same issues related to the fall move-in period. In looking at a
comparison in the number of violations occurring during orientation week two years prior to the
2009-2010 comparison through the 2012 orientation week, there is very little change over the six
year period. The chart below includes disturbance advisement card (DACs), noise violations,
minors in possession of alcohol (MIP), open containers and arrests.
With the exception of DACs and arrests the number of violations being captured has remained
consistent. The reduction in the number of DACs is primarily based on the changes in policy
related to residences being placed on the "no warning list". Once a property has been added to
the "no warning list" they are no longer eligible to receive a DAC. V/hen dispatch receives a
complaint at a property on the "no warning list", officers respond to the complaint and issue a
citation if there is a violation.
TITLE 5 - STANDARDS FOR STUDENT CONDUCT
Title 5 is a California Code of Regulations that is the basis for which student discipline for the
entire California State University system. Student behavior that is not consistent with the
Orientation Week Violations
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DACs Noise Violations MIP Open Containers Arrests
.2007 32 80 6 4 30
r 2008 46 82 47 t7 88
r 2009 50 100 22 15 45
.2070 27 82 61 16 98
.20tL 24 79 52 9 74
t20t2 28 78 64 L2 99
Student Conduct Code is addressed through an educational process that is designed to promote
safety and good citizenship and, when necessary, impose appropriate consequences. The
standards for student conduct are based on the Campus Community Values:
The University is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy living and learning
environment þr students, faculty, and staff. Each member of the campus community
should choose behaviors that contribute toward this end. Students are expected to be
good citizens and engage in responsible behaviors that reflect well upon their university,
to be civil to one another and to others in the campus community, and contribute
positively to student and university life.
When applying Title 5, Cal Poly looks at violations of student conduct primarily when it impacts
the campus community and the health, wellness and academic success of students. Under
section (20Xd) of Title 5 the code states, "Conduct that threatens the safety or security of the
campus community, or substantially disrupts the functions or operation of the University is
within the jurisdiction of this Article regardless of whether it occurs on or off campus."
SAFETY ENHANCEMENT ZONE ORDINANCE
Background
ln December2004 the Council enacted Chapter 9.22 of the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code.
This Chapter created a process to designate a geographic area in the City as a safety
enhancement zone during specific dates/times based upon a finding by the City Council that such
a designation is necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of San
Luis Obispo. Violations of the following Municipal Code ordinances during the enactment of a
safety enhancement zone result in higher fines than violations when a safety enhancement zone
is not in effect:
Chapter 9.04
Chapter 9.05
Chapter 9.12
Chapter 9.16
Chapter 9.20
Possession or consumption of alcohol in public
Hosting a gathering with minors consuming or possessing alcohol
Noise control
Dangerous and deadly weapons
Urinating in public
ln Septemb er of 2009, staff presented several strategies to reduce neighborhood noise and party
disturbances and requested the Council provide direction to staff regarding the proposed
strategies. During this study session, staff presented the need to amend the safety enhancement
zone ordinance to update the fine structure. Staff also requested the Council provide direction
regarding enacting a safety enhancement zone during other times of the year, such as Halloween
and St. Patrick's Day, in order to deter increasingly disruptive behavior. The Council directed
staff to return with amendments to the ordinance and with proposed dates for the enactment of
the safety enhancement zone ordinance. Staff recommended the designation of citywide safety
enhancement zone, rather than the designated geographic areas, and to include the periods of
time encompassing Halloween and St. Patrick's Day. Staff further recommended that when
Halloween falls on or near a weekend (Thursday through Sunday), the citywide safety
enhancement zone designation encompass the entire weekend in order to deter multi-night
celebrations. Recommendations submitted by staff were adopted by Council.
Fines during safety enhancement are doubled, up to $1,000. For example a first noise violation
which is regularly $350 would result in a fine of $700.
Halloween and St. Patrick's Day remain busy events in the City of San Luis Obispo. The San
Luis Obispo Police Department has noticed a decrease in the number of parties hosted by college
students and the number of open alcohol containers violations in the neighborhoods surrounding
the Cal Poly campus since the enactment of the Safety EnhancementZone Ordinance.
The chart below was recently included in a Council Memorandum which highlights some of the
posifive impacts the current Noise Ordinance and Safety EnhancementZone Ordinance.
Noise-Party Calls
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Process to Change Current Ordinance
Staff would need to complete a Council Agenda Report with recommendations to amend the
Safety Enhancement Zone Ordinance to include the time periods encompassing Orientation
week. The specifics of how to design a revised ordinance would need to be considered during
ordinance development.
NEIGHBORIIOOD OUTREACH MANAGER
Currently the San Luis Obispo Police Department employs a Neighborhood Outreach Manager.
One of the main functions of this position is neighborhood enhancement and improves quality of
life in the neighborhoods. Listed below are some of the responsibilities associated with this
position.
. Administers and supervises noise violation programs with an emphasis on education and
outreach to the neighborhood groups and the consistently changing college age population.
. Plans, organizes, coordinates, supports and supervises the work of assigned SNAP staff; trains
staff in work procedures; participates in selection processes and evaluates the work of assigned
staff.
. Fosters cooperative working relationships among the City, state university, community college,
business, resident and other community groups.
. Represents the City at avariety of public and private group meetings to increase partnership,
transparency and information exchange; provides ongoing assistance and mentoring to
neighborhood groups and leaders as needs arise.
. Facilitates programs for citizens designed to achieve a greater level of participant
understanding of policing in San Luis Obispo.
. Conducts statistical crime analyses using the Department's Computer-Aided Dispatch and
Records Management System; uses the datato evaluate and identify chronic problem areas, and
collaborates with enforcement personnel to gain compliance.
. Collaborates with City Departments to develop and implement education and outreach
programs regarding noise ordinance compliance.
. Prepares and produces informational materials for various media.
. Oversees marketing strategies focusing on crime prevention and organizational branding to
include the management of a contract with a marketing firm to reach targeted demographics.
. Provide support in coordinating public meetings and special events.
. Implement public information strategies to gain voluntary compliance of municipal codes.
The Neighborhood Outreach Manager regularly conducts meetings with residents, university
off,rcials, student leaders, Greek afhliated organizations and off-campus living facilities. In
addition, they participate in four to five campus fairs which provide noise and zone enhancement
information to students. These outreach programs can be expanded to include more information
regarding neighborhood wellness for student living off campus.
CITY POLICE - UNIVERSITY POLICY RELATIONS
Santa Barbara County Isla Vista area and City of Chico are communities similar to San Luis
Obispo, with a large student based population. Although they do not experience student related
problems during their fall orientation week, they do experience similar problems throughout the
year such as large parties, excessive noise, large student gatherings, assaults and alcohol
violations. During Chico and Santa Barbara's academic school year additional law enforcement
is needed to address the added number of violations committed in the community by college
students.
City of Chico
Ilrl2006, the City of Chico and California State University, Chico established a MOU for a joint
law enforcement operational protocol between the City of Chico Police Department and
California State University, Chico Police Department. Attached to this document is a copy of
the agreement and operational protocol. In summary the MOU and operational protocol
established the following:
o Geographical boundaries for jurisdictional authority and responsibility
o University Police responding as the primary agency for recognized off campus
fraternities and sororities
o Handling of criminal investigations
o Responding of on-view incidents off campus
o Providing crime reports and records
. Off,rcer involved shooting
o Dispatch transfer of emergency and non-emergency calls
o Management of civil disorders
o Incident command at major incidents
o Location of crimes and responsibilities of initiating officer
County of Santa Barbara
In 2010, the County of Santa Barbara and University of Califomia, Santa Barbara established a
MOU governing a joint operation for the Isla Vista Foot Patrol Unit. Attached to this document
is a copy of the cooperative agreement and MOU.
The Isla Vista Foot Patrol is a cooperative agreement between the County of Santa Barbara and
the University of California to provide Community Oriented Policing to the community of Isla
Vista in which officers leave their vehicles to perform a "foot patrol" to become better
established by the community. [n summary the MOU and cooperative agreement established the
following:
o Law Enforcement staffing committed by the Sheriff s Office and University Police
. Governing Policies
¡ Areas of responsibility
. Equipment
. Program Expenses
. Chain of Command
The law enforcement agencies included in these MOU agreements felt the combined efforts of
University Police and local law enforcement were beneficial in addressing off campus violations
related to high student residential population. The greatest benefits being the off campus
presence and involvement of University Police with student related violations of the law and the
potential involvement of Student Judicial Affairs.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Complete a Council Agenda Report with recommendations to change the Safety
EnhancementZone Ordinance to include the period of Orientation Week.
Continue discussions with University Officials and University Police to further evaluate
the possibility of a MOU agreement between the City and University regarding police
operational protocol off campus.
Explore additional educational opportunities with the Cal Poly and Cuesta College to
change the student culture related to neighborhood wellness.
o
a
Attachment 4
CerPoLY
SAN LUIS OBISPO
lll/'ay 8,2013
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Mayor Jan Howell Marx and Members of the City Council
City of San Luis Obispo
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3249
Re: Neighborhood Wellness Initiative
Dear Mayor Marx and Council Members:
In my January 8,2013,letter to you about the city's major goals for 2013-15 (copy attached), I
underscored Cal Poly's commitment to be an unwavering partner in your efforts to enhance
San Luis Obispo's quality of life.
Now, as you begin to look at specific Neighborhood V/ellness initiatives,I thought it might be
helpful to share with you several corresponding efforts that we have under way at Cal Poly.
These initiatives have been undertaken with a particular focus on the beginning of the academic
year. Under the leadership of Keith Humphrey, our new Vice President for Student Affairs,
Cal Poly has put into place some changes aimed at ensuring a smooth start of the academic year,
For September 2013, we have adjusted the Week of 'Welcome schedule to include greater
emphasis on academics and a commitment to being good neighbors and citizens. Additionally,
each year for the next several years, the Week of Welcome will add programming for parents of
new students as well as programming for retuming students, agun with a goal of helping
students strike an appropriate balance between their studies and their social life and to ensure
that they focus on the primary objective of their time at Cal Poly - successful completion of their
degree.
As has been noted in local news coverage, Cal Poly is already implementing more proactive
procedures to respond to off-campus violations that present a health or safety risk to students.
We are particularly focused on responding to incidents where students have been formally
charged with violations.
In early 2014, we expect to have reconfigured some staff assignments to provide for an off-
campus student life coordinator who will help facilitate neighborhood wellness. This person will
be tasked with helping students contribute positively to their neighborhoods and provide
appropriate responses to off-campus behaviors that are not healthy or safe. The coordinator will
work closely with city staff as well as with student leaders and Cal Poly administrators.
CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA 93407-1OOO
80s-7s6-6000 pHoNE pRESrDENrsoFFrcE@cALpoLy.EDU sos-7s6-1.tze FAx B 1 - 19WWW,CALPOLY.EDU I
Attachment 4
Mayor Jan Howell Marx and Members of the City Council
Page2
May 8,2013
We are currently finalizing plans for expanding university housing over the next six to ten years.
Our plan is to complete an initial expansion of student housing, perhaps as early as Fall 2018,
that would add approximately 1,400 beds to bring our existing stock to approximately 8,300
beds. Our goal is to steadily increase our supply of university housing for students because they
tend to achieve more academic and social success the longer they live in university housing.
I also want to mention againtwo other efforts. I repeat them because they add an important
dimension to our efforts and reflect the care and concern of our students and parents:
launched by our student-athletes, then subsequently captured the attention of our ASI
student leaders who brought it forward to the entire campus. I am particularly proud our
student leaders for their initiative on The Mustang Way. I believe it derhonstrates their
sincerity and commitment to improving the climate on and off campus for everybody.
For more on The Mustang V/ay, please go to http:i/goo,sl/37hEx .
Carson Starkey, continues to be very helpful in our efforts to educate students about the
dangers of alcohol abuse. For more, please go to http://studentaffairs-
test. calpoly. edt/conlent/awareawakealive.
As I noted in my January letter, we all believe that neighborhood wellness is a richer concept
than simply code enforcement and reductions in noise complaints. It is our goal that by working
with you and with Cuesta College, we can address neighborhood wellness in a holistic way that
benefits all residents, including the thousands of residents who are students at Cal Poly and
Cuesta.
Thank you for the opportunity to share Cal Poly's perspective with you, and thank you for your
leadership in addressing these complex, challenging issues.
Sincerel
Armstrong
President
Attachment
G. Stork
Cal Poly Vice Presidents
ec:
81 -20
CUESIA
COLLECE
Attachment 5
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY COMMUNI-TY COLLECE DIs]'I{ICT
Th¡u¡an^d¡ o'f Su¿c¿*¡ ftoriø
May 9, 2013
Mayor Jan Howell Marx and Members of the City Council
City of San Luis Obispo
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo CA 93401-3249
Re: Neighborhood Wellness/Community Civility Effort
I welcome the opportunity to write this letter in support of the Neighborhood Wellness/Community
Civility Effort with the City of San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly, and Cuesta College. Over the past 23
years, Cuesta College administrators and student leaders have participated in and benefited from
the partnership with the City of San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly in the Student Community Liaison
Committee.
Our newly-adopted mission statement supports "preparing students to become engaged citizens in
our increasingly complex communities and world." We bring student attention to their immediate
community of San Luis Obispo through a number of college initiatives:
ordinances during the annualfall Connect@Cuesta orientation event for new students.
with free community mediation services addressing issues ranging from roommate disputes
to landlord and neighbor issues.
of safety enhancement zones throughout the year.
1a1.''2013 semester which will include good neighbor policy information.
their families highlighting good neighbor relationships.
One of the main reasons that San Luis Obispo is such an inviting community in which to live, work,
and learn, is that we continue to place the quality of life as a priority. This is a value that we
continue to instill in our studenþcitizens as they prepare to enhance the community in which they
choose to make their home.
Sincerely,
Gilbert H. Stork, Ed.D.
SuperintendenUPresident
SAN LUIS OBISPo Campus P.0. Box 8106, San Luis 0bispo, CA 93403-8106 (805) 546-3100
NORTH COUNTY Campus 2800 Buena Vista Drive, Paso Robles, CA 93446 (805) 591-6200
81 -2
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Page intentional ly left
blank.
B1 -22
Goodwin, Heather
R ÏV
fVlAY 2 0 20t3
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Attachments:
Grimes, Maeve
Monday, May 20,2013 L:17 PM
Goodwin, Heather
CTTY RK
FW: Item 81, Consideration of Neighborhood Wellness/Community Civility Initiatives
Neighborhood Wellness-Civility.doc
Heather, please distribute this as Agenda Correspondence for ltem 8L.
AGENDA
CORRESPONDENCE
Thank you,
rràev€r kenneòy çRrmes
City Clerk
ctty oll sÀn tuts oBtspo
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.
phone;, (805) 781-7102
emÀtL, merimes@slocitv.org
From: Sandra Rowley Imailto:macsar99@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, May 20, 2013 11:52 AM
To: Max, Jan; Ashbaugh, John; Smith, Kathy; Carpenter, Dan
Cc: Lichtig, Katie; Grimes, Maeve
)Subject: Item 81, Consideration of Neighborhood Wellness/Community Civility Initiatives
Attached is RQN's letter regarding ltem B1, Consideration of Neighborhood Wellness/Community Civility
lnitiatives.
1
Residents for Suality Nelghborhoods
P.O. Box 12604 . San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
May 20,2OL3
RE: ltem BL, Consideration of Neighborhood Wellness/Community Civility lnitiatives
Dear Mayor Marx and Members of the Council
First of all, the Board and members of Residents for Quality Neighborhoods sincerely thank
SLOPD asthe lead department aswell as allotherCitystaff who, in conjunction with President
Armstrong and the Cal Poly administration, have made these cooperative efforts possible. We
are cautiously optimistic that such efforts will, in fact, lead to the types of quality neighborhoods
experienced by some of our residents, but only dreamed of by others.
The RQN Board strongly supports the addition of move-in and the beginning two weeks of school
to our Safety Enhancement Zones, thus doubling fines for this time period.
We, also, strongly support the concept of Neighborhood Wellness/Community Civility and
applaud Cal Poly's efforts to instill a sense of community and civic mindedness in new and
returning students. Their efforts have the ability to dramatically improve the livability of
neighborhoods and to add to the "downtown experience."
Review of the Neighborhood Wellness/Community Civility proposal and the chart on page BL-8,
show the inclusion of a wide range of City, College and University participants, including
students, as members of the proposed Working Group. However, there are no designated
positions for the City's permanent residents depicted. Residents, along with City staff, Cuesta
and Cal Poly students, are only involved in this process as part of the bimonthly Neighborhood
Services Team - to consult and advise (page #81-8). We propose 2-3 positions be added to the
Working Group for permanent residents and that they represent heavily impacted
neighborhoods such as Alta Vista, Monterey Heights and Laguna.
As an aside, RQN deeply appreciates the decision by the Cal Poly President to designate an off-
campus student life coordinator to help facilitate neighborhood wellness. We hope that Council
members and City staff will provide this individual with the requisite contact information for the
City's residents' groups so that the wealth of information and experience possessed by members
ofthese groups can be shared.
RQN recommends the following
1-. Support of the proposed addition to the Safety Enhancement Zones Ordinance.
Consideration of Neigh borhood Wellness/Commu n ity Civil ity I n itiatives Page 2
2. Support of the Neighborhood Wellness/Community Civility lnitiatives proposal, with the
addition of 2-3 positions for permanent City residents, preferably from the most impacted areas,
i.e., Alta Vista, Monterey Heights and Laguna,
Thank you for your time and attention and for your efforts and concern regarding this issue.
Sincerely,
Sandra Rowley
Chairperson