HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-10-2012 B2 RowleyGdodwin, Heather
APR 10 2012
Subject: FW: Item B2, Neighborhood Wellness Update and Procedural Review
Attachments: Neighborhood Wellness Update 4- 10- 2012.doc
From: Sandra Rowley
Sent: Monday, April 09, 2012 3:57 PM AGENDA
To: Marx, Jan; Carpenter, Dan; Carter, Andrew; Ashbaugh, John; Smith, Kathy CORRESPONDENCE
Cc: Lichtig, Katie; Johnson, Derek; Girvin, Tim Date 1I /0/IL Item#
Subject: Item B2, Neighborhood Wellness Update and Procedural Review
Dear Mayor Marx and Members of the City Council,
Attached please find a letter from Residents for Quality Neighborhoods regarding the above mentioned item.
Thank you,
Sandra Rowley
Chair, RQN
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Residents for Quality Neighborhoods
P.O. Box 12604 • San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
April 10, 2012
Re: Item B2, Neighborhood Wellness Update and Procedural Review
Dear Mayor Marx and Members of the City Council,
Residents for Quality Neighborhoods (RQN) is pleased to support the concept and the majority of
changes and improvements contained in the Neighborhood Wellness Update and Procedural Review,
As you are aware the previous model placing the Neighborhood Enhancement Ordinance (NEO)
violations in a different department from other code violations resulted in less time spent on
correction of the NEO violations. Also, because SNAP employees changed annually and had so few
hours to spend on NEO, there was often inconsistent enforcement, a backlog of reported violations,
and many residents frustrated by the perceived inaction to their complaints. The addition of
Neighborhood Services Specialists, the additional parking support and pro -active enforcement
supplementing citizen complaints will, hopefully, make great strides in improving not only the looks,
but the quality of our residential neighborhoods.
The change to pro -active code enforcement benefits property owners as well as residents. There are
many out -of -town residential property owners who may not have seen their property for years and
are unaware of its current condition. These property owners will now have the opportunity to learn
if their property has not been adequately cared for by the renters and/or those they pay to look after
their property.
Reference the fine schedule, RQN does not take a position concerning the amount of the fines to be
levied for NEO violations; some of our members support leaving the fines as they are now (and as
recommended in the staff report) while others favored lower fines for these violations.
a. Some members thought leaving a trash can out or failing to cut one's grass was more in line
with a parking ticket ($38), than a garage conversion ($100, etc.) and if NEO fines were left at the $100,
etc., level there would be blow -back similar to that experienced after the adoption of trash can
screening. Other members thought lower fines might not act as enough of a deterrent, akin to the
previous lower fines for noise violations, and that it indicated the City was not as concerned about
these violations.
b. If Council elects to adopt the lower fines, request the fine schedule be reviewed in one year to
assess the compliance rate after the first, second and third violations and determine if the lower fines
are sufficient to correct and deter the NEO violations.
Thank you for your support, your time and your attention to this subject.
Sincerely,
Sandra Rowley
Chair, RQN