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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-04-2017 Item 11, Voluntary Party Registration Pilot Program Meeting Date: 4/4/2017 FROM: Deanna Cantrell, Chief of Police Prepared By: Christine Wallace, Neighborhood Outreach Manager SUBJECT: VOLUNTARY PARTY REGISTRATION PILOT PROGRAM RECOMMENDATION Approve the creation of a voluntary party registration pilot program to be managed b y the Police Department. DISCUSSION Background Neighborhood Wellness has been a Major City Goal for two budget cycles FY 2011/13, FY 2013/2015 and an Other Important Objective for FY 2015/17. Many initiatives have been put forth to enhance or improve the quality of life in residential neighborhoods. Additionally, in 2013 the Neighborhood Wellness/Community Civility Working Group was formed to address neighborhood concerns. The following action items have contributed to the enhancement of the quality of life in the City’s neighborhoods and a measurable decrease in noise complaints:  Noise ordinance amendment – 2010  Unruly gathering ordinance and amendment – 2010, 2015  Social host ordinance – 2010  Safety Enhancement Zone amendments – 2010, 2013  Proactive code enforcement for neighborhood blight - 2012  Clean Up Week improvements – 2013  Neighborhood Officer Program – 2013  PD/Code Enforcement Walk and Talks - 2013  SLOPD/Cal Poly PD MOU – 2015  Rental Housing Inspection Program launch – 2016 On January 17, 2017 staff presented Council with a study session on party registration programs which was the final City-led recommendation of the Civility Report (Attachment C). Council provided direction to staff to pursue the creation of a voluntary program and also provided direction on elements of the program. Prior to the study session, staff conducted thorough outreach with residents and student groups to share other community’s programs and receive feedback. After the study session, staff continued with the outreach. A draft guidelines of the pilot program was provided to each group and feedback was received. Program Guidelines The following are the Program Guidelines for the voluntary party registration pilot program: Packet Pg. 127 11 Host Requirements 1. Registrants must be at least 18 years old. 2. All party registrations must be submitted no later than one week in advance of the party. 3. Registration applications must be submitted in person at the Police Department. A photo ID is required when submitting an application. 4. Registrants must be a resident of the property being registered. Registrants may not register a party at someone else’s property. Event Requirements 1. Registrations may only be submitted for parties taking place on Friday or Saturday. Parties may be registered on Sundays if the following Monday is a holiday. 2. Parties starting earlier than 8:00 am will not be permitted in the program. 3. Registration is only valid on the date listed on the form. 4. Parties which occur in common areas are not allowed to register for the party registration program. 5. Amplified music must be inside the house. It is recommended that doors and windows be kept closed. Complaints & Resolution 1. Registration information will be given to the dispatch center. If a noise complaint is received for the registered property on the day of the party, a dispatcher will call the phone number listed on the registration form to inform the registrant of the complaint. 2. Registered parties will only receive one (1) telephone warning; subsequent complaints at the same location will require police response. 3. Registrants will have 20 minutes from the time of the initial complaint to end the noise. 4. If the registrant fails to answer the warning phone call, police will be dispatched to the location and a citation will be issued if the noise violation is verified. 5. If the registrant fails to end the noise within 20 minutes of the first phone call and a second complaint is received, police will be dispatched and a citation will be issued if the noise violation is verified. 6. Criminal or municipal violations other than noise may result in police response without a telephone warning. These violations may include, but are not limited to: fights, public urination, parking violations, open container, underage consumption, unruly gathering and social host (providing alcohol to underage individuals). Registration Limitations 1. Properties that are on the premises (no warning) list may not be registered for parties. (Exception: Use permitted fraternity and sorority houses may register events if they have not had a noise violation in the preceding nine (9) months.) Packet Pg. 128 11 2. Individuals who have received a noise violation citation or unruly gathering citation may not register a party within nine (9) months of the citation. 3. Houses that receive two phone warnings for separately registered parties lose registration privileges for nine (9) months after the second occurrence. 4. Registrants that have been issued an unruly gathering citation are disallowed to register a party. Program Oversight and Launch As directed by Council, the Police Department will manage the pilot program. Registration forms will be submitted at the Records counter, then reviewed and approved or denied by the Neighborhood Outreach Manager and dispatch will facilitate the 20-minute warning call to registered events. The Neighborhood Outreach manager will monitor noise complaints and collect/compile complaint data of both registered events as well as overall noise complaint data. The pilot program will begin for events the first weekend of May and applications available for submittal starting April 24th. The Neighborhood Outreach Manager will work with the student affairs offices of Cal Poly and Cuesta College to disperse program information in addition to social media, hard copy flyers, e-blasts and media ads. CONCURRENCES The Community Development Department concurs with the guidelines of the voluntary pilot program. Per the standard conditions for sorority and fraternity houses with Use Permits, this program is consistent with Use Permit procedures and adds another layer of good neighbor strategy. FISCAL IMPACT As directed by Council in the study session, there will not be a fee for the pilot program. Staff will be evaluating the time spent on program management and provide recommendations when the pilot program review comes to Council for review after one year. ALTERNATIVES 1. Do not approve the creation of a voluntary party registration program. 2. Modify the guidelines for the voluntary party registration program. Attachments: a - Party Registration Resolution b - Exhibit A Program Guidelines c - Council Reading File - Voluntary Party Registration Staff Report Packet Pg. 129 11 R ______ RESOLUTION NO. _____ (2017 SERIES) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A VOLUNTARY PARTY REGISTRATION PILOT PROGRAM WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo has made neighborhood wellness and quality of life a priority; and WHEREAS, recent neighborhood wellness initiatives have resulted in quieter neighborhoods; and WHEREAS, the Neighborhood Wellness/Community Civility Working Group Report recommended the establishment of a party registration program; and WHEREAS, the City Council directed staff to create a pilot program at the January 17, 2017 Council meeting; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo that the voluntary party registration pilot program as described in Exhibit A is hereby approved. Upon motion of _______________________, seconded by _______________________, and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: The foregoing resolution was adopted this _____ day of _____________________ 2017. ____________________________________ Mayor Heidi Harmon ATTEST: ____________________________________ Carrie Gallagher City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: Packet Pg. 130 11 Resolution No. _____ (2017 Series) Page 2 _____________________________________ J. Christine Dietrick City Attorney IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, this ______ day of ______________, _________. ____________________________________ Carrie Gallagher City Clerk Packet Pg. 131 11 Program Guidelines The following are the Program Guidelines for the voluntary party registration pilot program: 1. Registrants must be at least 18 years old. 2. All party registrations must be submitted no later than one week in advance. 3. Registration applications must be submitted in person at the Police Department. A photo ID is required when submitting the application. 4. Registrants must be a resident of the property being registered. Registrants may not register someone else’s party. 5. Registrations may only be submitted for events taking place on Friday or Saturday. Sundays may be registered if the following Monday is a holiday. 6. Events starting earlier than 8:00 am will not be permitted in the program. 7. Registration is only valid on the date listed on the form. 8. Common area parties may not be registered. 9. Amplified music must be inside the house. It is recommended that doors and windows be kept closed. 10. Registration information will be given to the dispatch center. If a noise complaint is received, a dispatcher will call the phone number listed on the registration form to inform the registrant of the complaint. 11. Registered parties will only receive one (1) telephone warning; subsequent complaints at the same location will require police response. 12. Registrant will have 20 minutes to end the noise after the first phone call. 13. If the registrant fails to answer the warning phone call, police will be dispatched to the location and a citation will be issued if the violation is verified. 14. If the registrant fails to end the noise within 20 minutes of the first phone call and a second complaint is received, police will be dispatched and a citation will be issued if the violation is verified. 15. Criminal or municipal violations other than noise may result in police response without a telephone warning. These violations may include, but are not limited to: fights, public urination, parking violations, open container, underage consumption, unruly gathering and social host (providing alcohol to underage individuals). 16. Houses that receive two phone warnings for separately registered parties lose registration privileges for nine (9) months after the second occurrence. 17. Properties that are on the premises (no warning) list may not be registered for parties. (Exception: Use permitted fraternity and sorority houses may register events if they have not had a noise violation in the preceding nine (9) months.) 18. Individuals who have received a noise violation citation or unruly gathering citation may not register a party within nine (9) months of the citation. 19. Registrants that have been issued an unruly gathering citation are disallowed to register a party. Packet Pg. 132 11