pages: CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf, 15
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CityCouncil | 2020-02-18 | 15 | Vice Mayor Knox White stated the current staff is similar to other cities; inquired about adding a position. The Planning, Building and Transportation Director responded every city does it differently; stated the position would be a working supervisor, which would increase the City's ratio relative to other cities. Vice Mayor Knox White stated Code Enforcement Officers also do other things; inquired how much time is spent on Code Enforcement. The Planning, Building and Transportation Director responded that he does not have the information; stated full time Public Works employees job duties include enforcement in the public right of way; the question is how to include the employees in the program when they report to other supervisors for other job duties. Councilmember Vella inquired whether comparisons were done with other cities with consolidated Code Enforcement units. The Planning, Building and Transportation Director responded most are organized similar to Alameda, with Planning and Building enforcing Building Codes and Public Works enforcing right of way violations; stated some organize around quality of life; some Council priorities are not life safety. Councilmember Vella discussed Berkeley's program; stated Emeryville might do a ballot measure for a Code Enforcement officer; Oakland is also amending its program; inquired whether making changes is a trend. The Planning, Building and Transportation Director responded that he did not see a trend; stated every city seems to be struggling with new kinds of issues, such as marijuana and rent control. Councilmember Vella stated there are health and safety issues outside the detailed Building Codes; inquired where smoking, mold, lead, night sky, AirBnB, minimum wage, or straw issues fall within the priority list; stated the Council has adopted ordinances in response to environmental, health and safety, and accessibility concerns; inquired whether Council needs to give more direction about the issues. The Planning, Building and Transportation Director responded a lot of the laws were not around in 1999; stated the priorities should be reviewed and updated; Police is primarily dealing with smoking in public; staff is going to improve coordination internally, which does not require Council direction; Planning relies on other departments; Police handles nighttime complaints, such as noise violations. The Building Official stated lead abatement is a heath safety issue tied to the Building Code; the City has been very successful with lead abatement. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council February 18, 2020 13 | CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf |