pages: CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf, 17
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CityCouncil | 2020-02-18 | 17 | homelessness and transportation, which he would like addressed before committing to new staffing; discussed a case of nine complaints being filed before anything was done about a noise issue; stated that he would be comfortable discussing the request as part of the midyear budget; issues raised by Councilmember Vella are not on the list, but impact livability and should be addressed; suggested the priorities come back; stated that he would like more data and summary data; discussed the City's new Attorney prosecution unit; suggested monthly reports be provided. Councilmember Vella stated that her referral was due to a number of complaints across the board; Code Enforcement has been very focused on the Building Code; there are a lot more mixed use areas in development; suggested using notifications to prevent issues and bringing back how to deal with mixed use areas; expressed support for steps taken since the referral and greater coordination; stated a consolidated unit could help with coordination; there will be a transition period; evolution is needed from just enforcement of the Building Code; other regulations are on the books, including the Climate Action Plan; a process should be in place; there should be a single phone line people can call for Code Enforcement issues; there should be a Council conversation about the priorities; the City needs a matrix of the general categories with who will be responding and the timeline for response; there should be tracking that includes the number of complaints against a property owner; she would like to know the plan since the City has a prosecution unit in house; she does not see it as a tenant/landlord issue; it is broader and encompasses climate action, cannabis dispensaries and the Americans with Disability Act (ADA); a non-Police Code Enforcement unit is needed; a proposal should include options for an alternate work week to have evening or weekend hours; she has concerns about using SeeClickFix and hopes there is another way to track and report complaints; the new position should be discussed in the context of other budget priorities. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft expressed support for consolidating Code Enforcement under one department; stated the City should create user friend systems; residents should be able to call one number; expressed support for discussing the financial resources as part of the midyear budget; people do not get permits if fees are too high; a portion of the rent control fees is being used to fund part of the prosecution unit in the City Attorney's office; imposing steeper fees is a disincentive for landlords to improve properties; the issue can be discussed as part of the budget; times change and priorities need to be changed; she might not have graffiti as a medium priority over garbage and litter, which is a low priority; the health and safety of the community needs to be protected; noise is a health and safety issue, which should be discussed; requested vacant commercial buildings be addressed; discussed examples of vacant buildings on Webster Street; stated that she would be inclined to consider the consolidated model; discussed the rental stock; inquired the best steps to send the issue back to staff. The Planning, Building and Transportation Director stated staff should continue to enforce Codes and start working on report that focuses on the types of cases and how cases are being handled; there could be two steps; the first would be a report on priorities and how staff is operating and integrating the new types of complaints; the Regular Meeting Alameda City Council February 18, 2020 15 | CityCouncil/2020-02-18.pdf |