HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-04-22 - AGENDA REPORTS - MUNICODE AMEND CITY PROPERTY (2)CONSENT CALENDAR
DATE:
SUBJECT:
DEPARTMENT
Agenda Item: It—, ;
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by
April 22, 2008
V V
Curtis Williams
SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED " AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA AMENDING AND
RESTATING SECTION 11.12.070 OF TITLE 11, CHAPTER 11.12
OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA MUNICIPAL CODE
PERTAINING TO PENALTIES FOR INTERFERENCE WITH
CITY PROPERTY OR NOTICES".
Community Development
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council conduct second reading and adopt an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA AMENDING
AND RESTATING SECTION 11. 12.070 OF TITLE 11, CHAPTER 11.12 OF THE CITY OF
SANTA CLARITA MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO PENALTIES FOR
INTERFERENCE WITH CITY PROPERTY OR NOTICES".
BACKGROUND
This ordinance was introduced and the first reading held at the March 25, 2008 City Council
meeting.
At the February 12, 2008 City Council meeting, Councilmember Boydston suggested penalty
fees be increased for "bandit signs" in order to be more aggressive in the enforcement of signs
placed in the right of way.
Signs posted on the City's right of way is a growing problem in the City of Santa Clarita. The
City frequently receives complaints from businesses and residents regarding signs placed on
sidewalks, parkways and utility poles. It is a blight that affects the aesthetics of the entire
Adopted: Ora L-4
community and lowers property. values.
Currently, enforcement actions have primarily focused on abatement of the signage to deprive the
violating parties of the advertising exposure to pedestrians and motorists. Community
Preservation staff is regularly scheduled twice a month to abate the signs. One Saturday a month
for four hours, two staff members are responsible for removing signage along the major
thoroughfares within the city limits. Also one Thursday a month, the entire Community
Preservation staff for three hours, removes signs from the City's major thoroughfares in addition
to some side streets. Unfortunately, abatement has not deterred these entities from placing new
signs in the right of way. These signs provide a distraction to motorists and can inhibit access to
pedestrians on the sidewalks.
The Santa Clarita Municipal Code 11. 12.070 considers this violation as an infraction, subject to a
$250 criminal fine. The amendment will change the violation to a misdemeanor and subject to a
$1000 fine. As a misdemeanor, this fine will be imposed by the court. Under the discretion of
the prosecuting attorney or the presiding judge, the amount of the fine can be reduced.
This change in the Municipal Code will provide a deterrent to individuals who wish to use the
public right of way as a location for advertising their goods or services. The process to enforce
this code will involve abatement and notification from enforcement staff for the initial violation.
Subsequent violations will result in administrative, citations being issued and then court action
should the violations persist.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
No alternative actions have been identified.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City's General Fund by approving this amendment.
ATTACHMENTS
Ordinance
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA AMENDING AND
RESTATING SECTION 11.12.070 OF TITLE 11,
CHAPTER 11.12 OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO PENALTIES FOR
INTERFERENCE WITH CITY PROPERTY OR NOTICES.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ORDAINS AS
FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Adoption of Section 11.12.070. Section 11.12.070 of Title 11, Chapter 11.12 of the
City of Santa Clarita Municipal Code is amended and restated to read as follows:
11.12.070. Violation — Penalty.
Any violation of the provisions of this chapter constitutes a misdemeanor and in addition
to any other available penalties or remedies will be subject to the penalties set forth in
Chapter 23.10 of this code.
SECTION 2. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance
is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any court of competent
jurisdiction, such decision will not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance.
The City Council declares that it would have passed this ordinance and each and every section,
subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase not declared invalid or unconstitutional without regard to
whether any portion of the ordinance would be subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 3. Publication. The City Clerk is directed to cause this ordinance to be published in
the manner required by law.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this day of , 2008.
Bob Kellar, Mayor
ATTEST:
Sharon Dawson, City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )SS:
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA)
I, Sharon Dawson, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, hereby certify that the foregoing
Ordinance No. was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita
at a regular meeting of the Council held on the day of , 2008 and that
such Ordinance was adopted by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
Sharon Dawson, City Clerk
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss.
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA )
CERTIFICATION OF
CITY COUNCIL ORDINANCE
I, Sharon L. Dawson, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that this is a true
and correct copy of the original' Ordinance No. 08- adopted by the City Council of
the City of Santa Clarita, CA on April 22, 2008, which is now on file in my office.
Witness my hand and seal of the City of Santa Clarita, California, this day of
32008.
Sharon L. Dawson, CMC
City Clerk
By
Susan Caputo
Deputy City Clerk
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