05-17-1971 - Laserfiche WebLink

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HUMAN RELATIONS COA41ViISSION ANNUAL REPORT - (Continued) Councilman Villa called the attention of the Council to the Walnut Street situation, stating there is a very bad problem in connection with trash accumulation~ which has brought rats to the area; he feels it is definitely a health hazard and suggested that the City should take the initiative to see that the trash is collected. The City Manager reported that the City is aware of the problem in the area and has been using every means available to combat it; that his staff has been in constant communication with the Orange County Health Department~ Mrs. Naomi Daniels, 605 Bamdal, stated that residents in an apartment house in the 1600 block of West Walnut have been under a great deal of strain from an activist group; that the landlord has requested some of the tenants to move, and has refused to provide for trash pickup; that armed guards patrol the area 24 hours per day; that the City claims no responsibility; that she believes someone should see that the area is cleaned up, as it is a health hazard. In response to questions from Councilman Villa, the City Manager stated that members of the Police, Fire, and Cornmu~ity~Rel~tions Departments, as well as other members of the City staff, have investigated this problem; that they have been in touch with the owner; and that everything is being done, within the law, as opportunities arise. He stated that the basic problem is a recent law which states that the owner of a piece of property cannot evict a tenant for lack of payment of his rent without going to court; that owners not wishing to go to court to evict a tenant are following other procedures, such as refusing to give service, in the hope that the pressure will force the tenants out. The Rev. Gough stated that it appears Lincoln Savings & Loan will be taking over these apartments, and negotiations can probably be carried on with them. Norman Corbin stated that on Walnut Street there are a group of apartments with the type of trash bins:-, that can be picked up by the trucks. The trash collectors removed the bins some time ago for non-payment of trash fee and now the trash is thrown in the area where the bins ha~ been. lie stated this constitutes a potential health problem to the entire community; that the armed security guards were hired by the owner of the apartments; that the tenants ~h~oe have trash and rats in their yards, and armed guards partrolling the block. Mrs. Biddle, 1518 Wo Pine Street, stated that the trash from the Walnut Street apartments is blowing down the alley onto her street, and she would like to see someone take the responsibility to clean it Upo The City Attorney stat ed that Santa Aha Municipal Code Section 1,-13 states that the City may summarily abate a public nuisance; that if the City sends trucks in to collect the trash, service will be given to one area of the City which is not granted to other areas. CITY COUNCIL -182- IV[ay 17, 1971