HomeMy WebLinkAbout4-30-07CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON
NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT/CODE ENFORCEMENT
Meeting Minutes
April 30, 2007
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 4:37 p.m. in Conference Room 229 of City Hall.
ATTENDANCE
The following Committee members were present: David Benavides, Carlos Bustamante
and Michele Martinez
Staff present were: Jay Trevino, Executive Director Planning and Building Agency; Ben
Kaufman, Chief Assistant City Attorney; Bruce Dunams, Community Preservation Manager;
Will Hayes, Maintenance Services Manager; Estella Rodarte, Senior Community
Preservation Inspector; Paula Lomeli, Senior Community Preservation Inspector; and
Alvaro Nunez, Senior Community Preservation Inspector.
AGENDA ITEMS
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. September 26, 2006 Meeting
B. October 24, 2006 Meeting Cancelled
C. November 28, 2006 Meting Cancelled
D. January 23, 2007 Meeting Cancelled
Continued to next meeting by a vote of 3:0.
2. SHOPPING CARTS
Bruce Dunams made a presentation on shopping carts to show where we started
and where we currently are with the program. He explained the retrieval options for
businesses. Councilmember Benavides questioned the difference between legal
and illegal carts and how they were being monitored.
3. GRAFFITI TASK FORCE
Will Hayes provided an update on the program. He advised that staff had been
increased; was out on the streets addressing graffiti earlier than before; now
providing 7-day coverage; using a court referral process; and that Public Works had
teamed up with both the Police Department and Community Preservation. Estella
Rodarte announced an art contest being put out to schools in an effort to come up
with a marketing tool (logo, tag line, art work, etc.) to put out in the community. A
number of questions and comments came from the public. There was discussion
that parents need to start taking responsibility for their children's actions and ways in
which to accomplish reaching the parents; i.e., using the PTA forum, taking out ads
in newspapers, radio and television.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Debbie McEwen thanked the council members for continuing with the NICE
committee. She also encouraged a commitment to the eradication of illegal street
vendors.
Julie Stroud also thanked council for continuing the committee and suggested there
needed to be discussion on the human signs.
Carl Benninger indicated he'd like to see more code enforcement.
Evangeline Gawronski asked for an update on the mobile vending issue. She was
advised that because of continuing litigation, council was unable to comment on the
issue at this time.
Glen Stroud questioned why the Police Department and Public Works were not
made to participate more and/or handle certain programs and why Community
Preservation was burdened with more enforcement.
5. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Councilmember Martinez commented that due to staffing limitations, Community
Preservation's priorities should be focused first on the most important issues.
Councilmember Benavides requested a report on what can legally be done in
regards to garage conversions. He suggested dialogue begin regarding apartment
communities in reference to graffiti, drugs and substandard conditions.
6. ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
A. Human Signs
B. Grocery Cart Program Update
C. Graffiti Program Update
D. Handbills (door to door solicitors)
- 6:00 P
ce Dunams
nmunity Preservation Manager
rating & Building Agency
BD:PL:rb
rb: Council Cortun/NICE CC/NICE Minutes 04-30-07
Neighborhood ImprovementlCode 2 Apra 30, ZW7
Enforcement Council Committee Minutes