RFP for Community Engagement Tool — City Mobile App
525
Exhibit 3
1930 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 12-425
Islandia, NY 11749
routing. Often, elected officials are extremely busy and in order to keep up with constituent email, a chief of staff may assist in sorting and categorizing communications from citizens. GORequest can have the messages that are sent to the elected official routed right to their aides/chiefs of staff.
• Single Places List — Highlight parks, hospitals, administrative and court buildings and any other key locations within your agency so they are readily accessible to app users (even giving them directions from their current location) by entering the following for each place: Name, Address, phone, email, hours, picture, information/description and a URL to their website.
• Group Places List — the ability to add a larger number of places, broken down by category, collapsible to users to avoid long scrolling. • Facebook Feed — You've put a lot of work into creating and promoting your Facebook site with all of its wonderful content. Give direct access with a simple tap of an icon from right inside of the mobile app.
• Surveys — Customer satisfaction surveys are typically a standard feature of the GORequest system as requests are being submitted and completed, however many agencies want more feedback. The Surveys applet allows you as an agency to create a variety of survey questions that will live inside of this applet where citizens can give their opinion on pertinent questions that are posed by you, the agency. Of course, the survey results can be rolled up and reported later on for managerial use and decision making. • Templates — Use this applet to creation customized functionality like the ability to "Call City Hall" with the click of the icon.
• Subscribe — Want to give citizens the ability to subscribe to categories and topics of information so that they can receive updated news and events from your agency in those areas? As an agency, you can create a list of subscription topics that citizens will pick from and then use the backend of the GOGov software to create and manage content to send to each category/topic's respective subscribers. A simple -to -use editor helps to ensure newsletter and other types of informational content creation is easy for staff to create and manage! Taking things one step further, if a citizen has ever submitted a request for a given topic and provided their email address with that request (could have
RFP for Community Engagement Tool — City Mobile App
526
Exhibit 3
1930 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 12-425
Islandia, NY 11749
been voluntary or required for submission), as an agency you can send a proactive email correspondence out to anyone who has ever submitted a request on a topic or set of topics. This can be an extremely valuable piece of functionality in the event you want to get a mass message out to as many people as possible.
• Knowledge Base - How do I apply for a business license? What are the City Hall hours? What is the agencies policy regarding bulky trash pickup? The answers to these and any other question the agency wants to provide an answer to can be found in the Knowledge Base that will get setup throughout implementation and on -going use. • Track Issues — Are you an active, engaged citizen who has helped your agency by using the mobile app to report issues or ask questions? Easily track previous issues that you've submitted and their status with the simple press of a button.
Non -Native Applets
Non-native applets come in the form of URL's. The concept here is to take any useful, mobile friendly content that might reside on your agency website and make it easily visible and accessible via its own applet. Simply choose the content you would like to have users' access (for example, the news calendar on your website), copy that URL, paste it into the system configuration and name the applet, in this example, "City News". The GORequest system contains a few hundred symbols to choose from, pick one to assign to this applet and the possibilities are endless. Great use cases include taking online services like utility billing payment and turning it into an applet that lives inside of the mobile app.
RFP for Community Engagement Tool — City Mobile App
527
GOGov
1930 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 12-425
Islandia, NY 11749
Online Web Portal & Fully Searchable Online Knowledge Base The GORequest solution aims to
provide as many avenues as possible
for citizens to find information and
submit requests. One of the most
common ways that requests are
submitted is through the agency
website. GOGov will build, color and
provide a link to a branded iframe
that gets dropped right into the
agency website that will allow for
searching of the online knowledge
base and simple, detailed requests to
be submitted, converting the high
web traffic that most agency sites see
into possible citizen engagement.
The iframe is mobile responsive,
ensuring that no matter what device
the citizen is visiting the agency
website from, they can easily use the
GOGov web portal for request
submission.
Exhibit 3
App Store G `' Google Flay
hiPee ten
iusehri
Looking for Information?
City Job Openings
RR sir Simi mu -
TransIare
Sidewalk Repair
Building and Facility Maintenance
Homeless Encampment
Alarm Perrniits
Garage Sales
mie has mesh gime,
Abandoned Vehicles
Recycling
a License Renewal
Business License Application and Fees
Fpr 9p;✓s Go,,ered by GOGnvApps
RFP for Community Engagement Tool — City Mobile App
528
GOGov
1930 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 12-425
Islandia, NY 11749
Web -based Request Submission
Whether it is using the "I want to..." or "How do I..." functionality of your website, or simply having a clickable icon planted right on your website's home page, GOGov clients make it simple for citizens to find the area of the site where they can submit their requests online. Once the citizen arrives at the GOGov iframe, a simple search or browsing of categories and their topics with short descriptions ensures that citizens will easily find the topic that is best for their request. Once selected, the user fills out the simple form that populates on the page, likely including a Google map to help find and verify the address. Most users have seen and used Google maps before, so it is a familiar way to drag and drop the location pin, taking advantage of Google Map features like street view or satellite view. Users can also start to type the address manually and watch as the autofill suggestions start to fill in the address. Want to collect the most accurate information as possible to ensure fast and easy resolution? Agencies can take advantage of adding as many custom fields to the form as they would like, done on a per topic basis. Custom fields include text fields, multi selects, single selects, time of day and much more. The fields can be set to either required or optional, allowing for maximum flexibility and ease of use. 424 Downey Ln
Exhibit 3
RFP for Community Engagement Tool — City Mobile App
529
Exhibit 3
1930 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 12-425
Islandia, NY 11749
Use Direct Calls to enhance the user experience
The GOGov system allows agencies to create direct calls to specific request topics. The concept here is to embed these forms on certain pages of your website, making it simple and easy for the citizen to submit a request for that specific topic without having to link back to the entire topic listing that exists inside of the iframe. For example, the agency might have a request topic for "abandoned vehicles". If the agency has a portion of the website that explains what to do to report an abandoned vehicle, they can write whatever content they would like on their website and also include on that same page the specific form to submit a request for the "Abandoned Vehicle" topic. No searching or clicking through the website for the user, instead it is instant access to the information that they need.
Knowledge Base
While citizens may be visiting the GOGov web portal to search for a specific topic they would like to submit a request for, it is also likely that their submission is simply a question they are looking for an answer to. In order to help agencies provide the best user experience possible, the GORequest system comes fully equipped with a searchable knowledge base. As the agency is setting up various categories and topics for citizens to choose from, they can add detailed information to each of these topics. This information can contain paragraphs of text, phone numbers, links, hyperlinks and photos that describe in more detail information surrounding that specific request type. For example, if the citizen chooses the topic of "Residential Recycling", instead of just having them fill out a form and submitting a question, the screen can also display a plethora of information about the agency's recycling program. It is extremely possible that the information provided will fully answer the citizen's question, eliminating the need for submitting a request altogether. This leaves the agency with one less question to field and more importantly, has the citizen leaving the website with all the information that they were seeking to find without having to wait for a response from the agency.
RFP for Community Engagement Tool — City Mobile App
530
Exhibit 3
GOGov
Dam item d>rtetem
Vetettt.'Y'imm
t eeth e
Trapp We tine viF
geheor keen,: tie
tetteme
1930 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 12-425
Islandia, NY 11749
itte
Have a static form on your website
for FAQ's? Perhaps even multiple
static FAQ lists by department?
GOGov will help to eliminate those
desperate lists and consolidate all
Q&A into one, convenient location.
Not all search results need to lead to
a request submission. The agency is
encouraged to create as many topics
as desired that are essentially FAQ's,
so that as citizens search and the
results appear, the content the
agency provided will appear. When
a citizen finds the article that best
fits their question, it is very possible
that the screen will display all of the
information listed above, however, it will not include the ability to submit a request. This could simply be an informational topic to help make the knowledge base a legitimate 24/7 citizen self- service center; as not all information that citizens seek lead to a request. Some of GOGov's larger clients have over 500 Knowledge Base articles.
Providing additional avenues for requests — email to request As agencies look for the most convenient ways possible to allow citizens to submit requests, GOGov is here to help with email to request functionality. GOGov can help the agency configure specific email addresses to be pointed at the GORequest system and when an email is sent to that address, it will come into the system as a request. It is fully trackable, assigned to the correct person and, most importantly, doesn't get lost in an inbox somewhere. Many agencies will use this feature for generic mailboxes, such as ublicworks a enc XYZ.com —
RFP for Community Engagement Tool — City Mobile App
531
Exhibit 3
1930 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 12-425
Islandia, NY 11749
allowing for even the most general of questions to make their way into the system. 311 Call Centers, Calls into City hall or Walk ups at the Counter With all of the various avenues that exist to submit a request, some of the more traditional methods must still be addressed. Whether it is staffing a 311 call center with call agents, taking random calls from citizens in any department throughout the City, or having folks physically walk into City Hall, agencies need an easy way to ensure these interactions make their way into the GORequest system. Getting these requests into the system allows for proper tracking, assignment and documenting (for public records request purposes) of all citizen interactions. The GORequest staff -facing software is the best way to make this happen.
The "New Request" screen on the staff facing part of the software is so intuitive that we've seen large agencies staff 311 Call Centers with agents ready and waiting on this screen to take calls and enter requests.
History Tracking
As agents take calls or staff speak with citizens at the counter, they can start to enter pieces of information into the GORequest software. Because GORequest tracks all previous interactions with a citizen or issues at a specific address, entering this information becomes extremely streamlined. The staff member can type in the last name of the citizen and a list of names will appear based on previous requests that have been entered into the system under that name. If the call agent or staff member can confirm that this person is indeed already in the system, they simply choose their name from the list and watch the rest of their information (first name, address, phone, email) autofill onto the screen.
The same type of autofill and historical tracking exists on a per address basis as well. If a staff member starts to enter the address of the request into the system and tabs out of the field, the system will look up all addresses that match that, ensure the staff member is selecting the correct one and once selected, the system will display ALL previous requests that have
RFP for Community Engagement Tool — City Mobile App
532
Exhibit 3
1930 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 12-425
Islandia, NY 11749
happened at that address, both open and closed. This arms the staff member with useful information, being able to confirm with the citizen previous issues at that address or perhaps confirm that there have been multiple calls/submissions for that address today that the agency is already aware of. Once the address is entered, the staff member will also have a view of a map and a pin marker showing exactly where that location is, in addition to other pin markers showing other open requests for that specific request type (i.e. if the citizen is reporting a pothole, the staff member will see on the map all other open pothole requests throughout the agency).
Staff Efficiency
So now you've got your citizens submitting requests — how do we know as a staff that we've received a request? What do we do when we get one? What if there are questions to be asked back to the Citizen? What if I need to route a request to a few staff members in order to get it completed? GORequest has the staff covered with our completely browser based, easy to learn and use staff -facing part of the software.
Automated Notifications
One of the many ways that GORequest will help to streamline the citizen request management process is by automating one of its most key components — communication. The concept behind the system design is to have both citizens and staff contribute their pieces of the puzzle, while behind the scenes the software is cooking up and serving automated emails and push notifications to ensure that citizens and staff are always in sync. For example, when a citizen submits a new request, they will receive instant confirmation on their screen, in addition to an automated email that will arrive in their inbox summarizing the details of the request and providing a link to where they can add additional information.
Alternatively, when a citizen submits a request, the staff member will receive an automated email.
The request will get assigned based on pre-set assignment rules. The email the staff member gets will reaffirm that a new request has been assigned to them, give some high-level overview
RFP for Community Engagement Tool — City Mobile App
533
Exhibit 3
1930 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 12-425
Islandia, NY 11749
information about the request and, most importantly, contain a link that the staff member can click on to launch a web browser, log into our software and see the open request screen for that specific request.
If the citizen has some additional information to add to their request or has a question to ask about their request, they can easily access that area as mentioned above and once they do, an automated email will go back to the staff member informing them that they received new information/comments on an open case assigned to them. If the staff member has a question for the citizen, the staff member simply types in their question, comment or concern and clicks "send to customer" and the citizen receives an automated email and/or push notification letting them know that the agency is trying to communicate with them regarding one of their submitted requests.
Automated notifications don't just have to be for verbal exchanges...the GORequest system is so highly configurable that we can setup automated alerts to go out based on a wide variety of events. Are you a manager of a department or an elected official running a specific initiative and want to be notified every time a certain type of request comes in? Done. Would you like to manage expectations by providing citizens an SLA for when a request will be completed? Well, you can now feel comfortable doing so, as the GORequest solution can send automated emails to request owners and their managers as due dates for requests approach and even escalate to additional staff automatically when requests become overdue.
Dashboards and Filters
One of the best ways to stay organized and work in a manner that is most productive to your specific role is to utilize the dashboards and filters that are available to all staff members. The software comes standard with an "assigned to me" and "all" filter for each employee's dashboard. The utility of each view will certainly depend on your role in the agency; however, this allows the employee to easily view only requests that they need to work on. Once the dashboard is narrowed down, employees can easily sort that group of requests by the columns on the dashboard. For example, many employees choose to work based on due date — so they will filter their dashboard to show only requests assigned to them, and sort based on due date,
RFP for Community Engagement Tool — City Mobile App
534
Exhibit 3
1930 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 12-425
Islandia, NY 11749
showing any overdue or coming due tasks in descending order, down to requests due at a future date. For others, they may decide that working based on priority is the most efficient way to operate, so the filtered list is sorted by priority instead of due date, perhaps working from highest priority down.
Custom Filters
While the GORequest system certainly comes stocked with best practice and highly useful filters, the extreme flexibility of the solution allows for the building of custom filters.
These filters will help users that are in specific roles view a dashboard that makes their day as organized and easy to manage as possible. These filters are created and assigned to specific users, so views that are important and necessary for some staff, don't even need to be visible to others. For instance, a P ublic Works manager that has been given a directive by the Mayor or City Manager to really focus on cleaning up graffiti in the City can have a custom filter showing "Graffiti Only" requests.
Searching
The GORequest solution boasts a simple open search field at the top of each user's dashboard, allowing them to use words, addresses and other attributes to find requests inside of the system — regardless of their status. Users can easily search through closed requests from here as well. If a user would like to get more specific, they still don't need to revert to the reporting tab, as the "advanced find" option will pull up a detailed list of data that is specific to the agency's field names and attributes and allow the user to easily select the desired criteria from a list. The results are then displayed on the sortable dashboard — allowing for easy access to a multitude of records.
Assignment Rules
Once up and running, receiving requests of all sorts, it will become important to ensure that inbound requests are assigned to the correct staff members internally so that there isn't unnecessary, constant passing of requests from one staff member to another. The best way to ensure that situation doesn't happen is by setting up assignment rules. There is a variety of
RFP for Community Engagement Tool — City Mobile App
535
Exhibit 3
1930 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 12-425
Islandia, NY 11749
criteria related to a specific request that can be used to help determine what staff member each request gets assigned to upon submission. It can be as straight forward as saying "If the type of request is "Pothole", assign it to Steve from Public Works". It can also be much more complex than that. Any fields that are added to customize the form for a request can be used as values to create assignment rules. For example, if citizens are asked to indicate what type of surface the graffiti that they are reporting is on, that request can be routed internally to different staff depending on which surface they choose. Values can even be grouped together and assigned that way.
Consistent Communication
Ultimately, GORequest can become an agency -wide solution. This leads to lots of staff members from a variety of departments interacting with the public. When this is the case, it is important to provide consistent messaging that can be relied on to convey the proper tone and intent. In order to help with this, the communication areas in which the staff can work will have a variety of prefilled text. This text can be as short as a few words or as lengthy as a few paragraphs. Department heads and system administrators will be able to provide a simple description of what the text is for in a drop -down menu and have it there for staff to choose from when it comes time to communicate. Not only does this ensure consistent, thorough messaging, it ensures that there are no overlooked spelling and grammar mistakes.
RFP for Community Engagement Tool — City Mobile App
536
Exhibit 3
GOGov
1930 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 12-425
Islandia, NY 11749
Mobile Access
On the go? No one understands that more than us. Staff can easily access their dashboard right from their mobile device via the employee access applet or mobile log in on a phone or tablet to see our responsive design in action, giving employees access to the information that matters most, on the go. Our text fields even support voice dictation if your device offers it, so go ahead and talk away to get to the end of your request log.
Everything you need on a Single Screen
Staff members can easily work their requests from one, single, completely browser -based screen. The employee request screen is designed to allow staff to handle a request from reception through completion without having to bounce around to multiple screens inside of the software, or from multiple browser tabs. Whether it is communicating back and forth with a citizen, viewing the request on a map, or changing the status or priority, all actions are found on one neat, organized screen, making it easy for staff to work on their requests without getting lost in the software.
Employee Access
ESRI GIS Integration
GIS is an indispensable tool for most government agencies as it allows for information to be analyzed by location. Connecting GORequest to the GIS system offers several advantages and capabilities. Depending upon the specific information provided in the City's GIS system, they could include:
1) Address Validation for Requests — When someone goes to submit a request (Citizen or staff) and they use an address, the system currently validates that address against Google Maps to determine its validity and to pull in the full address details. This is certainly effective, but the addresses are based on the most recent Google Map data and we have found that some of our municipalities update their GIS system faster than Google does refreshes of their map
RFP for Community Engagement Tool — City Mobile App
537
Exhibit 3
1930 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 12-425
Islandia, NY 11749
information. With the GIS integration, the system would be checking against your GIS system (map / geocode server) to determine if the address is valid and pull in full address details. 2) Employee Request Screen Map Snippet — The employee open request screen includes a visual representation of where the request's address is that currently uses a Google Map...when using the GIS integration that would be replaced with your ESRI map for staff to use. Any citizen facing components (web portal, mobile app) will still have the citizen using a Google map to drag and drop the pin, however it will be validating the address against your GIS. 3) Geo-Routing, Attributes & More — One of the other major benefits of integrating GIS is that we can use defined variables from it to automate parts of the software. For example, you might have the City broken into council districts and tell us that requests/ cases should be assigned to specific staff members based on what district they come from. Another one would be where you have attributes stores with all of your addresses and want those displayed for employees on the request / case screen for the associated address of the case/request (i.e. staff want to see garbage pickup day, recycling day and zone on each request/ case. 4) Report Enhancement — Once you have us add some of these defined variables that are mentioned in the paragraph above, they all become available as filters for reports. This would allow you to break your reporting down based on geography in addition to the other ways you currently do. A popular option here would be a set of reports that are run currently, but broken down by council district so that each council person can see exactly what is going on in the district that they represent.
RFP for Community Engagement Tool — City Mobile App
538
GONotify
Engage citizens across multiple channels with a trusted source of information for events, alerts & notices.
GONotify®is a user friendly solution for creating &
sending communications of all varieties to your citizens across multiple channels! Coupled with an agency
branded mobile app, GONotify® makes it easy for
citizens and government to communicate more
efficiently and effectively!
Communications in the Palm of Citizen's Hands
Branded Mobile App serves as one place to access all
notifications and important information directly from your local municipality
Subscription Lists allow for citizens to sign up for the types of notifications that they want to receive
Direct Notifications ensure that content is delivered
directly to citizens devices so that no important updates are missed
Get more information and start a dialogue with agency
staff by replying to a notification (requires GOGov CRM) Keep Citizens Informed
As a staff & management team, keeping citizens informed can be a challenge. GONotify® includes some awesome features to help with this process:
• Send Alerts & Emergency Notifications directly to
citizens
• Send Targeted Content by using Subscription Groups
that you can define & select when sending out a message Use our Message Editor to easily create detailed & stylish communications that include pictures, formatting, links to videos, documents and other content.
For Create Once, Publish Everywhere with Multi Channel
Publishing that allows you to push content to the most
vital channels including Mobile, Email, Twitter,
Facebook & Website.
Enable 2 -Way Communication that would allow you to
choose if citizens can reply to a specific message,
leveraging our CRM Module that ensures no questions go
unanswered.
GOGov
All of your Communication Needs in One Spot
Why limit yourself to emergency communications when you could send anything that you want?
• Road Closure
• Events
• Storm Warnings
• Boil Water Advisory
• Emergency Alerts
• School Closings
Vital City Information at Citizen's Finger Tips
The branded app includes applets, which are important
pieces of information that you can put right at your Citizen's finger tips. Commonly that information includes:
• Important Phone Numbers
• Elected Official's Names & Bios
• Local Places
• Social Media Pages
• Website Content
,:4g 1, O
Notice
West Main Street Closed from Bennet Dr
to Corbett. St for Tuesday through Friday
Th teller M1ee,ei a a nDt,9.alion for i4 chechfle f
se.mporary road cto,re of Own St NE botrmOn
Sampson St NE 7 A+,a:wwo Ake a+d km99 St. NE ;his
demve co,r c,ti' s _ 'Ill the co i+;t,uck or, of the AIL,n:a E1e }; e E,astkkie tl Ektens.on, inducing ws",elation
of a p,,eed 1 hte at she tr,t:t cro s'n^gs.
Ple;a.sc take dil r oa.s 4,O$ lo.rvoid this Mad d,nnq the c icEs le per iod, Route 27 15 the recornmeodect rckple'. into Fhv. °oven lty rI'ot4lr vOhgcecr.
G0Notify® by GOGov www.G0GovApps.com [email protected] QD (925) 456-4926
CITY OF BELL GARDENS
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
AGENDA REPORT
Item 15.
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael B. O'Kelly, City Manager
BY: Gustavo Romo, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: VACANT/ABANDONED LAND AND BUILDING REGISTRATION PROGRAM DATE: September 11, 2023
RECOMMENDATION:
It is staff's recommendation that the City Council receive and file this report or provide staff further direction.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
Like many cities, Bell Gardens has had challenges when it comes to vacant/abandoned land and/or buildings that have often become an eyesore to the community. Many cities have adopted ordinances requiring property owners to register their properties, pay an annual fee, and be held accountable for maintaining their vacant properties.
Many California counties and cities have reacted to property owner absenteeism and maintenance concerns by implementing registration programs for abandoned and vacant buildings and real property, which contain regulations for minimum improvements, maintenance, periodic monitoring, administrative fees, and assessments and penalties.
Property can remain abandoned and/or vacant for many reasons, including transfer, financial issues, death, lack of communication of inventory, and other stressors. Often, these distressed properties are associated with, and attract, blight, crime, vandalism, and other illicit activity, especially in disadvantaged communities with dense populations.
An ordinance to ensure that vacant/abandoned properties are properly tracked and monitored through a fee registration program would keep property owners accountable and encourage the development and improvement of said properties.
The California Government Code section 38771 provides that legislative bodies may declare what constitutes a nuisance. The City Council recently found that concerning rising rents, housing affordability, and economic hardship and displacement of vulnerable residents in low-income households had the potential to be a public health concern and adopted temporary urgency ordinances during the mid -2000s housing crisis as well as the most recent COVI D- 19 pandemic state of emergency. On September 12, 2022, The City Council adopted Ordinance No. 925 to regulate annual rent increases and provide no fault tenant eviction protections and on October 10, 2022, the Bell Gardens City Council unanimously voted to adopt a fee study to ensure appropriate development impact fees ("DI Fs") would be assessed for certain new development projects for necessary future improvements and updates within Bell Gardens boundaries. Ordinance No. 928 to authorize fee collection became effective on November 24, 2022, and a subsequent DI F schedule was adopted by Resolution No. 2022-121.
On January 23, 2023, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 929, updating the Bell Gardens' Land Use Element designation and zoning maps to reconcile inconsistencies with the 2010 General Plan update, updated density ranges, contemporary zoning, and policies and programs intended to facilitate housing production. These updates promote housing security and growth while requiring new developments to incorporate standards that fit into, and 540
enhance, the existing neighborhood fabric while paying their fair share of public infrastructure improvement costs.
Abandoned and vacant buildings and land can lower property values in the surrounding area when they become neglected and left in the same state for many years. This can lead to lack of investment in a community, thus creating more vacant/abandoned properties.
The City is not alone in facing the effects of lack of property stewardship. The City may glean from the experiences of other communities within Los Angeles County that have addressed similar concerns by implementing vacant buildings and property registries and fees. By implementing a registration and fee program for abandoned and vacant (including foreclosed) buildings and properties, City staff is then able to monitor, maintain and administer fees and penalties to ensure that vandalism and blight are deterred and development is encouraged.
The Bell Gardens General Plan serves as the current long-range plan that guides the City and serves as its constitution to ensure economic viability, housing opportunities, environmental justice, and overall public health, safety, and welfare. All stakeholders are responsible for community accountability and conduct to implement the General Plan that was created through the public participation program. Property ownership is the partnership role that is critical to meeting the requirements and development standards that implement a balanced Zoning Code and well -regulated future. Therefore, an absent property owner that does not maintain and/or develop their property to its full potential challenges the City's opportunities for growth.
Regulating abandoned and vacant buildings and real property is consistent with the City's General Plan which supports local control to define, for maintenance, security, registration, and enforcement of abandoned and vacant properties through the following Land Use policies:
Policy 2: The City shall promote compatible residential development, ensure safe housing, emphasize neighborhood identity, and increase pride in neighborhoods.
Policy 3: The City shall promote compatible commercial development to emphasize commercial identity and to enhance the appearance, potential economic vitality, and revitalization of the commercial areas in the City.
Policy 4: The City shall encourage property owners to maintain and rehabilitate their existing industrial uses and the City shall encourage private investments in the City's industrial economic base while ensuring compliance with necessary environmental requirements.
When property enters any kind of legal process involving a Notice of Default, Trustee Sale, Foreclosure, or Tax Lien Sale, it could sit vacant and unattended for long periods. An ordinance to register, monitor, and add language to remedy safety concerns would increase pride in neighborhoods, support activity to enhance appearances, and encourage property owners and residents to maintain and rehabilitate uses since provisions would model appropriate property maintenance behaviors in keeping with public health, safety, and general welfare.
By implementing provisions that regulate abandoned and vacant buildings and real property, the City can accelerate and simplify holding owners and stewards of property responsible for maintaining minimum standards of property care and condition since it is to the advantage of all stakeholders to maintain the properties in which they own or have equitable interest. A registry could be used as a tool to hold property owners, stewards, and lenders accountable for properties under their management and authorize the City to actively work with and engage property owners to minimize blight, vandalism, crime, and homeless encampments and their impacts.
Table 1 below reflects a sampling of cities that have adopted Vacant Real Property ordinances. 541
Table 1. Examples of Los Angeles County Cities with Vacant Property Registration Fees City
Azusa
Commerce
Fee
$500 / Annual
$ TBD by resolution
EI Monte $575 / Annual
$277 / Renewal
The annual registration fees, not subject to pro -rating, are as follows:
Inglewood • Single family residential lot: $150
• Multi -family lot: $150
• Commercial lot $250
Long Beach $210 / Month (billed quarterly)
Montebello $120 /Annual
Other cities such as Bellflower and Huntington Park have looked into such ordinance but have yet to adopt. Cities that have adopted ordinances are able to monitor the maintenance, security, and management of all vacant properties and require minimum improvements such as fencing and landscaping to help blend with existing neighborhood. The annual fees would not be the sole measure in promoting the maintenance of vacant sites. Table 2 reflects administrative citations that could impose fees or fines to ensure that properties are maintained, or provision is made to recover costs of staff time if City action is needed to restore the sites to clean and safe conditions.
Table 2. Fees Associated with Violations
Azusa
Commerce
EI Monte
Inglewood
Long Beach
Montebello
Fee
$1,000 per day violation exists
$100 - $500 per incident
$2,000 - $10,000
$1,000 per day (after 30 days), capped at $100,000
$250 per day violation exists, capped at $5,000
$100 - $1,000 per violation
CONCLUSION:
Requiring property owners to register and pay annual fees for vacant land and buildings is consistent with state law and the City's General Plan. Further, it could provide public benefits to address blight. If the City Council chooses to direct staff to conduct further research and prepare an ordinance, it may also require a fee study to analyze benefit relationship and burden. The Planning Commission would be the initial body to review the ordinance with a recommendation to the City Council. The City Council could also receive and file this report and take no further action.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None currently. More information would be forthcoming if the Council chooses to have staff move forward with an ordinance and fee study.
542
APPROVED ELECTRONICALLY BY:
Michael B. O'Kelly, City Manager
Stephanie Vasquez, City Attorney and/or Susie Altamirano, Assistant City Attorney Manuel Carrillo, Director of Finance and Administrative Services
CITY OF BELL GARDENS
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
AGENDA REPORT
Item 16.
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael O'Kelly, City Manager
BY: Gustavo Romo, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: SIDEWALK VENDING UPDATE
DATE: September 11, 2023
RECOMMENDATION:
It is staff's recommendation that the City Council receive and file this report.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
On April 24, 2023, staff presented an agenda report updating the City Council on vendor compliance with the City's sidewalk vending ordinance. The report provided a brief history of Senate Bill 946, which decriminalized sidewalk vending in 2019 throughout the State of California, and the City's own steps towards adopting its current ordinance and amendments under Title 5 of the BeII Gardens Municipal Code, "Business Licenses, Regulations, and Taxes", Chapter 5.56, "Sidewalk Vending".
At the April meeting, the City Council requested a future compliance report and directed staff to take on a proactive stance with unpermitted vendors, issuing administrative citations for noncompliance, while also educating and assisting with obtaining County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division ("Health") permits and City business licenses.
County health permits are required for compact mobile food operations. Fees range from $393 — $772 for low — high risk operations and food cart requirements vary based on limited food preparation guidelines. County plan submittal and cart evaluation fees are also required that can be up to $746 for review and $167 per hour for inspection.
Bell Gardens business license fees start at $72 to a maximum of $400 once a Health permit is obtained. There are currently five (15) issued business licenses for sidewalk vending.
Table 1 - Sidewalk Vending Business Licensing Activity
Licensed fruit
vendors
Licensed flower
vendors
City Sum Total
544
COMMUNITY IMPACTS:
The lack of enforcement of sidewalk vending regulations can pose a threat to public health and safety. When staff approach unpermitted food vendors, they often observe unrefrigerated meats and open food containers surrounded by unsanitary conditions. In addition, staff often observes the lack of washing facilities and the handling of food and money simultaneously. If not addressed, these issues can become more prevalent and lead to health and safety issues.
Following Council direction in April, the City's two code enforcement officers ("CEOs") began working after hours to educate and provide information to unpermitted vendors.. They addressed each individual sidewalk vending business and requested County permits and City business licenses. Administrative citations were issued, but primarily ignored. Of the 31 citations that have been issued to date, four (4) have paid for the assessed fees. Since the last update in April, unlicensed sidewalk vendors have increased in numbers and continue operating after City Hall closes in the evening hours and on weekends.
Table 2 - 2023 Code Enforcement Activity for Sidewalk Vending Ordinance Compliance January - April 202_
May 2023
June2023
ugust 2023
September 6, 2023
Total
17 Sidewalk vendors are issued warnings and given notices of violation which contain permitting and licensing information.
After notices of violation are issued and subsequent to CEO observations of operating without licenses, administrative citations are issued. After hours educational and informational efforts from the staff have worked well. Staff's goal is to maintain these successes and continue to encourage permitting and licensing.
CONCLUSION:
The recent educational and informational assistance has fostered awareness and compliance . It has come to the staff's attention that this was especially necessary due to recent enforcement efforts from neighboring city police departments acting in a similar fashion. Without this effort, the number of unpermitted vendors is likely to grow.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact.
APPROVED ELECTRONICALLY BY:
Michael B. O'Kelly, City Manager
Stephanie Vasquez, City Attorney and/or Susie Altamirano, Assistant City Attorney Manuel Carrillo, Director of Finance and Administrative Services 545
CO
N
0 N
a)
E
(U
a_
C1)
(I)
0 0
RECOMMENDATION
Find the proposed ordinance exempt from the
provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA); and
Consider Ordinance No. 938 for adoption for
compliance with State Law.
City Council I September 11, 2023
BACKGROUND
On February 14, 2022, the City adopted the 6th cycle General Plan Housing Element Update, which included programs to alleviate minimum parking requirements to facilitate housing development.
On September 22, 2022, the California Governor signed Assembly Bill ("AB") 2097, which added Government Code Section 65863.2.
AB 2097 prohibits a public agency from imposing or enforcing any minimum automobile parking requirement on any residential, commercial, or other development project that is within one-half mile of a major transit stop, with minor exceptions.
AB 2097 became effective on January 1, 2023.
City Council I September 11, 2023
Proposed Amendments
Definitions and location implementation to add and clarify.
Parking Space Types.
AB 2097 Exceptions.
City Council I September 11, 2023
General Plan Consistency
On August 16, 2023, the Planning Commission found that
Ordinance No. 938 would be consistent with Bell Gardens General Plan, is CEQA exempt, and complies with AB 2097.
AB 2097 has the potential to provide substantial benefit to the City of Bell Gardens in fostering development across all housing categories.
Reducing the oversupply of automobile parking can help:
transition communities away from over -reliance on automobiles, increase the availability of housing stock,
encourage orderly development, and
improve air quality. As fewer Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) can lead to reduced Green House Gas (GHG) emissions.
City Council I September 11, 2023
CONCLUSION
Ordinance No. 938 is intended to:
Reduce parking requirements to comply with AB
2097 and meet the goals of state housing and the
City's housing element.
Foster new housing development.
Encourage commercial growth by reducing parking
costs associated with new development.
City Council I September 11, 2023
MERWRIMMIRRIN
CITY MOBILE APP
City Council °c ting
n a eport Item 14
September 11, 2.02.3
• Come in many guises with a range of different options for engaging communities and stakeholders
• Website
• Emails
• Telephone
• Social Media
• Public safety (911 and nonemergency services)
• Trash
• Code enforcement
• Street repairs
• Sidewalk repairs
• Graffiti
• Dial -A -Ride
• Program registration
• Permits
Community Engagement Tools
Mobile App Vendors
Responsibilities
• Cloud -based storage
• Downloadable on multiple
app stores
• Security and technical
updates
Request for Proposals
• Issued RFP in January 2023 and August
2023
• Request to implement a mobile app
with
• cloud -based CRM (Custo er Rec nest
anage ent)
• public -facing web portal
• internal -facing administrative dashboard
• Highly customizable to meet City needs
• Allows the public to report issues with
description, photos and map pinpoint
Proposal Overview
attZtit
3 Proposals: GoGov, CivicPlus and Tatum Games
Costs for each proposal
(costs up to 5 years)
CivicPlus: $160,404.91
GOGov: $120,900
Tatum Games: $116,500
GoGov recommendation from City Staff
GOGov has 100 California Cities & Counties as clients.
Fiscal Impact
An appropriation of funding from
the General Fund for Fiscal Year
2023-2024 in the amount of
$ 24,180.
The term of the agreement is 3
years plus an optional two, one
year extensions.
General Fund appropriations of
$24,180 annually will be included
as part of the Fiscal Year budget
process for the term of the
agreement.
Cost for 5 year agreement is
$120,900
• It is staff's recommendation that
the City Council adopt the attached
resolution and authorize the City
Manager to execute a Professional
Services Agreement with GOGov
for the City mobile app, subject to
approval by the City Attorney.
GOGov
Presentation
• Kevin Strauss
GOGov VP of Regional Sales
11111 11111 11111 11111 11111 11
1111
SO MOMD011t,'W2S
0 INTRODUCTION
Like many cities, Bell Gardens has had challenges when it comes to vacant/abandoned land and buildings that have often become an eyesore to the community.
City Council I September 11, 2023
INTRODUCTION
Many counties and cities have reacted by implementing
registration programs for abandoned/vacant buildings & land.
Programs contain regulations for minimum improvements,
maintenance, periodic monitoring, administrative fees, and assessments and penalties.
MTV
INTRODUCTION
California law authorizes municipalities to determine and create provisions for regulation of public nuisances.
A well -written ordinance holds owners accountable for maintaining the property while encouraging development to avoid registration costs and penalties.
City Council I September 11, 2023
LONG-TERM VACANCIES
Property can remain abandoned and/or vacant for
many reasons:
Property transfers for tax purposes;
Financial issues;
Absentee/disinterested owners;
Lack of communication of inventory;
Death, etc.
City Council I September 11, 2023
INTRODUCTION
Through registration, an ordinance would collect fees
and help with code enforcement, leading property
owners to make improvements.
City Council I September 11, 2023
IMPACTS OF ABANDONED PROPERTY
Vacant/abandoned land and
buildings can lead to blight
if not monitored and addressed.
Abandoned & vacant buildings
and land can lower property
values in the surrounding area
when they become neglected and left in the same state for many years.
Can lead to lack of investment in a
community, creating a proliferation of
vacant & abandoned properties.
City Council I September 11, 2023
VACANCY TAX
CALIFORNIA REPUBLIC
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
In November 2022, State Proposition M, "The Empty Homes Tax," passed by 54.5% of voters in November.
Imposes a tax on property owners for each unit left vacant for more than 182 days in a given year, starting in 2024.
Applies to buildings with three or more units, not to single- family homes or duplexes.
City Council I September 11, 2023
VACANCY TAX
.:.
.;.
.;.
On November 6, 2018, City of
Oakland voters approved Measure W,
the Oakland Vacant Property Tax ("VPT"),
establishing an annual property tax
of S3,000 or $6,000 on vacant property.
OAKLAND
Per Measure W, a property is deemed "vacant" if it is in use less than fifty (50) days in a calendar year, and not does not qualify for any exemptions.
Examples of Exemptions:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Very Low Income or Low -Income Seniors
Financial Hardship
Demonstrable Hardship Unrelated to Personal Finances
Exceptional Specific Circumstances
Active Construction
Building Permit Application
Disabled Owner
Non-profit organization
Substantially Complete Application for Planning Approvals City Council I September 11, 2023.
CONCLUSION
The Problem. Vacant sites hold the potential to key entitlements for housing production, economic activity, and could harbor protected space for homeless encampments and illegal activity.
The General Plan Solution. Stakeholder partnerships through property registration and fees facilitate active accountability, safe and orderly development, and community investment pursuant to Land Use Element policies and programs to:
m. Promote compatible development,
Enhance appearances, and
Encourage maintenance and rehabilitation.
atirzicjri Blighted Properly
r' L415Ir'(Lk
.o)p,Jarrt,aax harflr1 ee aE!Vsrw
mad ^X9' r.,ee;+ww xnrbaaa: m�Ax:^x'a w. Are....
rC:rail
a 9rAw:r eB� awtxam^araPla4 mkm!.tie kr.
Ur, sMVPPG..&M'N
R&D .S.ara..oxa I';w rata:holy. aw€a wrw_vad
P+�mixa
City Council . I September 11, 2023
RECOMMENDATION
1. Receive and file this report;
OR
2. Provide staff further direction.
City Council I September 11, 2023
C
o
U
Background
SB 946 (Safe Sidewalk Vending Act) was signed into law
on September 17, 2018, and became effective on
January 1, 2019.
The City adopted its updated Sidewalk Vending
Ordinance on May 10, 2021, in compliance with SB 946.
City Ordinance No. 932 updated the Sidewalk Vending
language further to comply with State law on April 10,
2023.
On April 24, 2023, staff presented an update to the City Council on its efforts to educate vendors and help
achieve compliance with the City's ordinance.
Compliance Purpose
Ensure public health and safety
Identify impacts of unpermitted vending
Encourage vendors to obtain permits
Assist vendors with approval process
Educate on regulations and provide a path to
obtaining approvals
Path to Vendor Permit
When the State of California decriminalized sidewalk vending through SB 946 (Sidewalk.
Vending Act of 2019), it was meant to give street vendors an opportunity to grow and prosper with minimal costs but subject to compliance with county and state health regulations. Although this avenue has been open since 2019 to help vendors, many continue operating without permits. This: has created inequality issues for vendors that DO comply with the law and health concerns for the community at large..
Please help spread the word. Protect your community. Report unpermirtted vending and buy only from those with a County Health Permit and City business license. City staff is happy to assist vendors towards compliance. Vendors are encouraged to ask for help.
Please contact the Community Development Department for assistance at (562) 806-7724 or via email at gromogbellgardens.arg. You may also reach out to the County Health Department at (888) 700-9995 or via the link below. s Angeles County Health Departme
://bit.Iyl'3Jb2rgd
Los Angeles County Sidewalk Vend!
htt p : /!b it.l y/3 m2 C h 5,
City of BeII Gardens S
http://bitlyI3E
Cuando el estado de California despenalizd la yenta ambulante en as aceras a traves de la SB 946 (Ley de Venta Ambulante en as Aceras de 2019), se pretendia brindar a los vendedores ambulantes Ba oportunidad de crecer y prosperar con costos minimos pero sujetos al cumplimiento de as regulaciones sanitarias', del Condado y del estado. Aunque esta via ha estado ablerta desde 2019 para ayudar a los vendedores, machos siguen operando sin permisos. Esto ha creado problemas de desigualdad para los vendedores que Si cumplen con la ley y preocupaciones sanitarian para ka comunidad en general.
Poi- favor, ayude a difundir el rnensaje. Proteja a su cam unidad. Gnforme sobre pa yenta sin permiso y compre solo de aquellos con Permiso de Salud del Condado y Licencia de Negocio de la Ciudad. El personal de la Ciudad esti dispuesto a ayudar a los vendedores a cumplir con los requisitos. Se anima a los vendedores a pedir ayuda.
For favor, comuniquese con el Departamento de Desarrollo Comunitario para obtener ayuda al (562) 806-7724 o par correo electronico a gromo@bellgardens„org. Tam hien puede comunicarse con el Departamento de Salad del Condado.al (888) 700.9995 o a traves del enlace.
geles County Health Departure
http://billyi3Jb2rgd
Los Angeles County Sidewalk Vend!
http://bitly1102Ch0:
City of BeII Gardens S
http://hit.ly/3
City Council I September 11, 2023
Path to Vendor Permit
Los Angeles County
Department of Public Health
Bell Gardens Business License
After non -successful attempts at
compliance, Notices of Violation are given,
followed by Administrative Citations.
Unpermitted Sidewalk Vending Concerns
unrefrigerated and open -to -air foods
Risk
Factor
City Council I September 11, 2023
Unpermitted Sidewalk Vending Concerns
open flames and hot grease danger
Unpermitted Sidewalk Vending Concerns
property maintenance
City Council I September 11, 2023
0 CNI
County of Los Angeles Health
permit (for food vendors)
$393 to $772 and $746 OR $167/hr
Bell Gardens approximate license
fees (annual renewal)
$72 and $154 + $10/worker
10W,«p4' 1014, 4.1 d u+o aF .40
M'VrP Iq Y.4.44•4 6.* al
lid' 41 Wstr,
City Council I September 11, 2023
Recommendation
Receive and file.
CO
N
0 N
0 E.=
cu
m -t .-
O
0 T