Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2023 1:25 PM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: New code enforcement rules.
From: Craig Frampton <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2023 11:32 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL <city. [email protected]>
Subject: New code enforcement rules.
I do think there should be protection for tenants reporting code violations on landlords. Thanks Craig Frampton Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
SUPPLEMENTAL
COMMUNICATION
Meeting Dete: 117,2023
Agonia tam No: # 21(23-017)
1 Switzer, Donna
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2023 9:36 AM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: NO vote on Councilmember Item #20 at the 1-17-23 council meeting From: Dan Jamieson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, January 16, 2023 12:07 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL <[email protected]>
Subject: NO vote on Councilmember Item #20 at the 1-17-23 council meeting Dear HB City Councilmembers:
I urge a NO vote on Councilmember Item #20 at the 1-17-23 council meeting.
The item proposes that city code complaints regarding businesses could not be made anonymously. The proposal appears to be based on alleged harassment (via code complaints) of businesses that may have supported the current council majority.
The proposed ordinance is unnecessary, discriminatory, likely illegal and smacks of political retaliation.
The ordinance would adversely impact residents who have mobility issues and elderly folks who may find it difficult to travel to city hall in person.
It would also open up the possibility of harassment against those making complaints. This harassment could extend to city employees. The Huntington Beach Management Employees Organization says the proposed ordinance will harm the ability of city employees to conduct enforcement inquiries by requiring them to disclose personal information in identifying compliance issues. (See 12-20-22 comment from Debra Jubinsky, HBMOE president). Code complaints may come from neighbors of offending properties or employees of a business who may need to avoid conflict with the business owner. Forcing public disclosure of the complainant will force many residents, employees and other businesses to remain silent and suffer from ongoing code violations of a nearby business.
Furthermore, the proposed ordinance would be unconstitutional. (See 12-19-22 letter from the ACLU of Southern California and the First Amendment Coalition.) If approved, the ordinance would be challenged in court, incurring unnecessary legal costs.
Some percentage of code complaints are always inaccurate or frivolous, and enforcement officers are able to make this determination when necessary. (This is also true of police complaints, but no one would seriously suggest that the police not accept anonymous complaints.) SUPPLEMENTAL
COMMUNICATION
Please vote NO on Item #20.
Meating Date: 1/17/23
Sincerely,
Agenda Nam No.: *2! (23-017)
1 Dan Jamieson
Huntington Beach
2