FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 16, 2024
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: City Attorney
BY: Senior Assistant City Attorney Jeffrey Patrick
SUBJECT: Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2024 -05 Technical Amendments – April 2024
Description:
The City Council will conduct the second reading to adopt Ordinance No. 2024-05, 2024 Technical Amendments of the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code.
Environmental Notice: The Activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378(b) of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
RECOMMENDATION:
Conduct the second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2024-05, amending various sections of the Santa Maria Municipal Code relating to general requirements of business taxes, licenses, and regulations, application for public services, water service, wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal, refuse collection and recycling, cross connections, stormwater runoff pollution prevention, boards, commissions and committees, park rules, residential development tax, subdivision improvements, and personnel.
BACKGROUND:
Each year, the City Attorney’s Office gathers proposed technical amendments to the Santa Maria Municipal Code (SMMC) from the City’s departments and prepares an Ordinance incorporating those changes into the SMMC.
The proposed updates include technical amendments, updates to conform to current law, and changes to address operational efficiencies. The City Attorney's Office recommends continuing this good housekeeping practice, which is also followed by the State Legislature, as well as many other California cities.
DISCUSSION:
On April 2, 2024, the City Council introduced the April 2024 Technical Amendments for first reading. “Musical instruments” ha s been removed from the updated definition of sound amplifying system in Section 14 of the Ordinance. The proposed ordinance is now ready for second reading and adoption.
2 Alternative(s)
The City Council may decline to adopt the Ordinance. Gaps and technical problems would remain in the Municipal Code.
Fiscal Considerations
When the Municipal Code contains gaps or technical defects, staff must spend considerable, unproductive time determining ways to reach the goals of the Municipal Code and the City to overcome the defects.
Impact to the Community
A consistent, complete, and well-written Municipal Code is a user -friendly document for community residents, visitors, and City staff.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A – 2024 Technical Amendment Ordinance No 2024-05