City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: July 16, 2024
From: Daniel S. Wall, P.E., Director of Public Works
Department: Public Works
Submitted by: Daniel S. Wall, P.E., Director of Public Works Subject
Authorize the City’s Chief Building Official, or authorized representative, to enforce the Fire Code Recommendation
A. Find that the proposed action is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, because it is a general policy and procedure making activity that will not result in direct physical changes or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical changes in the environment, and therefore does not constitute a "project” as defined by CEQA Guidelines Section 15378;
B. Adopt Urgency Ordinance No. 1301 amending Vernon Municipal Code Section 8.04.010 to authorize the City’s Chief Building Official, or authorized representative, to enforce the Fire Code in accordance with California Health and Safety Code Section 13869.7(h)(1)(B); C. Introduce Ordinance No. 1302 amending Vernon Municipal Code Section 8.04.010 to authorize the City’s Chief Building Official, or authorized representative, to enforce the Fire Code in accordance with California Health and Safety Code Section 13869.7(h)(1)(B); and D. Direct staff to schedule second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 1302 for the August 6, 2024 City Council meeting.
Background
The California Health and Safety Code mandates the appointment of a Fire Code enforcement officer by the City. This officer can either be the City’s Chief Building Official or the Los Angeles County Fire Chief. The Los Angeles County Fire Department serves 60 contract cities and all unincorporated areas within the County; thus, its extensive coverage may impact customer service for our local development community. In contrast, the City’s Chief Building Official possesses deep knowledge of our local development landscape. Currently responsible for enforcing all aspects of the uniform codes outlined in the Vernon Municipal Code (VMC) except for the Fire Code, appointing the City’s Chief Building Official, or authorized representative, as the Fire Code enforcement officer would streamline the development process in Vernon and provide our business community with a competitive advantage.
To avoid ambiguities, interruption in the enforcement of these codes, and to prevent any uncertainty in the development community, it is critical that the VMC be amended immediately.
This necessitates adoption of both an urgency and regular ordinance.
Adoption of the proposed Urgency Ordinance No. 1301 requires a favorable vote by a four-fifths vote of the City Council. Urgency Ordinance No. 1301 would take effect immediately upon adoption.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
Attachments
1. Urgency Ordinance No. 1301
2. Ordinance No. 1302