City Manager Greg Sparks explains in plain language the Chronic Noise Ordinance

City Manager Greg Sparks in the City of Eureka e newsletter explains the proposed Chronic Noise Ordinance. First reading was September 15.


 "The  purpose  of  the  ordinance  is  to  provide  clear  administrative  and  judicial  remedies  against  those  who  maintain  a  property  in  such  a  manner  as  to  create  an  ongoing  nuisance  condition that  is  detrimental  to  public  health,  safety, and  quality  of life.    The ordinance  is  intended  to  address  both  criminal  behavior  and  physical nuisance  conditions,  such  as  garbage  and  building  code  violations.    Why is  this  necessary?    The  city  currently  has  an  ordinance  that  can  provide corrective  action  for  properties  but  the  practical  utility  of  that  code  has been  hampered  by  vague  language  and  due  process  issues.    The  proposed  Chronic  Nuisance  Code  was  developed  to  be  more  objective  and to  place  the  ultimate  authority  for  summary  closure  in  the  hands  of  the court.    What  this  code  proposes  to  do  is  that  nuisance  activities  be  classified  into  three  tiers  with increasing  points  assigned  to  each  tier.    For  instance,  disturbing  the  peace  earns  one  point,  unlawful discharge  of  a firearm  two  points,  and  manufacture  or  sale  of  a controlled  substance  earns three  points.    Physical  nuisance  conditions  such  as  building  code  violations  can  earn  two  points, with  all  physical  violations  considered  collectively  for  the  purpose  of  the  code.    Once  a  property accrues  five  points  in  any  twelve  month  period,  it  may  be  designated  as  a  chronic  nuisance  property.     The  purpose  of  the  code  is  to  address  and  solve  problems.    A  voluntary  abatement  plan  will  be developed  with  the  owner  or  responsible  party  to  provide  an  opportunity  to  take  mutually agreed  upon  corrective  actions  to  either  curb  criminal  behavior  and  to  correct  physical  nuisance violations.    The  code  provides  for  civil  penalties  of  up  to  $1,000  a  day  and  summary  closure  of the  premises  for  up  to  one  year.    This  proposed  ordinance  provides  clear  guidance  on  the  procedures  for  summary  closure and disposition of  the  property  during  closure. As  with  most  ordinances,  this  is  not  a  cure  all  for  every  problem  property  in  the  city.    However,  it is  a  tool  that  provides  our  police  and  code  enforcement  personnel  with  the  means  for  addressing problem  properties.    The  second  reading  of  the  ordinance  is  scheduled  for  October  20,  and  if  approved, will go into effect thirty days after passage. "