AgdaPkt 2009-08-24 clsd and reg - Laserfiche WebLink

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REPORT 6.3A age 1 August 24, 2009 SUBJECT Ordinance amending Section 14.1, 14.10, and 14.17 of the Redwood City Municipal Code. ReCOMMENDATION Introduce an ordinance amending Section 14.1, 14.10, and 14.17 of the Redwood City Municipal Code to deter the theft of recyclable materials from curbside bins. BACKGROUND The Police Department and other members of City staff have received numerous complaints from citizens regarding the unauthorized removal of recyclable material from curbside bins. Typically those responsible for this activity will roam the streets of various neighborhoods in Redwood City and collect recyclable materials from curbside bins without the permission of the resident or authorized refuse collector. These individuals will later exchange the materials at various recycling centers for personal financial profit. Citizens have complained that this activity creates a nuisance in their neighborhoods, it causes an increase in the fees they pay for garbage collection, and it potentially increases the chance of other crimes of opportunity. The theft of recyclable materials from curbside bins is a violation of the California Public Resources Code, however prosecution for the offense is problematic. The San Mateo County District Attorney's office is reluctant to file charges for such violations due to a lack of jury appeal. The proposed amendment to Section 14.1, 14.10, and 14.17 of the Redwood City Municipal Code would make the above described activity an infraction punishable by a fine of $100. The ordinance revision will serve as both a deterrent to those responsible for this activity, and provide enforcement personnel with the tools needed to issue citations where appropriate. ALTERNATIVES The City Council could choose not to authorize this amendment to the Redwood City Municipal Code, however this course of action would leave enforcement personnel with few options to address future complaints from citizens. FISCAL IMPACT The proposed amendment will likely have a minimal fiscal impact. Though the City will receive some revenue from any citations is ed for his vi ation, the actual number of citations issued is expected to be few. 5~'\).~ Steve Blanc Administrative Sergeant ,--/ Peter Ingram ~ City Manager --=)