RPVCCA_CC_SR_2012_01_17_F_Garage_Sales_Code_Amendment·MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
REVIEWED:
Staff Coordinator:
HONORABLE MAYOR ~~.LUNCIL MEMBERS
JOEL ROJAS,COMMUNITV DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
JANUARY 17,2012
INITIATION OF A CODE AMENDMENT TO RESTRICT THE
NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL GARAG:)7f'LES
CAROLYN LEHR,CITY MANAGER (R../,
Julie Peterson,Code Enforcement Offi~~
RECOMMENDATION
Initiate a Code Amendment to restrict the number of garage sales on residential
properties to two garage sales within one calendar year.
BACKGROUND
At the September 6,2011 City Council meeting a resident spoke to the Council and
provided materials (see attachment)regarding her concern that an excessive number of
garage sales were occurring at a neighboring residence.During public comments she
noted that garage sales had been taking place for more than seven continuous weeks
on Saturdays and/or Sundays and that there was excessive noise,traffic,and general
disruption of the neighborhood associated with the garage sales.As a result,she
requested that the City take action to limit the number of garage sales that can be held
at an individual residence.The Community Development Director responded that the
City does not currently have an Ordinance limiting the number of garage sales a
resident can have but that he would look into the matter to see if some other City codes
could be applied to address the problem.
In response to the resident's concerns,on September 9,2011 a city code enforcement
officer visited the property in question.The code enforcement officer explained to the
property owner that concerns had been expressed to the City regarding the recurring
garage sales at this property.The resident indicated to staff they would reduce the
frequency of garage sales.Staff received no further complaints regarding the garage
sales at this site.
On December 3,2011 city staff received an email from the same resident who spoke at
the September 6th Council meeting stating that garage sales were once again occurring
at her neighbor's property.In response,Staff conferred with the City Attorney who
F-1
acknowledged that the best way to address the issue is to amend the Code to explicitly
limit the number of garage sales that can be held at a residential property.Staff notified
the resident that the first step in the process was a code amendment initiation request,
which would need to be authorized by the City Council,and the Director offered to meet
with the resident to discuss her concerns.After a series of emails (attached),it was
clarified that a meeting was not necessary to initiate the ordinance and thus Staff has
placed this item on this agenda.
DISCUSSION
Several cities in the South Bay,including Torrance,Redondo Beach,Hermosa Beach,
and Manhattan Beach currently have restrictions on the number of garage sales
allowed in their city.Torrance allows two garage sales per calendar year,Redondo
Beach allows one garage sale in a twelve month period (over two consecutive
weekends),Hermosa Beach allows three garage sales per twelve month period,and
Manhattan Beach allows three garage sales per year.Hermosa Beach and Manhattan
Beach require permits for the garage sales while Torrance and Redondo Beach do not.
Palos Verdes Estates does not regulate the number of garage sales and Rolling Hills
Estates does not allow any garage sales in the city.In addition,the State Board of
Equalization requires that when any resident holds more than two garage sales in a 12-
month period they must have a seller's permit from the State Board of Equalization for
being engaged in the business of selling merchandise,goods or items.
The City's Municipal Code currently does not regulate the number of garage sales that
can be held on a resident's property.Until the recent situation was brought to the City's
attention by the resident on September 6,2011,Staff had not encountered any
problems in regards to the frequency of garages sales in the City.Nevertheless,given
the situation and concerns expressed by the resident and her neighbors,Staff is
recommending that the City's Municipal Code be amended to limit the frequency of
garage sales held at a resident's property in the City.Specifically,Staff proposes to
amend Development Code Chapter 17.02 (Single Family Residential Districts)and
17.04 (Multiple Family Residential Districts),which list the uses allowed in residential
zones,to clearly state that garage sales are an allowed use in a residentially zoned
area provided that not more than two garage sales are held on the same property within
a calendar year.This amendment would give Staff the legal authority to regulate the
number of garage sales where such sales are adversely impacting neighborhoods with
traffic,noise,and other related disruptions.
Pursuant to Development Code Chapter 17.68,initiation of the proposed code
amendment means that the proposed Ordinance language will be reviewed by the
Planning Commission at a future duly noticed public hearing.The Planning
Commission's recommendation would then be forwarded to the City Council providing
the City Council with the opportunity to review and modify the final Ordinance language
at a second public hearing.It is anticipated that this process will take approximately 2 to
3 months to complete.
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CONCLUSION
Based on the discussion above,staff recommends that the Council initiate a Code
Amendment to revise RPVMC Chapters 17.02 and 17.04 to allow no more than two
garage sales at a residential property in a calendar year.
FISCAL IMPACT
According to Development Code Chapter 17.68,an amendment to the City's Zoning
Code may be initiated by the Community Development Director,the Planning
Commission,the City Council,or any interested party having an interest in land in the
City.If initiated by an interested party,the Code requires that the applicant pay the
established filing fee.The fee to process a code amendment is $1,829.Although the
proposed code amendment was initially proposed by a resident,because the proposed
ordinance would benefit residents city-wide Staff is presenting this item as a Director
initiated request.Staff estimates it will take approximately 10 hours of cumulative staff
and City Attorney time to research and adopt the Ordinance.This cost is budgeted and
will be absorbed by the City's current general fund.
ATTACHMENTS
•Redacted letter submitted by resident at the January 3,2012 City Council meeting
(original is on file in the City Clerk's office)
•Additional emails
F-3
I Garage Sale Permits/Affidavits
Request for Garage Sale Permits/Affidavits to be required and that only one garage sale per
street address per individual may be allowed per 12 month period.
For more than 7 continuous weeks Garage Sales have been occurring on both Saturdays and/or
Sundays at RPV,CA 90275.
The neighbors have been disturbed from their sleep by the associated noise,cars have been
double parked,cars have been parked on the wrong side of the road,and the area looks like the
inner-city.While the vast majority of Peninsula residents respect their neighbors and do not
subject them to on-going garage sales,this is that one in 100,000 resident that does not seem to
have the capacity to realize that they are infringing on their neighbors.Based upon this situation
we are hereby requesting that the RPV City Council enact a Garage Sale Permit!Affidavit system
and we hereby submit a proposed Garage Sale Permit!Affidavit document.
Neighbor Name and Address
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14.-------~~~~u.£m~~~RECEIVED FROM AAn..<:"'-SS'£D1
AND MADE A PART OF THE ~E92.FllJ/T THE
COUNCIL MEETING OF /'e 01
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
CARLA MORREALE,CITY CLERK
August 27,2011
F-4
Garage Sale PennitslAffidavits
Garage Sale Affidavit
Please Print
Name:-------------------------
Address:------------------------
Phone Nwnber:--------------
Date of Garage Sale:_
.
I certify that I will be holding a garage sale on the date shown above.I understand that all
merchandise for sale must be my own personal property,and that lam limited to one (1)garage
sale in any twelve (12)month period;one garage sale per year per address per individual.I also
understand that I may only place signs on the property where the sale is occurring.Yard sale
signs must be a minimwn often (10)feet from the roadway or curb and that banners are not
allowed.No signs shall be placed on public property or attached to telephone poles,trees or other
existing signs.
My Relationship to Property:Owner Renter__
Signature:_
Date:-------------
This fonn and a $25.00 non-refundable fee must be submitted at least five (5)business days
(Monday -Friday,excluding holidays)before the date of the Garage sale.The fees may be made
out to the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
August 27,2011
F-5
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RECEIVED FROM1/!iJJ;'Q'Pl s;t$5li6g
A.ND MADE A PART OF THE ~99F)D AT TH
COUNCIL MEETING OF /fp /t/
OFFIGE OF THE CITY CLERK
CARLA MORREALE,CITY CLERK
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Sunday 8-7-11
9:07 AM
Driver went to Neighbor's and asked if they had a sale,then blocked my driveway then went to the 27051 address
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Julie Peterson
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Dr.M.Sassoon [msassoon@cox.net]
Thursday,January 05,20124:04 PM
Joel Rojas
'Carolyn Lehr';'Carol W.Lynch';'Greg Pfost';'Julie Peterson';CC@rpv.com
Re:FW:garage sales
Hi Joel-
I am certainly glad to hear that you will be taking this item to the CC later this month ..I'll watch from
the TV in my home.You might want to re-read the BOE document as I recall it states 2 garage sales
in a 12-month time period (which is NOT necessarily equal to 2 in a calendar year),but can be more
than 2 in a 2-year time period.However we did
ask for only one per year,which is 2 in a 2-year time period.And I
thank you for sharing this with the LMT Station as my calls were blown off.Being this is not a civil
matter it seems that a deputy and/or code enforcement should respond.That's why an ordinance and
a permit would be helpful to you and to the deputies.If you receive a call or an email or if the station
is called re garage sales at least 1.)You can look to see if they have a permit and how many sales at
that address or by that person have been conducted in the past 12 months and/or 2.)The responding
deputy could ask for a permit and if the resident doesn't have one the deputy could shut them down
and report it to you.You might also find out your (and/or the City's)responsibility for knowing of a
State BOE violation and not doing something to stop it.Residents and
homeowners should not have to police one another-such things can lead to bad feelings and
arguments and fights (none of which usually have good outcomes).As you have experienced first
hand,after you (or Julie)met with this individual the sales did not stop -so why would she stop for a
neighbor?She also continues to leave her dog's fecal matter on the neighbor's lawn after Julie has
asked to to clean up after the dog and they still have their trash cans in front of the house and the
brush is still not cut back,which is a fire hazard as the female resident smokes while seated on the
front porch,and the non-op/stored car is not covered.These other items are not so much
neighborhood concerns (except for the fire hazard)as they tell you that you are not being respected.
You have a similar garage sale problem on a nearby street called Mazur and I believe that Julie can
tell you of a few more areas if she hasn't already brought them to your attention.Reading the illegally
posted signs on a Friday or Saturday could identify other garage sale sites -just think a permit at $25
each could actually make the City a $100-$200 on a weekend and upwards of $5000 -$10,000 a
year.
Re meeting with the City Manager -please show me the email where she agreed to a meeting date
last year,as I don't recall receiving one.I offered at least one specific date which she turned down
with no counter date until the week of January 2,2012.By then the group felt that we were being
blown off again and that is was best to share the situation with the CC at the 1-3-12 meeting.While I
would still entertain a meeting with her I don't see the point now,unless I can be of help in writing the
ordinance.I wanted to have the same discussion as I had at the CC Meeting in her office (alone)as I
was concerned that you would likely be embarrassed as you are the code expert who didn't bother to
look deeper into this matter.The other unfortunate outcome of this situation is that BOE now knows
of the multiple garage sales at this address and they are investigating it,which could mean that she
may receive a fine;that was not our intent.I apologize if you were embarrassed by the information
presented to the CC as that was not my intent,either.So,I'll leave having a meeting with you all up
to you all.If I may be of any help I would be delighted to help you.In the meantime we will monitor
the garage sale ordinance discussions at the CC meetings and monitor the garage sales on our
street.
Thank you for your time and sincerity -both are much appreciated.
Maureen
1 F-16
On 1/5/20129:00 AM,Joel Rojas wrote:
>Maureen
>
>We will be taking an item to the City Council at their upcoming
>January 17th meeting to initiate a code amendment that regulates the
>number of garage sales in residential neighborhoods.The staff report
>on the item will be available on the City's website
>(www.palosverdes.com/rpv)on the Friday before the meeting.
>
>As you pointed out to the City Council the other night,according to
>the State Board of Equalization,if an individual has more than 2
>garage sales in a two-year period they need a sellers permit from the
>State Board of Equalization.I intend to follow up with the City
>Attorney as to what legal authority,if any,the City has to enforce
>this requirement either through the Sheriff or other code enforcement
>means.It may be that our role is simply to report said situation to the Board of Equalization.
>
>Lastly,as noted in my last email,you have not identified a time to
>meet with the City Manager and/or I as you have requested.Please
>clarify whether this means that you no longer wish to meet with the
>City Manager and/or myself to discuss your issue.When you spoke to
>the City Council the other night you gave the impression that the City
>Manager has been unwilling to meet with you.This certainly has not
>been the case as the City Manager and I have repeatedly been trying to
>coordinate such a meeting since late last year.If you believe a
>meeting is no longer necessary,that's fine as we don't need to meet to pursue the code
amendment you are requesting.
>
>Joel
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From:Dr.M.Sassoon [mailto:msassoon@cox.net]
>Sent:Thursday,January 05,2012 8:22 AM
>To:Joel Rojas
>Cc:'Carolyn Lehr'
>Subject:Re:FW:garage sales
>
>Joel-
>Sorry -but I actually saw this email after the CC meeting as I came
>directly from work.I really doubt if you need my help at this point
>and you likely don't want it now.
>There is more to be learned about the person of concern and when/if we
>prove our opinion,which is based upon observations,I'll let you know.
>In the meantime we hope to see
>an ordinance go before the CC (fashioned after the State code)
>sometime in the near future.We also expect that the LMT Station will
>be informed that this is not a civil matter and they need to terminate
>any garage sales at that address or conducted by that resident until
>the end of this year.This is another reason why the permits are
2
F-17
>important -they will help the deputies investigate complaints faster and easier.
>All the best.
>Maureen
>
>
>On 1/3/2012 1:58 PM,Joel Rojas wrote:
»Maureen
»
»I have obtained copies of the material you submitted to the City
»Clerk
>when
»you addressed the city council on September 6th.Please let us know a
»time when you're available to meet with the City Manager to discuss the matter.
»
»Joel Rojas
»
»
»
»-----Original Message-----
»From:Dr.M.Sassoon [mailto:msassoon@cox.net]
»Sent:Friday,December 23,2011 4:19 PM
»To:Joel Rojas
»Subject:Re:FW:garage sales
»
»10-4
»
»On 12/23/2011 1:44 PM,Joel Rojas wrote:
»>Maureen
»>Sounds good.I'll check with the City Clerk.Merry Christmas.
»>Joel
»>
»>
»>-----Original Message-----
»>From:Dr.M.Sassoon [mailto:msassoon@cox.net]
»>Sent:Friday,December 23,2011 1:33 PM
»>To:Joel Rojas
»>Cc:'Julie Peterson';'Carolyn Lehr';CC@rpv.com;'Carol W.Lynch'
»>Subject:Re:FW:garage sales
»>
»>Joel -
»>Another reason why I would rather have a meeting -we have spent
»>hours going round in circles because you don't have information that
»>I gave to the City Clerk.Information I understood would become part
»>of a permanent record on this matter.We learned of two more ways
»>in which to deal with this situation.Being that it is almost
»>Christmas and we are all busy with church and family plans,as you
»>will soon be,we'll need to wait till the New Year to set a meeting.
»>Merry Christmas-
»>Maureen
»>
»>On 12/23/2011 11 :45 AM,Joel Rojas wrote:
»»Dr.Sasson
3 F-18
»»
»»Just to clarify,I was seeking a meeting with you in response to
»»your request for the City to pursue an ordinance limiting the
»»frequency of
»>garage
»»sales as it will fall on my department to draft such an ordinance
»»and I
»>have
»»not seen the signed petition nor the draft ordinance that you reference.
»»Thus,please provide me with the information that you reference.
»»
»»Again,the City Manager and I have made it very clear that the City
»>Manager
»»would be happy to meet with you to discuss your issue.
»»Unfortunately,a
»>time
»»that meets both your schedules has not found.Please don't construe
»»this .
»>to
»»mean that your offer to meet has not being accepted.Please let us
»»know
»a
»»couple of times and dates that you are available to meet with the
»»City Manager during the week of January 2nd.
»»
»»Sincerely,
»»
»»Joel Rojas
»»
»»
»»
»»
»»-----Original Message-----
»»From:Dr.M.Sassoon [mailto:msassoon@cox.net]
»»Sent:Friday,December 23,2011 8:18 AM
»»To:Joel Rojas
»»Cc:'Julie Peterson';'Carolyn Lehr';CC@rpv.com;'Carol W.Lynch'
»»Subject:Re:FW:garage sales
»»
»»
»»Joel-
»»Thank you for the over view of an ordinance.You stated my point
»»very well -the CC needs to discuss this and I have already brought
»»it to their attention along with a signed petition and photos.We
»»also understand the other residents in the City will be affected as
»»that's how an ordinance works;this is why one was drafted from two
»»similar socioeconomic cities in the South Bay.Is there something
»»in the draft that we provided that bothers you or goes against
»»another City code?Why can't you approach the CC with our draft?
»»Why do you need a meeting with me in order to initiate an
»»"initiation"hearing?Apparently the information that has been
»»presented to you has not brought forth specific questions from you
4 F-19
»»and it has not caused a response from you (or the City Manager or CC)to initiate the
ordinance.
»»
»»I'm not sure what information you were given,but I have not
»»changed my mind,I still want to meet with the City Manager.
»»Unfortunately,even if the City Manager were available this morning
»»I am not as this response to my request has come too late for me to change my schedule for
today.
»»Yesterday an appointment was scheduled for me to meet with an
»»attorney this morning at 10 am.
»»
»»Being that the City Manager has still not accepted my request for a
»»meeting,several of us are thinking of coming to the CC meeting and
»»using our 3 minutes/person to ask the CC to consider such an
»»ordinance and to ask why the current codes are not being enforced.
»»Unfortunately this will likely cause more hard feelings between the
»»neighbors and the residents of that one home,a situation I
»»personally was trying to avoid.So to be very clear - I still
»»would like to meet with the City Manager,however this is the last time I will ask for such a
meeting.
»»Regards,
»»Maureen
»»
»»On 12/22/2011 12:00 PM,Joel Rojas wrote:
»»>Dr.Sasson
»»>
»»>I'm happy to hear you have changed your mind and have decided to
»»>meet
»>with
»»>Staff to discuss this issue.I think a meeting will be helpful for
»»>you
»to
»»>explain your concerns and for Staff to explain to you the process
»»>for adopting a new City ordinance to address your concerns.While
»»>I
»>understand
»»>your frustration with the current situation in your neighborhood,
>please
»»>understand that adopting a new ordinance to regulate garage sales
»»>is
>not
»»an
»»>easy and quick process given the state legal requirements.
»»>Basically,
»the
»»>City Council must first weight the pros and cons of the proposed
»>ordinance
»»>through an "initiation"hearing as the new rules would apply not
»»>just
>to
»»>your neighborhood but to all the City's residents.If initiated,
»»>the
5 F-20
»>draft
»»>ordinance must then be reviewed by the City's Planning Commission
»»>at a public hearing and the Commission's recommendation forwarded
»»>to the
>City·
»»>Council for them to make a final decision.
»»>
»»>I see that you are available to meet tomorrow,Friday December 23rd.
»>While
»»>the City Manager is not available to meet tomorrow,I am available
»»>to
»>meet
»»>with you tomorrow.I note that in a previous email you took my
»»>offer to
»»meet
»»>with you to discuss your issue in lieu of the City Manager as a
»»>denial
»of
»»>your request to meet with the City Manager.This certainly was not
»»>the
»»case
»»>as my offer to meet with you was based solely on the fact that my
»»department
»»>would be responsible for drafting and enforcing the ordinance that
»»>you propose.As noted in previous emails from the City Manager,
»»>she would
>be
»»>happy to meet with you to discuss your issue if that is what you
>desire.
»»>Please let me know how you would like to proceed.
»»>
»»>Sincerely,
»»>
»»>
»»>Joel Rojas
»»>Community Development Director
»»>
»»>-----Original Message-----
»»>From:Dr.M,Sassoon [mailto:msassoon@cox.net]
»»>Sent:Sunday,December 18,2011 2:13 PM
»»>To:Joel Rojas
»»>Cc:'Julie Peterson';'Carolyn Lehr';CC@rpv.com;'Carol W.Lynch'
»»>Subject:Re:FW:garage sales
»»>
»»>
»»>Joel-
»»>
»»>Here is yet another set of pictures of Ms.Perry's retail sales
>business
»»>in action (I think the time stamp is an hour fast as I took the
»»>sign photo when I was on my way to work shortly after 8:30 am),Is
»»>this neighborhood zoned for retail businesses?Is she paying State
6 F-21
»»>and City sales taxes?Does she have a resale license?Is she
»»>paying Federal income tax?Is she on disability receiving money
»»>from the State that prohibits her from having another income?Does
»»>she owe money to a bankruptcy court?We have other questions that
»»>·if answered as we think they will be,will be news worthy.We are
»»>in the process of getting these questions answered -this is part
»»>of what I wanted to discuss in
>a
»»>private conversation with the City Manager so as to help avoid
»»>embarrassment to the City.
»»>
»»>Some of the other property owners think that while we are
»»>investigating these items it would still be in our best interest
»»>to have me meet with the City Manager to discuss these items and to pursue this ordinance.
»»>Our other option is to have about 10-20 residents of Shorewood and
»»>Basswood show up to a City Council meeting and get our 3 minutes
»»>each
>in
»»>telling you that we want such an ordinance and asking why the
»»>City hasn't cited Ms.Perry for the posting of signs on City sign posts.
»»>Another will ask why the non-op (not currently registered)car is
»»>not covered,another will ask about the overgrowth of the ivy and
»»>trees creating a fire hazard and someone else will ask about the
»»>enforcement of the trash cans.At the moment,we don't see this
»»>method of communication as a productive use of anyone's time,but
»»>it is being discussed.The upside of this problem is that our
»»>neighborhood is becoming closer and more concerned about who is
»»>running our City government.
»»>
»»>Unfortunately,I do not have any day-time free until Friday
»»>December
>23,
»»>2011.I will save time that day to meet with the City Manager if
»»>she will make time for me.
»»>
»»>I'm looking forward to hearing from you soon.
»»>Cordially,
»»>Maureen
»»>
»»>
»»>
»>
>
>
>
7
F-22
Julie Peterson
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
SUbject:
Dr.M.Sassoon [msassoon@cox.net]
Tuesday,December 13,2011 6:32 PM
Joel Rojas
'Julie Peterson';'Carolyn Lehr';CC@rpv.com;'Carol W.Lynch'
Re:FW:garage sales
Joel-
Sorry for the delayed response - I was busy all weekend and just got home from work.
Actually our desire is to work with the City on getting a garage sale ordinance passed.To that end I
submitted a rough draft of what one could look like -based upon data collected from neighboring
cities.I believe the document explained that we would like to see no more than one sale per address
and/or person per year and I shared at the meeting that 2 per year would not be argued if that was
the Council's decision (Le.,our regulation objectives).There was also information re the posting of
signs and not selling the property of another,if I'm not mistaken.I also recall that it was I who asked
to have a meeting with the City Manager and was denied.No malice,but if you have not drafted an
ordinance for the City Manager's review in 3 months why would my loss of income by having a
meeting with you get any better results now?
So,you are correct,I do not believe that the City is interested in enacting such an ordinance as none
of the responses received to date have mentioned (or hinted)that you all are working on submitting
one to the City Manager/Council.
Several people on Shorewood and now on Basswood would like to see such an ordinance and more
would like to see Ms.Perry out of the neighborhood entirely.If you or anyone on the management
team or City Council would like a renter then please ask Ms.Perry to move in.To facilitate this
process I am sure that I could get the first months rent covered by asking my neighbors to pitch in.
We are that tired of this nuisance and we are willing to put our money where our collective mouth is.
I'm certain someone who just read that comment has laughed.If so it's because this is not happening
to you -if she were you neighbor we would have a good laugh too,but then we would see an
ordinance come to life.Here lies the real problem --if I were to pay your neighbor to have a garage
sale twice a week for 9 weekends in a row,I'm willing to bet (less than $10,000)that an ordinance
would be in the making before the 9th weekend.(Perhaps I just found another way to deal with this
problem??)
If or when you draft a garage sale ordinance I would more than welcome an opportunity to review and
comment on it before it goes to the City Manager and/or City Council,as would several of my
neighbors.If you have any questions on the document that was submitted during the September
Council Meeting please feel free to ask for my input.In the meantime,as I shared in one of my prior
emails,the neighbors are now working together on another option of dealing with our concerns and
the nuisance caused by Ms.Perry.
In conclusion,I see that several additional email addresses are on the list above.To ensure that they
have the complete dialog,please forward them the missing email or two that is not part of this
package.
Thank you for your time and understanding.
Maureen
On 12/9/2011 11 :34 AM,Joel Rojas wrote:
>Dear Dr.Sassoon
>
1 F-23
>It sounds like your inclination is not to deal with the City on this issue.
>However,I just want to make sure you understand the City's process
>for enacting an ordinance as it seems that the fact that the City did
>not automatically enact an ordinance regulating garage sales after you
>spoke to the Council 3 months ago is giving you the impression that
>the City doesn't care about your issue which certainly is not the case.
>
>I'd be more than happy to go over the legal process for the City to
>enact an ordinance.I'd also be more than happy to advocate and take
>forward a proposed ordinance to the City council for some sort garage
>sale frequency regulation if I am able to understand you and your
>neighbors'regulation objectives.
>
>As noted in a previous email from the City Manager,I and the City
>Manager are ready to meet with you to discuss this issue if you change
>your mind and would like some City involvement to address your concerns.
>
>Sincerely
>
>Joel Rojas
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From:Dr.M.Sassoon [mailto:msassoon@cox.net]
>Sent:Tuesday,December 06,2011 8:03 PM
>To:Joel Rojas
>Cc:'Julie Peterson';'Carolyn Lehr'
>Subject:Re:FW:garage sales
>
>Joel-
>Thank you so very much for your kind response.You are correct,I was
>at a Council Meeting the first part of September.Three months later
>it seems as if the City Council has not taken any action to initiate
>an ordinance re garage sales in this city.It is also apparent that Ms.
>Perry is still doing as she wants while those of us who are paying
>income taxes feel as if we are living in a low income housing community.
>The home owners on my block and now on the adjacent block of Basswood
>are most frustrated with Ms.Perry's actions and lack of concern for
>her neighbors and the norms and culture of our community.Unfortunately Ms.
>Peterson's discussions with Ms.Perry were respected for only a short
>period of time,which has caused several home owners to believe that
>the City is unable to make the changes desired.In addition,we don't
>want the garage sales to simply be less often,we want them limited to
>once or twice a year.After the garage sale events of this past
>weekend I received several unsolicited requests to discuss the
>situation and response options ..which we did.Putting our thoughts
>and information together we have developed another strategy we think
>might have more permanent results.Based upon the City Council's
>non-responsive action to enact a garage sale ordinance,which I have
>come to learn that other neighborhoods in our City also desire,we
>have little faith that the City is our best option for good results at
>this time.We are not angry with the City and I personally am thankful
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>for Ms.Peterson's help and kindness.Unfortunately it appears that
>the City is unable to either make and/or implement a decision
>regarding the limitation of garage sales or management/City Council
>doesn't want to implement such an ordinance.Perhaps we are wrong,
>but we also believe that if Ms.Perry was the neighbor to the City
>Manager and/or any City Council member an ordinance would have been
>implemented or at least be in the making by now.I hope you
>understand that we are sincere in dealing with this situation and
>believe the avenue of City Hall/City Council is not our best option at
>this time.In all honesty,you'd likely have to admit that if you were
>in our shoes you would be looking outside the box by now,too.
>
>I wish you the best and I again thank you for taking the time to
>recall the events and for writing me a note.
>
>All the best
>Maureen
>
>
>
>On 12/6/2011 5:53 PM,Joel Rojas wrote:
»Dear Maureen
»
»I think you're jumping to conclusions if you believe the City is not
»interested in addressing your concern.My recollection is that you
»spoke
>at
» a City Council several weeks ago raising a concern about a residence
»in
>your
»neighborhood having recurring garage sales.I informed the City
»Council
>that
»evening that the City does not have an ordinance that sets a limit on
»the number of garage sales a resident can have but that we would look
»into the matter to see if there is anything we can do.
»
»The next day I advised Code Enforcement Officer Julie Peterson about
»your concern and she went out to speak to the resident.Ms.Peterson
»informed
>the
»resident of the concern with multiple garage sales and the related
»issue
>of
»garage sales signs repeatedly being placed in the public
»right-of-way.The resident agreed to limit the number of garage
»sales.Until your recent email,we thought the problem was resolved.
»
»Given your recent request to meet with the City Manager to discuss
»the issue,I asked Julie to set up a meeting with you,Julie and I to
»discuss your concern as any solution to the issue would be pursued by
»our Department.I was surprised by your response that you don't want
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»to meet with Julie and I and would rather take this issue to a higher
»level to possibly embarrass the City.If this reaction was prompted
»because you
>would
»rather meet with the City Manager than with me,1'm sure a meeting
»with
>the
»City Manager can be arranged.On the other hand,if you have decided
»to
>not
»meet with any City representatives and instead you wish to seek other
»remedies for your concern,that is certainly within your prerogative.
»
»Please let me know if you change your mind and would like to meet.
»
»Sincerely,
»
»
»Joel Rojas
»Community Development Director
»
»
»
»
»
»-----Original Message-----
»From:Dr.M.Sassoon [mailto:msassoon@cox.net]
»Sent:Tuesday,December 06, 2011 3:44 PM
»To:Julie Peterson
»Subject:Re:garage sales
»
»Julie -it seems that Thursday might not work as I might have to sign
»some loan docs ...also I think we (several concerned neighbors)have
»decided to take this to the next level without the City.We believe
»that if the city manager is not interested in a solution then it will
»not happen ..1 am sorry as our next step will be blunt and possibly an
»embarrassment to the city but we are most concerned about the
»neighborhood and the values that we have and the price we pay to live
»here.If we wanted our neighborhood to be like several others in the
»greater LA area that's where we would have bought our homes,but we
>didn't.
»All the best
»Maureen
»
»
»On 12/5/2011 5:05 PM,Julie Peterson wrote:
»>Maureen,
»>I spoke to the Director of Community Development about the situation
»>and
»he
»>would like to either have the three of us on a conference call or
»>have a meeting here at the city to discuss your concerns.Can you
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»>give me a
>call
»>this week so we can discuss?I'm at 310-544-5228.Thanks Maureen,
»>Julie
»>
»>-----Original Message-----
»>From:Dr.M.Sassoon [mailto:msassoon@cox.net]
»>Sent:Saturday,December 03,2011 8:53 AM
»>To:Julie Peterson
»>Subject:garage sales
»>
»>Hi Julie
»>The garage sales are up and running again.Please connect me with
»>the City Manager.I would like to schedule a meeting with the City
»>Manager before taking this to the next level,as my desire is not to
»>live next to or across from a swap meet and not to embarrass the
»>City Manag~r in achieving these results.
»>You might also note where the trash cans are located and that the
»>stored non-op car is not covered,pursuant to City code ..
»>
»>Thank you.
»>maureen
»>
»
»
»
»
>
5 F-27
Julie Peterson
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
SUbject:
Joel Rojas Uoelr@rpv.com]
Monday,December 05,2011 4:23 PM
'Julie Peterson'
gregp@rpv.com
RE:garage sales
Julie
Please contact Maureen and let her know that you and I would like to have a conference call or face
to face meeting with her to discuss her issue.
Joel
-----Original Message-----
From:Julie Peterson [mailto:juliep@rpv.com]
Sent:Monday,December 05,2011 9:47 AM
To:'Joel Rojas'.
Cc:'Greg Pfost'
Subject:FW:garage sales
Joel,
I thought I would forward this to you first.This email is from the lady
who discussed garage sales at the city council meeting several months ago.
After the City Council meeting I spoke to the residents about their garage
sales,and it's my understanding that the frequency of the garage sales has
been cut down quite a bit.As a matter of fact,this is the first complaint
I've received in several months.
The trash cans and car are another matter that I am dealing with separately.
Julie
-----Original Message-----
From:Dr.M.Sassoon [mailto:msassoon@cox.net]
Sent:Saturday,December 03,2011 8:53 AM
To:Julie Peterson
Subject:garage sales
Hi Julie
The garage sales are up and running again.Please connect me with the
City Manager.I would like to schedule a meeting with the City Manager
before taking this to the next level,as my desire is not to live next
to or across from a swap meet and not to embarrass the City Manager in
achieving these results.
You might also note where the trash cans are located and that the stored
non-op car is not covered,pursuant to City code ..
Thank you.
maureen
1 F-28
Julie Peterson
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Dr.M.Sassoon [msassoon@cox.net]
Monday,December 05,2011 6:05 PM
Julie Peterson
Re:garage sales
Julie -Thank you.I might not be able to get away from work until Friday.Let me see what I can work
out and get back to you tomorrow.
Thanks
maureen
On 12/5/2011 5:05 PM,Julie Peterson wrote:
>Maureen,
>I spoke to the Director of Community Development about the situation
>and he would like to either have the three of us on a conference call
>or have a meeting here at the city to discuss your concerns.Can you
>give me a call this week so we can discuss?I'm at 310-544-5228.
>Thanks Maureen,Julie
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From:Dr.M.Sassoon [mailto:msassoon@cox.net]
>Sent:Saturday,December 03,2011 8:53 AM
>To:Julie Peterson
>Subject:garage sales
>
>Hi Julie
>The garage sales are up and running again.Please connect me with the
>City Manager.I would like to schedule a meeting with the City Manager
>before taking this to the next level,as my desire is not to live next
>to or across from a swap meet and not to embarrass the City Manager in
>achieving these results.
>You might also note where the trash cans are located and that the
>stored non-op car is not covered,pursuant to City code ..
>
>Thank you.
>maureen
1
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