HomeMy WebLinkAbout- OB-1 - Ordinance of Costa Mesa Repealing and Re - 7/15/2014CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: July 15, 2014 ITEM NUMBER:
SUBJECT: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA REPEALING AND
REPLACING COSTA MESA MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 11-15 RELATING
TO REWARDS FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST AND
CONVICTION OF PERSONS VANDALIZING PRIVATE PROPERTY
DATE: July 7, 2014
FROM: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE
PRESENTATION BY: DANIEL BAKER, MANAGEMENT ANALYST
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: DANIEL BAKER (714) 754-5156
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommend that the City Council consider for a second reading Ordinance 14-08
(attachment 1), to be read by title only, and waive further reading, regarding rewards for
information leading to the apprehension of individuals who damage property.
BACKGROUND:
At the July 1, 2014 City Council Meeting, City Council considered and approved
Ordinance No. 14-08 for first reading.
In March 2014, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 14-02 (attachment 2), which
authorized the City to pay a reward for providing information that leads to the
apprehension of individuals who vandalize public property. In adopting this ordinance,
the City Council found that vandalism of public property results in thousands of dollars
in damage that the City must pay for when the person responsible is not arrested,
convicted and ordered to pay restitution to the City. The City Council also found that
members of the public are more likely to assist law enforcement apprehend individuals
who vandalize public property when they can receive a monetary reward for doing so.
The attached ordinance extends the application of Ordinance No. 14-02 by amending
the Municipal Code to authorize rewards to anyone who provides information leading to
the arrest of individuals who vandalize private property.
ANALYSIS:
Section 53069.5 of the Government Code authorizes the City to offer a reward for
information leading to the apprehension of individuals who willfully damage any
property. Therefore, the City is authorized to extend its existing rewards program to
include private property. The proposed ordinance provides for a reward program for the
apprehension of individuals who vandalize any property within the City.
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ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
The City Council can choose not to adopt the proposed ordinance.
FISCAL REVIEW:
Per existing ordinance 14-2 and section 53069.5 of the Government Code, City staff
can provide a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading the apprehension of
anyone who willfully damages any property.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and has prepared a draft ordinance repealing
and replacing Section 11-15 of the Costa Mesa Municipal Code.
CONCLUSION:
Adoption of this ordinance would create an incentive for citizens to assist the City in
apprehending individuals who vandalize property, whether public or private, and thus
reduce the cost to the City and to property owners to repair the damaged property.
DANIEL BAKER
Management Analyst
THOMAS DUARTE
City Attorney
Attachment: 1
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Ordinance 14-08
Ordinance 14-2
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