HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - November 20, 2002 E-15CITY OF LODI COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
AGENDA TITLE: Introduction of Ordinance Amending Title 9, Chapter 9.04, "Offenses Against Public
Decency," Relating to the Prohibition of Public Urination
DATE: November 20, 2002
PREPARED BY: JERRY J. ADAMS, CHIEF OF POLICE
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That the City Council introduce an ordinance amending Title 9,
Chapter 9.04, "Offenses Against Public Decency," by adding Section
9.04.030 "Prohibiting Public Urination."
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Lodi Police Department has received complaints from downtown
business owners and citizens about the problem of some people
urinating in public. The purpose of this addition to the ordinance is to
enable us to more effectively deal with
this problem and make the downtown area pleasant for citizens and children to visit and shop. This
ordinance could help in our overall enforcement and help to continue in cleaning up the downtown area.
This Ordinance is needed since there is no State law dealing specifically with this problem. Language from
other cities was reviewed to arrive at the proposed language presented in this Ordinance.
FUNDING: None
Jerry J. dam
Chief of Police
cc: City Attorney
APPROVED: C=////� r4ll=
H. ixon Flynn -- City ;ager
DOWNTOWN
- LODI
17'S INE N -
DOWNTOWN LODI BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP
4 WEST PINE STREET
P.O. BOX 1565
LODI, CALIFORNIA 95241-1565
PHONE: (2091369.11052
FAX: 1209)369.8053
EMAIL: Ap0mindspring.com
November 13, 2002
The Honorable City Council
City of Lodi
City Hall
Lodi, CA
Subject: Ordinance Amending Title 9, Chapter 9.04, "Offenses Against Public Decency,"
Relating to the Prohibition of Public Urination ---SUPPORT FOR PASSAGE OF
PROPOSAL
Dear Honorable Ladies and Gentlemen:
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Downtown Lodi Business Partnership, we hereby
present our strong endorsement and support of the issue referenced above.
At our directors meeting of November 12, 2002 the board unanimously approved this
resolution, and during discussion gave numerous examples of Downtown businesses
observing acts of public urination. This is not only an unhealthy situation, but one that
discourages and frightens law abiding citizens from visiting or doing business in the
Downtown area.
We also realize that this is not just a Downtown situation, but one that occurs all to frequently
in other parts of our wonderful city. We need to give the proper tools and support to our law
enforcement officers to stop this unsafe and improper behavior.
We ask you to adopt the proposed ordinance as proposed by our Chief of Police Jerry J.
Adams.
Siinccerely,nQ /`
-9 w 9- /IR�r ..59"0 -a
Lewis F. Van Buksirk
Executive Director
DOWNTOWN LODI BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP
4 WEST PINE STREET
P.O. BOX 1565
LODI, (AUFORNIA 95241-1565
PHONE: (209) 369.8052
FAX: (209) 369.8053
EMAIL ftftindspring.an
November 13, 2002
The Honorable City Council
City of Lodi
City Hall
Lodi, CA
Subject: Ordinance Amending Title 9, Chapter 9.04, "Offenses Against Public Decency,"
Relating to the Prohibition of Public Urination ---SUPPORT FOR PASSAGE OF
PROPOSAL
Dear Honorable Ladies and Gentlemen:
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Downtown Lodi Business Partnership, we hereby
present our strong endorsement and support of the issue referenced above.
At our directors meeting of November 12, 2002 the board unanimously approved this
resolution, and during discussion gave numerous examples of Downtown businesses
observing acts of public urination. This is not only an unhealthy situation, but one that
discourages and frightens law abiding citizens from visiting or doing business in the
Downtown area.
We also realize that this is not just a Downtown situation, but one that occurs all to frequently
in other parts of our wonderful city. We need to give the proper tools and support to our law
enforcement officers to stop this unsafe and improper behavior.
We ask you to adopt the proposed ordinance as proposed by our Chief of Police Jerry J.
Adams.
Sincerely,
Peter Westbrook
President
t �01),
UnifiedSc1)"O
November 13, 2002
Lt. Chet Somera
Lodi Police Department
230 West Elm Street
Lodi, CA 95240
Dear Chet,
It is with pleasure that I write a letter of support on behalf of Lodi Unified School
District for the proposed ordinance regarding prohibition of public urination and
defecation on public property.
It would seem such an ordinance should not be necessary, but our schools are
proof we do need such a measure. There are many times when the District has an
outdoor event, our custodians and site staffs are faced with the unpleasant task of
cleaning up human waste.
Please do not hesitate to contact my office should you need further assistance.
Sincerely,
Dr. Rich Ferrara
Associate Superintendent
RF:djh
1305 E Vine St.
Lodi, CA 95240
209-331-7003.209-953-8003
209-331-7961 Fax
UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
REESE SCHOOL
1800 West Elm Street, Lodi, California 95242
Honorable Mayor
And Members of the
Lodi City Council
P.O. Box 3006
Lodi, CA 95241
As the principal at Reese School, I am writing to support the Ordinance Amending Title
9, Chapter 9.04, "Offenses Against Public Decency," Relating to the Prohibition of Public
Urination. During the eight years I have been at Reese there have been many incidences
of problems during the evening and over the weekends. Our head custodian routinely
checks the playground areas and the outdoor walkways between the buildings, as these
areas are often used as public bathrooms. Not too long ago a parent called to say she had
been on the campus on a Saturday and had seen someone defecating on the playground
behind one of our portable buildings.
We have had problems recently with some adult soccer teams that use our playgrounds
on Sunday mornings. We have been unable to do anything because our playgrounds are
considered public areas.
Please support this ordinance. I am certain it will help us to provide a cleaner, safer place
for our children to learn.
Sincerely,
Joan E. Morrison
Principal
Lodi (209) 331-7424 Stockton (209) 953-8424
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LODI AMENDING TITLE 9, CHAPTER 9.04
"OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC DECENCY,- BY ADDING
SECTION 9.04.030 PROHIBITING PUBLIC URINATION &
DEFECATION
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BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LODI AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 9.04.030 is hereby added to the Lodi Municipal Code to read as
follows:
Section 9.04.030 — Public Urination or Defecation - No person shall
urinate or defecate in or upon any street, alley, plaza, park, public
building, publicly maintained facility, public land, or in any place open to
the public or exposed to public view. This does not apply to using a
public bathroom.
SECTION 2. All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are repealed
insofar as such conflict may exist.
SECTION 3. This ordinance shall be published one time in the "Lodi News Sentinel," a
daily newspaper of general circulation printed and published in the City of Lodi and shall
take effect thirty days from and after its passage and approval.
Approved this day of , 2002
PHILLIP A. PENNINO
Mayor
Attest:
SUSAN J. BLACKSTON
City Clerk
State of California
County of San Joaquin, ss.
I, Susan J. Blackston, City Clerk of the City of Lodi, do hereby certify that
Ordinance No. was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City
of Lodi held November 20, 2002, and was thereafter passed, adopted and ordered to
print at a regular meeting of said Council held , 2002 by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS —
NOES;
COUNCIL MEMBERS —
ABSENT:
COUNCIL MEMBERS —
ABSTAIN:
COUNCIL MEMBERS —
I further certify that Ordinance No. was approved and signed by the Mayor
on the date of its passage and the same has been published pursuant to law.
Approved as to Form:
RANDALL A. HAYS
City Attorney
SUSAN J. BLACKSTON
City Clerk
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