03 - Ordinance Enforcement Report – October 2012 Costa Mesa Sanitary District …an Independent Special District Protecting our community’s health and the environment by providing solid waste and sewer collection services. www.cmsdca.gov Memorandum To: Operations Committee From: Isidro Gallardo, Ordinance Enforcement Officer Date: November 5 , 2012 Subject: Ordinanc e Enforcement Report – October 2012 This report summarizes major points for three ordinance enforcement top ics covering Scavenging, Graffiti, and Trash Container Enforcement . Scavenging : In the month of October, there were two calls to the District HQs to report scavenging activity. One of the calls came from a resident living in the 200 Block of 16 th Place to report scav enging activity in the area on Tuesday (trash pick -up day) mornings, between the hours of 7 - 8 a .m. I have patrolled the area for the past couple Tuesdays, but I have not observed any activity yet. I will continue to patrol the area in the upcoming weeks. I continue to take the data gathered from the Costa Mesa Police Department of calls made to report scavenging activity; identifying areas and times were I should focus and increase patrol. Below, are several incidents I observed directly; the majority of the scavenging incidents listed below were not individuals who are trying to make a business from recycling materials. The majority of individuals are either homeless, out of work, or unable to work. Usually, they are riding a bicycle or on foot pushing a cart or stroller and going through the trash bins. I will stop them, identify myself, advise them what they are doing is illegal in the City Costa Mesa, and gather as much basic personal information (ID, DL, name, residence, etc.) as I can for records. One citation was issued on October 16, 2012: This individual was on foot, going through the trash bins in the alley behind the 200 Block of Magnolia St. After he was finished he walked back to a car were a women was waiting for him. When he got into the car, I went
ahead and pulled them over. After getting up close, I observed several trash bags in the back of the car filled with al uminum cans, glass, and plastic bottles. After some further questioning, the individual admitted that he frequents the area o n Tuesday mornings looking for recyclables . Areas and times were scavenging was observed by the OEO: DATE TIME ADDRESSES Citation Issued 10/02/12 10/04/12 10/08/12 10/12/12 10/16/12 07:45a 06:55a 07:15a 08:45a 09:35a 07:10a 07:45a 10:15a 200 Blk Magnol ia (alley) 2900 Blk Peppertree Ln (alley) 2100 Blk American Ave 2000 Blk of Federal Ave 3050 Blk Coolidge Ave 300 Blk Magnolia St 200 Blk Magnolia St 650 Blk Park Ave no no no no no no yes no Graffiti : Update – In November, CR&R Route Manager will schedu le maintenance workers to go out to the 1800 Blk of Wallace Ave (between 19 th St & W. 18 th St) to remove markings/graffiti from trash bins. Trash Container Enforcement : In the month of October, there were six complaints that came into the District HQ to report addresses that leave their trash bins (t/b) in public sight (p/s). I made a site visit to the following addresses: 2214 Elden Ave – No t/b in p/s 3268 & 3272 Minnesota Ave – 1 st Notice 3121 Coral Ave – 1 st Notice 2773 Albatross – 1 st Notice 342 Broadway – No t/b in p/s 248 Santa Ana Ave – No t/b in p/s The addresses that were issued a 1 st Notice were in compliance after a follow up visit. Nevertheless, I will continue to monitor all the above address es as well as previous complaints to ensure c ompliance and take any further action if necessary. A summary of the courtesy notice process for the District OEO is provided in the following chart and demonstrates the effectiveness of a “1 st N otice”: October 1 -31, 2012 1 st Notice 2 nd Notice Courtesy Letter South of Wilson St. 5 0 0 Wilson St. to Adams Ave. 3 0 0 Adams Ave. to Sunflower Ave. 4 0 0