• City Council Agenda Preview

This is a new type of blogpost. 

I'm going to post the highlights of the coming city council agenda for the July 11th meeting. 

Pro Tip: There is a big difference between the city council agenda, and the agenda packet. One is just the headlines (about 5 pages), the other is all the details (anywhere from 500 to 1000 pages).

There are several big items worth noting, and I'd like to get the info out ahead of time, so that if you'd like to email the city council your thoughts on an item, you'll be able to do so before they vote.

The key items I want to share regard the city's new social media policy, the ballot item asking for an additional penny sales tax, and an ordinance that is aimed at tackling the homeless encampments.

Wildomar Rap opinion time

I'm mostly going to repost direct passages from the agenda packet. If I have an opinion (safe bet) then I'll put those in a highlighted box like this one.

In the presentation portion of the meeting, this is listed: 
4. Homeless Update – Police Chief Anne and Building Official Haeberle.

Agenda Item #3.3
Wildomar Municipal Code Relating to Aggressive and Intrusive Solicitation

The attached ordinance contains regulations that would address problematic behaviors and conduct often associated with solicitation.

The City of Wildomar and the Riverside County Sheriff have received complaints from residents, visitors and businesses about aggressive or intrusive solicitation. 

Solicitors may seek out those people who are a captive audience because it is difficult or impossible for those people to exercise their own right to decline to listen or avoid solicitation from others. 

Solicitation at locations such as gas stations, the entrances to banks or financial institutions, or at or near automated telling machines, where citizens are known to have money readily available, can result in an intimidating, threatening or dangerous solicitation. 

These situations present a risk to the health, safety, and welfare of the public since individuals do not always feel they can decline a solicitation or easily walk away.

ACTIVITIES COVERED IN PROPOSED ORDINANCE:
    •  Regulates soliciting within 15 feet of an ATM or financial institution and other specified locations
    •  Prohibits solicitation in a public road or median
    •  Prohibits blocking or disrupting vehicular traffic
    •  Prohibits storage of personal property left unattended on public property
    •  Places restrictions on unlawful camping
    •  Places restrictions on food distribution at public parks and public property

Solicitation by coercion.

A person may not solicit another person within 15 feet of:
    •  Financial Institutions and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs)
    •  Parking Lots.
    •  Public Transportation Vehicles and Stops.
    •  Gasoline Stations and Fuel Pumps. 
    •  Driveways Accessing Shopping Center, Retail and
    •  Business Establishments.
    •  Dining Establishments. 

It is unlawful for a person to solicit another person:
a. After sunset or before sunrise

Unlawful Camping

F. In addition to any other applicable requirements of the Wildomar Municipal Code, camping pursuant to this section shall comply with all of the following operational requirements pertaining to camping:
1. Portable restrooms with toilet facilities must be provided and accessible to campers on the private property and must comply with the California Plumbing Code. Restrooms at city owned parks do not qualify for use by campers on private property.
2. Trash receptacles sufficient for the number of campers must be provided.
3. The private property where camping occurs must be kept in a clean and sanitary manner.
4. Trash and debris must be removed when camping ceases and must be disposed of in trash receptacles.
5. Any outdoor storage of camping paraphernalia shall not be permitted when not in use by campers.

9.52.070 Free Passage Shall Not be Hindered or Obstructed.
9.52.080 Prohibited Conduct on Public Property and Monuments
9.52.090 Public Urination and Defecation Prohibited.

9.52.110 Food Distribution at Public Parks and Public Property.

9.52.120 Use of Vehicles for Dwelling Restricted on City Streets and Public Property.
A. No person shall use a parked vehicle as a dwelling, as follows:
1. Between the hours of 9:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M. on any street or public property in the City.

9.52.130 Medians
1. No person shall linger on a median.
2. No person shall loiter on a median.
3. No person shall solicit upon or from any median.

9.52.140 Prohibition on the Storage of Personal Property on
Public Property.

9.52.230 Penalty; Enforcement.
A. Misdemeanor. Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor or infraction.

Wildomar Rap opinion time
I applaud the city council for proposing these ordinances, and I'm sure they will pass unanimously when voted on. 

I'm also sure that they would like to hear from their constituents about the issue. If you're in favor of these measures, be sure to tell them.

Some people might think that these measures, when juxtaposed with the "penalty and enforcement" aspect, won't actually amount to much since most of the modern homeless people out there "know their rights" which means they don't actually face punishments that will deter their misdeeds. Citations don't mean anything to homeless scofflaws.

That's not on the city, that lays at the feet of the courts and the California legislature that has proven to value the "needs" of every group except the law abiding taxpayers of the land.

These were just the highlights, click this link to go to the actual agenda packet and search for Agenda Item #3.3 to read the item in full. 

1.10 Social Media Communications Policy
This was discussed from pages 206-220 in the agenda. I share it because it's another step closer by the city into entering the era of modern communication.

This item is on the consent calendar, so unless someone wants to hear about it, it'll go without any fanfare... fanfare that should include the start dates of when the city would fire up facebook and instagram pages, a youtube channel, and the like.

Wildomar Rap opinion time

By reading the legalese swirling around this issue in the agenda packet, gives a person pause to reflect on how insane things have gotten; when government has to bend over backward these days, because common sense policies are no longer enough in our litigious world.

Go read it and tell me if I'm all that wrong about it. Reminder, that's not a slam against Wildomar, it's an indictment on how far common sense has been allowed to devolve in the USA.

One part that I disagreed with was where it established that only the (yet to be assembled) social media team will be able to post on behalf of the city. 

In principle, I get it, and agree... but I sure hope that extends to the duly elected city council members too. 

Found on page 211 of the agenda.

Sometimes (most of the time) unexpected things come up after hours or on the weekends. 

I think it would be a bad move to not allow someone that has been elected by the people, that actually lives in Wildomar, to post updates (as seen on the personal pages of the council members) when events are unfolding in real time.

If a city council member were to get loose, and do some regrettable posting, that can be dealt with then, and their privileges suspended or revoked.

In reality, most of the city council wouldn't want the added responsibilities... but with that recent shooting that took place on a Sunday, the car collision that closed Baxter Road to Windsong for half a day extending into Friday evening, and the fires that we had late last year going all through the night and unfolding quickly, such latitude would be good to have in codified form.

Now for the biggest item: 
2.1 Placing a One-cent Transactions and Use Tax on the November 6, 2018
Ballot and Approving Spending Priorities for the Tax Proceeds

From the agenda packet. Wording that will be appearing on the ballot in November.

A supermajority vote of the City Council is required to approve the proposed resolution to place the tax measure on the ballot. 

Wildomar Rap opinion time

I see this being approved by at least 4 out of the 5, with Tim Walker as a possible hold out. When this was discussed last time (April city council meeting) he wanted the state mandated threshold of 50%+1 to be artificially elevated to 2/3.

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One thing that gets my eyes to go into perpetual roll mode is where they opted to call a sales tax a "Transactions and Use Tax" instead.

I would have hoped that kind of doubletalk could have been saved for the big wigs in Sacramento and DC, and kept out of li'l ol' Willymar.

FISCAL IMPACT:
Placing the transactions and use tax measure on the ballot will result in expenses related to conducting the election. 

These additional costs, over and above the costs the City is already incurring to conduct Council elections, is estimated to be $15,000. 

If the ballot measure is approved, it would result in additional revenues to the City’s general fund in the estimated amount of $1.7 million annually.

WHEREAS, if the tax is approved by the voters, the Wildomar City Council commits to use all proceeds of that tax as expressly stated in this Resolution.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, AS FOLLOWS:
B. In order to provide a reliable, locally-controlled source of funding for police, fire, roads, and homelessness services, the City Council will dedicate 100% of the proceeds of the proposed one-cent transactions and use tax (sales tax) to the following priorities:
   a. Maintaining local police/fire protection
   b. Preserving 911 medical response times
   c. Maintaining local streets and fixing potholes
   d. Addressing and reducing homelessness 

(This will be coming with a citizens oversight committee)

The City is committed to the highest levels of fiscal stewardship and the responsible management of taxpayer dollars. For this reason, the City has included an Independent Citizens Oversight Committee as part of the attached Ordinance for the review of any voter-approved funds generated by this measure.

Even though a Citizen Oversight Committee is not legally required, it is consistent with the City’s desire for fiscal transparency and continued engagement by the public should the measure be enacted.

(If interested in serving your city, and you have a head for numbers, consider applying for one of the five spots... assuming this passes on November 6th that is.)

WHEREAS, Wildomar has a growing number of homeless individuals and resources are needed to enable the City to address mental health, substance abuse, and job training needs while ensuring our local business and public areas are safe and secure for everyone;

(I have to wonder what the highlighted area means in practicality. I have a big heart and all (sometimes) but am not too sanguine about covering those issues from a city level. Perhaps it's just routine boilerplate that goes into all such ordinances?)

Wildomar Rap opinion time

Since I'm running for city council, it's fair that I weigh in on the increase in sales tax issue as directly as possible.

As a taxpayer, I'm against it. 

As a potential member of city council, that will be asked to protect the interests of the city, I'm for it.

If I were currently on the city council, I would vote to put it on the ballot, and then ask the voters to decide and vote according to their conscience and personal beliefs.

Reality Check: We have a tiny budget because we have tiny revenue streams. 

If we want increased code enforcement (think homeless issues), increased police and fire coverage, and better roads, we have to get the money from somewhere.

Like my dearly departed grandmother would've said, boy, money don't grow on trees.

I was asked by an engaged local resident about my stance on the proposed tax increase, and here is what I told her in the comment section of a past blog.

You asked, "Do you favor the sales tax increase?"
I'll answer it directly as asked, and the answer is an emphatic NO.

But, if you re-ask the question, especially in light of the insane state we live in, and it went like this instead, "do you favor paying more money to get rid of the homeless encampments, to prod deadbeat landowners into cleaning up their messes, to have better roads and more cops?" I'd come back with an even more emphatic, YES!

It would be great if we lived in a state that wasn't so preoccupied with outdated social justice issues, and concentrated our wealth on the actual people that make this state work in the first place, but that is a pipe dream in the 21st century reality we find ourselves in. 

While I'm at it, regarding the ballot initiative to repeal SB1.

The same opinion holds true to the repeal of the gas tax. I don't drive many miles a year, so the bad roads don't ding my cars as much as they do the average driver in the Golden State. As a voter, I'd be aiming to repeal SB1 in November.

But when looking at the issues from a different angle, do I want to vote to keep the crumbling roads or to fix them, the answer is to fix them. 

Don't be fooled here, the way that SB1 was set up and has been administered so far, it's in a way that if it's repealed, most road projects will come to a screeching halt as a punishment.

I don't know if that could be rectified in a short time frame or not, but I don't trust Sacramento to get anything done, much less if we the people have just given them a giant forearm shiver to the jaw in the form of a repeal of their great masterpiece of 2017.

If it gets repealed, I wouldn't count on Bundy Canyon Road being fixed as it's slated to in 2019. 

Click the image to visit the facebook page.

Here is a link to a blog from July 2016 discussing the possibility of a sales tax increase. A lot changes in two years. Below is a graphic from that blog. The original caption read: Nice to know that our elected officials are not looking to raise our taxes.

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Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.
– Albert Einstein

Not everything that can be rapped can be Wildomar Rap... you can count on it.

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