Amador County – The Ione City Council discussed a new city provision that could help clean up the town. City Manager Kim Kerr spent a year-and-a-half studying “administrative enforcement provisions,” to make a city staff member a “city director,” who could issue tickets for violation of city code aimed at cleaning up the town. Kerr said an independent “Hearing Officer” could be used to conduct hearings on citations. Kerr said ordinances in place include “garage sale licenses” and other issues such as running a business in a home without a license. City Attorney Kristen Castanos said provisions were needed to enforce laws. Kerr urged the council to host meetings on educating the public on the new codes. City Councilman David Plank agreed, urging first education, then warnings before issuing citations. Kerr said issues such as yard clean-up could be part of the solution. Having the resident clean his or her own yard would be ideal, but if refused, the city could do it then charge the resident. If the bill went unpaid, the city could put a lien on property.
Mayor Andrea Bonham asked about the interpretive nature of ordinances, such as paint jobs being in “good condition.” Bonham said she would rather see the Rotary get involved in issues such as cutting a “little old lady’s 6-foot weeds.” Kerr said the vacant building section is based on state law. If an order is given in a notice to fix the building, and it is not fixed, the city starts the process of enforcement. For “yard sale licenses,” the city would make a list of those residents who did not sign up for a free license. Ione Police Department would then send them a letter telling of the rule, for one-time violators. Tickets would follow in other incidents. Vice Mayor Lee Ard said in running for office, people said if he gets on council, please clean up the town. Ard said “I think this fulfills that … we are finally cleaning up the city of Ione.” Plank said he would like to see the ordinances in a concise, easy-to-read format. Kerr said staff wants brochures and also a town hall meeting to discuss new ordinances. She suggested forming an ad-hoc committee, which she would like to include people who could look at the ordinance and say “whoa, you are going too far.” She said the issue could be brought before the public in early January and again in February. Story by Jim Reece (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
