HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990/08/13 Board of Appeals & Advisors Agenda Packet
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August 2, 1990
COUNCIL INFORMATION ITEM
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
VIA: John D. Goss, City Manager ,
FROM: Kenneth G. Larsen, C.RO., Director of Building and HO~~ V
SUBJECf:
LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES - HELEN PUTNAM AWARD OF
EXCELLENCE
On behalf of the City of Chula Vista, the Department of Building and Housing has recently
submitted a nomination for the Helen Putnam Award of Excellence sponsored by the
League of California Cities. The classification category, Community Development,
recognizes outstanding municipal achievements in areas of planning, housing, economic
development and redevelopment/historic preservation strategies employed within
jurisdictions for a minimum of one year.
Staff believes that the Community Appearance Program: Neighbor Helping Neighbor
enacted in March 1989 by the Code Enforcement Division, has been uniquely outstanding in
revitalizing two components; firstly to eliminate millions of pounds of unwanted trash and
debris from neighborhoods, and secondly, to recapture a spirit of neighborhood clean-
up/fix-up among residents who through combined volunteer efforts, have teamed together
to restore civic pride in their communities. Although the competition is extremely high in
the Community Development category, staff is optimistic that regardless of the nomination
outcome, that our Program may be of interest to fellow League members whom would not
otherwise have had an opportunity to become exposed to the Program unless an application
was submitted.
The success of the Program is due to the special efforts involving hundreds of hours of
community volunteers donating time and materials and to the meritorious achievements of
the Code Enforcement Officers interacting with each neighborhood community.
Specifically, Mr. Richard Foster, Senior Code Enforcement Officer; Mrs. Carole Stinnett,
Code Enforcement Officer; Mr. Michael Fox, Code Enforcement Officer; Mr. Roger Jones,
Code Enforcement Officer; and Mrs. Yeelin Uybungco, Administrative Secretary are
recognized for their exceptional performance for a job well done.
In the event further information regarding the Helen Putnam Award of Excellence
nomination should be necessary, please do not hesitate to contact the Department.
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erN OF
CHUlA. VISTA
BUILDING AND HOUSING DEPARTMENT
July 29, 1990
Mr. Clark Goecker
Assistant Director
League of California Cities
1400 "K" Street
Sacramento,Ci\ 95814
Dear Mr. Goecker:
On behalf of the City of Chula Vista, the Department of Building and Housing is
respectfully submitting an application for the pretigious, Helen Putnam i\ward for
Excellence. Focusing on the category of Community Development, we believe that since
our COMMUNTIY APPEARANCE PROGRAM: NEIGHBOR HELPING NEIGHBOR has been an
outstanding success in improving the quality of life for residents within Chula Vista
neighborhoods, that perhaps fellow members of the League of California Cities may find
our program of interest.
Please find enclosed the 1990 Nomination Form and corresponding exhibits for our
application consideration by the Screening Jury. In the event additional information to
support our nomination should be necessary, please do not hesitate to contact us as we will
gladly furnish supplemental materials upon request.
Your cooperation in processing our nomination to the Screening Jury is sincerely
appreciated, and as always, please do not hesitate to contact us if we may be of service to
your organization.
Sincerely,
;¿;¡;;~o/ ~#/
KENNETH G. LARSEN. CB.O.
DIREcrOR OF BUILDING AND HOUSING
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270 FOURTH AVENUE CHULA VISTA. Ct'\LlFORNIA 92010'(619) 691-5007
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INSTRUCTIONS: Please respond to all questions as completely as possible but within the space provided. The form should be ty¡;>ed
single spaced. The City may submit only one (1) nomination from one of the five categories listed below. You are encouraged to
submit one set of all appropriate background materials, press clippings, etc., relative to your nomination.
The Mayor and City Manager or City Clerk in non-manager cities are asked to sign the nomination form. The Summary Sheet at the
end of the Nomination Form must also be completed and submitled with the Nomination.
City Nominated CHULA VISTA SAN DIEGO
City County
Please check the category for which the nomination is being subll1itled.
X Community Development- including planning, housing, economic development, redevelopment, historic preservation, etc.
Community Services- including all people-oriented programs such as cultural arts, senior citizens, the arts, park and
recreation, etc.
Government Admin;stration- including employee development, innovations. training, communications. computer
applications, cable, fiscal applications, etc.
Public Safety Services-including police, fire, hazardous materials, paramedics, emergency preparedness, etc.
Public Works & Transportation- including .uli1i!ies. and energy resources managemen~ transportation systems
management, environmental manageme:nl, etc.
Brief description of the projecUactivity meriting recognition:
COMMUNTIY APPEARANCE PROGRAM: NEIGHBOR HELPING NEIGHBOR
The Chula Vista General Plan identifies the need to preserve and reinforce existing residential neighborhoods throughout the
City. Focusing on neighborhood preservation through Code Enforcement efforts, engagement of the Community Appearance
Program has extraordinarily improved the quality of life for our reSidents. Code Enforcement Officers interact with residents
within neighborhoods for purposes of developing Clean-UplFix-Up Campaigns. The resulting efforts are neighbors combining
forces together with the City, the business community and volunteers alike 10 enhance their neighborhoods, revitalizing the
tradition of community spirit and civic pride.
Date the prolect/activlty was Implemented: MARCH 1989
Month Year
(Cntena calls for one (11 year implementation penod from date project/activity became operational.)
Name and title of individual preparing the nomination:
KENNETH G, LARSEN DIRECTOR OF BUILDING AND HOUSING
Name Title
Address: 276 FOURTH AVENUE
City/Zip: CHULA VISTA, CA 92010
Telephone: I 619 ) 691-5007
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:::::..... Please descr. ibe; the nature-of the project/activity which forms the-
:::~~ . basis for this nomination: Be specific, using the space provided;
I........
COMMUNI1Y APPEARANCE PROGRAM: NEIGHBOR HELPING NEIGHBOR
In an effort to improve the qualig of life in Chula Vista neighborhoods, a program intending
to combine both localized, and ity-wide clean-up campaigns was initiated in March, 1989.
Monitoring and tracking citizens' complaints for a twelve month period, City Code
Enforcement Officers ascertained that the majority of comþlaints were attributed to specific
neighborhoods, each exhibiting varying degrees of aging housing stock. The neighborhoods,
while each strong in tradition and character, showed signs of deterioration in that overall
- painting, fIX-up and clean-up improvements were generally needed for the single family
homes.
Upon determination of a selected neighborhood, Code Enforcement Officers contact the
residents to develop a ~gram to improve the appearance of their neighborhood. Working
with the residents, ouncement Handbills are developed and distributed by the
designated "Block Captains", local Girl, Boy or Cub Scout Troops and local residents. The
handbills specifically describe what homeowners could do to improve their property
standards and what items Code Enforcement Officers will be insEecting. The dates, times
and locations of dumpster placements are also identified(Exhibit n).~. u.
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A second follow-up]ÙmdOiit is·distributed by Code Enforcement Officers which are utilized
as the inspection notice. Each property is exteriorly inspected, both front and rear yards
with specific deficiencies highlighted and aesthetic recommendations identified. Inspection
notices are left with the resident with dates identifying targeted clean-up date and follow-up
reinspection dates (Exhibit D). . .
Teaming with the neighborhood "Block Captains", Code Enforcement Officers work
together to identify problem areas while simultaneously encouraging clean-up participation
from each of the area residents. In conjunction with the free dumpsters, there is volunteer
assistance from community service groups, churches and local businesses. Staff also targets
and accelerates the abandoned/inoperative vehicle abatement program during the
neighborhood clean-up/fix-up campaigns. To date, 275 inoperable vehicles have been
removed from the targeted neighborhood programs, equating to over 22 percent of the total
of all vehicles abated in the City's Vehicle Abatement Program.
Since the inception of the Community Appearance Program: Neighbor Helping Neighbor,
four separate neighborhoods have been targeted and completed with extraordinary results.
To date, 1092 single family residential properties have been involved in neighborhood clean-
up/fix-up appearance campaigns with staff currently engaged in a fifth neighborhood
campaign, due for completion in August, 1990. The success of the program could be
measured by the number of dumpsters donated (176) and the total amount of unwanted
trash and debris removed (2640 tons or 5,280,000 pounds), but the Citv of Chula Vista
believes the ro ram of Nei hbor Hel in' Nei ,hbor with the oun J and stron combinin
forces to assist the weaker or elderly. in an effort to revitalize the tradition of community
spirit. is the true measurement of success for decades to come.
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111=:' ~ Why:iS'this projectiactivity;innovativeand/or'progressive? B'e'specific,
I.... ". _ _
,...- USlOg;the:space:provlded:i;.:, ',.','
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COMMUNI1Y APPEARANCE PROGRAM: NEIGHBOR HELPING NEIGHBOR
1. Team Efforts/Community Volunteerism
* Local residents working with staff determine what their neighborhood objectives will be for their
clean-up/fix-up campaign
* Utilizing a working team format, the informal setting allows citizens the opportunity to review City
Ordinances with staff in a more personal, one-to-one environment
* Residents have an opportunity to interact together with the common cause of neighborhood
appearance which has resulted in unifying a stronger civil and social bond between neighbors
* Volunteers from service organizations, churches and scout troops interact with residents; youth
efforts reflect a positive example of civic pride in assisting others to improve their neighborhood
2. Minimized Staffing and Financial Commitments
* Code Enforcement Officers, logging and tracking citizens' complaints recorded before and after
each Neighborhood Campaign, exhibited a 90 vercent reduction in citizen complaints received
over a 14 month period upon conclusion of neighborhood clean-up campaigns
* Members of the business community contributed gloves, trash bags, lunches for volunteers and
hauling of dumpsters
* Recycling programs were introduced to residents, in numerous cases, for the first time,
establishing and creating the mind set to incorporate recycling efforts into their, individual
trash/waste disposal activities
111=:' ,., Describe:an}tcommunity'xcitizen participatiol1'irrplanning:and/or.-. ,
I:::: finitiating;theprojectiaètiviM> BE!>specifi~usin9lthE!!space-provided~ ' "
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COMMUNI1Y APPEARANCE PROGRAM: NEIGHBOR HELPING NEIGHBOR
The meritorious accomplishments of the Community Appearance Program may be directly attributed to the
fundamental concept of empowering residents within their own neighborhoods to develop and implement clean-
up/fix-up objectives in an effort to enhance their neighborhood. Organized by the Code Enforcement Division,
community groups are assembled, "Block Captains" are appointed and details for the clean-up/fix-up campaign
are tailored to compliment their specific neighborhood needs. This "Pride of Authorship" format has proven
effective in establishing and fostering trust between the residents and Code Enforcement Officers, whom in
many cases, are the only contact they may have with the City. Building upon the elements of mutual trust and
respect, staff is centered in a more positive public relations arena, where residents are able to communicate with
staff for greater understanding and comprehension of municipal codes and policies.
Special contributions are particularly noteworthy to the program's success due to the positive relationship
between the business community and the City. Donations from merchants; gloves (Home Club, Inc.), lunches
for volunteers (McDonalds, Carls Jr.), trash bags (Carls Jr.), publicity handbill assistance and "trashbuster"
stickers ("I Love A Clean San Diego, Inc."), hauling, pick-up and delive1' of dumpsters (Laidlaw Waste
Management Company) and free landtïll passes provided by the County of an Diego and the City of Chula
VIsta have p'roven invaluable to the program's success.
Uniquely, the heart of the program still relies upon a single key commitment: Volunteerism. Ranging from the
InItIal contact with neighborhood residents, the network involving Scout Troops (Cub, Girl, Boy and Explorer),
'nch groups, service clubs and staff has reached into the hundreds of volunteers to improve the quality-of-life
0ver 1092 families. The success formula merely integrated citizen participaIion, volunteers and positive, pro-
active Code Enforcement techniques to foster an environment of civic pride in our neighborhoods.
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;:::= ,Describe any improvement in the delivery of services and/or cost
,...- savings.
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COMMUNITY APPEARANCE PROGRAM: _NEIGHBOR HELPING:lŒIGIlJlOR ._
The-extraordinary success of the Community Appearance Program is directly attributed to
the Code Enforcement Division exercising a pro-active neighborhood-by-neighborhood
improvement campaign, rather than responding to citizen complaints via the traditional
reactive posture where staff reacts after a citizen complaint is registered. Effectively
utilizing -a positive public relations campaign where staff interrelates directly with
neighborhood groós, enhanced understanding and appreciation for municipal ordinances,
Uniform Housing ode and related Health and Safety Codes occur. As such, a substantial
reduction of citizen complaints, specifically the higher volume types of complaints;
trash/debris, home occupation violations and inoperative vehicles, are effectively self-
policed by the local residents. The positive results of a pro-active neighborhood-by-
neighborhood improvement campaign by staff is reflected in a substantial reduction of staff
hoursÓer resident ratio. Recognizing that a minimum of 1.5 to 2.0 hours per complaint for
each ode Enforcement Officer for routine complaint investigation response time, staff is
capable of performing initial contact, establishing committee meetings, appointing "Block
Captains", formulating objectives and performing...prQperty_inspectioI1LaLa_rat~oLfi\'e . un -
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properties per hour, per Code Enforcement Officer. (This property/per Code Enforcement
Officer ratio has been assessed as the average over a fifteen month period involving in
excess of 1092 properties in targeted neighborhood clean-up/fix-up campaigns and in over
600 designated properties in the 1989 Annual City-Wide Clean-Up Campaign.)
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The overall effectiveness of staffs pro-active, neighborhood-by-neighborhood improvement
commitment has afforded the City to obtain optimum results from a staff of four, one Senior
and three Code Enforcement Officers. During the past six months, Code Enforcement
Division has implemented a micro-computer complaint logging and tracking system
interfacing directly with the City's land-use mainframe parcel data. All complaints are
. targeted and identified by neighborhood, whereby Code Enforcement Division is readily
. . capable of monitoring citizen complaint activity and neighborhood trends, either upward or
downward regarding complaint trafficking. (Installing the micro-computer complaint
tracking system was performed by Code Enforcement Division and Administrative Support
personnel assigned within the department.) Complaint tracking permits staff the
opportunity to program neighborhoods in advance for selected campaigns. Specifically,
staff contacts selected residents and advises of program content at three to six month
advance notices. As such, both staff and residents are prepared to develop and implement
clean-up campaign objectives.
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Remember, only one (1) nomination can be submitled by the City. The nomination must be
signed by the mayor and city manager or city clerk In a non-manager City.
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;~' i : \ Signature 'Slgnature
Mayor / C¡ty Manager-City Clerk in Non-Manager City
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JULY 29, 1990
Date
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City: CHULA VISTA f ,
SUMMARY SHEET
Name of Projectl Activity: COMMUNITY APPEARANCE PROGRAM: NEIGHBOR HELPING NEIGHBOR
Description of Project! Activity:
COMMUNI1Y APPEARANCE PROGRAM: NEIGHBOR HELPING NEIGHBOR
Identifying the need to preserve and reinforce existing residential neighborhoods throughout the City, a
unique program focusing on neighborhood preservation and improvement through revitalization efforts of
citizen participation and the City's Code Enforcement Division was initiated in March, 1989. Effectively
monitoring citizen complaints for a twelve month period, Code Enforcement Officers selected various
neighborhoods which exhibited higher complaint volumes and, teaming with residents, designated Block
Captains to formulate clean-up/fix-up campaigns for their neighborhoods. To date, four separate
neighborhood campaigns, totaling 1092 single family residences have been conducted. In conjunction with
the City's Annual Clean-Up Campaign, over 5.2 million pounds of unwanted trash and debris has been
eliminated from Chula Vista neighborhoods by volunteer forces.
Describe Community/Citizen Participation in Planning and/or Initiating the Project/Activity:
COMMUNI1Y APPEARANCE PROGRAM: NEIGHBOR HELPING NEIGHBOR
The success of this program was a result of the empowerment of the residents. ThrouEhout all phases of
this program, residents are consulted and objectives are formulated together with the ode Enforcement
Officers. Staff work continuously with neighborhood residents to develop and implement clean-up/flX-up
objectives in an effort to enhance their neighborhood. Community groups are assembled, "Block
Captains" are appointed and the details for the clean-up/fix-up campaign are tailored to compliment their
specific neighborhood needs. The program was also a great success due to the generous contributions
from the business community. Items necessary for the campaign were contributed ~ Horne Club, Inc.,
McDonalds, Carls Jr., "I Love A Clean San Diego, Inc.", Laidlaw Waste Management ompany, as well as
the County of San Diego and the City of Chula Vista.
Summarize Cost Effectiveness and,lor Improvement in Service Delivery:
COMMUNI1Y APPEARANCE PROGRAM: NEIGHBOR HELPING NEIGHBOR
The effective utilization of this positive public relations campai~n enhanced the residents' understanding
and appreciation for municipal ordinances, Uniform Housing ode and other related health and safety
codes. As a result, there was a substantial reduction of citizen complaints; specifically, complaints relating
to trash/debris, home occupation violations and inoperative vehicles. The positive results of a pro-active
neighborhood-by-neighborhood improvement campaign is reflected in a substantial reduction of staff
hours per resident ratio. Staff is capable of performing initial contact, establishing committee meetings,
appointing "Block Captains", formulating objectives and performing property inspections at a rate of five
properties per hour versus a minimum of ].5 to 2.0 hours per complaint for routine investigations.
Contact Person:
;'Jame: KENNETH G. LARSEN Tille: DIRECTOR OF BUILDING AND HOUSING
Address: 276 FOURTH AVENUE, CHULA VISTA, CA 92010 ìelephone: (619) 691-5007
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CllY OF
CHUIA VISfA
_M. _ --- BUrLDTNG AND l-IOOSING DEPARTMENT
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EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT TITLE
A PIE GRAPH - AREA AND POUNDS OF TRASH
B BAR GRAPH - TONS OF TRASH PAST FIVE YEARS
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C DUMPSTER FLIER AND NOTICE
D FLIER - WHAT INSPECTORS LOOK FOR
E REGIONAL MAP
F CHULA VISTA MAP
G NEWS ARTICLE - HARBORSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN-UP
CAMPAIGN
H CONNELEY PARK ANNOUNCEMENT HANDOUT
I CITY-WIDE CLEAN-UP ANNOUNCEMENT
J OTAY TOWN ANNOUNCEMENT HANDOUT
K NEWS ARTICLE - OTAYTOWN CLEAN-UP CAMPAIGN
L BAY VISTA ANNOUNCEMENT HANDOUT
1\1 CHULA VISTA QUARTERLY - SPRING 1990
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",; ;:CìUFìTH ;""'/ENUE CHUL_Ä '.'ISTA C/'..LlFORNIA 02'J10 ¡ô19) 691 ~~Oì
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C/1Y OF
CHUlA VISTA
BUILDING AND HOUSING DEPARTMENT
CITY OF CHULA VISTA
COMMUNITY APPEARANCE PROGRAM
TRASH REMOVED FROM NEIGHBORHOODS
TOTAL--= 5,280,000 POUNDS
RECYCLED GOODS (2.8%) .
BAY VISTA (3.4%) . -.
ANNUAL PROGRAM (20.5%)
CONNELEY PARK (4.5%)
HARBORSIDE (6.3%)
OTAY (62.5%)
HARBORSIDE - 198 HOMES MARCH - APRIL 1989
CONNELEYPARK - 250 HOMES JUNE - JULY 1989
ANNUAL CITY-WIDE - 35,000 HOMES JULY 1989
CLEAN-UP CAMPAIGN
OTA Y TOWN . 404 HOMES NOVEMBER 1989 - MAY 1990
BAY VISTA - 238 nOMES ì\lARCH - APRIL 1990
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ClN OF
CHUlA VISTA
BUILDING AND HOUSING DEPARTMENT
CITY OF CHULA VISTA
COMMUNITY APPEARANCE PROGRAM
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2000
-.......--.-..---.....----------..----.-...---......---....----............-..........--.......---.-.-...............-.......---.............-.--- .........-......-..-
1800 ------ - - ___un' __ __ ____
-.....---....------.-.....----....---......--.......--....--...............--.......--......---......---..-....-.........-..............-.. .. .......-..--..-.--.
1600
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1400 RECYCUNG PROGRAM
..............-..-.-...-.......--............................ INITIATED APRIL 1990 ......-.....----
(/) 1200
z ..-.......-....-..--.-...-........................---.................... ....-......-...-...
0 1000
..............-......
I- 800
......--.....----.........................................................--...--.......................................... .........-........-..
600
...............--.....
400
m.....___...........
200
0
1986 1987 1988 1989 1990
YEARS
/_ TRASH. .. RECYCLED GOODS I
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