08-09-09, Response by Carole Weling to GWP General Manager Glenn Steiger Regarding His Reply to Her E-Mail

 

Director Steiger --- thank you for the prompt reply.  I will await your full response.  However, I am greatly disturbed to learn that there is ONCE AGAIN NO COORDINATION BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS DOWN AT CITY HALL. 

 

Is this going to be another “flap” like the trees a few years ago when the city was a Southern California laughing stock ---  One department telling the resident to cut the trees and the other department giving out violation/penalties notices for cutting the trees.  I find your second paragraph confusing, please clarify at the appropriate time. 

 

Once again, if in fact the use of hand/hose watering is prohibited that should have been SPELLED OUT CLEARLY. i.e. Watering your flower pots can put you in the “slammer.”  Like the City of Dana Point did in their notice.  May I respectfully suggest that you consult with the city council and attorney on this matter. 

 

When you speak of the “ordinance” are you referring to the one on the post card ----13.36 or is there another one that I need to be aware of?  The post card referrers “To Glendale Water & Power Customers – Water Conservation ORDINANCE violation” 

 

Carole Weling

 

From: Steiger, Glenn O. [mailto:GSteiger@ci.glendale.ca.us]
Sent: Sunday, August 09, 2009 10:10 AM
To: Carol Weling
Cc: Drayman, John; Weaver, David; Najarian, Ara; Friedman, Laura; Quintero, Frank; Howard, Scott; Barry; Herbert Molano; halweber@earthlink.net
Subject: RE: WATER CONSERVATION ORDINANCE VIOLATION NOTICES

 

Ms. Weling,

 

I am out of the office until Tuesday.  However, on Monday I will have our Water and Customer Service Departments investigate the circumstances relating to the specific issues as you have described. 

 

In the meantime, please be aware that even though we have not, as yet implemented the ordinance-related water restrictions, the “water waster” rules have been and continue to be in effect.  These rules prohibit any type of watering during mid-day as you have described.

 

I will have a more comprehensive response on Monday.  Please accept my apology for any inconvenience that may have resulted.

 

Glenn Steiger    

 

From: Carol Weling [mailto:weling6659@charter.net]
Sent: Sunday, August 09, 2009 8:35 AM
To: Steiger, Glenn O.
Cc: Drayman, John; Weaver, David; Najarian, Ara; Friedman, Laura; Quintero, Frank; Howard, Scott; 'Barry'; 'Herbert Molano'; halweber@earthlink.net
Subject: WATER CONSERVATION ORDINANCE VIOLATION NOTICES

 

 

Director Steiger --- I have some SERIOUS CONCERNS regarding the way your department is handling the Water Conservation Ordinance Violation Notices.  My reasons are stated below.

 

 

FIRST NOTICE ---- July 3, 2009

 

 

1.    I received my first Water Conservation Ordinance Violation Notice on ----July 3, 2009.  This was, of course, approximately one month BEFORE the ordinance

        was effective. 

 

2.    This notice has the wrong times stated on the 5 x 8 card. 

 

3.     This notice cites a Code Chapter 13.36.  As you are aware, this Chapter is EXTENSIVE and should cite the SECTION that is relevant for easy research.

 

 

SECOND NOTICE ---- August 7, 2009

 

1.     This notice cites another violation of my watering at 10:00 AM. 

 

2.      The department is continuing to use the same incorrect card that lacks sufficient information to be helpful on the same Code Chapter 13.36.and has the wrong

         times listed.

 

3.      I was HAND HOSE WATERING on the day in question.  I have received nothing from your department or the city that prohibits HAND HOSE WATERING.

 

 

 

 

BETWEEN NOTICES ---

 

 

The time between these two notices I spoke directly with SAM ENGLE on the above subject and advised him that in Dana Point residents are allowed to

HAND HOSE WATER AT ANY TIME, ON ANY DAY.

 

His response to me was that the City Council had NOT ADDRESSSED THE ISSUE.. 

 

Since the Council has not addressed the issue, I find it perplexing and unsettling that a citation would be issued by your department on for a subject that has never been addressed by the City Council, nor residents given any notice that hand hose watering was not permitted.

 

 

 

PLEASE ADVISE ME OF THE FOLLOWING ---

 

 

1.  Is it your department’s procedure to issue citations before a code enforcement date?

 

2.  Is it your department’s procedure to use and continue to use outdated materials?

 

3.  Is it your department’s procedure to issue citations for issues that have not been addressed by the city council and no notification given to residents?

 

4.  How many “water police” do you have on staff?   What is their training? 

 

5.  How is the city geographically divided up for monitoring by your department? 

 

6.  Is your staff authorized to make their own decisions and interpretations on issues that the City Council has not addressed? 

 

 

 

OTHER CONCERNS

 

 

1.  Your name is not listed on the Webb Site for the city.  It continues to list Ignacio Troncoso.  I believe Ignacio has been gone about a year---  time to update.

 

 

2.   Recently I have noticed an increase in your department vehicles on East Mountain Street.  AS YOU SHOULD BE AWARE, East Mountain Street is a

      Residential street and when the Rossmoyne Homeowners Association went through an extensive traffic calming effort, the city agreed that city vehicles

      were to use commercial streets and not lumber through our neighborhood as a ‘quick route/cut through.”    This decision was made for QUALITY OF LIFE AND

      SAFETY REASONS. 

 

      Please ensure that your staff is reminded of this vital issue.

 

 

3.    Due to the concerns listed above I have sent copies of this email to the City Council and City Attorney.

 

 

4.    There appears to be an element of harassment in the citations issued, as neither one is valid.

 

 

 

I wish to thank you in advance for your quality response to my concerns.  Carole Weling   weling6659@charter.net