08-09-09, Reply by GWP General Manager Glenn Steiger to Carole Weling Regarding 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

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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