Santa Maria Code Enforcement Officers will soon have one more option when going after violators of the municipal code that could hit those who choose not to comply in the pocketbook.

The City Council last week approved a staff recommendation to introduce an ordinance establishing a $250 civil penalty for each day a violation of the code occurs.

“I think it's being more proactive to clean up the city and we need to do it,” said City Councilwoman Alice Patino. “People think we are kidding. There are codes that they have to adhere to.”

She added that monetary penalties tend to grab people's attention.

Normally, code enforcement officials can get voluntary compliance from property owners or responsible parties through issuing a warning letter, said Assistant City Attorney Phil Sinco, which happens in 70 percent to 80 percent of the cases.

However, he noted in some cases achieving compliance is more difficult and the new threat of monetary penalties accruing while the civil action is sought may help.

The new ordinance is “further incentive to encourage compliance in difficult cases where somebody could comply just as we are about to go to court and then there is no guarantee they incur financial consequences,” Sinco said.

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Mayor Larry Lavagnino described the council's action as merely providing another tool for code compliance officials.

“The thing is, I don't want to be too punitive,” Lavagnino said. “Santa Maria has always been a live and let live city but we are getting to the size now you have to crack down on the things that are (against code).”

The council is scheduled to have the second reading of the ordinance Tuesday during a regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 110 E. Cook St. If the second reading is approved, the ordinance would go into effect 30 days later.

Malia Spencer can be reached at 739-2219 or mspencer@santamariatimes.com.

June 30, 2008