DATE: May 21, 2024
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Board of Supervisors, District Five
John Zanoni, Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator
Lisa A. Smittcamp, District Attorney
SUBJECT: Proposed Amendment to the Ordinance Code of Fresno County, Amending Chapter 8.22, "Illegal Dumping" to Title 8, "Health and Safety"
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Conduct first hearing to amend the Fresno County Ordinance Code, Title 8, to amend Chapter 8.22, "Illegal Dumping Ordinance;" waive reading of the Ordinance in its entirety and set the second hearing for June 4, 2024;
2. Designate County Counsel to prepare a fair and adequate summary of the proposed Ordinance; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to post and publish the required summary in accordance with Government Code, Section 25124(b)(1).
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions, which will amend Chapter 8.22, "Illegal Dumping Ordinance" of Title 8, "Health and Safety" of the Ordinance Code of Fresno County to streamline administrative, civil, and criminal enforcement of illegal dumping within the unincorporated areas. The recommended amendments to the ordinance would make a violation for illegal dumping punishable as a misdemeanor and increase the amount of civil penalties for a violation. Illegal dumping is a public nuisance that has increased significantly within the unincorporated areas causing blight and threatening the health, safety, and welfare of the community. The remedies and penalties for illegal dumping are currently inadequate. To discourage illegal dumping, administrative remedies and civil penalties should be streamlined and enhanced. The purpose and intent of this chapter is to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, and to impose the financial burden on abating illegal dumping on those engaged in the unlawful act. California Government Code sections 25132 and 53069.4 provide the authority for the legislative body of a county for unin...
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