Pay Property Tax While Still Deductible
Save money by paying your property taxes before the "tax cut" takes effect.
Sky Ranch v Lennar, Litigation
Maybe the irrigation issues will eventually be resolved.
From the complaint (pdf):
The common areas of the Project were not designed or constructed in a reasonably workmanlike manner. Defects or defective conditions exist in the drainage, landscaping and irrigation systems. Said defects have caused property damage.
Plaintiff is informed and believes and thereon alleges that as a proximate and direct result of such defects and defective conditions. Plaintiff has sustained and will sustain damages in excess of $100,000.00 for necessary investigation and repair of the problems and associated costs. Plaintiff will establish the precise amount of such damages at the time of trial, according to proof.
Stay ordered (pdf):
“…action is stayed through June 1, 2018, for the purpose of completing extended statutory pre-litigation mediation process.”
RV Parking, Santee City Council 9-27-2017
Council discussion of RVs followed City staff presentation and public comment. Mayor John Minto absent.
Stephen Houlahan:
If we enforce regulations regarding RV parking in one area they will be moved to other residences.
If Santee has weaker restrictions, El Cajon residents may park their RVs in Santee.
Apparently referring to RV's blocking views, he said, "Matter of safety to me." If just one child were hurt...
Rob McNelis:
He described himself as a libertarian at heart, but a number of people don't do what's right.
We need a new way to handle this for the minority who are doing it wrong. For example, there are RVs stored in the street so long that they have cobwebs.
We can't afford to have the Sheriff enforcing everything that we want. The more burden we put on the Sheriff the less they'll be available for serious incidents. Traffic is farther down the list of priorities.
We need a system where City staff issue citations. If you are going to STORE on the city streets, you should pay. RV owners should be allowed to prepare vehicles. It takes more than a few hours. City should allow at least 48 hours.
Santee is known for other cities storing RVs here because they know that they won't be towed.
Unsure how we get it done. Need to allow 48 hrs for preparation time. Need something City staff can enforce, rather than sworn officers. Fines would need to accelerate.
Brian Jones:
Opposed to permit process, even if permits are free.
Some streets, for example, Alphonse Street, have become permanent RV parking areas.
Multiple utility vehicles parked in the street indicate a business being run.
Need a place for RVs to go. Maybe City or others have vacant land we can use.
Residents from other cities are parking their vehicles in Santee. Is there a legal mechanism for Santee to enforce? <City Attorney responded: You would need a permit process.>
The current 72 hour parking limit is OK. Why is it so hard to enforce?
Sheriff Dept. response: Following a complaint, a vehicle is tagged, which is the warning. Santee City Code doesn't specify how far the vehicle has to be moved. People can also argue that they moved the vehicle and brought it back.
Jones: Can we amend the code to say a certain number of tags result in a violation?
Sheriff Dept: We aren't required to tag the vehicle.
Jones: Have we impounded an RV?
Sheriff Dept: Many.
Jones: Why don't we do a law enforcement task force for the hot spots for a few months?
Sheriff Dept: We have been doing that. We handle this daily.
Jones: I disagree. My neighbor just keeps moving it. We are required by law to keep streets clean. This interferes.
Sheriff Dept: As soon as a vehicle is moved the clock starts all over.
Jones: We need to stop the cat and mouse game. It isn't city-wide, it is hot spots.
Ronn Hall:
Vehicles should have to be moved one half mile or more. A $1000 impound fee would solve it.
72 hr. limit is OK. Maybe a maximum time period per week would work.
Can we give code enforcement officers authority? <City Attorney response: There are some limitations.>
Jones: RVs double parked are a safety issue, as Houlahan mentioned about safety.
Hall & Houlahan want to encourage individuals to take responsibility and do the right thing.
McNelis: It isn't that simple. It's a big issue. It's too big. Our Sheriff can't enforce. The only way we can afford enforcement is a system enforced by code enforcement.
RVs Discussed at the Santee City Council Meeting
The Santee City Council started to address the topic of RV parking. This agenda item (pdf) describes the problem and how other communities approach it. It also includes correspondence from the community. I will describe how each council member addressed the topic in another post. Is it such a lofty goal to rise to the standards of El Cajon?
Rattlesnake
I reached down to turn on the water and saw this rattlesnake. The Santee Fire Department caught it for relocation. I've lived in other cities that didn't provide this service. Very nice.
View
The view from my kitchen after the HOA cut the weeds and brush. The punch line is sadly obvious.
Sky Ranch Water Bills
When a report is made that a 2” irrigation line is running 11 hrs every day, a faster response would save money.
Councilmember Brian W. Jones, and his opinion.
Santee City staff made a reasoned presentation to City Council on May 10, 2017, about planning a roundabout. Councilmember Brian W. Jones responded, "I don't like 'em." He didn't offer reasoning, for example, he didn't cite expense or say that they are confusing, he only mentioned unfinished roundabouts in other cities. He simply stated his personal preference while not explaining how these fixtures would impact citizens. That is arrogant. Staff and citizens deserve reasoning not simply personal opinions from their legislators.
The Jones comment is at 3:50 in the recording.