City of Santa Maria, California, City Attorney & Codes
CITY ATTORNEY & CODES
204 E. Cook Street
Santa Maria, CA 93454
The City Attorney's Office provides a wide range of legal services for the City Council, City boards and commissions, and operating departments. Major activities include: day-to-day legal advice for City officials and employees; drafting contracts, opinions, resolutions and ordinances; defending the City, its officers and employees in civil litigation; coordinating and monitoring the investigation, settlement, and litigation arising out of personal injury claims; defending minor personal injury suits against the City; handling minor collection cases in the City's behalf; providing staff support to the City's administrative code compliance program, including the Code Compliance Board; prosecuting criminal and civil violations of the City's Municipal Code; representing the City in discovery matters initiated by third parties; representing the Redevelopment Agency in routine matters; negotiating civil settlements, franchises, and agreements on behalf of the City; assisting in Municipal Code updates; maintaining a law library; performing liaison activities with media and the local bar; and networking with other cities through the League of California Cities.
General interests: Camping, fishing, bicycling and tennis
DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
Manage the legal and code compliance divisions of the City. Manage the litigation and claims filed against and by the City. Give day-to-day advice to City officials and employees. Draft ordinances, rules, resolutions, contracts, and policies.
Mission Statement
To provide effective representation in the public interest.
2011-12 Goals/Objectives
Conduct employee training sessions jointly with the City Clerk’s Office to enhance appropriate responses to public records requests as set forth in the City’s Public Records policy.
Participate in seminars regarding medical marijuana regulation, monitor legal updates, and make recommendations for regulatory adjustments in Santa Maria should the need arise.
Assist the Community Development Department in preparation of the revised single-room occupancy ordinance.
Continue to promote accessibility at City facilities by coordinating efforts to obtain and use grant funding and other resources for accessibility upgrades, including recording progress made on upgrades in the Cartegraph system.
Represent the City on the Statewide Storm Water Coalition to lobby for changes in the State Regional Water Quality Board's proposed General Permit to regulate municipal small separate storm water systems.
Prepare and present an ordinance to the Council making technical amendments to the Municipal Code to update for changes in State law, new cases, and to clarify existing ordinances as required.
Provide periodic litigation, code compliance, and liability claim reports to the City Manager and Council in an ongoing effort to keep them informed about the issues and activities in these areas.
Successfully complete the transition to the CRW "Trak-It" database software to enable shared database information and work efficiencies across multiple departments.
Conduct joint enforcement operations with State Department of Motor Vehicles investigators and the Santa Maria Police Department to reduce the number of illegal vehicle sales within the City.
Continue to enhance working relationships with City community groups, volunteer organizations, and other City departments to help eliminate blighted properties and conduct a “Walk and Talk” program as a way of educating residents about City codes.
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