HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-18-2021_Open Session_General Comment_James, Clay_RedactedFrom:Clay James
To:Public Comments
Subject:Fw: 8-17-21 Public Comment
Date:Wednesday, August 18, 2021 10:52:56 AM
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----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "Clay James"
To: "publiccomments@bscity.org" <publiccomments@bscity.org>
Cc: "council@sbcity.org" <council@sbcity.org>
Sent: Tue, Aug 17, 2021 at 2:40 PM
Subject: Re: 8-17-21 Public Comment
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council,
Thank you for holding this public meeting to discuss the concerns of the community.
This is my second public comment submitted to the City Council.
Please accept this comment as a request to improve the City's law enforcement and
financial activities. I find it unreasonable that the police department would tow a vehicle
without noticing the registered owner or without leaving a warning on the windshield. I
find it unreasonable that this systematic act disproportionately impacts vulnerable
communities, which can result in overall fees surpassing thousands of dollars. I request
that this policy change to a compliance approach. I should add that we fell victim to this
and were forced to pay $1700 for a 2000 Frontier. This is unacceptable and
reconciliation should be made.
I should also add, poor customer experience was entangled throughout our experience,
making the situation worse.
To add to the equation, the police department unlawfully charged us a release fee of
$349. The fee was not established by resolution, nor was it incorporated in the City's
master fee schedule. The police should not have charged the fee because it does not
have authority from it's governing body. City staff will claim that resolution 2011-80
establishes the fee, but there is no Council action officially setting the fee. I request a
refund.
Lastly, this fee is substantially higher than neighboring agencies. For example, San
Bernardino County is at $155. Riverside County is at $92. Conclusion can be drawn that
San Bernardino is charging an illegal and overly burdensome tax. This needs to change.
I request an assessment be done according to prop 26 and that the city cease charging
until a fee is officially established.
I look forward to hearing more about this matter and request it be placed on the next
agenda for council direction before staff brings a recommended action for
consideration.
Regards,
Clay
On Mon, Aug 2, 2021 at 11:48 PM, Clay James
wrote:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council,
Thank you for holding this public meeting to discuss the concerns of the community.
Please accept this comment as a request to improve the City's law enforcement and
financial activities. I find it unreasonable that the police department would tow a
vehicle without noticing the registered owner or without leaving a warning on the
windshield. I find it unreasonable that this systematic act disproportionately impacts
vulnerable communities, which can result in overall fees surpassing thousands of
dollars. I request that this policy change to a compliance approach. I should add that
we fell victim to this and were forced to pay $1700 for a 2000 Frontier. This is
unacceptable and reconciliation should be made.
I should also add, poor customer experience was entangled throughout our
experience, making the situation worse.
To add to the equation, the police department unlawfully charged us a release fee of
$349. The fee was not established by resolution, nor was it incorporated in the City's
master fee schedule. The police should not have charged the fee because it does not
have authority from it's governing body. City staff will claim that resolution 2011-80
establishes the fee, but there is no Council action officially setting the fee. I request a
refund.
Lastly, this fee is substantially higher than neighboring agencies. For example, San
Bernardino County is at $155. Riverside County is at $92. Conclusion can be drawn
that San Bernardino is charging an illegal and overly burdensome tax. This needs to
change. I request an assessment be done according to prop 26 and that the city
cease charging until a fee is officially established.
I look forward to hearing more about this matter and request it be placed on the next
agenda for council direction before staff brings a recommended action for
consideration.
Regards,
Clay