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Council debate spotlights outdated code enforcement and marijuana-ordinance fine limits
Summary
Council and staff discussed low code‑enforcement fine limits and a decline in citation revenue; staff said outdated ordinances (some dating to mid‑20th century) and an expired tobacco grant have limited enforcement authority and revenues, prompting calls to update codes over time.
The Chief told council that outdated ordinances limit code‑enforcement penalties in Parlier and that the existing marijuana ordinance sets a maximum fine of $1,000 for a large illegal grow under current code. “Here it’s $1,000 total,” the Chief said, contrasting the cap with much larger penalties he saw in a prior jurisdiction.
Councilmembers and staff discussed the decline in code‑enforcement citation revenue over recent years and the upcoming expiration of tobacco grant funding that previously supported partial code‑enforcement staffing. Staff said code enforcement is now funded from the general fund (two positions) and that a fee schedule and updated ordinances will be necessary to restore fee-based revenue and enforcement effectiveness.
Some councilmembers urged a gradual, community‑engaged approach: update ordinances through public workshops, avoid punitive measures that impose unsustainable costs on residents, and pair enforcement with assistance programs where feasible. The Chief and staff said ordinance updates require attorney work and funding; council acknowledged legal costs but expressed preference for a phased approach to updating codes and enforcement practices.
