November 2, 2010 > Hayward City Council Hayward City Council October 26, 2010 Employee Presentation Michael Myers, California Association of Code Enforcement Officers, presented Neighborhood Partnership Manager Stacey Sorensen with the Innovative program Award which recognizes problem-solving within a community. The city's Mural Program, which addresses the issue of graffiti, addresses several issues and quickly produces highly visible solutions depicting the city's rich heritage. Sorenson thanked City Manager Fran David, former City Manager Greg Jones, the Mayor and Council for their support for the program. Work Session Revisions to City's Noise Ordinance. Consent Amended Hayward Municipal Code regarding use of tobacco products in or around public places in the City of Hayward. Approved revisions to plans and specifications for demolition of Centennial Hall and awarded contract to Randazzo Enterprises, Inc. in the amount $694,600 and appropriated $810,000 from the General Fund Reserve (for the Centennial Hall Building Deconstruction Project) to the Capital Improvement Fund Renewed a two-year Rental Housing Subsidy Grant Agreement with ABODE Services for $279,000 of HOME program funds to provide rental assistance for emancipated youth through Project Independence. Authorized negotiation and execution of a professional services agreement with Townsend Public Affairs, Inc. to secure state and federal funding for redevelopment activities, housing, economic development, public safety, library services and public facilities. Automated creation and review of agenda packets towards achievement of a paperless environment. City Clerk's Office and Technology Services to provide Mayor and council members with training to use iPads during the second week of November. Council Reports, referrals and future agenda items. Changes to AC Transit's timetable effective from October 31. Public Comments Jack Bousian spoke of the noise and laundry odors from Windsor Garden Health Care Center's laundry facility which borders his property. He and his wife have never been able to use their back yard. They do not object to the health care facility's presence but despite numerous meetings with the representatives from Windsor Garden health Care, Hayward PD and the tireless efforts of the city's Neighborhood Services Manager David Korth, a solution has not been found because of the inability to enforce noise abatement effectively. Don Sheppard wants the revisions to the city's Noise Ordinance to assign a higher priority to complaints about noise pollution and to pay attention to complaints by individuals. Jim Drake requested clarity for the revised Noise Ordinance. The intent and meaning of language in the current Ordinance is easily understood and facilitates a quick resolution to disputes by police officers. Drake feels the revisions render the Ordinance incomprehensible and could prove difficult to enforce. He also spoke to the equal treatment of complaints from an individual or a group. Supervisor Gail Steele feels there is a real need to update the Noise Ordinance and suggested the purchase of a sound meter to record and log incidents for the police, given that Hayward PD must prioritize response to incidents. She would welcome a meeting to sort out the finer details of the proposed changes - some neighbors are seldom at home and others are afraid to bear witness to an official complaint. Although noise does not endanger lives, it is a real nuisance. Councilman Bill Quirk was recently part of a five-person delegation to Hayward's sister city of Yixing (China). Hayward also has active relationships with Ghazni (Afghanistan) and Funabashi (Japan). He recommends educators and businessmen become involved because of the available opportunities for exchange. City funds are not available for such trips. Delegates must fund their own visits. Mayor Michael Sweeney - Yes Barbara Halliday - Yes Olden Henson - Yes Marvin Peixoto - Yes Bill Quirk - Yes Mark Salinas - Yes Francisco Zermeno - Yes