Episode 5: Cracking the Code: Talking with Elk Grove’s Code Enforcement Manager

We’re talking about the essential role code enforcement plays in fostering a harmonious and vibrant cityscape and introducing you to Elk Grove’s new Code Enforcement Manager, Jose Mendez. This episode provides a glimpse into the job of code enforcement officers, the unsung heroes who work behind the scenes to make our city attractive, safe, and welcoming. Show hosts John and Kristyn also share news about the opening of the Enhanced Winter Sanctuary and some upcoming community meetings, discuss the expansion of electric vehicle chargers #InElkGrove, and touch on the anticipated arrival of train, light rail, and bus rapid transit into the city.

Transcript

Announcer: 0:01

Welcome to Elk Grove Citycast, the podcast about Elk

John Hull: 0:17

Hi, everybody. I'm John Hull. Welcome to the Elk

Kristyn Laurence: 0:31

Hi, John, nice to see you and hear from you

John Hull: 0:34

Well, it we got a lot to talk about. And I want to manage the city's enhanced winter sanctuary located at

Kristyn Laurence: 1:12

Sure. So one of the things that we heard cold months. And so the city has set out to do that this year for facility. We have contracted with this group called The managers, and substance use disorder and mental health addition to shelter over the winter months. And we want to community learning session on Monday, October 16, from 6 to we open, we're going to be hosting an open house for the have an opportunity to meet the management before our unhoused

John Hull: 3:52

Right and how many potentially could be housed in

Kristyn Laurence: 3:58

So the program is set up to assist up to 30

John Hull: 4:21

Okay. And for more information on this again go to

Kristyn Laurence: 4:37

We we have started to promote these elkgrovecity.org/sanctuary including some answers to what

John Hull: 5:11

You know, we've really just begun our Elk Grove

Kristyn Laurence: 5:29

Yeah, we actually anticipated that around ribbons, all that fun stuff around the holidays. So we've that mean for your Thanksgiving feast? And then, you know, it's about all things traffic related in the city.

John Hull: 6:30

Yeah, I have a Thou shalt not in certain areas of can cause a wreck it just it. Yeah. So I'm looking forward to

Kristyn Laurence: 7:04

Yeah, he's got a lot to share. There's also a little faster. And then you know, there's always the

John Hull: 7:28

Okay, and we do want to invite listeners to email us dot o RG. One of the real thankless jobs in our city is that of a code and nice smiles. So right off the bat, Jose Mendez, I want to

Jose Mendez: 8:26

Sure, well, thank you for the welcome. I'm happy resources to maintain it. It goes from neighborhood blight to plays a very important role in maintaining quality of life and

John Hull: 9:04

Yeah, no kidding. And so to do that, how big of a

Jose Mendez: 9:14

Sure. Yeah. So right now we have a seven code the field at this moment. As far as what we what we do, in housing and other public nuisances.

John Hull: 9:47

Okay. So when you see a violation of city code, what

Jose Mendez: 10:00

There's a number of tools that we have our education owners, tenants and business owners on the regulations that first part is just giving an opportunity to voluntarily means that you're impacting quality of life to those around contractors that we hired to help us remedy or correct the decides not to correct the issue, the DA will step in if we and comply. So yeah,

John Hull: 11:39

yeah, no kidding. So what are the most frequent

Jose Mendez: 11:45

They vary, vegetation or overgrowth of public and private property, storage of junk and debris, or

John Hull: 12:15

Yeah, so let's talk about one of them, especially does grow, weeds. And they can grow pretty tall and it becomes

Jose Mendez: 12:50

Yeah, that's you touched on it. I mean, the fire be any higher than 12 inches in height. If they are, if they're we want to protect life right so and to ensure that that's so if you're if you're not going to grow up water your grass

John Hull: 13:56

Now, here's an issue that I have noticed more and you'll even you'll see them next to their next to their driveway

Jose Mendez: 14:32

Yeah, you can you can park your vehicles on driveway. Vehicles are a big problem because folks are very Meet the code for private property vehicles have to be of your house, and then you decide to park it on the street,

John Hull: 15:32

So if somebody forgets to register their

Jose Mendez: 15:38

If it's more than six months out of registration,

John Hull: 15:50

Okay. Good. Good to know that I'm in just about home really nice. You know, it's, well, it's, well decored, is at least 40-45 years old. So can't What does the city code

Jose Mendez: 16:47

There's a minimum property maintenance code is a big part of our job. But mostly There are minimum become a blight to that neighboring property. Now, don't really the city of Elk Grove doesn't step into that

John Hull: 17:47

So our code enforcement officer Jose Mendez something that you, your your division, upkeeps all the time?

Jose Mendez: 18:24

Yes, it's the combination. It's I mean, we the complaint, that's very helpful to our city staff. The other ask for your name and number, if that's possible, so that if we interesting about the app is the request screen that you're

John Hull: 19:27

So I've used the see click Fix app. It's a great app. is there a time where perhaps the see click Fix app should not

Jose Mendez: 19:58

Yeah, I mean, I mean, if its something that's an anyone that comes to City Hall to discuss an urgent matter. I of immediate danger or hazard. The app is a perfect way to 916-687-3032. You can call me directly at 916-687-3030 or send

John Hull: 20:53

Okay, I'm going to have you repeat that one more

Jose Mendez: 21:03

You can reach me directly at my office number

John Hull: 21:18

Okay, that's beautiful. Jose, anything else

Jose Mendez: 21:35

I think maybe request to work with us and be closed or resolved or updated. But I will say if if you file a our priorities. But I think it's a it's kind of a little bit of a close.

John Hull: 22:24

Our guests here on the Elk Grove Citycast Jose

Jose Mendez: 22:38

Thank you very much.

John Hull: 22:42

Time now for our rapid fire segment where I put Ready, Kristyn, for your questions. Here's the first one charging that will pop up around town?

Kristyn Laurence: 23:24

Short answer is yes. The numbers already than 10,000. And there are now more than 93,000 public and added EV chargers at the new Oasis Park Recreation Center, Wilton Rancheria have applied for an $8.5 million federal

John Hull: 24:50

In sounds like the city is well out in front of all

Kristyn Laurence: 24:55

I think so, yeah. I think that we have a

John Hull: 25:11

Okay, good. Second question I have for you, western side of Elk Grove, correct me on that. So where are

Kristyn Laurence: 25:36

Well, we're pretty excited to be able to is interchangeable at this point, but moving more of that transit. The planning study will help to fine tune the conceptual located at Laguna Boulevard and Dwight Road is expected to be

John Hull: 26:57

That'd be better be intriguing to see what that will builds up in our homes during November and December what to do Elk Grove Citycast. Where can people find all of our podcasts?

Kristyn Laurence: 27:39

So just about anywhere you get your podcast, those channels. You can still find us at

John Hull: 28:04

And I might tell you that when Kristyn posts the tuning in.

Announcer: 28:27

Thank you for listening to the Elk Grove for the latest news and events. Have an idea for a future