Roger,
How long must we look at a pile of trash, sited by the County, until the $1000 fine is imposed?
There is a truckload of trash dumped on the property immediately east of McDonalds at Elkhorn Boulevard and Rio Linda Boulevard. That trash came from a salvage truck that overturned on August 3rd, ten days ago. Apparently the truck was making a left turn onto Elkhorn too fast, trying to outrun a yellow light. I understand that the Transportation Division personnel decided to place the load where it is so as to right the truck. I understand the property owner where the trash now resides has been in touch with the trash company, who I understand has made promises, unfulfilled, to remove the litter.
I'm attaching two pictures of the trash for your information. You will note that is is a small pile, only a truckload, as compared to what has been dumped in the past on my property by your yearly County Neighborhood Trashing Program (you call it NCU).
It's bad enough that your NCU gets us once a year, but this blight adds insult to injury. Would the County leave a pile of trash like this at Fair Oaks and Watt for ten days? I think not. But Rio Linda and Elkhorn? That's only Rio Linda.
As the trash was apparently placed at County direction, does that mean there will be no fine because the County is exempt? If not, who will pay the fine, and when and how will it be imposed? Who will remove the trash, and what is even more important to me, when will it be removed?
Your prompt response is expected.
Jay O'Brien
Jay:
It is my understanding that even though the trash you reported was not dumped by the County nor was the responsibility of the County, County forces have cleaned up the trash and will pursue the property owner for the expense of the cleanup. Had we used the normal process of pursuing a zoning code abatement action, nothing might have happened for a significant amount of time--no matter where the dumping occurred in the County. I am sure you appreciate the extraordinary action taken by the County staff to address the circumstances you reported.
ROGER DICKINSON
Supervisor, First District
Sacramento County
Roger,
Thank you very much. The trash has been removed.
It is my understanding that the trash was placed at the direction of County personnel. Thus in my opinion there was some level of County responsibility for the problem. Nevertheless, it has been corrected.
Jay O'Brien