Chico >> To address the never-ending complaints about unruly parties, Chico police are suggesting scrapping a controversial ordinance and instituting a new one.

If the City Council approves it Tuesday, the 8-year-old “disorderly events” ordinance will be replaced with an “unruly gatherings” ordinance, inspired by a law in fellow college city San Luis Obispo. Approval would also amend city code on administrative citations, extending liability to property owners and those who allow unruly gatherings to occur.

Since the introduction of the disorderly events ordinance in 2007 and revisions in 2008, the Police Department has not seen a decrease in noise complaints and calls for service, Deputy Chief Dave Britt said in a staff report. Police have responded to an average of 1,713 public nuisance or party complaints every year from November 2013 to September 2015.

The main purpose of the ordinance is the prohibition of unruly gatherings. Gatherings are defined as a group of 20 or more people at a social event, party, occasion or activity on private property. This definition is important, as opponents to the ordinance’s predecessor fought language that included rallies and marches in 2007.

The gathering becomes unruly when it gets too disruptive or threatens the health and safety of those in attendance, responding officers or neighbors. This includes excessive noise, public drunkenness, serving alcohol to minors, fighting, urinating in public, hanging out on rooftops, vandalism and crowds overflowing into yards, sidewalks or streets.

Those found responsible will be issued a misdemeanor, and can be issued an administrative citation, civil penalties and arrested. Those accountable include partyers, property owners and those who caused the gathering or party. This is on top of liability for injuries to city personnel or damage to city property.

Property owners will be notified when an unruly gathering occurs via a mailed letter. If they fail to prevent another event, then they can be held responsible. Property owners will only be liable for civil penalties and can avoid being penalized if they have taken steps to stop dangerous parties, like requesting police assistance or evicting tenants held responsible.

The original disorderly events ordinance was scant in comparison, and applied to any gathering that turned violent, became unsafe or had illegal activity. It gave officers the right to order people to leave to prevent injuries and allow public safety officers to respond to illegal activity or injuries. Those who did not comply were guilty of an infraction.

Salem Street house

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the city hopes to sell the aging, failing two-story former home at 1413 Salem St., which has become a neighborhood eyesore and the source of frequent citizen complaints.

Housing manager Marie Demers said the 109-year-old property “needs a lot of work” and is just “not viable for the city anymore.” It was inhabited by Catalyst Domestic Violence Services from 1984 to 2010 and has since been vacant. The city expects to save money after its sale on reduced police response, maintenance and insurance expenses.

She’ll also be asking council to authorize the removal of the property’s use permit, which is currently for group housing.

According to the staff report, the city has already reached out to appropriate local public agencies, as required by the Surplus Land Act, to develop the property as low-to-moderate income housing, and there were no takers. Any buyer could still develop the property for transitional or supportive housing, according to state law.

Sale of the property would be negotiated by City Manager Mark Orme. Proceeds will go to the Community Development Block Grant fund, according to a previous Enterprise-Record article. The property was originally purchased with block grant funds.

Questions about the property can be directed to Demers at 530-879-6303 or marie.demers@chicoca.gov.

Other topics

Also on the agenda are:

• Revisiting the noise ordinance to consider concerns about the misdemeanor component applying to property owners that rent to tenants. The ordinance, as it was approved during first reading unanimously in October, removes the written warning requirement for issuing citations and allows officers to issue misdemeanors to repeat offenders.

• Changing council’s open session start time to 5:30 p.m. and recording closed session announcements on video. The proposed ordinance was crafted in response to citizen concerns about closed session notification and transparency.

• Discussing Chico Creek Nature Center’s lease agreement and loan amendment.

• Presenting financial reports for the city’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2015.

• Reviewing Canyon Oaks subdivision’s request to apply California vehicle code to its private streets.

Contact reporter Ashiah Scharaga at 896-7768.