City of Santa Maria, California, City Attorney & Codes
CITY ATTORNEY & CODES
204 E. Cook Street
Santa Maria, CA 93454
The City Attorney's Office provides a wide range of legal services for the City Council, City boards and commissions, and operating departments. Major activities include: day-to-day legal advice for City officials and employees; drafting contracts, opinions, resolutions and ordinances; defending the City, its officers and employees in civil litigation; coordinating and monitoring the investigation, settlement, and litigation arising out of personal injury claims; defending minor personal injury suits against the City; handling minor collection cases in the City's behalf; providing staff support to the City's administrative code compliance program; prosecuting criminal and civil violations of the City's Municipal Code; representing the City in discovery matters initiated by third parties; representing the Successor Agency; negotiating civil settlements, franchises, and agreements on behalf of the City; assisting in Municipal Code updates; maintaining a law library; performing liaison activities with media and the local bar; and networking with other cities through the League of California Cities.
General interests: Camping, fishing, bicycling and tennis
DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
Manage the legal and code compliance divisions of the City. Manage the litigation and claims filed against and by the City. Give day-to-day advice to City officials and employees. Draft ordinances, rules, resolutions, contracts, and policies.
Mission Statement
To provide effective representation in the public interest.
2012-13 Goals/Objectives
Conduct separate State-mandated ethics training sessions for elected/appointed officials and employees.
Participate in seminars regarding Successor Agencies to Redevelopment Agencies, monitor legal updates, and make recommendations for regulatory
adjustments in Santa Maria as the need arises.
Continue to promote accessibility at City facilities by coordinating efforts to obtain and use grant funding and other resources for accessibility upgrades, including recording progress made on upgrades in the Cartegraph system.
Represent the City on the Statewide Storm Water Coalition to lobby for changes in the State Regional Water Quality Board's proposed General Permit to regulate municipal small separate storm water systems.
Prepare and present an ordinance to the City Council proposing technical amendments to the Santa Maria Municipal Code that updates changes in State law, new cases, and clarifies existing ordinances as required.
Provide periodic litigation, code compliance, and liability claim reports to the City Manager and City Council in an ongoing effort to keep them informed about the issues and activities in these areas.
Conduct additional joint enforcement operations with State Department of Motor Vehicles investigators and the Santa Maria Police Department to reduce the number of illegal vehicle sales within the City.
Continue to enhance working relationships with City community groups, volunteer organizations, and other City departments to help eliminate blighted properties.
Conduct several “Walk and Talk” programs as a way of educating residents about City codes.
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