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.

Episode Transcript

Announcer (00:01):
Welcome to Elk Grove Citycast, the podcast about Elk

John Hull (00:17):
Hi, everybody. I'm John Hull. Welcome to the Elk

Kristyn Laurence (00:31):
Hi, John, nice to see you and hear from you

John Hull (00:34):
Well, it we got a lot to talk about. And I want to
manage the city's enhancedwinter sanctuary located at

Kristyn Laurence (01:12):
Sure. So one of the things that we heard
cold months. And so the city hasset out to do that this year for

(01:53):
facility. We have contractedwith this group called The
managers, and substance usedisorder and mental health

(02:36):
addition to shelter over thewinter months. And we want to

(02:57):
community learning session onMonday, October 16, from 6 to

(03:22):
we open, we're going to behosting an open house for the

(03:45):
have an opportunity to meet themanagement before our unhoused

John Hull (03:52):
Right and how many potentially could be housed in

Kristyn Laurence (03:58):
So the program is set up to assist up to 30

John Hull (04:21):
Okay. And for more information on this again go to

Kristyn Laurence (04:37):
We we have started to promote these
elkgrovecity.org/sanctuaryincluding some answers to what

John Hull (05:11):
You know, we've really just begun our Elk Grove

Kristyn Laurence (05:29):
Yeah, we actually anticipated that around
ribbons, all that fun stuffaround the holidays. So we've

(06:07):
that mean for your Thanksgivingfeast? And then, you know, it's

(06:27):
about all things traffic relatedin the city.

John Hull (06:30):
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 (07:04):
Yeah, he's got a lot to share. There's also a
little faster. And then youknow, there's always the

John Hull (07:28):
Okay, and we do want to invite listeners to email us
dot o RG.

(07:51):
One of the real thankless jobsin our city is that of a code
and nice smiles. So right offthe bat, Jose Mendez, I want to

Jose Mendez (08:26):
Sure, well, thank you for the welcome. I'm happy
resources to maintain it. Itgoes from neighborhood blight to

(08:59):
plays a very important role inmaintaining quality of life and

John Hull (09:04):
Yeah, no kidding. And so to do that, how big of a

Jose Mendez (09:14):
Sure. Yeah. So right now we have a seven code
the field at this moment. As faras what we what we do, in

(09:45):
housing and other publicnuisances.

John Hull (09:47):
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 businessowners on the regulations that

(10:31):
first part is just giving anopportunity to voluntarily
means that you're impactingquality of life to those around

(11:05):
contractors that we hired tohelp us remedy or correct the
decides not to correct theissue, the DA will step in if we

(11:37):
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 cangrow 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 inheight. If they are, if they're

(13:27):
we want to protect life right soand to ensure that that's
so if you're if you're not goingto grow up water your grass

John Hull (13:56):
Now, here's an issue that I have noticed more and

(14:20):
you'll even you'll see them nextto their next to their driveway

Jose Mendez (14:32):
Yeah, you can you can park your vehicles on
driveway. Vehicles are a bigproblem because folks are very

(15:06):
Meet the code for privateproperty vehicles have to be
of your house, and then youdecide 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,

(16:30):
is at least 40-45 years old. Socan'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 minimumbecome a blight to that

(17:22):
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

(18:15):
something that you, your yourdivision, upkeeps all the time?

Jose Mendez (18:24):
Yes, it's the combination. It's I mean, we the
complaint, that's very helpfulto our city staff. The other

(18:53):
ask for your name and number, ifthat's possible, so that if we
interesting about the app is therequest screen that you're

John Hull (19:27):
So I've used the see click Fix app. It's a great app.

(19:51):
is there a time where perhapsthe 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 Hallto discuss an urgent matter. I

(20:26):
of immediate danger or hazard.
The app is a perfect way to916-687-3032. 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 aour priorities. But I think it's

(22:09):
a it's kind of a little bit of aclose.

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 yourquestions. Here's the first one

(23:21):
charging that will pop up aroundtown?

Kristyn Laurence (23:24):
Short answer is yes. The numbers already

(23:46):
than 10,000. And there are nowmore than 93,000 public and

(24:09):
added EV chargers at the newOasis Park Recreation Center,

(24:31):
Wilton Rancheria have appliedfor 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,

(25:32):
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 thispoint, but moving more of that

(26:15):
transit. The planning study willhelp to fine tune the conceptual

(26:38):
located at Laguna Boulevard andDwight 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 duringNovember and December what to do

(27:33):
Elk Grove Citycast. Where canpeople find all of our podcasts?

Kristyn Laurence (27:39):
So just about anywhere you get your podcast,
those channels. You can stillfind us at

John Hull (28:04):
And I might tell you that when Kristyn posts the

(28:24):
tuning in.

Announcer (28:27):
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