The abundance of near-permanent, un-permitted yard sales and the associated signs that are plastered throughout town got the attention of the Hollister City Council at its Aug. 3 meeting.
Hollister resident Marty Richman noted during the public comment period that some people are having yard sales every weekend and the stock they’re selling is “getting newer and bigger.” He also pointed out that most people put signs up illegally on utility poles without a permit. “I don’t want to live in a third-world country” where people are conducting business without regulation or permits, he said.
Though it wasn’t an agenda item, city officials were able to address the issue during the council reports section of the meeting, where the consensus was that something needs to be done about the proliferation of yard sales in Hollister, some of which are held at the same houses every weekend.
City Manager William Avera pointed out that a few years ago, the council considered but did not adopt an ordinance that would have limited the amount of yard sales permitted at a person’s home to four per year.
“The council at that time didn’t feel that was an appropriate ordinance,” Avera said. “If this council would like to see that, we can begin drafting some language to bring back to you having some sort of limit or regulation.”
Councilman Ray Friend said the council would like to consider taking action, such as creating a “nominal fee” or a permit “that would give us some accountability.” He said that if people can pay to advertise their yard sale in the newspaper, “they could pay a fee.”
Avera said that he has, “on several occasions” taken down yard sale signs in his neighborhood. “They don’t need to be there,” he said. “If you take one down, don’t feel bad — it’s not supposed to be there. I won’t care if (people) do it, but I’m not telling them to do it.”
Mayor Ignacio Velazquez said the city has provisions in an ordinance to fine people who illegally place or fail to take down yard sale signs “but we’re not enforcing it.” He said it “drive me crazy” to see the same signs up every weekend. City code enforcement staff spends a Saturday every couple of weeks checking on yard sale signs, but “the public shouldn’t have to put up with the same signs every week,” Velazquez said. “Most of the public is probably as frustrated as we are. It’s a pretty simple thing: we know it’s happening; we need to have someone put a stop to it.”
Councilman Karson Klauer said that in addition to yard sale signs, a number of residential subdivision signs appear to be placed in the public right-of-way on local roadways, likely without permission. “It’s dangerous and doesn’t look good for the city,” he said, adding that promoters of new subdivisions “seem to thrown (the signs) wherever they want.”
Velazquez responded that the city does have an ordinance regulating the placement of real estate signs as well as one prohibiting the parking of cars on lawns, which prompted him to say, “please take your cars off the lawns; it doesn’t present our city well (and) brings down your property value.”
In other council action
– The council welcomed new Hollister Fire Chief Bob Martin Del Campo, whose first day on the job was Monday.
– Councilman Ray Friend directed Avera to write a letter in support of the Low Power FM radio station effort.
– The council formally adopted three-hour parking restrictions on the west side of Monterey Street in front of San Benito High School from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. The new restrictions will become enforceable in 30 days.
– Councilwoman Mickie Solorio Luna asked Police Chief David Westrick to provide a report about graffiti around the city at an upcoming meeting.
– Westrick noted that Tuesday, Aug. 4 is National Night Out in downtown Hollister from 5-8 p.m. and that he is recommending the purchase of a motorcycle and the training of an existing officer to do traffic enforcement. He also recommended that the city consider participating in the Crime Stoppers program.
– The city clerk noted that there remains an opening for a youth commissioner on the city parks and recreation commission and that applications are available at city hall.
– Avera said that the council will soon discuss contract amendments with the promoter of the Hollister Freedom Rally, which will address alcohol sales and likely recommend permanently scheduling the annual motorcycle rally on the second Friday of July for safety and cost reasons.
– The council authorized the city to accept bids for a sidewalk replacement program that will target lower income areas of the city.
– The meeting was adjourned in memory of Josh Rodriguez, the 11-year-old boy who was killed recently when his bicycle was struck by a County Express bus.