HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2025 1119 CC REG ITEM 09BCITY OF MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA
City Council Meeting
of November 19, 2025
ACTION INTRODUCED ORDINANCE NO.
531. (ROLL CALL VOTE: UNANIMOUS)
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2025-4364.
(ROLL CALL VOTE: UNANIMOUS)
BY A. Hurtado.
B. Consider Ordinance Adding Chapter 9.36 to Title 9 of the Moorpark Municipal
Code Establishing Requirements Governing the Possession of Catalytic
Converters and to Identify Violations as Subject to Civil Penalties and
Administrative Charges; and Consider Resolution Amending the City’s Schedule
of Fees and Service Charges to Add the Fine Amount for Violating the Catalytic
Converter Possession Regulation. Staff Recommendation: 1) Introduce Ordinance
No. 531, Adding Chapter 9.36 (Unlawful Possession of Catalytic Converters) to
Title 9 (Public Peace, Morals, and Welfare) and Identify Violations as Subject to
Civil Penalties and Administrative Charges as Found in the City’s Schedule of Fees
and Service Charges, respectively; and 2) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-4364 to
Amend the City’s Schedule of Fees and Service Charges to Add the Fine Amount
for Violating the Chapter 9.36 of the Moorpark Municipal Code. (Staff: Captain
Nick Odenath, Chief of Police) (ROLL CALL VOTE REQUIRED)
Item: 9.B.
MOORPARK CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Captain Nick Odenath, Chief of Police
DATE: 11/19/2025 Regular Meeting
SUBJECT: Consider Ordinance Adding Chapter 9.36 to Title 9 of the Moorpark
Municipal Code Establishing Requirements Governing the
Possession of Catalytic Converters and to Identify Violations as
Subject to Civil Penalties and Administrative Charges; and Consider
Resolution Amending the City’s Schedule of Fees and Service
Charges to Add the Fine Amount for Violating the Catalytic Converter
Possession Regulation
BACKGROUND
Catalytic converter theft has become a widespread issue in California and across the
United States. Because these devices contain valuable metals—such as rhodium,
palladium, and platinum—and can be quickly removed, they have become a prime target
for criminals. Thieves can detach a catalytic converter in under a minute and sell it for up
to $1,200. For vehicle owners, replacing a stolen converter can cost several thousand
dollars and often takes months to complete due to ongoing supply chain delays.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) serves the cities of Camarillo, Fillmore,
Moorpark, Ojai, and Thousand Oaks. In an effort to address the rise in thefts, in 2021 the
VCSO launched the “Etch and Catch” Program in partnership with auto body shops and
dealerships to deter these costly thefts. Since 2023, a total of 407 catalytic converters
have been reported stolen, with the “Etch and Catch” Program helping to effectuate a
reduction in all of the jurisdictions served by VCSO. The additional attention placed on
this crime, along with State legislative changes have collectively supported the reduction
in thefts. In 2023, 28 thefts were reported in Moorpark, reducing to 12 in 2024; this year
only one theft has been reported. However, this local and regional community concern
still persists.
In order to provide additional deterrence and establish greater consequences for thieves,
numerous jurisdictions and municipalities across the State have enacted ordinances
creating penalties for being caught with a catalytic converter for which ownership cannot
Item: 9.B.
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Honorable City Council
11/19/2025 Regular Meeting
Page 2
be proven. In August 2026, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance
No. 4649 regulating the possession of catalytic converts and establish an associated
penalty of $1,000.00 per violation.
DISCUSSION
In response to catalytic converter theft, and to provide the VCSO with the ability to
penalize individuals caught with catalytic converters for which ownership cannot be
proven though documentation, staff recommends adopting an ordinance establishing a
new section within the Moorpark Municipal Code to deter these thefts and by making
undocumented possession unlawful and establish penalties. The proposed Ordinance is
included as Attachment 1.
In order to incorporate the proposed penalties into the City’s Schedule of Fees and
Services Charges, a resolution establishing the violation in the amount of $1,000.00 is
also recommended to be added as follows. It should be noted that pursuant to California
Government Code § 36901, a civil penalty (fine) shall not exceed $1,000.00.
Fee Description Fine Charge Basis
Possession of a Catalytic Converter without proof of
ownership $1,000.00 per citation
The proposed Resolution and revised Police Services Fee Schedule is included as
Attachment 2.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as it does
not constitute a project, as defined by Section 15378(b)(4) and 15061(b)(3) of the State
CEQA Guidelines. Therefore, no environmental review is required.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action. Fines assessed would be directly
dependent on the number of violations, with these penalties establish for deterrence
purposes and not as a revenue source for the City.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE
This action does not support a current strategic directive.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (ROLL CALL VOTE REQUIRED)
1. Introduce Ordinance No. ___, Adding Chapter 9.36 (Unlawful Possession of
Catalytic Converters) to Title 9 (Public Peace, Morals, and Welfare) and Identify
Violations as Subject to Civil Penalties and Administrative Charges as Found in
the City’s Schedule of Fees and Service Charges, respectively; and
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Honorable City Council
11/19/2025 Regular Meeting
Page 3
2. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-____ to Amend the City’s Schedule of Fees and
Service Charges to Add the Fine Amount for Violating the Chapter 9.36 of the
Moorpark Municipal Code.
Attachment 1: Draft Ordinance No. ___
Attachment 2: Draft Resolution No. 2025-___
14
ORDINANCE NO. ___
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK,
CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING REQUIREMENTS
GOVERNING THE POSSESSION OF CATALYTIC
CONVERTERS AND ADDING CHAPTER 9.36 TO TITLE 9
OF THE MOORPARK MUNICIPAL CODE
WHEREAS, the theft of catalytic converters has been an increasing problem in
recent years. The external location of catalytic converters and the use of valuable
precious metals, including rhodium, palladium and platinum, in catalytic converters
makes these devices a target for thieves. Individuals in possession of stolen catalytic
converters often recycle them for substantial profit, while victims of these thefts suffer
the consequences of paying thousands of dollars in repairs, the inconvenience of
repairing their vehicles, and feeling unsafe in the community; and
WHEREAS, recent state legislation seems to have resulted in a decrease in the
number of catalytic converter thefts. However, the state legislation does not provide
local law enforcement with the mechanisms to make arrests in many cases. Indeed,
law enforcement currently cannot seize a catalytic converter found to have been
removed from a vehicle and in someone’s possession unless a victim can be identified.
Unfortunately, locating the victim without identifying information on the catalytic
converter is often impossible; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the California Constitution, Article XI, Section 7,
a city may make and enforce within its limits all local, police, sanitary and other
ordinances and regulations not in conflict with general laws; and
WHEREAS, to deter thefts of catalytic converters and to enhance the capability
of law enforcement to arrest and prosecute those suspected of carrying out such
crimes, this ordinance makes it unlawful for any person who is not a licensed core
recycler to possess a catalytic converter that is not attached to a vehicle unless the
person has a valid proof of ownership of the catalytic converter. This ordinance is
necessary to provide the City a means to protect the public and deter this criminal
activity.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK
DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council finds that the above recitals are true and correct
and are a substantive part of this Ordinance.
SECTION 2. Chapter 9.36 (Unlawful Possession of Catalytic Converters) is
hereby added to Title 9 of the Moorpark Municipal Code to read as follows:
ATTACHMENT 1
15
Ordinance No. ___
Page 2
“Chapter 9.36 Unlawful Possession of Catalytic Converters.
Section 9.36.010 Definitions.
Section 9.36.020 Prohibition of Unlawful Possession of a Catalytic
Converter.
Section 9.36.030 Valid Proof of Ownership.
Section 9.36.040 Violations and Enforcement.
Section 9.36.010 Definitions.
“Catalytic converter” means any exhaust emission control device, or portion
thereof, that converts toxic gases and pollutants in exhaust gas from an internal
combustion engine into less toxic pollutants.
“Core recycler” means a person or business, including a recycler or junk dealer,
that buys used individual catalytic converters, transmissions, or other parts
previously removed from a vehicle. A person or business that buys a vehicle that
may contain these parts is not a core recycler.
Section 9.36.020 Prohibition of Unlawful Possession of a Catalytic
Converter.
A. It is unlawful for any person to possess any catalytic converter that is not
attached to a vehicle unless the person has a valid proof of ownership of the
catalytic converter.
B. This Chapter does not apply to core recyclers complying with all the
requirements of California Business and Professions Code section 21610, as
may be amended.
Section 9.36.030 Valid Proof of Ownership.
Valid proof of ownership of a catalytic converter can be established as set forth
below:
A. By the current owner of the vehicle from which it is removed providing any
of the following documentation:
1. Ownership documentation for the vehicle;
2. A valid receipt for a replacement catalytic converter; or
3. Proof of installation of the replacement catalytic converter.
16
Ordinance No. ___
Page 3
B. By a party other than the current owner of the vehicle from which it is
removed providing documentation containing all of the following:
1. The license plate number and vehicle identification number of the
vehicle from which the catalytic converter was removed;
2. The name, address, and telephone number of the owner of the vehicle
from which the catalytic converter was removed;
3. The signature of the vehicle owner authorizing the removal of the
catalytic converter; and
4. The name, address and telephone number of the current owner of the
catalytic converter.
Section 9.36.040 Violations and Enforcement.
Each violation of this Chapter constitutes a separate violation, including, but not
limited to, each individual possession of multiple catalytic converters during a
single contact by law enforcement, and is subject to all authorized remedies and
enforcement measures. A violation of this Chapter shall constitute a
misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000.00, imprisonment in the
county jail for a term not exceeding one year, or both. The remedies and
penalties provided in this Chapter are not exclusive.”
SECTION 3. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, part or portion
of this ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of
competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining
portions of this ordinance. The City Council declares that it would have adopted this
ordinance and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, part or portion
thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more section, subsections, sentences,
clauses, phrases, parts or portions be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 4. This ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days after its
passage and adoption.
SECTION 5. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this
ordinance; shall enter the same in the book of original ordinances of said City; shall
make a written record of the passage and adoption thereof in the minutes of the
17
Ordinance No. ___
Page 4
proceedings of the City Council at which the same is passed and adopted; and shall
publish notice of adoption in the manner required by law.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this ___ day of ___________, 2025.
______________________________
Chris R. Enegren, Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________________
Ky Spangler, City Clerk
18
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-____
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING FEES FOR THE
CITY’S SCHEDULE OF FEES AND SERVICE CHARGES TO
ADD THE FINE AMOUNT FOR UNLAWFUL POSSESSION
OF A CATALYTIC CONVERTER IN VIOLATION OF
MOORPARK MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 9.36 AND
AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 2024-4267
WHEREAS, catalytic converter theft has become a major problem in California and
throughout the country due to the high value of precious metals contained in these
devices. Recent California legislation has assisted in decreasing the number of catalytic
converter thefts. However, the state legislation does not provide local law enforcement
with the mechanisms to make arrests in many cases. Law enforcement currently cannot
seize a catalytic converter found to have been removed from a vehicle and in someone’s
possession unless a victim can be identified. Unfortunately, locating the victim without
identifying information on the catalytic converter is often impossible; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the passage of an ordinance
adding Chapter 9.36 (Unlawful Possession of Catalytic Converters) to the Moorpark
Municipal Code supports the recent legislation and provides local law enforcement with
the mechanisms necessary to further deter thefts of catalytic converters and protect the
community; and
WHEREAS, user and regulatory fees, fines, and penalties are established by the
City Council; and
WHEREAS, from time to time, the City Council adds new citation fines and
penalties to reflect new laws related to Police Services in the City of Moorpark; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to add a fine amount of $1,000.00 per
violation to the City’s Schedule of Fees and Service Charges for violation of the catalytic
converter possession Ordinance, which was added as Section 9.36, Subsection 9.36.040
of Moorpark Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to amend City Council Resolution No. 2024-
4267 to add a fine for violation of Subsection 9.36.040 of Moorpark Municipal Code to the
“Police Services” section of the City’s Schedule of Fees and Service Charges upon the
effective date described in Section 2 and 4 of this Resolution; and
WHEREAS, in adopting this Resolution, the City Council is taking action on
establishing a new fine for violating the Catalytic Converter Possession set forth in the
Exhibit.
ATTACHMENT 2
19
Resolution No. 2025-____
Page 2
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK DOES
HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Section entitled (Unlawful Possession of Catalytic Converter)
of the Schedule of Fees and Service Charges that was adopted by City Council
Resolution No. 2024-4267 is hereby amended to add a new line item for violations of
Chapter 9.36, as shown on Exhibit A, attached hereto.
SECTION 2. The new fine adopted by this Resolution shall go into effect on
January 2, 2026.
SECTION 3. Except as herein amended, the remaining provisions of Resolution
No. 2024-4267 and in the Schedule of Fees and Services Charges, as adopted by that
prior resolution shall remain in full force and effect. Nothing in this resolution shall
supersede any adjustments to fees or service charges approved by the Director of
Disaster Services pursuant to Moorpark Municipal Code Section 2.48.060(C)(1).
SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and
shall cause a certified resolution to be filed in the book of original resolutions.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 19th day of November, 2025.
________________________________
Chris R. Enegren, Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________________
Ky Spangler, City Clerk
Exhibit A: Police Services Section of Schedule of Fees and Service Charges
Effective Date January 2, 2026
20
City of Moorpark
POLICE SERVICES FEES
Fee Charge Basis Note
Standard Police Service Fees [a]
1 Captain Annual Cost/1,800
per hour* + 15%
2 Sergeant Annual Cost/1,800
per hour* + 15%
3 Senior Deputy Annual Cost/1,800
per hour* + 15%
[b]
4 Deputy Annual Cost/1,800
per hour* + 15%
[b]
5 Cadet Annual Cost/900
per hour* + 15%
Overtime Police Service Fees [a]
6 Sergeant Annual Overtime Rate
per hour* + 15%
7 Senior Deputy Annual Overtime Rate
per hour* + 15%
[b]
8 Deputy Annual Overtime Rate
per hour* + 15%
[b]
9 Cadet Annual Overtime Rate
per hour* + 15%
Administrative Police Fees for Towing*
10 A fee will be assessed for each person who owns a vehicle
which is towed for impound or storage purposes, pursuant to
this resolution.
$230
11 A penalty fee in the amount of ten percent (10%) may be
added each month to any fee imposed in the event the fee is
not paid within thirty (30) days after the billing date.
10%
False Alarm Billing Rates
12 False Alarm Responses Within a Period of Twelve (12)
Consecutive Months Starting Each January 1 and Ending
Each December 31
a) First Response $0
b) Second Response $0
c) Third Response $0
d) Fourth Response $200
e) Fifth Response $300
f) Sixth Response $400
g) Seventh Response $500
h) Eighth Response $600
i) Ninth and Greater Response $700
Cost Recovery
13 Social Host
a) Fine $2,500 per violation
b) Plus, Direct cost incurred for first response and all
subsequent responses within a 12 month period from first
warning
Direct Cost + 15%
Administrative Fee
14 Police Services for Emergency Responses from Motorist
driving under the influence incidents
Direct Cost + 15%
Administrative Fee
15 Unlawful Possession of Catalytic Converter $1,000 per violation
[b] Beat Coordinator hours are billed at either the Senior Deputy or Deputy Rate as applicable.
Fee Description
Note: A penalty fee in the amount of ten percent (10%) may be added each month to any fee imposed in the event the
fee is not paid within thirty (30) days after the billing date.
Note: A penalty fee in the amount of ten percent (10%) may be added each month to any fee imposed in the event the fee is not paid
within thirty (30) days after the billing date.
* As calculated from the latest annual contract and services rates adopted by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors for the Ventura
County Sheriff’s Office.
[a] These rates include fifteen percent (15%) City general government overhead.
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Resolution No. 2025-____
Page 3 EXHIBIT A