Galt council to tackle sex offender issues

By Jake Armstrong
News-Sentinel Staff Writer

Last updated: Saturday, Jul 01, 2006 - 07:33:34 am PDT

Sex offenders in Galt could be barred from loitering near playgrounds, video arcades, swimming pools, parks and other places where children gather, if the Galt City Council acts on a proposed ordinance Wednesday.

Additionally, council members will be presented with the city budget for the next two fiscal years.

With Timothy Lee Boggs, a violent sexual predator, set to be released from custody to live somewhere in Sacramento County, the council will consider an ordinance that would make it a misdemeanor for any sex offender to loiter within 300 feet of places where children gather, including libraries and skate parks.

Councilman Thomas Malson at a meeting Tuesday requested the city explore an ordinance that would restrict where sex offenders could live in Galt, but state law already dictates that they live no closer than a quarter-mile from an elementary school.

Two locations outside of Galt, the Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center and the River City Recovery enter, were considered as places for Boggs to be released. Though he would not live in Galt, shopping and other services might bring him into the city limits, Malson said.

"My largest concern is not doing anything," Malson said.

The cities of Elk Grove and Folsom, which were also proposed as places for Boggs to reside, have enacted similar ordinances to the one the City Council will consider.

Malson said he may ask at a later date that the city revisit creating an ordinance determining where sex offenders can reside.

Boggs, whose release has been delayed for 13 months, is set to appear in court July 14 to hear if the California Health Department has found a place for him to reside. If not, his attorney intends to petition for his unconditional release.

This week Boggs said he wants to live in a trailer on 60 vacant acres of land in the Natomas area of Sacramento.

The Galt City Council meets Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Galt City Hall, 380 Civic Drive.

The agenda

The Galt City Council will also be asked to:

• Discuss and possibly take action on the city budget for fiscal years 2006-07 and 2007-08.
• Approve a $25,000 contract with a consultant to recruit a new police chief.
• Conduct a second reading of an ordinance banning smoking in wholesale and retail tobacco shops as well as private smoking lounges. The ordinance would take effect 30 days after Wednesday.

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Last updated on 25-November-2006