5.3. SR 02-01-2010Item
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MEMORANDUM
o ate ~uncil
o erenny arnart, tannin naer
a~v~ ~tricl~, ode n~rcenlent ~cial
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J ®~ n®rceent pa~t~
The purpose of this memo is to provide an update of the code enforcement actions
undextal~en by the City fox the 2009 year.
Since 200$, staff has been woxl~ing to reduce the time between complaint and resolution of
the problem. Staff has been more aggressive in starting the abatement process fox grass/
weed complaints than in the past. In the past, two letters were sent to violators before
sta~•ting the abatement pxocess, now one letter is sent. As in the past, staff maintains a policy
of "cooperative compliance" and is willing to wo~•l~ with property owners if they
demonstrate a willingness to woxk with the city, The reduction in the number of letters
pxitnaxily affects bank owned ox foreclosed homes and results in 7W~ 0 day reduction in
compliance.
In 2009, staff was able to resolve taro prominent compliance issue properties. The owner of
the bowling alley agreed to allow the city to remove his building. Staff will continue to woxk
with similar parcels as they axe identified, including the former Napa building near
downtown, ~Iapiti Paxk, and properties along Line avenue.
Additionally, city staff worked with the property owner of the former Holzem farm Liberty
Heights and Preserve Ponds} to address dumping issues. Debris has been removed,
buildings boarded up, and entrances blocked. Staff continues to see examples of people
dumping trash on private property and continue to woxk with the police department fox
enhanced patrolling.
Code enforcement activity continues to be primarily complaint driven. Staff does not patrol
looking for violations but enforcement action may be started on properties in the same
neighborhood or otherwise close proximity to complaints received,
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The snow removal issue is a unique one in the sense that the sidewalk is only useful if it is
cleared all along the desired route. ~1hen a complaint is received for a given parcel, staff will
send out a compliance request for all uncleared lots along that street.
Staff collects code enforcement complaints via several sources. The saurces and the
approximate usage are as follows: All similar to 2008}
website 25%
Direct email codeconcerns c~ ells- ,,tver.mn.us} 5%
Direct phone calls to the hotline X635-1036} 45%
Direct phone calls to CE officer Dave Hetrick ~b35-10G7} 15%
Front counter/stop in traffic 10%
Staff intends to continue to look for ways to improve the avenues for receiving complaints.
Complaints about long grass and refuse have increased.
A report of the cases opened and closed are as follows:
Dates Opened Closed Citations Ongoing
1/1/09 to
12/15/09 224 194 7 30
The ongoing category is cases that are being worked on by the homeowner and are being
monitored. These include junl~ vehicles, minor debris, and fence violations. This is a
reflection of our "cooperative compliance" posture.
There were 21 homes abated during the summer due to long grass, which dropped from 29
in 2008. The drop maybe attributed to less foreclosures and public response to violation
notices. we are also able to issue our own citations for the first time. This has been used as a
last resort option.
we intend on being more aggressive with citations for temporary sign violations. This issue
consumes a lot of staff time and energy, and the violation warning letters indicate little or no
.
rtnpact to prompt removal.
2010 Goals
Continue to promote the code enforcement program and awareness
Continue to improve avenues for receiving complaints
Promote opportunities to decrease time between complaint and resolution, which
may require some changes ~ the Code of ordinances 'This may include a suggestion
to decrease the abatement warning time from 14 days to 7 days. Staff will provide
further information at a later date.}
Offer demolition assistance to properties, similar to the bowling alley
Improve business response rate to temporary sign violations
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bode nforcee~. Process
® Take complaint --enter into Comcate system
® Complete initial inspection within ~ days
o Document infraction -Picture, notes
~ If there is not a violation
o Make a note in system and close the case, make sure to include the date the
inspection was conducted
~ If there is a Violation
o Make notes in system including inspection date
o Upload photos
o Create Violation form
- include date of inspection
- what the violation~s~ is
- Re-inspection date
- Include a copy of photos of the violation
- If Abatement will need to use the Microsoft word template S;
planning/Code Enforcement/templates/abatement
~ Set up paper casefide --Stamp file as confidential
~ Re-inspection
o Re-inspect the property on or nearly after the date you listed in the notice, take
pictures
o Enter new information into system
o Send out final notice if necessary
Time to comply:
Long Grass/weeds: 14 days to cut grass per ordinance}, or the city will use the abatement process
to cut the grass. In the case of abandoned homes, the letter states that any time this calendar year the
grass exceeds 8 inches, the grass will be mowed with no additional notice,
Parking on. the grass: If the vehicle is operable give them one week to move the vehicle, if it is un-
operable two weeks.
Junk vehicle: Two weeks to ~•emove or fix/register
Garbage/debris: One week on debris
Snow: Following complaint, provided it is at least 24 hours after the snow event, 14 days per
ordinance, or the city will use the abatement process to remove the snow/ ice, In the case of
abandoned homes, the letter states that any time this calendar year the snow is not removed within
24 hours of the snow event, the snow will be removed with no additional notice,
Always be willing to work with property owner as long as they show a good faith effort,