Agenda Date: 04/09/2024
Subject:
Title
Code Compliance Introduction and Proposed Nuisance Ordinance
Body
From:
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager
Prepared by:
Reid Betzing, City Attorney
Presentations:
Reid Betzing, City Attorney
Jeremy Kovinchik, Code Compliance Manager
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this study session is twofold: first, it is to provide council with a brief introduction of the city's Code Compliance Division and the work that they are performing; secondly, it will be an opportunity to present to council the process framework for a nuisance code ordinance which could be used to provide Code Compliance with another tool in gaining compliance and potentially remediating properties that fall out of compliance with the city's various property maintenance codes. The study session is focused on process and structure, as these are the most glaringly ambiguous components of the existing code enforcement process. Many of the existing standards for defining nuisances and related violations will remain substantially unchanged in the new code. The entire rewritten nuisance code section will be presented to the city council at the time of first reading of the ordinance.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Safe Community; High Quality Governance
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
Code Compliance, a division of the Community Development Department, is tasked with gaining compliance from property owners and residents with the various property maintenance codes that the city has adopted. Historically, Code Compliance has largely been reactive, or complaint based, by responding to complaints that are reported to the city regarding code violations related to properties within our city. A large percentage of the complaints have typically revolved around the upkeep, or lack thereof, of properties such as snow removal, trash or junk accumulation, weeds, and unlicensed vehicles. Generally speaking, due in part to resources and political will, code compliance has typically not a...
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