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• FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES _g_ February 23, 2005 Consideration of an ordinance re ardin cleanup of clandestine dru lg abs (continued) Council member Lindstrom asked Administrator Worthington to advise people what to watch for if they think their neighbor might be operating a clandestine drug lab. Administrator Worthington recommended that people pay attention to unusual smells. The chemicals used in the manufacture of methamphetamine are solvents so if residents smell chemicals they are not accustomed to or that are unusual, that is something to be on the lookout for. Typical drug activity is coming and going at odd hours, a classic sign of drug activity. Vehicles that residents have never seen before around the neighborhood. A neighbor who uses a lot of different chemicals and containers, maybe putting them out for the trash. Clandestine drug labs are being found everywhere--in vehicles, mobile labs, fish houses, trailers, sheds, garages and basements. Several months ago a lab was found in Maplewood and none of the neighbors knew it was there. So, it is not an easy thing to pick up on, but sometimes people do hear, see and smell things that are out of the ordinary. The public's help is greatly appreciated. Don't hesitate to dial 911 if you have information like that. • Mayor Gehrz said this ordinance is not intended to keep people from using methamphetamine. Eighty percent of the meth is imported or already manufactured. This is about responsibility for mitigating the damages that result to property in the event there is an incident of this kind within Falcon Heights. Kuettel moved adoption of Ordinance #2005-02 amending Chapter 8 of the Falcon Heights City Code declaring clandestine drug labs to be a public nuisance, providing for their removal and cleanup and assessing costs against the property owner, as outlined below. The motion was unanimously approved. SECTION 1. Chapter 8 of the Falcon Heights City Code is amended by adding Section 5 to provide as follows: 8-5. CLANDESTINE DRUG LAB SITES 8-5.01. Purpose and Intent. The purpose of this chapter is to reduce public exposure to health risks associated with hazardous chemicals or residue from a clandestine drug lab site. Professional testing and investigations show that chemicals used in the production of illicit drugs can condense, penetrate, and contaminate surfaces, furnishings, and equipment of surrounding structures. The City Council finds that such sites and the personal property within such sites may contain suspected chemicals and residues that place people, particularly children or adults of child bearing age, at risk when exposed through inhabiting or visiting the site or being exposed to contaminated personal property. 8-5.02.. Interpretation and Application. The provisions of this chapter must be construed to protect the public health, safety and welfare. When the conditions imposed by this chapter conflict with comparable provisions • imposed by another law, ordinance, statute, or regulation, the regulations that are more restrictive or that impose higher standards will prevail. 9