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1 IV. DISCUSSION OF CURRENT CODE ENFORCEMENT PROCESS. <br /> 2 The City Manager reported that Councilmember Cavanaugh had raised concerns <br /> 3 about Code Enforcement at the March 24'h Council Meeting and had included a <br /> 4 list of areas of concern for the worksession agenda. The City Manager <br /> 5 reported that the Fire Department started doing the City's Code Enforcement in <br /> 6 November, 1997 as the result of the Public Works Director's retirement. He <br /> 7 indicated that Code Enforcement normally does not begin until after the snow <br /> 8 melts. The City Manager discussed reasons why the City asked the Fire <br /> 9 Department to do Code Enforcement rather than continue with the Public Works <br /> 10 Department. He also discussed the City's Code Enforcement procedure and <br /> 11 Code of Behavior. <br /> 12 <br /> 13 The Fire Chief reported on past code enforcement violations from May, 1994 to <br /> 14 the present. He indicated that there are very few repeat offenders. The Chief <br /> 15 discussed the list of contacts he has made since taking over this duty. He <br /> 16 explained that he had taken flyers of the City's Spring Clean-Up Day and <br /> 17 showed residents how various items can be disposed of. The Chief said he is <br /> 18 promoting the City as a resource rather than an enforcer. <br /> 19 <br /> 20 The Mayor said that in the past, the City only responded to complaints. He <br /> 21 commended the Chief on his efforts and supports letting the Fire Department <br /> 22 continue their program for another 2 - 3 months. The Mayor also reported that <br /> 23 most of the City's current challenges have been so for up to 10 years. He <br /> 24 agreed that the City cannot get compliance with just letters; that people need to <br /> 25 be contacted personally. <br /> 26 <br /> 27 Councilmember Marks remarked that he liked the Chief's status reports, as they <br /> 28 are more informative. He said he felt there is more energy in the new process <br /> 29 and is more pro-active. <br /> 30 <br /> 31 Councilmember Cavanaugh stated he wants to see consistent enforcement of <br /> 32 code violations. He said that the community deserves a high level of <br /> 33 compliance and an even administration of the code enforcement program. He <br /> 34 stated that the City has to give the community a high level of expectations. <br /> 35 Councilmember Cavanaugh stated he felt that he did not have a sense that the <br /> 36 Chief will cite violators. <br /> 37 <br /> 38 The Mayor indicated that the Chief's code enforcement program is outlined in <br /> 39 the meeting packet and it states that citations will be issued for non-compliance. <br /> 40 <br /> 41 The Fire Chief indicated that if the Council wants zero tolerance, he would need <br /> 42 more staff. He reported that the previous Public Works Director worked at <br /> 43 code enforcement half time with a secretary, accumulating lists of violators year <br /> 44 after year. <br /> 45 <br /> 2 <br />