CC MINUTES 03132001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Study Session Minutes • March 13, 2001 Page 11 1 Mayor Cavanaugh asked if this number could be reduced to only have one or two members of 2 the fire department trained in this area. Fire Chief Hewitt indicated this may be difficult due to 3 the various shifts that officers work at the department. He stated this reduction in the number 4 trained could delay resolution of complaints. 5 Councilmember Horst questioned if a single code enforcement officer was feasible for the City. 6 Fire Chief Hewitt noted he felt this would be a great recommendation as a 40-hour a week full- 7 time position separate from the fire department. 8 Councilmember Horst asked if the fire department could set standards for non-compliance. Fire 9 Chief Hewitt indicated this was a conflict of interest because the fire department provides a 10 social service to the residents. He noted he didn't feel it was prudent for the fire department to 11 establish non-compliance standards at this time. Mr. Drush added that he felt the code needed to 12 be reviewed at this time because times have changed since its inception. 13 Councilmember Sparks asked how much revision would be needed before code enforcement 14 could begin. Mr. Drush stated he was unaware of the amount of revisions, he noted this would 15 be up to the Council and staff. Councilmember Horst stated he feels the purpose of this code was to eliminate blight. He noted this is how the Council should determine which items are of the most importance. 18 Fire Chief Hewitt noted as he drives the streets of the City code enforcement is not the first thing 19 on his mind. Councilmember Horst concurred stating the public safety should be the main 20 concern of the fire chief. He indicated he felt that the Council members and residents need to 21 take more responsibility in reporting code enforcement issues. 22 Councilmember Sparks asked if there was a common complaint form for enforcement issues. 23 Fire Chief Hewitt indicated a form has been created for complaints to be used by the fire 24 department and the City staff. 25 Councilmember Thuesen noted he felt the comments made by fire department were crucial. He 26 indicated he felt the fire department's objectives should be to public safety and not code 27 enforcement. Councilmember Thuesen agreed with the authorization of a feasibility study for the 28 hiring of a code specialist/fire marshal to cover the enforcement issues. 29 Fire Chief Hewitt indicated the fire department may be interested in redirecting some overtime 30 funds to cover a portion of the expense for hiring a code specialist/fire marshal. He added that 31 fines received by the code enforcement officer could be directed to this position as well. Mayor Cavanaugh noted the primary charge of the fire department should be the wellness and 40 public safety of the public. He indicated he feels code enforcement is crucial to the communities 34 wellness as well.