CC WORKSESSION 09021997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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z9 MEMORANDUM DATE: August 6, 1997 TO: Mike Mornson, City Manager FROM: Dick Johnson, Fire Chief ITEM: FIRE DEPARTMENT CITY CODE ENFORCEMENT If the fire department assumes responsibility for city code inspections, they will become an extension of our current fire code enforcement. Our focus on fire code inspections is behavior modification through education, with "enforcement" being applied as a last resort. During my 17 years as a fire marshal and as a fire chief, I have issued 1 citation (the Tollefson property). Our first contact with a violator will always be personal (either face -to -face or by telephone). Our experience has shown that this approach will correct nearly all violations. If the first contact doesn't work, a letter will be sent detailing consequences, options, etc. If the letter doesn't work, a citation will be issued. We also have a habit of finding solutions rather than simply quoting the appropriate ordinance. On numerous occasions we have purchased and installed smoke detectors and house numbers for senior citizens who were unable to do so themselves. We also have access to a number of agencies and resources who can provide low -cost housing maintenance, lawn mowing, etc. As for our schedule, we will spend the end of 1997 getting familiar with the city codes, gathering past information to acquaint ourselves with the problem areas, and put together a database. In the spring of 1998, we will canvass the City. I plan to assign each shift a particular section of the City which will conform to their fire code inspection district. After the initial canvass, city code inspection will be nearly continuous, as each shift will be in and out of its respective fire code district throughout the year. In 1999 we will evaluate the process and begin the cavass again.