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<br />stated that he is not saying that the City will side a house, but the more options that are available, <br />gives staff and law enforcement a broader range on how they can address it He stated that the <br />more issues can be kept out of district courts, the better. He stated that he feels the City should <br />try to work with them first and then go to fines and abatements. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jeffrey stated that he doesn't disagree, but he feels it will then become <br />subjective. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen stated that he understands that concern, but there is selective law <br />enforcement going on everyday by the police. He stated that they see 10 people speeding on <br />Highway 10, but pick out one to pull over. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jeffrey stated that he feels this makes their job more complicated because when <br />they go to a residence, they won't know which option to give them, because it is subjective. <br /> <br />Mayor Garnec stated that no ordinance is perfect <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen stated that she thinks there is a big difference from the City going in <br />and picking up and hauling away junk, or cutting someone's grass, versus going in and siding a <br />house and putting in improvements. She stated that she would be concerned about liability this <br />would put on the City in terms of guaranteeing the quality or even the right color. She stated that <br />she feels it opens a "can of worms" and is very different than removing things that are an eyesore <br />and she doesn't want to go there. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated that he brought this up, because he would like to know where the <br />City will stop with something like this. He stated that the City did a fine job with the abatement, <br />but now this is "fine tooth combing" neighborhoods and with the new fee schedule, he thinks the <br />City is crossing over the line and will make people mad. He stated that people that have junk <br />yards, they kind of expect the Gity to get involved at some point He stated that he thinks the <br />City should "fine tooth comb" at a later date because the City has already bit off quite a bit with <br />our new abatement policy. <br /> <br />Mayor Garnec stated that the problem is that this ends up falling on the police department <br /> <br />Community Development Director Miller stated that the current fee is $25, which is not a <br />deterrent; this is why they went to an escalating scale so it would be a deterrent <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated that the assumption is that a $500 fme would be a deterrent, because <br />he thinks there will be people that will just say to the City make it what you want, let's go to <br />court. <br /> <br />Mayor Garnec stated that a letter is sent out first with no fine. <br /> <br />Police Chief Way confirmed that there is a letter sent out giving them 14 days to come into <br />compliance. He stated that they haven't been giving the fme, but have been giving people <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / October 14,2008 <br />Page 5 of7 <br /> <br />-39- <br />