Minutes - Council Work Session - 10/14/2008

Home

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