Agenda - Council Work Session - 10/13/2015

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inspections, manual input in Notices of Violation for necessary level of specificity (see previous unsuccessful legal defenses), and often mediation between parties. • Can the duties be reassigned temporarily or permanently? Please explain. The duties can technically be reassigned. Historically, the code enforcement program had been managed by a full-time Community Service Officer. Recently, the Police Department restructured the Community Service Officer position into two (2) part-time positions. The program is currently managed by a temporary internship position. This leads to inefficiencies by continual retraining, and only provide necessary coverage for a portion of the year. Additionally, much of the code enforcement workload is tied to Zoning Code and Building Code. Staff within Community Development are well equipped to respond to these complaints. Can the position remain unfilled temporarily or permanently? Please explain. The position cannot remain unfilled in any capacity. Residents` expectations have become that the City will follow up to these public nuisance issues and code violations. Reduction in the code enforcement program will reduce the vitality of residential neighborhoods and business districts. The City will continue to receive code complaints regardless of if a system for follow up is in place. The 2015 internship is set to expire in August. Can the position be filled internally? The position may be able to be filled internally. There are multiple internal candidates that may qualify for the position. What is the impact (i.e., to residents, business owners, employees, and/or operations) if the position is not filled? The City will no longer be able to respond in a timely manner to code enforcement complaints, leaving potential blight, public health, and public safety issues. Compliance timeframe could exceed 30+ days or longer. Some of the key issues most visible could include long grass, unfinished exteriors of buildings, off- street parking, and storage of waste and other debris. Some lesser visible issues could include lack of follow up to public health issues such as non- functioning septic systems. The City will continue to lag in maintenance of its own leased properties, most notably along Highway 10. Finally, without the addition of this position, the activity will default back to the Police Department, which feels that it is not adequately equipped to manage the program at this time (can certainly manage inspections and follow up, but will lack in case management). 9