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Councilmember Hendriksen stated that is why a policy is needed. He stated if staff is being <br />abused then a policy is needed and if it doesn't work then it needs to be revised until it does <br />work. <br /> <br />The Council conculTed. <br /> <br />Councihnember Anderson noted the nuisance ordinance allows the Police Department to issue a <br />ticket to a disorderly party. She asked how that differs from breaking the law with junk cars. <br /> <br />Police Chief Gustafson stated with disorderly conduct or disorderly house, State Statutes would <br />apply. He explained that the current public nuisance ordinance has better mechanisms than <br />before but does not require the offender to comply immediately and cease action or be cited and <br />brought into court. However, a ticket can be issued. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec asked staff to work with the City Attorney on an administrative process that <br />would work better. <br /> <br />City Administrator Norman stated he cannot dispute Councilmember Hendriksen's comment that <br />the City's enforcement process has been "hit or miss" quite often and some violators do comply <br />shortly. The problems that takes more staff time are the cases that do not comply. Prior to an <br />administrative process, he suggested waiting to see how it works out with the new staff person <br />who will be focusing more time on enforcement. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec stated he would still like staff to review an administrative process, noting that a <br />prior City Planner had commented on the need for backing staff's enforcement effort. <br /> <br />Councilmember Kurak stated the City needs more power to enforce the blatant violators and <br />asked how staff would be "beefed up." <br /> <br />City Administrator Norman explained that the new staff position has additional time for code <br />enforcement which may help. However, he is open to looking into language for an <br />administrative process and will provide that for Council review. <br /> <br />Councilmember Anderson stated that she would not support a "Gestapo" style of enforcement <br />either. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec stated that the longer it goes on and nothing is done, residents "laugh" at the City <br />and the City Council. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen stated those "laughing" are those who have been contacted and the <br />initial enforcement steps taken and then nothing else occurred. He stated he also does not want <br />to initiate a heavy-handed approach but would like something in-between that is consistent with <br />the government that Ramsey residents want to see. He noted the City has changed many zoning <br />ordinances that apply City-wide which will also result in more enforcement issues. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session/July 23, 2002 <br /> Page 9 of 11 <br /> <br /> <br />