Agenda - Council - 10/08/2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mayor Kuzma shared that he likes the idea of changing the title from Code Enforcement Officer to Property Maintenance Coordinator as he thinks this will ease the anxieties of residents. Councilmember Specht stated that a title change may help residents see the purpose of this program as education rather than being confrontational. He added that he would like the Code Enforcement Officer to receive more training on being educational with property owners when they are out of compliance. Community Development Director Hanson explained that they have spoken with the Code Enforcement Officer about the way he approaches these situations with residents. She noted they have not had any complaints since this was addressed. Councilmember Specht said he would like to turn this program into a more educational program rather than strict enforcement. Councilmember Howell noted that she requested this case be brought forward as she did receive some feedback from members of the public. She said residents informed her that the interactions they had with the Code Enforcement Officer were negative. She shared that her concern is that this seems to be an ongoing issue with the program that has popped up many times. She stated she would support pausing this program and reevaluating what they want. She noted that a surrounding city uses the title of Code Educator, and this is an approach she would like to take with code enforcement. Councilmember Musgrove shared that when she first joined the Council, they went through lengthy discussions around different steps that will be taken to address these issues and they set up steps that would make each interaction consistent. She added that when there were issues with compliance, the Council would hear these issues and address how they would continue. She said the Council is no longer hearing about these issues until they have been escalated. She noted that she does not like this kind of program if they are going to be hearing from the residents that it is not helpful or beneficial. She agreed with Councilmember Howell that they should pause this program while they reevaluate. Councilmember Riley explained that several years ago they had a lot of residents giving feedback that nothing was happening with code compliance issues. He noted that they are not currently hearing issues about this,which means the program is working. He added that they can make some changes on tact and education; however,they are not getting any complaints that violations are not being corrected. He said the City in general has benefitted from this program so he would not like to pause it at the moment. Recess and Reconvene The meeting recessed at 6:56 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 8:36 p.m. City Council Work Session / September 24, 2024 Page 9 of 13