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<br />Councilmember Olson asked if there would be training involved with this type of board. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich indicated it might be preferred to designate an administrative hearing <br />officer, as it would be difficult to keep a board going based on the amount of use in Coon <br />Rapids. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated Collin McGown is present and could speak to the Council regarding <br />his experience as owner of a company that conducts a lot of clean-outs for different cities. <br /> <br />Mr. Collin McGown, Owner of Removal All, stated he has done contract work in the cities of <br />Blaine and Fridley on this issue. The cities contract with his company directly to perform a <br />clean-up. The cities send out letters and have code enforcement people go out and set a deadline. <br />Once the deadline is past the cities hire a company like his to come out and complete the clean- <br />up; they provide him with photos and a listing of what should be done. Regarding the fees, $500 <br />to $l,OOO does not buy a lot with this type of work. One dumpster could cost $500 and he has <br />taken up to five dumpsters from one property. The cost of the dumpsters has nothing to do with <br />the labor or special waste fees, such as paints and stains and things of that nature. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich asked how these cities collect for the clean-up cost. <br /> <br />Mr. McGown replied as far as he knows they assess the property and carry the cost. He is paid <br />directly and does not have to wait for payment. Once the clean-up is done the City verifies that <br />everything has been completed. He has never needed to have an officer on-site; by the time he is <br />going to the property the owner knows the work is going to be done. Sometimes the property <br />owners do not have the money to do the clean-up and it works for them to have it assessed and <br />pay the bill when they sell their property. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated he would be in favor of this, but it is important to stay clear from <br />selective enforcement. <br /> <br />Police Chief Way indicated currently code enforcement is complaint driven versus being <br />proactive. Past Councils have determined that enforcement should be reactive to complaints. If <br />staff is going to be proactive in going out and cleaning up the City more help will be needed. He <br />pointed out that the City of Coon Rapids has a full time code enforcement officer on staff. <br /> <br />Ass't Community Development Dir/HRA Executive Dir. Frolik stated Coon Rapids is still <br />reactive in their enforcement, but staff can notice an infraction. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen indicated Coon Rapids has policy that citizen complaints will be kept <br />anonymous, but staff initiated complaints will be disclosed. <br /> <br />Ass't Community Development Dir/HRA Executive Dir. Frolik explained statute requires zoning <br />enforcement complaints to remain anonymous. The criminal system requires a witness. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look suggested an interest rate to be tied to assessments to provide incentive for <br />property owners to pay off the abatement early. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session I May 1, 2007 <br />Page 7 of 16 <br />