Agenda - Council - 07/10/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Olson asked if there would be training involved with this type of board. City Attorney Goodrich indicated it might be preferred to designate an administrative hearing officer, as it would be difficult to keep a board going based on the amount of use in Coon Rapids. Councilmember Look stated Collin McGown is present and could speak to the Council regarding his experience as owner of a company that conducts a lot of clean -outs for different cities. Mr. Collin McGown, Owner of Removal All, stated he has done contract work in the cities of Blaine and Fridley on this issue. The cities contract with his company directly to perform a clean-up. The cities send out letters and have code enforcement people go out and set a deadline. Once the deadline is past the cities hire a company like his to come out and complete the clean- up; they provide him with photos and a listing of what should be done. Regarding the fees, $500 to $1,000 does not buy a lot with this type of work. One dumpster could cost $500 and he has taken up to five dumpsters from one property. The cost of the dumpsters has nothing to do with the labor or special waste fees, such as paints and stains and things of that nature. City Attorney Goodrich asked how these cities collect for the clean-up cost. Mr. McGown replied as far as he knows they assess the property and carry the cost. He is paid directly and does not have to wait for payment. Once the clean-up is done the City verifies that everything has been completed. He has never needed to have an officer on -site; by the time he is going to the property the owner knows the work is going to be done. Sometimes the property owners do not have the money to do the clean -up and it works for them to have it assessed and pay the bill when they sell their property. Councilmember Look stated he would be in favor of this, but it is important to stay clear from selective enforcement. Police Chief Way indicated currently code enforcement is complaint driven versus being proactive. Past Councils have determined that enforcement should be reactive to complaints. If staff is going to be proactive in going out and cleaning up the City more help will be needed. He pointed out that the City of Coon Rapids has a full time code enforcement officer on staff. Ass't Community Development Dir/HRA Executive Dir. Frolik stated Coon Rapids is still reactive in their enforcement, but staff can notice an infraction. Councilmember Dehen indicated Coon Rapids has policy that citizen complaints will be kept anonymous, but staff initiated complaints will be disclosed. Ass't Community Development Dir/HRA Executive Dir. Frolik explained statute requires zoning enforcement complaints to remain anonymous. The criminal system requires a witness.. Councilmember Look suggested an interest rate to be tied to assessments to provide incentive for property owners to pay off the abatement early. City Council Work Session / May 1, 2007 Page 7 of 16