Agenda - Council - 08/14/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

situations that involve vehicles that are left more than a certain number of days the tower would have the right to dispose of the vehicle. Councilmember Dehen suggested implementing a policy that would provide the incentive of not issuing a criminal citation to property owners that pay the abatement fees immediately. Police Chief Way pointed out if a citation were to be issued because the property owner did not pay for the abatement and the City lost in court, the clean -up cost would have already been incurred. Ass't Community Development Dir/HRA Executive Dir. Frolik suggested Council discuss whether there is interest in proceeding with the administrative hearing process. Police Chief Way reported in 2006, 459 calls were taken by staff; 109 were handled by Community Service Officers and 29 citations were issued. Of the 29 citations that were issued, 2 went to court. In 99% of the cases the property is cleaned up after a letter is sent. Councilmember Jeffrey inquired what the reason would be for not proceeding with administrative penalties. Councilmember Dehen stated the administrative process would rapidly remove the problem without dragging it through the court system, which gives unpredictable results. It keeps the process in- house, removes the problem rapidly and helps the property values without lingering neighborhood problems over the years it takes to prosecute. Notice is given and 20 days later the problem is remedied. When a complaint is received in Coon Rapids the code enforcement officer visits the property, and if it is determined there has been a violation she gives notice to the property owner and allows 20 days or the City .will be in charge of the clean -up. If the property owner remedies the situation there is not a charge. He believes Ramsey should take it one step further and allow an initial charge for the code enforcement officer's work. Coon Rapids also has an Excessive Consumption of Service Ordinance that includes progressive costs for properties that need to be continually addressed. City Attorney Goodrich indicated if Council is interested in proceeding with the administrative hearing process staff will come back to Council with options to consider. Councilmember Dehen suggested the ordinance designate one of the City's boards as the administrative hearing officer, rather then a lawyer. Police Chief Way suggested the ordinance be drafted similar to the tobacco ordinance, with either option allowed for situations when the timeline of the designated board does not work well with the process. He indicated the hearing officer would be the City's cost if an individual is successful in their appeal. -196-