Minutes - Council - 02/13/1995 - Code Enforcement Task Force

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CODE ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCE CITY OF RAMSEY ANOKA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA The City of Ramsey Code Enforcement Task Force met on Monday, February 13, 1995, at the Ramsey Municipal Center, 15153 Nowthen Boulevard N.W., Ramsey, Minnesota. Members Present: Councilmember Carolyn Beahen Councilmember Sheila Beyer Councilmember Gerald Zimmerman Also Present: City Administrator Ryan Schroeder CALL TO ORDER Councilmember Zimmerman called the meeting to order at 4:55 p.m. BUSINESS The Task Force members discussed that they had been receiving citizen complaints regarding properties in the northwest corner of the City and at 153rd and Ramsey Boulevard N.W. Also that the primary issue seemed to be lack of aggressive enforcement of existing codes. The Task Force suggested that the definition of unlicensed vehicle should be effectively "vehicles that look like they could be immediately driven away but for the lack of a current license". Further, that we need to better define "stored vehicles" in that we need to differentiate between inside and outside. It was suggested that we should apprise the task force of what other cities do in this area and we should discuss hiring a code enforcement officer in order to more rigorously enforce the code. If there are any gray areas in the Code, we need to specifically point those out so Council can address them. It was suggested that perhaps the allowance of pole barns and post and beam construction should be increased to three acres or larger. Alternatively, with exterior aesthetics the same as the principal structure, allowance should be made for larger structures on parcels smaller than the pole barn threshold. The Task Force suggested a need for more discussion on the issue of impervious surfaces for vehicle storage. Also, on the number of licensed vehicles allowed in a yard. Further, that the City should deal with the issue of trailers, tractors and the like, after the initial areas of concern are resolved. However, the task force agreed that parts of vehicles such as doors, engines or the like should not be allowed to be visible. Also, the issue of definition of lot area could be resolved by increasing the pole barn threshold above 2.5 acres and using the lot line definition as opposed to center of roadway. Finally, Council should schedule a workshop to address these issues of code enforcement and in the meantime, Staff should aggressively enforce the existing codes. ADJOURNMENT By consensus, the meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m. Ryan R. Schroeder City Adminisu'ator Code Enforcement Task Force/February 13, 1995 Page I of 1