05-14-08 Health & Public Safety - Quality of Life Issues

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Page 2 of 3 Neighborhood Code Enforcement faces she spoke of a backlog of 450 long grass complaints and an often cumbersome legal process resulting in additional frustration by both her staff and the citizenry. Karen emphasized the need for better communication. Are the quality of life ordinances effective in improving the city? Are they good, bad, enforceable or not, why or why not? Can they be improved? Communication through reporting to Council would develop understanding thus preventing misperceptions. Toppel restated a philosophy of personal contact to achieve compliance not citation. Kathy Cekanski-Farrand asked how effective was this one on one approach? Toppel responded compliance was good. Karen indicated an apparent disconnect between the Council and Neighborhood Code Enforcement, between stated results and reality. Ann Puzzello said she supported face to face conflict resolution; but wondered about follow-up and feedback. Ann then asked about the timeliness and responsiveness of Neighborhood Code Enforcement's approach. Given the legal process that needs to be followed sometimes resulting in unacceptable delays in compliance. Ann wondered what could be done. Karen, focusing on the legal process, asked who in legal makes decisions to negotiate an offense and by what criteria? Ann Carol-Nash an Assistant City Attorney said the results hoped for, that is compliance, often requires using judgment on a case by case basis sometimes resulting in a varied compliance requirement. Often times a negotiated settlement being better than the imposition of an uncollectible fine. Winona Hays speaking for the Ordinance Violations Bureau (OVB) explained the timeframe followed once code notifies OVB of a violation. First OBV mails a 30 day to pay letter. If the fine is not paid a "final notice" letter allowing 14 additional days to pay is mailed. If the fine is still not paid, OVB refers the matter to legal which then sends a 10 day to pay letter. Legal at this point may negotiate a settlement or decide to file in small claims court. Winona added that legal does not always provide disposition feedback. Winona also noted that Animal Control routinely provides timely feedback. Karen White wondered if the lengthy timeframe could be condensed and suggested enforcement policies should be clear and transparent. Ann Carol Nash suggested that before any quality of life initiatives take ordinance form the Council should include input from legal and anyone else affected. That way, responsibilities and expectations would be identified as an ordinance was drafted. Toppel spoke to several impediments to efficiency in the process as well. Namely, a need for training from IT to allow her staff to more fully utilize the software that tracks the enforcement process. Ann Carol-Nash added that state law works against the attachment of liens because it does not allow the city to recover the costs incurred by the city when this is done. Karen White moved into a summation phase of the meeting asking everyone in turn to expound on their "quality of life" philosophy.