06-16-15 Health and Public Safety

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HEALTH & PUBLIC SAFETY JUNE 16.2015 5:00 P.M. Committee Members Present: Derek Dieter, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Karen White Citizen Members Present: Bob Emery (AB) Others Council Present: Tim Scott, Oliver Davis, Others Present: Randy Wilkerson, Tony Trinka, Leroy Cobb, Linda Wolfson, Regina Williams - Preston, Jessie Davis, Becky Kaiser Agenda: Bill No. 22 -15 Amend Chapter 19 Addressing Tall Grass, Weeds, Noxious Weeds and Rank or Overgrown Vegetation Bill No. 15 -35 Resolution to Encourage Youth Jobs to Cut Tall Grass Karen White, Vice Chair of the Committee opened the meeting stating the purpose of the hearing was to get input from the public so that both measures could be fully and fairly vetted before any disposition at the scheduled readings on June 22ntl. Karen turned to Councilman Tim Scott for a presentation of bills 22 -15 and 15 -35. Tim is co- sponsor of the bills along with Dr. Fred Ferlic and Karen White. Mr. Scott used two handouts to augment his presentation (attached) one an 11 page copy of the overhead he used and the other a one page comparison between the current and proposed tall grass regulations. Tim said the bills were meant to focus on irresponsible property owners, those who repeatedly neglect the maintenance of their property to the detriment of their neighbors. Drawing a comparison to the nuisance ordinance which was geared to and has had measured success dealing with chronic problem properties. Tim said a "continuous enforcement" approach would again be employed. Continuous enforcement uses an escalating scale of fees for repeat offenders. This he said gets people's attention resulting in more compliance. Base fines were to be $250.00 per violation. The amount was a realistic assessment of all the costs incurred by the City once a citation is issued. Tim made a point to say the fees were not a "back door' attempt to raise taxes or be a funding source for basic services. Dr. Ferlic was first to speak in the Council question portion of the hearing. He asked how the $250.00 base fine was determined. He also said only 15 days could the Code and Park Departments mow due to rainy weather. Tim Scott responded to the fee question reiterating that the $250.00 reflected the cost of doing business. Karen White voiced support for bill 15 -35 which encouraged hiring of youth to help now and maintain city lots.