HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-16-15 Health and Public SafetyHEALTH & 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.
Derek Dieter asked if the current budget funded seasonal employment to which Code Enforcement
Director Randy Wilkerson said yes in the amount of about $174,000. Derek also asked how much it cost
the City to mow a lot. Randy said on average about $40.00. Derek asked why the $200.00 admin fee
over and above actual costs.
Karen asked Randy to walk through what was involved once a complaint was filed.
Randy responded by describing a minimum 3 step process for Code. An inspection, a re- inspection and
a re- inspection for abatement of the problem cited.
Oliver Davis wondered why adequate money to address mowing was not already in 2015 budget. He
said during last year's budget vetting, as in every year, department heads are asked if they have
resources needed to do their job. Generally they say yes; so why now are they short? And why should
the Council be asked to raise fees to cover those shortages?
Dr. Ferlic felt the long standing problems in Code were now being addressed by Randy who was not here
for the 2015 budget vetting. Dr. Ferlic also suggested that $40.00 per lot, maybe the City should explore
subcontracting the work.
Karen White agreed with Oliver. Every year the Council emphasizes quality of life issues, wanting those
basic services to be reflected in the budget. She pledged to make basic services in neighborhoods a
priority again this year.
Tim Scott defined the $250.00 fee as a deterrent.
Oliver felt with collections up the current fee schedule might be adequate.
Moving to public comments, six people spoke.
Jessie Davis said the City should get its own act together before it raised fines.
Becky Kaiser spoke in support of the bill saying irresponsible property owners needed to be targeted.
Linda Wolfson felt the fees were too high saying the focus should be on finding better more efficient
approached to mowing long grass.
Tony Trinka just wants the City to do a betterjob maintaining vacant lots.
Leroy Cobb spoke against the bill claiming the increase fees would hurt the poor and elderly.
Regina Williams- Preston also felt the new fee structure was too high. She also suggested working
through the neighborhood organizations could result in effective innovative approaches to problems like
these.
The Councilmembers attending then spoke, in turn, offering final comments.
Dr. Ferlic led off saying a joint effort among neighbors, schools, non - profit, the City and the Council was
necessary to address the problem.
Tim Scott expressed openness to alternative approaches; but still felt there needs to be the deterrent of
higher fines.
Karen White and Oliver Davis felt the Council needs to be more responsible to the public's concerns.
Wrapping up the hearing Derek Dieter asked if the sentiment of the group was to go ahead with a vote
on the bills come Monday.
Karen said yes if the Council got answers, especially from Parks which both Karen and Oliver felt should
be there.
Derek closed saying both bills would remain on the agenda for June 22 "d meeting.
Derek Dieter, Chairperson
Health & Public Safety Committee