02-09-15 Health and Public Safety

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HEALTH & PUBLIC SAFETY FEBRUARY 9, 2015 3:45 P.M. Committee Members Present: Derek Dieter, Dr. Fred Ferlic (EAB), Karen White, Valerie Schey (EAB) Citizen Member Present: Bob Emery Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Henry Davis, Dr. Davis Varner, Oliver Davis, Gavin Ferlic Others Present: Erin Blasko, Kathy Cekanski - Farrand, Jack Smith, Scott Ford, Kent Sperola, Randy Wilkerson Agenda: Bill No. 59 -14 Vacant Building Restoration and Maintenance and Organizational Meeting Derek Dieter, Chair of the Health & Public Safety Committee opened the hearing with two items on the agenda. The first was bill 59 -14 meant to amend the Code which addresses registration requirements for vacant and abandoned buildings. Though two committee members were absent, Dr. Fred Ferlic and Valerie Schey, the presence of Bob Emery, citizen member, made for a quorum. Derek Dieter opened, asking Council member Tim Scott to present bill 59 -14. Tim said the bill was meant to voluntarily promote compliance, that is, registration of the ownership of vacant properties. No registration fees would be levied for properties with voluntarily registered ownership. On the other hand, properties without ownership registration would be assessed substantial fees. Often the City invests disproportionate time and expense trying to track down ownership. Though the fees would be raised, Tim said the bill was not to raise dollars; but in fact was revenue neutral. Tim said, at present, there were 930 properties requiring registration. Derek Dieter asked fellow Councilmembers for comments. Both Karen White and Henry Davis along with Derek asked some clarification questions about the number of units affected and more pointedly how the requirements would be enforced. Liens attached to the properties along with more aggressive collection efforts from the legal department was the answer. There was no public comment offered. In that bill 59 -14 was a substitute bill motions to accept were required. Karen White and Bob Emery made the appropriate motions ratified by all. Then Derek Dieter motioned for a favorable recommendation. Karen seconded and all affirmed. The organizational meeting of the Health & Public Safety Committee came next. After a recap of 2014 activities, Derek solicited Council input for 2015.