05-09-16 Health and Public Safety

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Officer Lane, I appreciate your concerns about criminal properties, but it is somewhat misguided to think that this registry will solve that problem, because the municipal code requires you to send notice about criminal activities to the address that is in the Assessor's records, so you could create this registry and say tell us where to find you, but legally you're required to send these notices to what's in the Assessor's record. I think the tools already exist to solve the problems that were mentioned by the proponents of the bill. Committee Chair Voorde assured everyone that they would be heard before any vote is taken. Committeemember White explained that bills at this level can be sent with no recommendation. Committeemember Davis showed concern that people will only have five (5) minutes to talk about this. I wish we could have a continuance where we can finish this part tonight, and then have another meeting so we can have more discussion. Dr. Ferlic says that the committee serves citizens, not landlords, and it has a duty to protect them. He has people asking him all of the time when something will be done. Committeemember Broden stated that it is a timing issue. This is a tool that we need, but we need to make sure we have the right tool with the right leverage with the right pieces in place. So I would prefer to air this out a little more and I would put a motion that we continue discussion on this tonight and if need be at the next meeting. Committee Chair Voorde asked Council Attorney Cekanski- Farrand to clarify that we do not make a continuance effort at the committee level. If after tonight's hearing, someone feels as though it needs further discussion, then all they have to do is make a motion for a continuance, then it can be continued. Council Attorney Cekanski- Farrand said that they cannot make a continuance effort at the committee level without the sponsors agreeing to it. Councilmember Scott expressed his respect for everyone's opinions, and reiterated that this process began in September with the first version of the bill that was given to Penny Hughes and the realty group. We then met with them for input each month afterwards. The Council Members have had versions of it since February, which we've delayed. Now we have a well - written, simple bill. I like what we have, and I believe that there are a few tweaks we should make. The idea that there needs to be a complete independent study on a five (5) dollar registration to give your name and address and phone number, I don't know what else there is to study. We've come back to tweak the successful chronic nuisance program, and we'll do the same here. Committeemember White asked the sponsor to make sure that we are in the position to answer the questions that have been posed by the evening meeting. We need to outline the parameters and what the key performances are going to be in regard to the independent review, and we'll need to have that ready to address. I think that it was also recommended that we look at the fees and how the five (5) dollar registration fee jumps to three - hundred (300). I'm hopeful that a lot of these issues can be addressed, the issue that remains is making sure that individuals have ample time tonight to be heard. 10