Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-03-17 CEAC MINUTES• 1. 2. • • CODE ENFORCEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES March 17, 1999 Call to Order. The regular meeting of the Englewood Code Enforcement Advisory Committee was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Vice-Chair Stankorb in the Community Room. Roll Call Present: Ex-Officio: Absent: Guest : Approval of Minutes. Boyer, Fischbach, Hansen, Johnson, Roth, Stankorb Langon , Moore , Nabholz Allen Fisher, Sears There was some question as to the necessity of changing the minutes to reflect the fact that Barb Fout had resigned from the Committee. At the February meeting she had advised that she would be resigning from the Education Subcommittee; however, after the meeting she resigned from the Code Enforcement Advisory Committee entirely. As of this date, Fout had not submitted a formal resignation to the Mayor, which she needs to do so that it can be entered into public record. Since her resignation occurred after the February meeting there should be no change to the minutes to reflect her resignation. MEMBER JOHNSON MOVED, AND MEMBER BOYER SECONDED, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 17, 1999, CODE ENFORCEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE BE APPROVED AS READ. Ayes : Boyer, Fi schbach, Hansen, Johnson , Roth, Stankorb Nays: None Absent: Allen The motion carried. MEMBER JOHNSON MOVED, AND MEMBER BOYER SECONDED, THAT A PLANT SHOULD BE SENT TO BARBARA FOUT ON BEHALF OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AS A TOKEN OF APPRECIATION FOR ALL OF HER EFFORTS. Ayes: Boyer, Fischbach, Hansen , Johnson, Roth, Stankorb Nays: None Absent: Allen The motion carried . 3. Public open forum. Waived. 4. Old business. Stankorb indicated that he felt the article in the Citizen was a nice article and that it would hopefully create some interest in membership on the committee. Member Boyer indicated that he gave an application to Dan Jensen, owner of Englewood Liquors , as Mr. Jensen had expressed an interest in the committee. 5. Oath of office. Mr. Ted Sell was introduced and sworn in as a new member of the Code Enforcement Advisory Committee. 6. Election of officers. Discussion ensued regarding what had and had not been accomplished during the past year and a half since the Code Enforcement Advisory Committee had been established. Some members felt that very little had been accomplished whereas others were satisfied with what had been accomplished especially since this was a new committee. The comment was made that even though the members wanted things to move faster, they had to consider the fact the wheels of government do not move rapidly . In this vein the members agreed that it was important that the goals be redefined for this year. CHAIR Stankorb nominated Todd Allen and Boyer seconded the nomination . Johnson nominated Jerry Stankorb and Hansen seconded. Stankorb declined the nomination. Allen was elected to serve as Chair for 1999. VICE-CHAIR Member Fischbach nominated Jerry Stankorb and Member Roth seconded. Stankorb was unanimously elected to serve as Vice-Chair for 1999. 7. Graffiti Ordinance draft review. Subcommittee Chair Roth advised the Committee that the subcommittee had not had time to meet regarding the Graffiti Ordinance; however, felt that the draft looked good for the most part . There were some minor typographical errors , wh ich should be corrected , as well as a few suggested changes. The membe rs felt that it was 2 • • • • • • important that the ordinance move to the next step rather than the changes be made and then returned to the Committee to review again . MEMBER FISCHBACH MOVED, AND MEMBER BOYER SECONDED THAT THE GRAFFITI ORDINANCE BE SENT BACK TO THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR CORRECTIONS IN THE DEFINITION OF PAINT STICK OR GRAFFITI AND RECOMMENDED CHANGES TO SECTION 7-6E-10A, AND THAT IT SHOULD THEN BE SENT DIRECTLY TO CITY COUNCIL FOR PUBLIC HEARING. Ayes: Boyer, Fischbach, Hansen, Johnson, Roth, Sell, Stankorb Nays: None Absent: Allen The motion carried. 8. Discussion of Fisher study. Mr. Steve Fisher related that the purpose of his study was two-fold. First, he would look at the Code Enforcement Division, make some observations and recommendations about how it was working and how it might work better. Second, he would look at how Englewood does Code Enforcement compared with some other, somewhat comparable , cities (proactive or reactive; what Codes are the biggest problems; staffing; approach to chronic problems, etc.) Fisher is currently between the two phases. Fisher has noticed that the City Council as well as the Code Enforcement Advisory Committee is frustrated because things were not being accomplished. When riding with the Code Enforcement officers he observed that they were very upbeat. They showed him properties that had been cleaned up so he saw a lot of results of their enforcement effort. He feels that that message is not getting through to the community and hence to the Code Enforcement Advisory Committee. He also talked about the various philosophies of the officers that cause a great deal of stress for the officers . Standard Operating Procedures have been developed, which should alleviate some of their stress. Fisher stated that there were three areas of concern: 1) chronic problems that won't go away; 2) repeat problems where it's solved and then it creeps back in; and 3) lots of relatively minor violations where people get their white notice and fix the problem. In his report to City Council he suggested that Code Enforcement make an inventory of maybe two dozen of the worst offenders . Safety Services, Code Enforcement, NBD and the city attorney should then get together and work on a unified approach toward these properties. There is still a gap in his understanding of the problem as the Code Enforcement Advisory Committee and Council see it versus the problem as perhaps the Code Enforcement staff sees it. He also made some technical recommendations on equipment and policies for towing. The Committee discussed various areas of concern and issues that should be addressed, specifically abandoned vehicles , snow removal, weeds, trash , selective enforcement, who should be responsible for the property in the case of rental property, follow through, and the possibility of rotating territories. It is important to determine what changes would give the Committee the feeling of progress and if those changes can be communicated to the right people . 3 Mr. Fisher apologized for not talking to the committee earlier and more intensely. He had mistakenly presumed that the Code Enforcement Advisory Committee was a sounding board for disgruntled citizens, due to the fact that the only meeting he attended was dominated by a disgruntled citizen. City Manager Gary Sears assured the members that Mr. Fisher would continue to work w ith the Committee . 9. Committee goal setting. 10. Committee assignments. MEMBER STANKORB MOVED, AND MEMBER ROTH SECONDED, THAT THESE TWO ITEMS BE REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA SO THAT CHAIR ALLEN COULD BE PRESENT FOR THESE DISCUSSIONS. Ayes: Boyer, Fischbach, Hansen, Johnson, Roth, Sell, Stankorb Nays: None Absent: Allen The motion carried. 11 . Topics for April meeting agenda. Committee goal setting Committee assignments 12. Adjournment. MEMBER FISCHBACH MOVED, AND MEMBER BOYER SECONDED, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. Ayes: Boyer, Fischbach, Hansen, Johnson, Roth, Sell, Stankorb Nays: None Absent: Allen The motion carried and the Code Enforcement Advisory Committee meeting adjourned at 8:35 p .m. 4 .. • • •