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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-10-17 CEAC MINUTES• • • I. II. Call to Order City of Englewood Code Enforcement Advisory Committee Minutes of October 17, 2007 Chair Chris Hoagland called the regular meeting of the Englewood Code Enforcement Advisory Committee (CEAC) to order at 6:35 p.m. Roll Call Members Present: Chair Chris Hoagland, Vice Chair Marty Mosman, Brian Bleile, Ronald Rutherford, Jill Wilson, Robert Zuccaro, and Alternate Member Koren Lowrimore (left at 7:25). Members Absent: Marjorie Becker. A quorum of the Committee was present. Ex-Officio Members Present: Council Liaisons Laurett Barrentine (left at 7:35) and Jim Woodward, City Attorney Dan Brotzman, City Staff Liaison Mike Flaherty, Sergeants Gary Condreay and Christian Contos, and Commander Sam Watson . Guests: City Council Member Bob McCaslin, and Englewood residents Cynthia Searfoss and Larry Wheeler (left at 8:00). Approval of Minutes Chair Hoagland called for changes to the minutes of the September 19, 2007 Code Enforcement Advisory Committee Meeting. There being no corrections, a motion to approve the minutes was made by Member Bleile and seconded by Member Wilson . The motion carried and the minutes were approved . Ill. Open Public Forum Larry Wheeler, 3130 South Washington, was present to discuss the situation with his neighbor who has had a variety of code compliance issues over the last five years . These issues primarily dealt with out-door storage, inoperable vehicles, and junk. He strongly encourages strengthening the code compliance process and the closer monitoring of repeat violators . IV. New Business A. November and December 2007 Meetings After a brief discussion, Member Bleile made a motion to cancel the November 2007 Code Enforcement Advisory Committee meeting. This meeting would have taken place the day before Thanksgiving, and a number of board members would be 1 unable to attend. Member Wilson seconded this motion. The motion passed. The next meeting will be December 19, 2007. V. Unfinished Bus iness A. Decriminalization and Abatement of Code Violations The committee discussed decriminalization of weed and snow violations in the City of Englewood including the following. • definition and meaning of decriminalization, • appropriate terminology to use in creating a decriminalization ordinance, • procedural processes such serving notice, setting fines , collections, etc., • issues of fairness relating to non-compliant citizens versus compliant citizens , enforcement of ordinance within police division, and enforcing ordinance with a handicapped or an elderly citizen . • various enforcement processes such as abatement, criminalization, decriminalization, and vested rights . The Committee was reminded that the objectives in discussing an ordinance change are to create more efficiency within the Code Enforcement Department, greater compliance, and an expedited process . To accomplish an expedited process, the committee will have to be selective on the methodology. Brian Bleile suggested we table this item and move on to the next topic. Marty Mosman made a motion to table further discussion until the next meeting. Ron Rutherford seconded this . The motion was passed . B. Abatements City Attorney Dan Brotzman was scheduled to discuss the cost of abatement and adding a surcharge; however, he asked to continue this to the December meeting. Brian Bleile made a motion to table this topic. Ron Rutherford seconded this . The motion was passed . City Attorney Dan Brotzman left the meeting. C. Trash Remova l The committee briefly discussed this issue . Code enforcement officers advise that when contacting renters about obtaining trash service, there is a very high compliance rate with very few repeat offenders . Code Enforcement is comfortable leaving the ordinance and enforcement process as it currently exists . 2 • • • • • • D. Trees, Plants, Shrubs, Right-of-Way Trimming It was suggested that Code Enforcement adopt a standard policy to use in enforcement. This policy would include guidelines from the old forester handbook such as overhead sidewalk clearance of 8 feet with shrubbery trimmed even with the property line and sidewalks clear . Overhead street clearance would be 13 feet. Code officers advise we currently have a high compliance rate , but it is suggested a reminder for citizens be included on the web site or in the bi-monthly Citizen newsletter. E. FunFest Recap This was completed at the September meeting. F. Dangerous Animal Ordinance Overview Member Mosman mentioned Freedom Service Dogs, an organization which recently located their facility to Union Street in Englewood . They selected this location because of the City's ordinances and attitude about taking care of animals and holding the owners responsible for their pet(s). In reviewing the final draft of the ordinance, Chair Hoagland identified a number of errors such as omiss ions , incor.rect references within the ordinance, and choice of language issues . Member Bleile indicated he felt that most of the notes from the Task Force and City Council discussions were included. Staff Liaison Flaherty advised that the City Attorney at this time has not yet reviewed the ordinance for consistency . The ordinance was discussed at some length . Jim Woodward advised this ordinance will come back to a different council and suggested the overview be discussed at the next meeting. Member Mosman made a mot ion to continue this topic to December. Member Bleile seconded this motion. The motion passed . VI. Code Enforcement Monthly Activity Report Sergeant Condreay reported Code Enforcement activity for September. • Attack bites at the las t report were 7, and this report are 13 -up. • Graffiti at the last report was 57, and this report is 40 -down. • Weeds at the last report were 300, and this report are 225 -down. • Running at large at the last report was 80 , and this report is 39 -down. VII. Topics for Future Meetings • Decriminalization and abatement of code violations • Abatements • Dangerous Animal Ordinance Review 3 VIII. Comments Council Liaison Woodward brought to the attention of the board an editorial written by former Code Enforcement Advisory Committee member Paul Hendricks. This editorial appeared in the September 27, 2007, Villager . A brief discussion ensued . IX. Adjournment There being no further business , Member Bleile made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Member Rutherford seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. 4 • • •