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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-01-17 CEAC MINUTES• • • I. II. City of Englewood Code Enforcement Advisory Committee Minutes of January 17, 2007 Call to Order Chair Dooley Gehr called the regular meeting of the Englewood Code Enforcement Advisory Committee {CEAC) to order at 6:31 p.m. Roll Call Members Present: Chair Dooley Gehr, Co-Chair Chris Hoagland, Marjorie Becker, Paul Hendricks, and Marty Mosman. Members Absent: Brian Bleile. A quorum of the Committee was present. Ex-Officio Members Present: Council Liaisons Laurett Barrentine and Jim Woodward, and City Staff Liaisons Mike Flaherty and Sergeant Gary Condreay. Guest: City Council Member Bob Mccaslin . Approval of Minutes Chair Gehr asked for corrections to the minutes of the November 15, 2006 Code Enforcement Advisory Committee meeting. There were none. A motion to approve these minutes as distributed was made by Member Hoagland and seconded by Member Mosman . The minutes were unanimously approved. Because of the holidays, there was no meeting in December. Ill. Open Public Forum No Open Public Forum was held. IV. Unfinished Business There was no unfinished business. V. New Business A. Update on Dog Ordinance A Public Hearing is scheduled at the Council Meeting on February 5th to gather input on Council Bill No. 3, amending the Englewood Municipal Code relating to vicious dogs and cats . The Second Reading will occur at the Council Meeting on February 20th . 1 This Public Hearing has been announced on the home page of the City web site under 'What's New.' It is officially posted in the Englewood Herald . And an article will also run in the Englewood Herald this week or next. In addition, a number of dog organizations have sent broadcast e-mails not only throughout Englewood but throughout the entire country. So most people who have an interest in dogs are probably aware of this Public Hearing. The tethering of dogs was discussed, and the following comments were made: • A 4 foot tether is short and should be lengthened to 6 to 8 feet. • A tether should not allow the dog to come within 4 to 6 feet of a property line. This allows for mail delivery and prevents a dog from digging under a fence. • A tether of 4 feet would be appropriate for a dog tethered outside a retail establishment. • Is or should tethering be allowed in public rights-of-way such as sidewalks or parks? • A dog should not be tethered more than one hour at a time. • Does the ordinance state that with a tether longer than 4 feet, a dog can be tethered any length of time? • It was suggested that a definition of tethering be included under the definitions section of the ordinance. • In 7-1A-10 (A and H}, the language states it is unlawful for a person to own or harbor a vicious animal, yet one vicious animal may be permitted . Discussion ensued on what this means and creating laws which are clearly stated. • A vicious animal should be easily identifiable with a prominent identifier on the dog and with signage on the yard. B. Final Trailer Ordinance Council Bill No. 2, as amended, is scheduled for second reading at the Council Meeting on February S1h to clarify the Englewood Municipal Code regarding the type of trailers that may be stored. Council Liaison Woodward advised this ordinance states that a 3,500 pound trailer can be stored in side yards and a 5,000 pound trailer can be stored in back yards on a hard surface with a back yard screen. Discussion ensued on the UDC, trailer storage on corner lots, and the impact this has on adjoining properties -often putting neighbors at odds. This led to a discussion on what is legally stored in side yards such as construction equipment, boats, and multiple vehicles. 2 • • • • • VI. • C. Final Graffiti Ordinance Council Bill No. 51, approving amendment of the Englewood Municipal Code on Graffiti Abatement was approved on Second Reading at the City Council Meeting on January 8 1h. This ordinance becomes effective 30 days after Second Reading. Council Liaison Woodward advised that this ordinance decreased the time limit for removal of graffiti from 21 days to 1 6 days. D. Update on Foreclosures as related to Code Enforcement The following issues relating to foreclosed properties were brought up: • The City has no control over lending practices; however, state legislation is being moved forward to protect citizens from unscrupulous lending practices . • What does the City do with a foreclosed property? E. Miscellaneous Topics i. Contributions to Council by the Code Enforcement Advisory Committee Chair Gehr discussed contributions made by or involvement of the Code Enforcement Advisory Committee and suggested the Committee could do more in an advisory capacity to assist City Council if given the opportunity. He would like to see increased interaction between Council and the Committee. Discussion included the possibility of providing copies of Council Requests to members of the Committee to improve communication. ii. Code Enforcement Efforts The Committee discussed the efficacy of code enforcement: enforceability of ordinances, the limitations of only four code officers in covering the entire City of Englewood , and the ability of the officers to be more proactive. iii. Update on Code Trak Sergeant Condreay advised that the Code Trak program has been enhanced, and problems found during testing and downloading seem to be resolved. Code Trak is real close to being up and operational. Code Enforcement Monthly Activity Report Sergeant Condreay presented the December Code Enforcement Activity Report which focused on snow issues, animal control, and graffiti. 3 Chair Gehr reported that graffiti still needs to be removed from utility poles on the north side of Flood Middle School off the on-ramp going east onto Hamden from Broadway; bla c k spray paint on the silver poles has been there almost a year. Also an attempt has been made to remove graffiti on the house across from Flood Middle School on the w e st side of Broadway. Sergeant Condreay has a list of 7 47 graffiti cases that Code Enforcement worked last y ear - some of which covers several blocks. Recently two kids , caught on surveillance camera tagging Table Steaks , were identified, arrested , and charged with felonies ; the cost of damages that night was $2,000. Sergeant Condreay also reported that the network of surrounding jurisdictions has worked together for the last 6 to 12 months in an effort to crack down on incidents of graffiti . VII. Topics for Next Meeting Members of the Code Enforcement Advisory Committee would like to address the following topics at the February 21 st meeting. • Nuisance abatement. • Code Enforcement public awareness communication on the new teen drug of choice -aerosol spray . • Coordination of volunteers to assist with graffiti abatement. • Coordination of volunteers to assist people who need help with lawn mowing, snow shoveling, etc. • Code Enforcement presence at the Canine Corral to monitor and educate. VIII. Adjournment Member Hoagland made a motion to adjourn the meeting; this was seconded by Member Mosman. There being no opposition, the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:34 p.m. Submitted by ct~YiA. )6 ~ 4 • • •