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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987/08/11-Agenda-Pre-Council F PRE-COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 11, 1987 J PRE-COUNCIL CHAMBER Q' of � ABSENT: Councilmen William Garrison, Russell Lancaster, and Louis Z ITEMS 1. REVIEW OF CODE ENFORCTMENT ACTIVITIES - TOM DAVIS, ACTING CITY SERVICES DIRECTOR Tom Davis, Acting City Services Director, briefed Council on activities of the code enforcement division. Using slides, Mr. Davis provided examples of a number of code violations including overgrown weeds, trash and debris, tires, illegal animals, and front yard parking. Mr. Davis stated that weed complaints are the biggest problem area for the division. This year there have been 54,633 complaints, and fifty percent of the cases involve repeat offenders. Enforcement of weed violations has been hampered by the inability of two of the city's three contractors to fulfill contract requirements. The two contractors, however, have now been replaced. Councilman Williams asked Mr. Davis to explain how weed cutting contractors are selected. Mr. Davis indicated that contractors are requested to submit bids which specify the mowing costs per lot. The lowest bidder receives the contract providing all bid specifications and requirements have been met. Mayor Bolen asked how long it takes the division to resolve a weed complaint. Mr. Davis indicated that if a complaint is not rectified by the property owner, it normally takes four to six weeks for the contractors to cut the weeds. In response to a question from Councilman Williams about how the inspectors operate within the city, Mr. Davis indicated that the city is divided into sections, with each section assigned inspectors. The inspectors attempt to note nearby problem areas when responding to a complaint. Councilwoman Webber questioned Mr. Davis about weed problems on city property. Mr. Davis indicated that the Park and Recreation Department is responsible for mowing city lots. The second largest category of complaints is trash and debris. There have been 6,730 complaints this year. Mr. Davis explained that the code enforcement division usually resolves trash and debris complaints by having Council declare the property a public nuisance. Councilman Williams asked Mr. Davis if contractors are responsible for cleaning up building debris. He responded that the contractor is responsible for clean up and that the city provides a monthly bulky waste collection. Councilwoman Webber asked Mr. Davis if building contractors are told they must clean up trash and debris at the time building permits are issued. He indicated that to his knowledge they are not told they must clean up building sites. Front yard parking is the third major category of complaints with 6,062 this year. The code enforcement division is examining ways to facilitate dealing with this problem. With 5,026 complaints this year, junk cars comprise the fourth largest category. Mr. Davis indicated that to date no cars have been removed through the junk car ordinance. The City Services Department is considering an arrangement with a private foundation to remove and sell the junk cars. Substandard buildings is the fifth largest category of complaints with 2,015 complaints this year. In past meetings Council has acknowledged the problem of substandard housing and its relation to crime in low-income neighborhoods. Efforts to speed the process by which sub-standard houses are demolished are now being considered. Another major problem with which the city services department must contend is illegal dumping. Mosier Valley Road, which Council viewed on a recent bus tour, is a particularly bad area. Mr. Davis indicated that the dumping problem is worsened by the fact that many of the surrounding cities do not offer bulky waste pick-up. The city may seek joint waste disposal arrangements with neighboring communities to help defray the costs of providing dumping alternatives. City Manager Harman suggested that the key to solving the illegal dumping problem is to make legal dumping sites more convenient and less expensive. Disposal of tires compounds the dumping problem and the city may look toward more shredding in the future as a cost-effective means of elimination. One of the final problem areas for code enforcement is illegal businesses in residential areas. Councilman Williams asked Mr. Davis to explain how the division deals with illegal businesses. Mr. Davis indicated that usually the people involved are cited and that sometimes an injunction is issued. Councilman Williams then asked if sticter laws would make enforcement easier, and Wade Adkins, City Attorney, stated that we have strict ordinances but we lack the personnel to adequately enforce them. In a final question, Councilman Vance asked about the status of a Rental Inspection Committee. Mr. Harman indicated that further action in forming a committee would depend on Council 's commitment with regard to associated costs of increased court cases and more prosecutors. 2. LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY - JIM WILSON, LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS COORDINATOR Delayed one week. 3. PRESENTATION OF PROPOSED 1987-88 BUDGET - DOUGLAS HARMAN, CITY MANAGER Charles Boswell, Management Services Director, presented Council with highlights of the proposed 1987-88 city budget. He stated that property taxes account for a larger portion of total revenues than in the current fiscal year, and that no funds will be transferred from the city's reserves. Mr. Boswell also indicated that the proposed budget is historic in that it represents the first time total nominal dollars are less than the preceeding year. Councilman Williams asked if the proposed 87-88 budget contains a raise for employees. Mr. Boswell indicated that the budget does not contain funds for raises except for those employees whose employment anniversary falls within the last three months of this fiscal year. t Mr. Boswell stated that the proposed budget eliminates 116 general fund positions and 7 other positions for a total of 123 eliminated positions. Another major reduction is in the rate at which city vehicles are replaced. City Manager Harman cautioned Council to consider the longterm impact of the reduced vehicle replacement schedule on the city's ability to provide quality services. Further discussion of the proposed 1987-88 city budget was postponed until the afternoon budget workshop. 4. QUESTIONS/ANSWERS CONCERNING CURRENT AGENDA ITEMS - DOUGALS HARMAN, CITY MANAGER None.