HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 9063INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9063
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
�T *"� Page 1 of 2
i
x SUBJECT: SUBSTANDARD MOTELS /HOTELS UPDATE
Issue:
At the May 12, 2009, City Council meeting, City Council requested an update on the substandard
hotel/motel project including action taken and action planned.
History:
Systematic inspections of motels /hotels were eliminated in 2007 as a cost savings measure. It
was replaced with a complaint based system; however, citizen /tenant concerns have been under
reported based on recent observations from Code Compliance, Police and Fire Department staff.
As part of the City's consolidation of several departments in 2008, the Consumer Health Division
was transferred to the Code Compliance Department. As part of the reorganization, the Code
Compliance Department identified a number of service modifications that would result in a higher
level of service to the community.
The Department created a consolidated response team to address substandard (building codes)
and unsanitary (health codes) hotels /motels. The consolidated response team conducted
inspections in late 2008 and early 2009 and found a large number of violations at 17 facilities.
The City Council received an update on these findings at the May 12, 2009, Pre - Council Meeting.
Facts and Findings:
The Best Budget Suites at 8401 West IH30 was identified as the highest risk. This
property was taken before the Building Standards Commission on May 18". The property
owner, through his attorney, entered into an agreement as follows:
• There are three buildings on the property. One building was 70% rehabilitated. The
owner must complete the additional 30% before May 31st. They can place up to 20
tenants in the rehabilitated rooms that have new mattresses, carpet, etc.
• The second building must be rehabilitated by June 30th and the third within 180 days.
• If the owners fails to meet these time lines, places tenants in rooms that are not 100%
up to code or otherwise does not follow the terms of this agreement, they must
immediately vacate all rooms until the facility is 100% rehabilitated.
2. Two additional facilities will be addressed at the Building Standards Commission in July,
and additional facilities be addressed to this commission if the owners fail to correct
violations in a timely fashion.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9063
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
Page 2 of 2
SUBJECT: SUBSTANDARD MOTELS /HOTELS UPDATE
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3. Staff from the Law and Code Compliance Departments met to review current law and how
best to apply it to the remaining 16 facilities. Over time, the various nuisance statutes and
ordinances have been developed based on operational units and similar activities, e.g.,
crime is specifically addressed under Chapter 125, buildings under Chapter 54, etc. Under
these laws, there is no, or very little, consideration for consolidating all violations into a
single legal process, e.g., separate lawsuits must be filed for the different violations.
Based on this information, the Law Department is looking at ways to more efficiently and
effectively apply regulations when different departments and violations are involved.
Additional meetings have been scheduled and staff will report back to Council as viable
solutions are developed.
4. Staff is moving forward in the interim by applying laws and procedures already in place.
The Police Department is compiling crime statistics and the Fire Department is compiling
response data for these facilities. This data will be consolidated with building and health
data and an action plan will be developed for each facility.
5. Code Compliance staff is working with the Law Department on the development of several
facility wide inspection warrants to inspect every room /building at the high risk
hotels /motels. Historically, inspections were limited to the vacant rooms, and vacant
rooms are only known to the owner /manager. Inspection warrants will allow staff to
provide a comprehensive assessment of the entire facility in order to build better
compliance /action plans.
6. Code Compliance is prepared to close all rooms that do not meet minimum standards and
implement legal proceedings should the owners fail to abide by the closure order and /or do
not initiate immediate corrective action. The Department is working closely with
Community Relations, health outreach professionals and other agencies to relocate
residents who are currently living in units that are substandard.
7. The Code Compliance Department will be taking a zero tolerance approach to all health,
welfare and safety violations.
All high risk facilities will be re- inspected in early
findings and action taken. For further information,
Compliance Direct7E. 392 -6322.
ale A. F1s r, P.
City Man
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
June. Staff will update City Council on the
please contact Brandon Scott Bennett, Cate
FORT WORTH, TEXAS