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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8939INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS Issue: To the Mayor and Members of the City Council No. 8939 May 6, 2008 Page 1 of 2 Subject: Update on the Proposed Revisions to Junk Vehicle Ordinance On March 18'h, 2008, City Council received a presentation on proposed changes to the Junk Vehicle Ordinance. On April 15, 2008, Staff was asked to look at best practices from other cities and consider adding additional language that would prohibit a junk vehicle from Being visible from adjacent private property. The current ordinance prohibits junk vehicles from being visible from public rights of way. The purpose of this informal report is to update Council on the staff's review of the initial proposal. Summary: Following the presentation on March 18t', staff posted the recommended changes (Attachment "A °) on the City's website, the City Page and distributed copies to neighborhood associations. As a result of these communications, staff received a number of calls from citizens. Most callers were in favor of the proposed changes or were neutral to the proposal, but wanted additional information. A concern was raised about signature confirmation, how does the Postal Service check the identity of a person who signs for the letter. Staff checked with the Postal Service and found that they require a picture ID issued from a government or other credible source. In addition, staff conducted a best practice survey of other Texas cities. Fort Worth and San Antonio are the only two cities that have adopted definitions that are more inclusive than the State Statute. San Antonio is the only city that has adopted a definition that includes provisions for the consideration of any adjacent privately owned /occupied property in enforcement actions. Staff believes that there is merit in adding language that would make it a violation to have a junk vehicle visible from either the public right of way (current language) or adjacent property (proposed addition to the ordinance revisions). Next steps: Since the private property visibility issue was not part of the initial public review, staff will be posting this recommended change on the City's website, the City Page and it will be distributed to all neighborhood associations. In addition, staff will hold a public reviewfiinput meeting on May 22, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. at 2129 West Broadway. Should you have any questions regarding this matter please contact Brandon Bennett, Acting Code Compliance Department Director at 817 - 392 -6322 or Carl Smart, Acting Assistant City Manager at 817- 392 -6183. Dale A. Fis Ie , P.E. City Manager Attachment ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS Attachment A All alleged junk vehicles cases A public hearing is convened only at the Adopt State Law. are automatically set for a request of a person who received notice of a junk vehicle nuisance. The request hearing before the Municipal Court Hearing Officers. must be made within the 10 day period given on the notice. The junk vehicle definition The junk vehicle definition means a Keep Current Ordinance means a vehicle that does not vehicle that does not have lawfully Language. have lawfully attached to it an attached to it an unexpired license plate unexpired license plate or a valid and a valid motor vehicle inspection motor vehicle inspection certificate, and has been inoperable for certificate, and has been more than thirty 30 days and is inoperable for more than twenty inoperable and visible from the right of (20) days and is inoperable and way. visible from the right of way. The hearing notice is mailed, The notice must be personally delivered, Adopt State Law. certified mail, with a 5 day return sent by certified mail with a five day requested. return requested, or delivered by the United States Postal Service with si nature confirmation service. The definition of an antique The definition of a antique vehicle means Adopt State Law. vehicle means a passenger car a passenger car or truck that is at least or truck that is at least thirty-five twenty -five (25) years old 35 ears old. Dispose of a junk vehicle in Junk vehicle disposal: (a) A junked Adopt State Law. accordance with chapter 683 of vehicle, including a part of a junked the Texas Transportation Code. vehicle, may be removed to a scrap yard, a motor vehicle demolisher, or a suitable site operated by a municipality or county. Visible from the right of way. Visible from the right of way. Adopt a more inclusive definition that prohibits a junk vehicle from being visible from the right of way or adjacent private property.