HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-01-16 PACKET 04.L.REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA
MEETING ITEM # �
DATE 1/16/08 • .
PREPARED BY: Community Deve�opment Howard Blin
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT S7AFF AUTHOR
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COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST:
Receive code enforcement report.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Receive code enforcement report.
BUDGET IMPLICATION: $N/A
BUDGETED AMOUNT
ADVISORY COMMISSION ACTION:
❑ PLANNING
❑ PUBLIC SAFETY
❑ PUBLIC WORKS
❑ PARKS AND RECREATION
❑ HUMAN SERVICES/RIGHTS
❑ ECONOMIC DEV. AUTHORITY
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SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
DATE
$N/A N/A
ACTUAL AMOUNT FUNDWG SOURCE
REVIEWED
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APPROVED
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DENIED
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� MEMO/LETTER: Memo from Howard Blin dated 1/16/08
❑ RESO�UTION:
❑ ORDINANCE:
❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION:
❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION:
❑ OTHER:
ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS:
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City Administrator `
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Date
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COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: ❑ APPROVED ❑ DENIED �OTHER
CITY OF
MINNESOTA
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
RE:
COTTAGE GROVE
Mayor and Members of the City Council
Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator
Howard Blin, Community Development Director
January 10, 2008
Code Enforcement Report
The following summarizes code enforcement activities for 2007
. New Position. Ben Pierson, the City's first full-time code enforcement inspector
began work in late May 2007.
Complaintsllnspections. 608 property maintenance complaints were acted on in
2007 (this includes complaints received from residents and those generated by
staf�. Responding to these complaints required 1328 inspections during the year, a
41 percent increase over 2006 levels. During 2008, Community Development wili
also take over responsibility for responding to long grass and weed complaints from
Public Works.
Administrative Citations. If after contact by the City, the property owner fails to
correct the code enforcement violation, an administrative citation is issued. In 2007,
40 citations were issued, with 30 cases resolved by year end.
Criminal Citations. If no resolution is achieved through an administrative citation, a
criminal citation is filed by the prosecuting attorney in district court. In 2007 18
criminal citations were filed (17 residential, 1 commercial). Some of these cases
dated back to 2006. At year end, nine criminal cases were resolved and closed with
nine remaining open.
Commercial Inspections. inspection activities focused on achieving compliance
with sign, dumpster enclosure, and open storage requirements. Emphasis was on
informing business owners of code requirements. This involved mailings to business
owners, followed by visits to businesses to explain any necessary actions. This
approach proved successful, with nearly total compliance. Particularly in the area of
temporary signs, business owners reported they were agreeable to removing signs
provided enforcement was applied equally to all business. During 2008 commercial
inspections will focus on landscaping of commercial properties.
Rental Properties. During 2007 staff focused on identifying unlicensed rental
properties. Most of these were single family units, some of which became rental
after mortgage foreclosures. During 2008, the goal will be to inspect each rental
unit.
• Other Activities. Inspections were conducted for the five properties issued muitiple
animal licenses. Staff also referred one property owner to the Grassroots Program,
which links civic groups, such as Boy Scout Troops, with residents unable to fully
maintain their properties.