HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-06-02 PACKET 02.C.REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA
MEETING ITEM #
DATE 6/2/10
PREPARED BY Community Development Howard Blin
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT STAFF AUTHOR
COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST
Presentation by Ben Pierson, Code Enforcement Officer, on vacant and foreclosed properties.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Presentation on vacant and foreclosed properties.
BUDGET IMPLICATION $N /A $N /A N/A
BUDGETED AMOUNT ACTUAL AMOUNT FUNDING SOURCE
ADVISORY COMMISSION ACTION
❑ PLANNING
❑ PUBLIC SAFETY
❑ PUBLIC WORKS
❑ PARKS AND RECREATION
❑ HUMAN SERVICES /RIGHTS
❑ ECONOMIC DEV. AUTHORITY
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
DATE REVIEWED
APPROVED
DENIED
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® MEMO /LETTER: Memo from Ben Pierson dated 5/28/10
❑ RESOLUTION:
❑ ORDINANCE:
❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION:
❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION:
❑ OTHER:
ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS
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14 p y E � A
City Administrator Date
COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: ❑ APPROVED ❑ DENIED OTHER
A MINNESOTA
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator
FROM: Ben Pierson, Code Enforcement Officer
DATE: May 28, 2010
RE: Foreclosure/Vacant Property Report
Introduction
In response to the increased rate of foreclosures in recent years the Community Development
Department has closely monitored vacant and foreclosed properties within the City. The following
summary details foreclosure trends between 2006 and 2009 in the City and county as well as
vacant property monitoring procedures conducted by City staff.
Countywide Foreclosure Data
The City of Cottage Grove has experienced an increased number of foreclosures since 2006. The
number of foreclosures within the City grew steadily from 87 in 2006 to 214 in 2008. The City
experienced a slight drop in 2009 to 186, but this figure still represents a large number of new
foreclosures. Similar trends were experienced by neighboring communities like Woodbury and
throughout the county. In comparison, Cottage Grove experienced a much lower average growth
rate, only 33 percent, in the number of foreclosures between 2006 and 2009 compared with the
County and similar communities like Woodbury. Washington County experienced a growth rate of
62 percent. Similarly, Woodbury experienced an average growth rate of 69 percent.
Year
Cottage Grove
Woodbu
Washington Count
2006
87
91
461
2007
136
Growth
T 56%
189
(Growth 107%
1060
(Growth T 129%
2008
214
(Growth
57% )
256
(Growth T 35 %)
1608
Growth 52%)
2009
186
(Growth
13% )
421
Growth T 64%
1512
(Growth t 6%
In 2008 the Community Development Department began a program of monitoring vacant
properties within the city. This program identifies vacant properties through a number of sources
which includes: utility billing, returned mail, utility shut off notices, and neighbor complaints. Once
the property is identified as possibly vacant City staff visits the property to verify vacancy. If vacant,
the inspector verifies the property to be secure, records any contact information posted at the
property, and adds the property to a list for future monitoring. The property is then monitored every
few months for security, code violations, etc. until it becomes occupied. The number of vacant
properties has fluctuated slightly since this program was implemented, but has consistently been
between 150 and 200 properties. This program has allowed the City has been able to respond
more pro- actively to building and housing violations associated with these properties, in addition to
the completion of various inter - departmental goals.