City Council Minutes 2018 09 04 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Meeting Minutes September 4, 2018 Page 11 of 14 Councilmember Maloney asked about the 1997 Abatement of Dangerous Buildings and why it should be adopted. Chief Building Official Root stated most cities have adopted this. It helps with nuisance problems such as requests from police to deal with hoarder homes or drug production homes. Currently there is little we can do to assist even with a complaint. This Code is a community code proven over time to give criteria what a nuisance property is and what needs to be done to the building. This gives authority to abate the property, board up the windows to keep the nuisance out. Eventually there will be a need to create an abatement fund and have the owners pay for the services completed on the home and have an ability to do a tax lien to pay back the abatement costs. Attorney Light noted prior to 2003 this was in place, but it was repealed it in 2003. This adds the option of an additional remedy through an administrative process to do the work to abate the condition and gives additional options for remedying a situation and seeking reimbursement.. Councilmember Keany asked if the property maintenance code would allow us to address the lack of upkeep on homes; does it give us more leverage. Root stated yes it does give that for items such as weeds and trash and goes hand in hand with the abatement code. Three entities Building Official, Health Department, and Fire Department can instigate something.. Councilmember Keany asked if fire pits are allowed in existing 2012.Code. Root said yes, portable fire places are allowed within certain parameters. Councilmember Keany asked if fire pits were restricted before. Root stated no they have been allowed. Public Comments Marty Frary noted he bought a fire pit 20 years ago and talked to the City and the Fire Department and understood it was legal. Then this June the Fire Department told him it was illegal. This prompted him to speak out for allowing them. Mayor Muckle closed the public hearing. Councilmember Maloney moved to approve Ordinance No. 1764, Series 2018; Councilmember Leh seconded. Muckle asked for discussion of the motion. Councilmember Stolzmann stated she appreciated staff considering local needs in this ordinance and appreciated taking out certain things to meet local needs. Vote: Motion carved by unanimous roll call vote.