CC 11/20/2017 Minutes (Workshop)

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CASSELBERRY CITY COMMISSION Minutes of November 20, 2017 —Workshop Page 2 of 3 • Abatement • Education • Code Officer Daily Activities • Code Compliance Software • Statistical Data • Building Partnerships and Relationships • Commercial Corridor Sweep • Future Plans Discussion: Discussion ensued regarding the topics highlighted by Mr. Campbell, including: • Improvements which have been made in the City over the past year • Specific areas with ongoing code compliance concerns and complaints • Outdoor storage issues • Pending cases before the Special Magistrate • Expectations of additional improvements in the next year • Navigating the City Code in terms of ability to enforce violations • Efforts to get voluntary compliance from citizens • Access to properties with violations • Plan and timeframe for addressing out of date codes and bringing changes to the Commission for consideration • Feasibility of someone specifically to pick up snipe signs in order to free up code enforcement officers and options for addressing snipe signs including a robocall system • Number of citizen complaints vs. officer generated complaints • Education of citizens on what constitutes a violation • Proper closing out of violation cases • Possibility of adding an arborist to staff or utilizing an outside vendor for arbor violations • Issues with changes of ownership while fines are accruing • Chronic and repeat violations • Difference in obtaining compliance between commercial properties and residential properties • The need for clearer, more specific language in the City's Code • Fostering of good relationships with the Police Department and the community, both commercial and residential • Parking enforcement issues and pending ordinance • Options for addressing the issue of boarded up buildings; • Options for getting educational information to the public by utilization of the website, utility bills, social media, citizen workshops, etc. • Challenges for obtaining owner service and compliance on rental homes • Options for enforcing removal of debris and addressing rodent infestation • Being proactive in code enforcement measures and keeping open communication between the Code Enforcement Division and the City Commission for continued improvements and implementation new procedures resulting in a more efficient and less convoluted process. At the request of the Commission, Mr. Newlon advised he would research options for hiring an arborist either as staff or as a contractor. The City Commission expressed appreciation to Mr. Campbell and the