HomeMy WebLinkAbout7B - Report on 2008 Code Enforcement Activity
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA #:
PREPARED BY:
FEBRUARY 17, 2009
78
JESSE CORROW, CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
PRESENTATION: A REPORT ON 2008 CODE ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY
AGENDA ITEM:
DISCUSSION:
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to provide the City Council with information
regarding complaints, code violations, and the code enforcement activity for
the year 2008.
Historv
This report consists of a year-end summary of the total number of complaints
received and code violations identified in order to provide the Council with
insight that may be useful in evaluating current resident concerns and future
regulatory decisions. A great majority of City residents have pride in their
neighborhoods and community. They feel an obligation to maintain a neat
appearance on their respective properties, as well as a concern, that adjoining
properties do the same.
Current Circumstances
The City of Prior Lake received two hundred fifty (250) reported complaints in
2008 for an increase of thirty-three percent (33%) compared to the one
hundred eighty-eight (188) complaints in 2007. Complaints regarding
overgrown grass and weeds topped the list of confirmed code violations with
fifty-five (55). The outdoor storage of junk was second in line with a total of
thirty-four (34), followed by twenty-one (21) violations each for Permit
Violations; Disposal of Garbage & Refuse; and Signage Issues. Other
violations are as follows, Inoperable and Unregistered Vehicles (12), Zoning
District Violations (11) and Public Nuisances (10). It should also be noted that
an additional category was added to the list of violations this year, Unsecured
Vacant Buildings. There were nine (9) instances where a home that was for
sale, foreclosed upon or otherwise abandoned was found to be not secured.
The attached statistics sheet (Exhibit A) begins with the total number of
confirmed complaints received; this number is then broken down and displayed
as code category subtotals. While each inspection may result in addressing
several violations, only the most apparent problem is noted in Exhibit A. As a
result, many more "secondary" violations were addressed last year than
displayed below. Exhibit B is a year to year comparison.
ISSUES:
As of the date of this report, two hundred twenty-four (224) complaint cases
have been closed by either meeting compliance or being deemed invalid. The
remaining twenty-six (26) cases are pending active investigations and/or
Conditional Use Amendments. Several of the pending cases will not be
concluded until spring.
www.cityofpriorlake.com
Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245
Additionally, there are a number of cases that have been referred to the City
Attorney for civil litigation; staff will provide a separate update for these at a
future executive session.
FINANCIAL
IMPACT:
This report identifies the activities associated with code enforcement. With a
total of 250 confirmed complaints in 2008, we have seen our most dynamic
year on record.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City Council has two alternatives:
1. Accept the 2008 code enforcement report.
2. Take no action and provide staff with additional direction.
RECOMMENDED
MOTION:
Alternate #1, a motion and second to approve the year-end code enforcement
report.
Reviewed by: I
~J~--
Frank BOYr/ :~lanager
City of Prior Lake
Code Complaint & Violation Statistics Report
Exhibit A
Total Reported Ordinance Violations for 2008: 250
100 %
a) Overarown Grass & Weeds 55
bl Storaae of Junk (outdoor) 34
cl Permit Violations (buildina. setback. aradina) 21
dl DisDosal of Garbaae & Refuse (outdoor) 21
el Sianaae (oermit. olacement. duration' 21
f) Vehicle Parked in Yard (auto's. recreational) 19
al Riaht Of Wav (blockina street & sidewalk) 19
hl Animal Control (barkina. runnina. waste) 18
j) Parkina Junk Vehicles (outdoor) 12
n Zonina Use Violation (home occuoation. storaae. C.U.P.) 11
kl Public Nuisance (erosion control. oublic welfare. snow) 10
n Unsecured Vacant Buildinas (foreclosed. for sale. etc.) 9
22.0%
13.6%
8.4%
8.4%
8.4%
7.6%
7.6%
7.2%
4.8%
4.4%
4.0%
3.6%
The City received a total of two hundred fifty (250) complaints in the year 2008. This amounts to a thirty-
three percent (33%) complaint activity increase when compared with one hundred and eighty-eight (188)
total complaints in 2007. Of the one two hundred fifty (250) complaints, six (6) violations were referred
to the Joint Scott Prosecution Attorney for court action because of irresponsive action.
Exhibit B
Code Violation Activity
50-
250
IJ 200-
,
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~
~ 150-
'e 100-
=II:
0-
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008