HomeMy WebLinkAbout7A 2010 Code Enforcement ActivityCITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: MARCH 7, 2011
AGENDA #: 7A
PREPARED BY: JESSE CORROW, CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
PRESENTED BY: JESSE CORROW
AGENDA ITEM: CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A REPORT ON THE 2010 CODE
ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY
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 2010.
History
In July of 2007, The City of Prior Lake hired its first full time Code
Enforcement Officer and has since implemented a proactive code
enforcement program. The main goal of the program is to enhance the
health, safety and aesthetics of the city. We continue to maximize the
attractiveness of residential and commercial properties by effectively
enforcing the standards and requirements of the City Code. This has been
achieved by both a proactive and complaint driven approach.
A resident can contact the Code Enforcement Officer with a question or
concern and a site visit will be made. If a violation is confirmed at the time of
inspection, the property owner will be notified and given a deadline to make
the correction. When it becomes necessary, a misdemeanor citation may be
issued to a property owner for not achieving compliance within a reasonable
amount of time. A citation requires a property owner to appear at Scott
County District Court, this typically results in a fine and confirmation that the
violation has been corrected.
Another method of enforcement is educating the public of the city
ordinances. There are regular contributions in the Wavelength city
newspaper reminding residents of seasonal or weather related ordinances.
Also, the city's website lists several common code violations and directs
viewers to the document center where the entire City Code can be accessed.
In 2009, the City Council adopted the Property Maintenance Ordinance
(Chapter 609 of the City Code). The purpose of this ordinance is to establish
standards that define the obligations of property owners to maintain the
condition of their property, dwellings and structures on the property and
personal property located on the property. The City Council believed property
and structures that are not maintained are harmful to the general welfare of the
residents in the area and are not conducive to the City's goals as set out in its
2030 Vision and Strategic Plan.
Current Circumstances
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.
The City of Prior Lake has documented two hundred thirty -five (235)
complaints in 2010 which is nearly the same amount when compared to the
two hundred and forty -six (246) complaints in 2009. Complaints regarding
Overgrown Grass And Weeds again topped the list of confirmed code
violations with forty -one (41). Violations involving Unpermitted Work
increased sharply to a total of twenty -eight (28), followed by twenty -seven
(27) violations for the Outdoor Storage of Junk. Other violations are as
follows, Public Nuisances (24), Right Of Way Violations (24), Vehicles
Parked in the Yard Area (19), Unpermitted Commercial Signage (17),
Disposal of Garbage and Refuse (14), Inoperable and Unregistered Vehicles
(12), General Property Maintenance Issues (12), Zoning Use Violations (10)
and Animal Control Issues (7). It should also be noted that staff did not
receive a complaint regarding Unsecured Vacant Buildings in 2010, an issue
that was more prevalent in the past.
The attached Exhibit B is a year to year comparison of complaints from 2008
to 2010.
Conclusion
We continue to work on refining our code enforcement program to be sure we
are responsive and accountable to our customers. In 2011, we will continue to
monitor the City ordinance and will recommend changes as necessary. Staff is
also looking at ways to update our webpage to make it more customer friendly,
and to be sure the information is current and relevant. We have also begun to
utilize the City's intranet system to report and track complaints. This system
allows us to follow the progress of a complaint on -line.
ISSUES: As of the date of this report, 225 complaint cases have been closed. Fourteen
of the 225 were deemed invalid after inspection and review; the remaining 201
violations were corrected and are in compliance. The remaining ten (10)
cases are pending active investigations and /or Conditional Use Permits.
Several of the pending cases will not be concluded until spring.
During the summer of 2010, it became increasingly evident that road right -of-
way areas throughout the city were being used for commercial and non-
commercial advertisement. Signs of all types (private contractor, open house,
realty, election, garage sale, etc.) were being displayed in the ditches and
along the roadways. This type of activity is restricted by City Ordinance as well
as State Statute. As a result, staff took an aggressive approach in removing
hundreds of signs from the road right -of -way and delivered them to a
designated storage bin at the city's maintenance center. Signs were available
to be picked up by the owner for a 14 day period, beyond this time they are
discarded. The Sign Ordinance is currently under review to clarify the proper
location of these temporary signs; however, staff plans to continue removing
signs located in the right -of -way area in order to keep the roadways free for
pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Undoubtedly the city council will receive
communications from time to time as a result.
FINANCIAL There is no financial impact as a result of this report.
IMPACT:
ALTERNATIVES: The City Council has two alternatives:
1. Accept the code enforcement year -end report by motion and second
following the presentation and any discussion the council may desire.
2. Provide the staff with additional direction.
RECOMMENDED A motion and second to approve the year -end code enforcement report.
MOTION: 1�
Frank Boyt6s, ¢ity /panager
EXHIBIT A
City of Prior Lake
Code Complaint & Violation Statistics Report
Total Reported Ordinance Violations for 2010:
a) Overgrown Grass & Weeds
235
41
100 %
17.4%
Other Activity
0 Citations Issued: 8
0 Contracted Jobs: 9
0 Sidewalk Notices (snow): 26
0 ROW Signs Collected: undetermined
b) Permit Violations (building, setback, grading) 28 11.9%
c) Storage of Junk (outdoor) 27 11.5%
d) Public Nuisance (erosion control, public welfare, snow) 24 10.2%
e) Right Of Way (blocking street & sidewalk) 24 10.2%
f) Vehicle Parked in Yard (auto's, recreational) 19 8.1%
g) Signage (permit, placement, duration) 17 7.2%
h) Disposal of Garbage & Refuse (outdoor) 14 6.0%
i) Parking Junk Vehicles (outdoor) 12 5.1%
j) Property Maintenance (siding, firewood, brush, etc.) 12 5.1%
k) Zoning Use Violation (home occupation, storage, C.U.P.) 10 4.3%
1) Animal Control (barking, running, waste) 7 3.0%
The City confirmed a total of two hundred thirty -five (235) violations in the year 2010. This amounts to roughly a four percent (4 %)
violation activity decrease when compared with two forty -six (246) total violations in 2009. Of the two hundred thirty -five (235)
violations, eight (8) were referred to the Joint Scott Prosecution Attorney for court action because of irresponsive action, and nine (9) of
the violations resulted in staff hiring a third party contractor to correct the problem. Additionally, there were twenty -six (26) residents
reminded to clear the snow from their sidewalk and an undetermined amount of illegally placed signs removed from the road right -of-
way.
EXHIBIT B
Violation Comparison 2008 -2010
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Violation Catagories
A Report On The 2010 A Report On The 2010
Code Enforcement Activity Code Enforcement Activity
City Of Prior Lake
March 7, 2011
Proactive Code Proactive Code
Enforcement Program Enforcement Program
• Non - complaint Enforcement
– Blatant and obvious violations
– Neighborhood sweeps
– Inter - department observations
• Education and Outreach
– Commitment to respond to all questions and concerns
– “Knowing The Code” (Wavelength)
– Webpage describing common violations
Wavelength Reminders Wavelength Reminders
Webpage Webpage
• Philosophy of the Enforcement Program
• Common Code Violations and Requirements
– Junk and Junk Vehicles
– Garbage Receptacles and Refuse
– Grass and Weeds
– Parking Requirements
– Pet Nuisances
– Rec. Equipment and Storage
– Signage
– Fences and Retaining walls
– Erosion Control
Website Information Website Information
Unlawful Storage of Junk Unlawful Storage of Junk
Junk Vehicles Junk Vehicles
Grass & Weeds Grass & Weeds
Undeveloped Lots
Foreclosed Properties
Private Residences
Right Of Ways
Building Without Permit Building Without Permit
Recreational Equipment Recreational Equipment
Boats and Trailers
Snowmobiles and Jet skis
Fish Houses
Right Right - - Of Of - - Way Way
Parking Requirements Parking Requirements
Erosion Contro Erosion Contro l l
Pet Nuisances Pet Nuisances
Unlicensed
Unrestrained
Waste Removal
Excessive Barking
Enforcement Procedure Enforcement Procedure
• Initial Inspection
• Initial Warning
• Follow up Inspection
• Final Warning
• Final Inspection
• Court Action
Staff will attempt to talk with the property owner as opposed to a written notice.
If progress toward compliance is being made or the owner has reason for an
extension, one will be given. Our ultimate goal is compliance, not punishment.
Challenges Challenges
• Legal Process
• Educating the Public
• Maintaining a positive image of the city while enforcing
ordinance standards
• Motivate citizens to take pride in their property and the
community
Code Violation Activity Code Violation Activity
250
200
150
100
50
0
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Code Violation Statistics Code Violation Statistics
Total Reported Ordinance Violations for 2010:
a) Overgrown Grass & Weeds
41 17.4%
b) Permit Violations (
building, setback, grading)
28 11.9%
c) Storage of Junk 27 11.5%
(outdoor)
d) Public Nuisance 24 10.2%
(erosion control, public welfare, snow)
e) Right Of Way 10.2%
(blocking street & sidewalk)
24
f) Vehicle Parked in Yard
(auto’s, recreational)
19 8.1%
g) Signage
(permit, placement, duration)
17 7.2%
h) Disposal of Garbage & Refuse 14 6.0%
(outdoor)
i) Parking Junk Vehicles 12 5.1%
(outdoor)
j) Property Maintenance
(siding, firewood, brush, etc.)
10 5.1%
k) Zoning Use Violation
(home occupation, storage, C.U.P.)
10 4.3%
l) Animal Control 7 3.0%
(barking, running, waste)
Other Activity
Citations Issued: 8
Contracted Jobs:
9
Sidewalk Notices (snow):
26
ROW Signs Collected: undetermined
Violation Comparison Violation Comparison
Jesse Corrow,
Code Enforcement Officer
Office: (952) 447.9811
Email: jcorrow@cityofpriorlake.com