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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000 02 28 Regular B Additional Code Enforcement Staff Position COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM B Consent Informational Pu blie Hearing Regular X February 28. 2000 Meeting M(--: ~t Authorization REQUEST: The Community Development Department-Code Enforcement Division requests the City Commission review information relative to the need for one additional code enforcement staff position and to determine alternate funding options. PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is to request the City Commission review the need for the addition of a code enforcement staff position and to determine how it would desire to fund the position. CONSIDERATIONS: In order to accomplish certain community goals, such as upholding property values, ensuring safe construction, and protecting the environment, the city must maintain an active code enforcement program. This means going beyond the complaint-driven enforcement to a proactive comprehensive approach to code enforcement. Staff is involved in the drafting of ordinances, the development of land use policies and programs, and the implementation of alternative code enforcement methods. The addition of a code enforcement inspector is a necessary part of a pro-active code enforcement program. Previously, the code enforcement division was part of the police department and was primarily a reactive program. The police department handled the prosecution of city code violations. Since the code enforcement division has been under the Community Development Department, many changes have been made. These changes are outlined in Attachment A. In October of 1999, the City Commission instructed staff to present information on the current status of the division to justify the addition of one code inspector position. FEBRUARY 28, 2000 REGULAR AGENDA ITEM B Page 2 Because of the expanded role of the Code Enforcement Manager and the specialized duties of the ArboristlEnvironmental Inspector, it is necessary to add an additional staff person. The position would be responsible for the regular day to day inspections within the City to identify code violations, to reinspect outstanding violations and to respond to citizens complaints. This staff person will be available on the weekend and will work flexible hours, so that if necessary, inspections can be done in the evening. Having a code inspector available on the weekends will take some responsibility off the police department, which currently handles complaints during the weekends. FUNDING: The position of Code Inspector is currently at a Pay Grade 21, with a salary range of $23,346 to $33,852. At the base salary, FICA would be $1,786, pension would be $1,868 and insurance would be $2,193. There would be a cost for uniform shirts, continuing education and training and the additional costs for vehicle operation. A used police vehicle can be acquired for approximately $8,000. Salary for six months Benefits for six months Subtotal $12,500.00 2.924.00 $15,424.00 Vehicle cost $ 8.000.00 $23,424.00 Total STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the following: 1. That the Commission determine if an additional Code Enforcement Officer is needed to fulfill it's expectations relative to Code Enforcement. 2. If so, does the Commission desire to fund the position through a supplemental appropriation of $23,000 for the balance of the year, or consider the position in the fiscal year 2001 budget? ATTACHMENTS: A. Proposal and justification for additional code enforcement personnel COMMISSION ACTION: . ATTACHMENT A PROPOSAL AND JUSTIFICATION FOR ADDITIONAL CODE ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL NEED FOR PROACTIVE CODE ENFORCEMENT: In order to accomplish certain community goals, such as upholding property values, ensuring safe construction, and protecting the environment, we must maintain an active code enforcement program. This means going beyond the complaint-driven division to a more comprehensive approach to code enforcement. This division must be involved in the drafting of ordinances, the development of land use policies and programs, and the implementation of alternate code enforcement methods. The addition of a code enforcement inspector is a necessary part of a pro-active division. CHANGES TO THE CODE ENFORCEMENT DIViSION: ORGANIZATION: Previously, the code enforcement division was a part of the police department and was primarily a reactive program. The administration of the police department handled much of the prosecution of city code violations, instead of the code enforcement officer. Since the code enforcement division has been under the Community Development Department, many changes have been made. INVOLVEMENT WITH OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES: The Division: . Provides training to new police officers in citation writing and city code violations. . Handles violations for the Public Works Department, Utilities Department and the Building Division; . Works closely with stormwater and engineering to ensure compliance with approved site plans. . Utilizes other agencies to achieve compliance, such as Seminole County Hazardous Waste, Department of Environmental Protection, St. John's River Water Management District, Department of Health, Division of Family Services, and neighboring municipalities. ADDITIONAL RESPONSffiILITIES: Code Enforcement staff: . Sits on the Design Review Committee and as such, is responsible for reviewing and approving all landscape plans for new development. 2 . Works with landscape architects individually to develop a plan that meets or exceeds code requirements. These consultations are in addition to the regularly scheduled D.R.C. meetings. . Meets with contractors during pre-construction meetings to educate them on tree protection during construction. · Conducts site inspections during the construction process to ensure tree protection. · Performs final inspections on all construction to ensure compliance with landscape and tree replacement requirements. . Provides additional inspections and collaboration with builders and owners to give direction for replacement of plant materials. · Develops a Green Plan for the city, which will be presented annually to the City Commission, which will give an assessment of the city's trees and a recommendation for new plantings. · Prepares and conducts training classes for city tree crews in pruning, fertilizing and planting. · Develops a standard for rights-of-way clearance pruning. . Implements a program to inspect and assess the condition of our trees. . Negotiates with builders and developers for tree compensation. · Advises residents on tree selection and planting when they request a tree removal permit. . Drafts new ordinances and revises existing ones. We have revised the arbor ordinance several times, the commercial vehicle ordinance, animal ordinances, fence ordinances, garage sale ordinances, and have been instructed to revise the sign ordinance, the noise ordinance and billboard regulation. · Certified as an operator of a Sound Pressure Level meter. (for noise levels) . Acts as a trouble-shooter for many problems that residents experience. Often, we bring these issues to the Commission on behalf of a resident, which requires an agenda item. . Develops cases for the Code Enforcement Board and for County Court. Negotiates "plea bargains" with defendants to avoid costly litigation. Appears in County Court as "prosecutor" of civil violations. Subpoenas witnesses, cross-examines witnesses and presents evidence as part of the hearing process. . Is responsible for monitoring "defendants" during court-ordered community service penalties. · Drafts and presents Petitions for Inspection Warrants to the County Judge, and executes these warrants, prepares all Motions, Petitions for Judgements, Liens and other legal documents without utilizing legal staff . The Code Enforcement Manager is also responsible for hiring, training, and supervising staff, creating and maintaining the budget, and maintaining the vehicles assigned to this division. Continued education is required to maintain certifica~~<?n in the Florida Association of Code Enforcement, the standard recognized by the State of. ..._,___._. Florida for code enforcement professionals, which means classes and testing throughout the year. 3 · Organizes community-based "clean-up and green-up" programs, using funds that were awarded to us after an environmental case that we prosecuted resulted in criminal proceedings. . Plays an active role with neighborhood groups and speaks at their meetings. . Is active in the B.O.W.S. board in an advisory capacity. CHANGES IN CASE LOAD In October of 1997, this division handled 37 cases. By March of 1998, this number increased to 244, mostly inspector-generated cases. Because of the increased amount of administrative work we have been required to do, our code enforcement cases have been only complaint-driven. In September of 1999, we handled 42 cases. In the month of October of 1999, we received 67 complaints and 35 of these were still not addressed by November 1. When the Code Enforcement Manager was on vacation, we had a backlog of over 150 complaints to address. It took over 3 months to address these complaints. During the first week in November, the Arborist attended classes in Orlando as part of his job requirement and the Code Enforcement Manager did the arbor inspections. This created another backlog of code enforcement complaints. As of February 1,2000, we have 140 unanswered complaints. This only applies to those cases called in by residents. We have not been able to be proactive in generating violations. NEED FOR ADDITIONAL STAFF Because of the expanded role of the Code Enforcement Manager and the specialized duties of the Arborist, it is necessary to add an additional staff person to this division. We need to have a Code Enforcement Officer working for this division full-time. I propose that this position be responsible for the regular inspection of our City to identify code violations, to reinspect outstanding violations and to respond to citizens complaints. This staff person should be available for at least one full day on the weekend, and be allowed to have flexibility in regard to hours, so that if necessary, inspections can be done in the evening. Having a code inspector available on the weekend would take some responsibility off the police department, which currently handles complaints during the weekends. We have not enforced many commercial vehicle violations, primarily since the violations occur after our normal working hours. A proactive code enforcement program can help reduce the likelihood that properties with minor code violations will contribute to a neighborhood becoming worse. Neglected property allowed to remain in poor condition is a signal to the community that no one cares. Sociologists agree that disorder and crime are inextricably linked with the physical environment at the community level. A reactive program cannot prevent the deterioration of a neighborhood. 4 Currently, because of the increased administrative duties outlined above, the Code Enforcement Division is reactive only. We need to be consistent and proactive in order to provide the kind of service this city desires. The addition of a code enforcement officer/inspector is necessary to achieve this goal. With the great increase in case load, the additional responsibilities, and the increased amount of administrative work for the Code Enforcement Manager as outlined above, this Division can continue to be reactive in its enforcement efforts without an additional inspector.