Presentation on Property Maintenance Pilot Program
The Stillwater City Council held a work session at the Monday, Sept. 26 2011, meeting. Two items were discussed.
Property Maintenance Pilot Program
External Services Director John McClenny gave a review of the Property Maintenance pilot program. (View the PowerPoint presentation above.) He explained that the pilot program targeted the Westwood Neighborhood and was designed to gather data about the effectiveness of ticketing and to determine resources for citywide implementation.
He said that the ticketing mechanism worked and that ¾ of nuisance violations could be addressed by the ticketing process. He explained that this code enforcement program was designed more like the Stillwater Police Department’s parking ticket system.
McClenny also said the program benefited from the public information component. For example, OSU student renters were responsive to correcting code violations once they understood there was a problem.
He explained that the ticketing nuisances should be separate from the abatement/condemnation procedure. And he would like the ticketing process moved under SPD. City Manager Dan Galloway said that the move of code enforcement to SPD wouldn’t take resources from SPD. There are vacant positions that would be moved to SPD to cover this program.
McClenny asked Council for a consensus on direction, support for future ordinance changes and future financial commitment on abatement/condemnation.
Councilors Weaver and Hopkins said they have heard about the improved appearance in the Westwood Neighborhood from several residents.
Councilor Bartley commented that the code enforcement’s goal is to get grass cut—not collect fees. McClenny said during the pilot program all but three residents corrected the code problem without paying fines.
Mayor Bates asked about using newer technologies to help with code violations and Galloway said that was being investigated.
Councilor Scott said he wanted to make sure people’s privacy was not compromised by this process.
Parkins Ordinance Draft
McClenny asked Council for a consensus on direction, support for future ordinance changes and future financial commitment on abatement/condemnation.
Councilors Weaver and Hopkins said they have heard about the improved appearance in the Westwood Neighborhood from several residents.
Councilor Bartley commented that the code enforcement’s goal is to get grass cut—not collect fees. McClenny said during the pilot program all but three residents corrected the code problem without paying fines.
Mayor Bates asked about using newer technologies to help with code violations and Galloway said that was being investigated.
Councilor Scott said he wanted to make sure people’s privacy was not compromised by this process.
Parkins Ordinance Draft
The second discussion of the evening concerned a draft “parking surface (‘parking in yards’)" ordinance.
City Attorney John Dorman asked for direction concerning drafting a new parking ordinance. He explained that this is different from City Ordinance 3148, which affects Westwood only. This one addresses parking on nonpervious surfaces. There are questions concerning fees, permits and types of zoning to be included.
Everyone agreed that any parking ordinance should not be effective until Jan. 1, 2012. The Council asked for an ordinance to be drafted and a public hearing on Oct. 17.
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Next Meeting: Monday, October 3, 2011, at 5:30 p.m., Council Hearing Room. Broadcast on City of Stillwater TV on Suddenlink channel 23. Click here for agendas.
Recap by Sherry Fletcher, Marketing and Public Relations
City Attorney John Dorman asked for direction concerning drafting a new parking ordinance. He explained that this is different from City Ordinance 3148, which affects Westwood only. This one addresses parking on nonpervious surfaces. There are questions concerning fees, permits and types of zoning to be included.
Everyone agreed that any parking ordinance should not be effective until Jan. 1, 2012. The Council asked for an ordinance to be drafted and a public hearing on Oct. 17.
Next Meeting: Monday, October 3, 2011, at 5:30 p.m., Council Hearing Room. Broadcast on City of Stillwater TV on Suddenlink channel 23. Click here for agendas.
Recap by Sherry Fletcher, Marketing and Public Relations
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