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3. Amend the city's sidewalk plowing policy to clear more or different sidewalks <br />throughout the city. This will impact city financial resources and may require a tax <br />increase depending on the amount of change made. Staff supports this if maintaining <br />sidewalks is deemed a high priority. <br />4. Amend the abatement procedure. As noted above, the current abatement procedure <br />requires 14 days for the property owner to complete the work from the date of a <br />certified notice before the city may take action. Staff has struggled with this because <br />by the time a resident complains their frustration has reached a high level. And <br />forcing them to wait another 14 days just adds to that level. On the other side, a <br />complaint we frequently receive is that they first heard of their potential violation via <br />a `harsh' certified letter. A solution to both problems is to amend the process, giving <br />people 7-10 days after the certified letter, but a certified letter is the second letter <br />sent, after a friendlier warning letter is sent. It should be noted that in all cases, <br />except nuisance abatement cases, two letters are sent. <br />5. Maintain the current nuisance abatement process. <br />Impact to the Vision <br />One of the components identified by the Visioning Committee was the question of <br />consistent application of code enforcement. This should not be interpreted to never change <br />policy or ordinance, but rather, very carefully consider the "why" in amending the policy or <br />ordinance. <br />The city is in the third year of code enforcement and in that time the vast majority of <br />residents have completed the work. Predominantly, the properties that were abated were <br />vacant. This point was added because it seems to point out that the system generally works <br />toward compliance. <br />Further, staffs professional recommendation has been to avoid major departures from <br />established policies or ordinances based on relatively minor (in number) complaints. If <br />changes to policy axe appropriate, it is suggested further study precede an amendment. <br />Staff does not suggest any changes to the nuisance ordinance but is seeking further dixection <br />from Council on reviewing changes to the code enforcement process. <br />Attachment <br />Map of properties that received letters and properties that were abated. <br />Map of routes affected by Option 1 (noted above). <br />Map of sidewalks removed from city plowing as approved by City Council on <br />October 12, 2009. <br />C:\UsersMallard\Desktop\Sidewalk Ord Mem.doc <br />