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City Council Minutes Page 7 <br /> April 3,2017 <br /> ----------------------------- <br /> Chief Cunningham presented the staff report. <br /> Mayor discussed further the issue of one concerned homeowner whom he told he <br /> would bring this item forward for Council discussion. <br /> Councilmember Wagner expressed concerns with the city dictating how someone's <br /> house should look and the amount of staff time involved with implementing more <br /> stringent policy. She suggested leading by example. <br /> Councilmember Ovall concurred. He stated you can't legislate prosperity,this is a <br /> cultural matter. He stated the city should be utilizing its plans (comprehensive, etc.). <br /> He stated this issue reinforces exploring some Housing and Redevelopment <br /> Authority initiatives further. <br /> Councilmember Westgaard concurred. <br /> Councilmember Olsen expressed concerns with allowing chickens (a future <br /> ordinance amendment currently under review) and rental properties,which could <br /> create more code enforcement concerns. <br /> Council consensus is to leave the current ordinance as it stands. <br /> 10.3 Building Permit Process <br /> Chief Cunningham presented the staff report. <br /> Mr. Ruprecht discussed the building process. He stated if someone calls about <br /> current activity at a location, staff will act on the complaint by visiting the site. He <br /> stated it is difficult to act on a past permit violation without any other evidence other <br /> than a complaint. He stated if a homeowner complains about a contractor who did <br /> work incorrectly, and the contractor didn't pull a permit, staff will track down the <br /> contractor. He stated code violations are a misdemeanor. He stated he discussed the <br /> matter with the State and they typically go after the contractor and not a homeowner. <br /> He noted there is a fine line of when you can act on an issue or complaint without <br /> evidence. <br /> Council noted it can be difficult to determine if a building permit is needed if the city <br /> doesn't know what specifically is happening. <br /> Mr. Portner stated a building permit fee is based on the work being completed but <br /> the city doesn't know the work or who the responsible party would be in this <br /> situation. <br /> Mr. Ruprecht noted the property owner has a history of pulling permits. <br /> Chief Cunningham stated the city would be required to show a burden of proof to <br /> get authorization from a judge to access the home. <br /> POWERED 9r <br /> UREJ <br />