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CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
CODE ENFORCEMENT
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1225 MAIN STREET
SEBASTIAN
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2002- 6:00 PM
Mayor Barnes called the workshop to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
City Council Present:
Mayor Walter Barnes
Vice-Mayor James Hill
Mr. Ray Coniglio
City Council Absent
Mr. Joe Barczyk (excused)
Mr. Edward J. Majcher, Jr. (excused)
Staff Present:
City Manager, Terrence Moore
City Attorney, Rich Stringer
City Clerk, Sally Maio
Deputy City Clerk, Jeanette Williams
Building Director, George Bonacci
Chief Building Inspector, Richard Schofield
Police Chief, James Davis
Police Lieutenant, Bob Lockhart
Police Officer, Dennis Hovasse (Code Enforcement Officer)
Code Enforcement Officer, Warren Lindquist
City Council Workshop
May 15, 2002
Page Two
3. WORKSHOP ITEMS
A. Review Code Enforcement Procedures with Staff
The Building Director responded to concerns expressed by Council relative to use of
wire mesh fence and trash left behind during house construction, and sod contractors
leaving pallets in right-of-way and in undeveloped lots after installation. The City
Manager said he would compile a memo with the Building Director to notify all
contractors that the pallets must be retrieved after installation.
Mayor Barnes discussed the lack of house numbers at some residences. It was
suggested that once someone is notified that numbers must be posted, someone other
than Code Enforcement Officers, i.e., volunteers or other police officers could check
them out. Chief Davis stated that training of his officers to look for these types of
violations is on-going.
Officer Hovasse suggested that the code be amended to reflect seven day compliance
rather than thirty days for house numbers. The City Attorney said he could draft
language to amend the code.
Officer Hovasse recommended amending the code to leave to officers' discretion the
enforcement of junk vehicles rather than allowing thirty days for compliance, and
discussion developed as to the difference between junk and nuisance regulations.
Discussion followed on use of a collection agency to retrieve unpaid citations and the
RFQ that is being prepared by staff, The City Attorney also advised on filing an
injunctive action in some cases where compliance is not achieved.
Officer Hovasse recommended an amendment to allow watering on the same day and
time throughout the city to assist with enforcement, and the City Manager suggested
leaving the regulation as is until monitoring wells are in place and it can be determined
whether or not there is an emergency. Mayor Barnes advised that people be ticketed
immediately when they are watering during overnight hours.
Officer Hovasse recommended language to require outside storage to alleviate the
problem of people placing sofas and car seats outside of their houses; and that the
issue of vegetation from vacant lots spilling over onto improved property be addressed,
noting that Code Enforcement receives 10-20 calls per week on this. He was advised to
obtain names of cities that enforce removal of this type of vegetation, it was suggested
that discussion of this issue would require a separate workshop.
The Building Director recommended that the tree ordinance be readdressed due to
inconsistencies in the tree requirements for residential lots. It was suggested that he
draft a letter to the Tree Board and ask them to review this matter.
City Council Workshop
May 15, 2002
Page Three
Chief Davis closed by stating that Code Enforcement is a complicated matter, that the
Police Department is working hard to get compliance from violators, is learning who the
repeat offenders are, and that it is a slow learning process but that officer training is on-
going. He expressed his appreciation for the opportunity for all involved to
communicate and invited anyone with concerns to call the Police Department.
4. Being no further business, Mayor Barnes adjourned the workshop at 6:56 p.m.
Approved at the May 22nd ,2002 Regular City Council Meeting.
Walter BarneS
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City Clerk