Appeal of Code Enforcement INACTION
July 7, 2008: public hearing, Board of Health
July 9, 2008 public hearing, Public Works Commission
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Recent Comments
July 7, 2008: public hearing, Board of Health
July 9, 2008 public hearing, Public Works Commission
STAY TUNED!
Will add more information about the date, time and agenda later…. Will also post notes from the hearing.
Summary of Appeal
We appeal to the Public works Commission to review Code Enforcement Office’s failure to act in a reasonably timely manner (2 years) on report of Municipal Code and Health Code violations (neglect of vacant property [Article III], abandoned swimming pool [Article IV]) which created hazards and risks in our neighborhood, as described in Article III, Sec. 8-42 and Article IV 8-61.
We appeal the lack of or incompetent code enforcement (inaction); failure to require a vacant building permit for 2+ years; recent acceptance of a permit application that is incomplete, inaccurate, unsigned, undated, lacking accompanying scope of work or maintenance plan; and, granting that vacant building permit with fee waiver, contrary to Article IV Sec. 8-47 (f) (3). We appeal the waiver of fee when property owner has not secured all necessary building and zoning permits.
The manner in which the code enforcement director responded to our concerns is a matter of further concern. “Per KMB”, staff gave false or incomplete information (can’t do anything because there is nothing in the code that covers our concerns); and director acted in a rude, accusatory, and biased manner regarding the report of possible code violations by neighbors.
We called attention specifically: to thick vegetation around the house, tall grass, dead tree limbs, open doors, and abandoned swimming pool (equipment not maintained, stagnant water collects).
We call for ongoing performance evaluation of Code Enforcement Office because there is a pattern of malfeasance that is detrimental to enforcing building permit conditions as well as vacant property permits and health orders, for example regarding abandoned swimming pools, and we ask the Mayor to review protocol, labels, and assumptions regarding code enforcement in the city. There is a pattern of malfeasance. There have been many and consistent observations of this, and something needs to be done!
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Information Packet
1. Pattern of Malfeasance
city-wide, Strathmore, 2 Appletree Point Lane
2. Request for Code Enforcement Evaluation
performance, protocol, labels, assumptions, fee waivers
3. Review of AMANDA System entries
#142738, #167603
disrespect, inadequate investigation, failure to interview witnesses and recording misinformation
no feedback to witness to inform of or confirm findings
4. Journal of communication and observations regarding reports Amanda # 142738, #167603
2008, June 25, request for hearings before Public Works Commission and Board of Health
2008, March/April/May/June, situation worsens. Pool drained after mosquito larvae hatched.
2008, March 24, early request for maintenance of premises, including abandoned swimming pool
2007, June-Sept, repeated reports of neglect of premises and abandoned pool full of stagnant pool. Pool drained once at end of summer!
2006, June-Sept, discussions with Code Enforcement about hazards, risk, neglect. Filed complaint June 16, 2006.