HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg 2006-03-06 Item 2B - Briefing - 2005 Code Enforcement Activities '411LA. yi;�.. CO UNCIL AGENDA SYNOPSIS
:�p r `s2�' Initials ITEM NO.
Q I AO O 1 Meeting Date 1 Prepared by 1 Mayor's review Council review
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ITEM INFORMATION
CAS NUMBER: 06-029 I ORIGINAL AGENDA DATE: March 6, 2006
AGENDA ITEM TITLE Briefing on 2005 Code Enforcement Activities
CATEGOR Discussion Motion Resolution Ordinance Bid Award Public Other
Y Mtg Date 6 0 6 Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date lltg .6 a Mtg Date
SPONSOR Council Mayor
Adm DCD Finance Fire Legal PAR Police PW
z
SPONSOR'S V riefing on 2005 Code Enforcement Activities
SUMMARY
REVIEWED BY COW Mtg. CA &P Cmte F &S Cmte I Transportation Cmte
Utilities Cmte n Arts Comm. Parks Comm. Planning Comm.
DATE: January 23, 2006
RECOMMENDATIONS:
SPONSOR /ADMIN. N/A
COMMITTEE N/A
I COST IMPACT FUND SOURCE
EXPENDITURE REQUIRED AMOUNT BUDGETED APPROPRIATION REQUIRED
$N /A $N /A $N /A
Fund Source: N/A
Comments:
1 MTG. DATE RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION
3/6/06
MTG. DATE ATTACHMENTS
6/06 Memo dated March 3, 2006 from Steve Lancaster
Community Affairs and Parks Committee Minutes, January 24, 2006
City of Tukwila
Steven M. Mullet, Mayor
Department of Community De1Ielopment
Steve Lancaster, Director
TO:
Committee of the Whole
FROM:
Steve La~caster, Director of Dept. of Community Development
DATE:
March 3, 2006
SUBJ:
Briefing on 2005 Code Enforcement Activities
Attached is a copy of the information that was presented by Code Enforcement on
January 23, 2006 to the Community Affairs and Parks Committee.
On March 6, 2006, Code Enforcement staff will present an informative review of
activities that occurred last year, as well as a look forward.
6300 South center Boulevard, Suite #100 · Tukwila, Washington 98188 · Phone. 206-431-3670 · Fax: 206-431-3665
City of Tu1<Jfi/ila
Steven lvI. jylullet} ivJayor
Department of Community Development
Steve LancasteJ; Director
Date:
Community Affairs and Parks Committee
Steve Lancaster, Di~~tor - Department of Community Developmen~
January 19, 2006
To:
From:
Re:
Briefing on 2005 Code Enforcement Activities
The purpose of this paper is t9 provide a brief overview of2005 Code Enforcement activities, and
outline some of our activities for 2006.
In 2005, several steps were taken to make positive impacts on the conditions and
appearance of Tukwila residential neighborhoods.
SUMMARY OF 2005
In 2005, as in previous years, Code Enforcement worked on a complaint driven basis.
These issues come from residents, City employees and others, and are received via
telephone, email, or personal visits at the Building Department counter. In 2005, there
were 293 new cases opened, reported and investigated. The majority of cases continue to
involve building issues, trash/debris, and junk vehicles. As in the past, these issues make
up more than half of all municipal code violations.
Types of Complaints Received
2003
2004
2005
Building Violations
Trash and Debris
Junk Vehicles
Signs
Housing
Other
Use
Weeds
Parking
18%
25%
12%
16%
3%
11%
8%
7%
26%
17%
16%
13%
5%
1%
1%
10%
23%
19%
13%
9%
9%
10%
6%
5%
5%
New Ordinance
Code Enforcement receives many inquiries and complaints regarding vehicles on private
property. On March 1,2005, the City's Residential Property Parking Ordinance went
into effect. This ordinance requires that all vehicles in residential zones be parked on an
improved surface and limits the overall size and location of the parking area. A new
brochure was distributed, articles were written in the Hazelnut, and information was
shared at Tukwila Days and other forums in an effort to communicate the implications of
the new ordinance, well before tqe effective date, and as a result, little or no negative
feedback has been received since; it's implementation.
\
Code Enforcement also began implementation of an Ordinance (passed in October, 2004)
that amended TMC 8.45 (Enforcement) which enables the City Improvement Officer to
conduct hearings with owners of unsafe structures, and gives the City the ability to abate
these nuisances and attach a lien directly to the taxes on the property. These hearings
give the property owner and City officials an opportunity to discuss the violations on an
informal basis and in most cases, a mutually agreeable timeline for remedy can be
developed, eliminating the requirement for further legal action. Seven Improvement
Officer hearings were conducted iIi 2005 with the City prevailing in each case.
The Division also began utilizing the Seattle Hearing Examiner for appeal cases. Both
Examiners have been very timely and responsive to requests for hearings which can be
conducted at City offices and during evening hours if needed. Five of these hearings
were also held during the year, with the City prevailing in each case.
Additional Resources
In August 1, 2005, Code Enforcement was able to add .5 FTE in a Code Enforcement
Officer role, providing an additional resource for reducing the case backlog. Specifically,
from January to August, 139 cases were resolved and closed - from September to
December, 152 cases were closed, During this period, more efficient processes and
procedures were also developed to effectively measure the impacts of additional staff and
a proactive approach in addressing code violations.
p:codeenforcemelltlCAPII-18-06
2
Some "Successes"
RFA02-181 Southgate lVlobile Home Park
The new owners have been very responsive in resolving nuisance violations,
12-14 old dilapidated trailers have been removed and any "replacement"
trailers are being inspected by the Building Department prior to
installation. Trash and debris have been removed from the site, and there is an
on-site manager present. In addition, the TPD have reported a 20% reduction in
the number of calls to the property,
\ -
p:codeenforcementlCAPIl-18-06
"Before" photos show multiple
dilapidated, unsafe structures,
abandoned junk v~hicles, trash and
debris.
"After" photos show that l2-15 trailers
have been removed from the site. The
remaining trailers have been painted,
junk cars and debris removed, and an
on-site manager ensures property is
being maintained.
"
-'
RFA04-027 3430 S. 146 St. Victoria Arms
Meetings were held with Fire, Human Services, Building, and Police to develop a plan
for bringing this sub-standard apartment complex into compliance. During the course of
investigations, several units were posted "Do Not Occupy" due to substandard
conditions. The property came under new ownership mid-2004, and efforts continued
with new owner to resolve issues, This fall, Code Enforcement conducted a final
investigation and closed the file.
-
Building, Fire, Police, Code
Enforcement, Labor and Industries were
active in identifying violations and
working with new owners. Violations
included unsafe decks/supports/stairs,
electrical and plumbing issues, trash and
debris, and criminal activity (drugs,
prostitution).
Police calls to the property have been
reduced by 60%!
p:codeenforcementlCAP/1-18.06
'c"
Property was sold in
2004 and new owners
invested significant
resources in the
property. In the fall of
2005, compliance had
been achieved and the
file was closed. An on-
site manager is actively
working with the owner
and City groups to
maintain the property
4
RFAOS-134, RFA05-135, RFA05-136 50148. l1Sth 81.
Three separate parcels (one owner) each had a derelIct, unfit building/structure, debns,
and overgrowth, Meetings were held with the property owner, permits were obtamed,
and the demolition and removal has been completed.
p:codeenforcementlCAP/I-18-06
This structure was removed in the
fall of2005,
This structure and piles of debris
were removed in the fall, 2005.
5
..
Other
This fall, Code Enforcement conducted on-site inspections with Human Services,
Building, and other staff to assess the conditions of several city-owned properties. As a
result, one of these homes will be cleaned up and refurbished by the Way Back Inn
organization, and utilized as transitional housing for women in need. Other properties
have been identified for similar "projects" with other agencies.
A significant amount of time and\ effort was also utilized to share information regarding
the rollout of proactive code enfgrcement. Our NE.A.T. program (Neighborhood
Enhancement Around Tukwila) was developed to help Tukwila residents understand the
positive impacts code enforcement can have in cleaning up our neighborhoods and
reducing crime.
WORKPLAN FOR 2006
In 2006, Code Enforcement staff will be focusing their work in the following areas:
1. Unresolved Cases
Each unresolved (open) code enforcement case has been identified with a "lead" code
enforcement officer. Kathy is the lead officer for several complicated and complex
issues, and Joyce continues to act as lead on the "dirty dozen" cases. Some of these files
date back 6-8 years, and have already been filed in Superior Court for City abatement.
Coordination with the City Attorney's office will keep these cases moving forward. The
officers will work together on many of the larger, complex issues. The addition of a
second full-time code enforcement officer will provide the resources to reduce the
backlog in a more timely manner.
2. Proactive Code Enforcement
Utilizing 2004/2005 violation data, the City has been divided geographically into 9 areas.
Proactive code enforcement will begin in Areas 3, 4, and 5 (Riverton, Cascade View, and
Foster Heights). In addition, 144th Street has been used as a "soft" dividing line - one
officer will conduct inspections north of l44th, the other - south, Multi-family
(apartments) and other areas will be handled jointly, keeping safety as our number one
priority .
p:codeenforcementlCAPII-18-06
6
3. Streamlined Processes
More streamlined processes and forms have been developed in order to expedite
communication with owners, and while the forms may seem less "friendly", our process
for handling complaints has not changed. \Ve will continue to work with owners in a
friendly but firm way, in order to resolve issues, and are always willing to provide
additional time or resources when appropriate.
4. Focus on Tukwila International Boulevard
Code Enforcement continues to build strong relationships with other City departments.
In 2005, we conducted a.m. briefings with Police Department patrol officers; worked
with the City Clerk's office to enforce business license violations, and partnered with
building inspectors much more effectively. On-site meetings and inspections with staff
from Police, Fire, Building, Human Services, and Code Enforcement were conducted
with property owners and apartment managers. These "discussions" clearly demonstrate
to property owners, the breadth ofthe City's concern, and provide a unified and powerful
approach in abating violations.
5. Business Licenses for lVlulti-Family Property/Accessory Dwelling Units
This year we will take a closer look at the potential benefits for requiring owners of rental
property _ to obtain a business license. We will also consider some
type ofregistrahon for accessory dwelling units in the City.
6. Universal Trash P l ( {C - up
Code Enforcement will be working with Public Works and Planning Departments to
address mandatory trash for residential neighborhoods. Residents currently have the
option of utilizing weekly curb service, or self-hauling. Some of our neighboring cities
require residential curbside trash removal, and code enforcement staff in these
jurisdictions have indicated there is a significant reduction in trash-related violations
since the implementation of mandatory trash.
p.codeenforcementlCAPIl-18-06
7
~~
Community and Parks
January 24,2006
Present:
Joan Hernandez, Joe Duffie, Pam Linder
Rhonda Berry, Kathy Stetson, Joyce Tramer, Nora Glerloff, Steve Lancaster,
Derek Speck, Jane Cantu, Lucy Lauterbach, Chuck Pamsh
* 1. Code Enforcement Briefing Joyce talked of all she and Kathy have done m 2005. Their
activities included openmg and resolvmg 293 new cases as well as workmg on umesolved cases
from past years, WhICh are usually complex and contammg legal Issues. They have gotten nd of
much derelict housmg vlOlatIOns, and have started enforcmg the reqUIrement for parking vehIcles
on a legal parking pad. They had pIctures of some of the areas they had cleaned up, with very
clear "before" and "after" pictures, The work plan for 2006 mcludes more proactive
enforcement, and Kathy and Joyce will work on one or two of the nme areas m the City at a time
They wIll work to clean up some of the more ObVIOUS code vIOlatlOns and completely clean up an
area, house by house, and street by street. Tills wIll prove to be more eqUItable than when
complaints are enforced when another vIOlatlOn could be nearby the one code enforcement IS
called for. Code enforcement staff will work separately on their assigned areas, though they
always team up at apartments or at housmg that appears to be unsafe. Joan noted there has been
trash at the top of the staIrs that go behind Denny's from Southcenter Boulevard to S 152nd
Street. The comrmttee members expressed great apprecIatIOn for Kathy's and Joyce's work, and
said the rest of the Council would also like to hear this informatIOn. Recommend briefine: to
entire Council at a CO\V.
2. GIS Mapping The City has been evaluatmg a product called CityGIS5 from DIgItal Map
Products for the last few months. DMP hosts a custom web sIte for the CIty that provIdes basic
Geographic Information System (GIS) functlOnality (vIewmg, searchmg, printing), our aenal
photos, Tukwila plammetric layers (zonmg, wetlands etc,), Kmg County property information
and digital King County Assessor maps Nora demonstrated the program for the Committee,
showmg how to search by address and owner name, add informatIOn to the map and generate a
pdf file
The site makes it possible to see not only streets and neighborhoods, but also plat lines, wetlands
and watercourses and their buffers, addresses, water and sewer dlstncts and other mformatlOn, It
can be very helpful to developers, and to anyone gettmg various kinds of ownership and physical
boundary mfonnation. If the City GIS program works well for the City'S needs we could also
have Digital Map Products develop a lmk to the PermIts Plus database so that it would be
possible to geographically search and dIsplay pennit mfonnatlOn.
Another idea would be to eventually make a similar program available to the publIc through the
City's web site. ThIS would allow people to view and pnnt mformation and photos of properties
m Tukwila. The committee members were very mterested m the maps, and enjoyed seemg all the
mformation that could be garnered quickly with the system. Information.
cA,\.
li CommIttee chair approval
Minutes by LL