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Home My WebLink AboutPS 2017-08-21 Item 2A - Update - Code Enforcement30 - 90 DAYS 45 90 - 1.80 DAYS 32 28 42 28 35 18o DAYS -i YEAR 43 46 City of Tukwila Allan Ekberg, Mayor INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM TO: Public Safety Committee FROM: Jack Pace, DCD Director BY: Nora Gierloff, Deputy DCD Director CC: Mayor Ekberg DATE: August 21, 2017 SUBJECT: Code Enforcement Update ISSUE Update the Committee on current Code Enforcement activities and status. BACKGROUND Code Enforcement has been short staffed since June but by the end of the month will be back to full staffing. We have two new code enforcement officers, Jim Toole who started 8/1/17 and Larry Mills who will start 8/28/17. DISCUSSION Following are brief summaries of current code enforcement efforts. Rental Housing Program Renewals The 589 rental license renewals were due no later than February 28t''. After sending multiple notices, we charged the new late fees to 39 owners. As of August 15, 2017, 99% of owners were current on their licensing. Rental housing inspections for this year's quadrant are due by September 30th and we are resuming offering City inspections now that we have more staff, Code Enforcement Case Backlog In 2017 the team decided to emphasize resolving case files older than one year. Since January we have reduced the number of cases in each category and reduced those open for more than 3 years by 61%. Overall, we opened 281 cases so far in 2017 and closed 343. The average number of days to close a 2017 case was 39 days, down from 88 days for cases in 2016. OPEN CODE ENFORCEMENT CASES BY DURATION < 30 DAYS January 17, 2017 14 February 14, 2017 40 March 15, 2017 26 April 14, 2017 32 May 22, 2017 42 June 21, 2017 21 July 6, 2o17 28 August 15, 2017 29 Reduced by 41 25 37 28 23 21 1$ 27 23 20 49% 37.5% 1-3 YEARS 40 22 35 35 35 29 22 27 26 27 30 24 25 29 37% 27.5% >3 YEARS 41 17 17 1.6 16 16 i6 16 61% TOTAL 215 195 167 176 188 134 136 144 33% 1 2 INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 2 Case Studies Blocked Alleyway (116XX 42' Av 5) This single family residential lot (LDR Zone) has had a long history of code violations. It was cleaned up through a court order in 2011 but over the past few years the property owner resumed collecting and storing vehicles, construction materials and similar items on his property and the adjacent public alleyway, blocking access. This year Code Enforcement, Public Works and Fire sent a joint letter regarding this violation and coordinated their enforcement actions. The alleyway is now completely cleared of personal stored items and vehicles. Public Works staff began clearing vegetation in the alleyway between 42"d and 44t'' in mid July, and installed updated "no parking" signs in the alley. January 2017 July 2017 Illegal Structure/Junk Vehicles, etc (3.22xx 47th Ave 5) This single family residence (LDR) has a history of rubbish, junk vehicles and other complaints, in addition to expired permits for the 2 story addition. The 2 yellow sheds were illegally placed in the side yard setbacks against the fence. In April, the property owner started removing the rubbish in the sheds, cleaning out the yards, and tearing down the sheds to gain compliance. Code Enforcement was able to provide a 30 yard dumpster to haul off the debris (under an annual contract with Waste Management, through Public Works). 3 dumpster loads were hauled from this property. The property owner is still working to gain full compliance on this open case. March 2017 May 2027 INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 3 This single family residence has a long history of code enforcement violations, primarily for overgrowth, sight distance issues at the street corner due to the overgrowth, garbage, junk vehicles, and structural issues on the home. The elderly property owner consented to a donated dumpster in early August (part of the Waste Management contract through Public Works), and has started cleaning the yard of rubbish and garbage, and some vegetation, with the help of her daughter. The current Public Works roadway project on 42"d Av 5 has pushed this cleanup towards compliance, and there is daily improvement on this lot in a short amount of time. Augusta, 2012 (before dumpster) August7, 2017 (after dumpster delivered) Excessive Accumulation of Rubbish/Garbage (137xx 44th Av 5) This single family residence (LDR) does not have curbside garbage service, and the residents (property owner and extended multi -generational family) rely on infrequent dump runs to remove accumulated bags and stored rubbish/garbage. The pile of garbage bags was clearly visible from a nearby street at the corner as well as several neighboring residences. February 2017 April 2017 Overgrowth (TukwilaWorks complaint) (37xx S 126t" St) Z:lCoundl Agenda Items\DCDIPS 8-21.17 CE Update.docx 3 4 INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 4 This complaint came to Code Enforcement through TukwilaWorks. This single family residence (LDR) is owned by an elderly out -of -area owner, and her daughter and son-in-law spent several weekends at the home from their home in Grays Harbor County removing the overgrown vegetation (mostly invasive blackberries), in addition to removing two full 3o yd dumpster-loads of rubbish and vegetation (at their expense) and an illegal cargo container. The historic Craftsman home is now visible from the roadway, and will soon have a new fence and roof cleanup to further showcase the home's architectural character. May 2017 June 2017 Future Actions Historically our Code Enforcement Officers received a limited commission from the Police Department and used a police ticket book to write infractions (fines) for code violations that they had been unsuccessful in resolving through other means. This is cumbersome for Code Enforcement, confusing for the public who receive what looks like a traffic ticket in the mail and required that these infractions pass through the Police Department before moving to the Court. Code Enforcement has been working with the Prosecutor and City Attorney to develop a more streamlined and effective Notice of Violation process. The proposed code amendments to implement this change are scheduled for review by the Public Safety Committee on September 5h. We are currently working with the City Attorney on updating our residential use definitions to make sure that there are no gaps or overlaps in the different terms used in our Building, Rental Housing and Zoning Codes. This will assist U5 in enforcing our regulations for boarding houses, dwelling units with multiple kitchens and Air B&B rentals. Code Enforcement would like to continue to explore ways to spread the word about common code violations in order to improve neighborhood conditions. Approximately 4o% of code cases involve garbage, rubbish, or parking. Staff has developed the attached flyers to help explain Tukwila's requirements to residents and businesses. These have been distributed at community events like the Night Out Against Crime. FINANCIAL IMPACT No budget changes requested. Z:1Council Agenda ItemMDCDI.PS 8-21-17 CE Update.docx INFORMATIONAL MEMO Pages RECOMMENDATION Information Only. ATTACHMENTS A. Draft New Business Flyer B. Parking Flyer C. Garbage Flyer P:lCauncif Agenda ltemslDCp1PS 8-21-17 CE llpdate.doex 5 6 eautc{u4 contkuu1l,ctces do mot happevt, j chace" WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD! Thank you for choosing Tukwila for your new business. It is our pleasure to welcome you and your business into our community. Tukwila is a bustling urban shopping hub. Our thriving economy and convenient Location make this an excellent place to set up shop. There are many perks to setting up business here in Tukwila and we expect that you will be pleased with your choice for years to come. To help you settle into the neighborhood we would like to share a few tips... TUKWILA TUKWILA Department of Community Development Department of Community Development CODE ENFORCEMENT CODE ENFORCEMENT CONTACT US! 6300 Southcenter Blvd. Suite 100 Tukwila, WA 98188 (206)431-3671 Email: CodeEnforcement@TubwilaWA.gov MAKE AN IMPACT If you are interested in volunteering, contributing in other ways, or if you just want more information about Tukwila Code Enforcement, call us TODAY to find out more! CITY OF TUKWILA www.TukwilaWA.gov elcome to Tukwila! Vour Sign Permit DID YOU KNOW TUKWILA HAS A SIGN CODE? In an effort to help enhance the City's aesthetic character and to increase the effectiveness of visual communication in the city, Tukwila has specific rules and permit requirements that regulate signage. Before you invest in any business signage please make sure you contact Tukwila's Planning Division with the Department of Community Development. A city Planner is available Monday — Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. You can visit in person or give them a call at 206-431-3670. Purchasing signage without consulting a city Planner can end up being a costly mistake. You may end up buying signs you cannot use. A QUICK GUIDE TO SIGNS • Most signs require a permit • Even temporary signs require a permit • A -board signs are not allowed • Portable signs are not allowed without a temporary sign permit. • There are size, quantity, and placement limitations to consider. Avoid potential frustration and call a city Planner. Let us help you get it right the first time. ADD VALUE TO YOUR COMMUNITY, KEEP A CLEAN PROPERTY Local businesses help shape communities and matte an impact on the city's overall appearance and reputation. As a new business, you have an opportunity to help enhance our community not only with your goods or services but also with your commitment to being a good neighbor. Customers and neighbors alike appreciate a clean, safe, and inviting environment. Part of being a good neighbor is maintaining your business property. Litter is unsightly, attracts pests, and can damage a business's reputation. DO YOUR PART • Keep your property free of debris. • Avoid letting garbage accumulate by having it removed regularly. • Make sure waste is stored in appropriate containers with tight- fitting lids and that there are appropriate containers to hold all waste properly until it is removed. • Quick removal of graffiti helps minimize future occurances and helps prevent crime. Let your business be an example to the community. It is up to all of us to become stewards of our community. Beautiful communities do not happen by chance. It takes a community working together and sharing the responsibility. HAVE QUESTIONS? r5 - ED ' MATZO _, 7 Dep •'` en€ of C (206)431-3671 TENANT IMPROVEMENT PLANS PERMITS LAND USE C TREE REMOVAL SIGNS CODE ENFORCEMENT Tukwila Finance Department (206)433-1833 Tukwila Police Department (206)241-2121 (non -emergency) Tukwila Public Works (206)433-0179 King County Public Health • (206)205-4394 Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce (206)57S-1633 WELCOME Yo EscED TO L\ IMFl PARKING TUKWILA MUNICIPAL CODE 8.25 Parking on grass or dirt is not allowed. All vehicles must be parked on approved durable uniform surface such as two inches of gravel, concrete, or blacktop. Recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers must also be parked on an approved surface. If grass or weeds have grown through the current parking area the area must be regraveled to be considered an approved surface. No more than 50% of the front yard or 800 square feet, whichever is smaller, may be used for parking. (Call 206-431-3670 - to learn about exceptions) No more than 6 vehicles are to be parked on a single-family residential property of 13,000 sqft or less outside of a carport or enclosed garage. Safe, healthy, attractive n 1: • hborhoods n't .app • s chance. It's a shared responsibility. fi 0 Garbage and rubbish accumulation is unsightly, attracts pests, creates a breeding ground for bacteria and is a violation of the Tukwila Municipal Code. Do Your Part Keep your property free of debris. 0 Avoid letting garbage or rubbish accumulate. ii Have waste removed regularly. 0 Make sure garbage and rubbish is stored in appropriate containers with tight -fitting Lids and that there are enough containers to hold all waste properly until it is removed. Let's work together to promote a safe, healthy, and attractive community. For information on waste removal services contact Waste Management at 1-855-885-9452 or visit their website http:/Iwmnorthwest.comltukwila/ Not sure how to dispose of certain items? Check out King County's "What do do with...?" website http://younkingcounty.govisolidwaste/wdidwiindex.asp CITY OF TUKWILA, Dept. of Community Development, Code Enforcement Division 6300 Southcenter Blvd, Suite 100,Tukwila,WA 98188 (206) 431-3671 http.llwww.tukwilawa.govldepartmentslcommunity-developmenticode-enforcernentl 10