City of Mountlake Terrace Code Enforcement Program. Healthy Living Environment

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Florence Hardy
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1 City of Mountlake Terrace Code Enforcement Program Healthy Living Environment

2 The purpose of the nuisance code is to; Create and maintain a safe and healthy living environment Identify and reduce the causations of injury, illness, devaluations of property, and incidence of crime

3 2011 Code Enforcement Grid Survey Voluntary Correction Accelerated Case Compliance Civil & Criminal Resolution

4 Code Enforcement Cases - North Division (North of 228 th St SW) The following before and after scenarios involve properties affected by Code enforcement s proactive approach in the community. Many of these cases involve unsafe and unhealthy living conditions that can be precipitators of illness, injury, devaluation of property, and incidence of criminal activity.

5 Code enforcement s involvement with the following property occurred during the end of 2009 through the early Code enforcement observed gallon containers of what appeared to be urine along with trash within the carport area. Our immediate concern with this property was public health and safety. Over the course of 2010, Code enforcement exhausted the Notice process, issued civil citations, and eventually issued criminal citations to the property owner. The property owner failed to respond to South District Court s criminal filings; therefore, a bench warrant was issued for the above nuisance charges.

6 The subject was eventually stopped by Lynnwood Police on the outstanding bench warrants, and turned over to Mountlake Terrace Police. The subject was transported to his residence where an aid car soon responded. Due to apparent medical issues most likely associated with their living conditions, it was evident that the subject was unable to care for themselves. The resident was placed on an involuntary commit and transported to Stevens Hospital. The property was forwarded to the City s building department who later deemed the property unfit for habitation. Due to severe medical complications the property owner died, and the home was eventually demolished.

10 In April 2011, an anonymous complaint was received regarding a recreational vehicle in disrepair and parked in the front yard. During follow up, an RV was observed in disrepair having numerous rocks and cement blocks surrounding the vehicle. The roof and front of the RV appeared to be separating and collapsing. I issued a Notice of Violation requiring recreational vehicles to be maintained in a clean, stable and well-kept state.

11 According to our City s nuisance code, recreational vehicles are to have none of the following: broken windows, body damage or excessive rust or in substantial disrepair or neglect. After issuing a Failure to Comply notice, I followed up in May, 2011 and noted the RV and entire rock collection had been removed from the property.

12 BEFORE ENFORCEMENT

13 AFTER

14 During June of 2011, I followed up to an anonymous complaint regarding a couple of properties having overgrown vegetation. I issued a Notice of Violation to the property owner regarding our City s nuisance code prohibiting vegetation exceeding 12 inches in height (exclusive of plants and flowers within a flower bed or container, shrubbery, or trees) located in any front, back, or side yard, adjacent public rightof-way or planting strip, or any vacant property. During July 2011, I inspected both properties and noted the vegetation had been cut and properly maintained.

15 BEFORE ENFORCEMENT

16 AFTER

17 BEFORE ENFORCEMENT

18 AFTER

19 During July 2010, numerous property violations were observed including a sofa on the front lawn, and debris and trash surrounding an RV camper shell in disrepair stored in the front yard. I issued a Notice of violation of our City nuisance codes regarding debris and trash accumulations, recreational vehicles are to be maintained in a clean, stable and well-kept state, and parked on an improved surface or maintained surface. In the latter part of 2010, I noted some debris around the RV were removed, but the property was still in violation. After several returned notices and failed in person attempts to contact the property owners, a junk vehicle showed up on the front lawn.

20 During early 2011, I finally received a response from the property owner, who was also the registered owner of the junk vehicle parked on the front lawn. Due to slow progress by the property owner, I issued a Notice and Order to either immediately maintain the property or receive civil penalties for the violations. Subsequently, over the next month the property owner began to clean up their property. As a result, they removed the RV camper shell, cut the tall grass, removed the debris and donated the junk vehicle to a local charity.

21 BEFORE ENFORCEMENT

23 AFTER

24 Code Enforcement Cases - South Division (South of 228 th St SW) In August 2011, Code enforcement observed an inoperable pickup truck, and tall grass exceeding twelve inches in height. Code enforcement was not able to make immediate contact with the resident, nor did we receive a prompt response to our notices. After several attempts and two months contact was finally made with one of the property owners who promptly removed the inoperable vehicle and cut the tall grass.

27 During the early part of 2011, Code enforcement observed multiple code violations in the front yard and driveway of a property including trash accumulations, and an inoperable vehicle having an expired license. After issuing a Notice of violation to the property owner followed by many attempts to contact the residents, we discovered the property moved into foreclosure status. A dumpster was later placed on the property, and the trash and debris were removed. In addition, the inoperable vehicle was also removed.

30 Code Enforcement received anonymous complaints regarding a vacant home having tall grass in the front, side and back yards of the property. During follow up, it was apparent the property was vacant and listed for sale. We immediately attempted contact with the real estate companies listing agent, but did not receive any response until several months later. Code enforcement was advised by the real estate company representative that the property was going through foreclosure proceedings. We contacted the bank regarding the property violations, and as a result the violations were corrected.

Multiple code violations were observed in the front yard of this property including bags filled with trash, and miscellaneous debris scattered about the yard.

33 Multiple code violations were observed in the front yard of this property including bags filled with trash, and miscellaneous debris scattered about the yard. In addition, an inoperable vehicle parked on an unimproved grass surface in the side yard was becoming overgrown with blackberry bushes. Several attempts were made to get the property owner to correct the violations, but met with no success. Eventually, Code enforcement s persistence resulted in contact with the property owner. They immediately began cleaning up the property and eliminating the nuisance violations.

36 City of Mountlake Terrace Parking Enforcement Program Healthy Living Environment

37 Abandoned vehicles are defined as vehicles that appear inoperable, and have one or more of the following characteristics; -Missing rear plate -Expired license in excess of 30 days -One or more flat tires -Broken windshield -Extensive body damage or rust -Partially dismantled -Wrecked preventing use

38 Hazardous Vehicles Vehicles left unattended on public property or street may be impounded without notice if the condition poses a threat to public health or safety including; Blocking or obstructing public roadways or driveways Obstructing view of traffic/traffic control devices Blocking fire hydrant obstructing emergency vehicles Leaking or containing hazardous materials

39 Parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk Parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant Parking over a curb or sidewalk Parking commercial vehicles anytime unless loading or unloading Parking RV s overnight

48 PARKED WITHIN 5 FT OF DRIVEWAY

61 End of Presentation

THE TOWNSHIP OF FLORENCE, GOODHUE COUNTY, MINNESOTA ORDAINS:

THE TOWNSHIP OF FLORENCE, GOODHUE COUNTY, MINNESOTA ORDAINS: SECTION 1. Title and Applicable Seasons This ordinance shall be known and cited as the Florence Township Property Maintenance Ordinance, and