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attention. The accelerated abatement process allows a city to determine that a public nuisance exists, move forward with abatement, and assess the cost of abatement to the property in a more timely fashion. Typically, an accelerated abatement process is used for tall grasses, nuisance weeds, other vegetative growth, snow/ice removal, removal of public health hazard, and graffiti. For example, the accelerated abatement process could be used when a property is found to have grass exceeding eight inches in height. The city would send a certified letter and/or post a notice at the property ordering the grass cut within five days. If the grass is not cut, the city council would hold a hearing at the next possible meeting where abatement could be ordered. The city, or hired contactor, then cuts the grass. The costs, including administrative costs, are assessed to the property. For more severe public nuisances, such as removal of a hazardous building, a longer process and possibly court involvement is still required. In cases where a property may be a repeat offender, a council's abatement order could be extended so that a new hearing is not needed for each violation. For example, the order could be made to last for two years, which would allow staff to order abatement without an additional hearing. Some cities, including Roseville, have adopted an ~~adlninistrative abatement" process whereby city staff can authorize the accelerated abatement process for those limited offenses without a council hearing. The Arden Hills City Attorney is researching this process to determine if could be used in Arden Hills. An example of the Shoreview abatement code, including accelerated abatement, is Attachment C. City Code: While Chapter 600.05 of the City Code allows abatement, it would need to be amended to clearly include this accelerated and streamlined process for the certain types of public nuisances described in the above paragraphs. Cost: To set up the program, staff estimates a cost of $2,500 for staff and city attorney tilne. With this accelerated process, abatement would likely be used more than it is currently. However, with a clear violation procedure, it is unlikely to require much, if any, additional staff time to the existing process and may actually reduce staff time on these types of violations. Staff is already required to contact these properties, and the accelerated abatement process would condense the process and lead to greater compliance. Moreover, the time devoted to the process will almost always result in conformance since the City or a City contractor would cOlnplete the work, which is not certain with administrative fines. This process would involve the Code Enforcement Officer, Building Official, Community Development Director, City Council, and the finance department. City of Arden Hills City Council Work SessionJor October 20, 2008 \\Ahdocsl\ahIAHdata\Planning\Community Deve/opmentlCommunity Livability\Memos\.J02008 - CC Memo - Communi~v Livability. doc Page 7 of]2