2009-11-17_Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Extension of Pro�ram: • HRA approved extending the program in 2009 for an additiona130 days. Staff therefore increased the number of properties inspected in 2009 from 2,700 to 3,159. With a similar extension in 2010, this will allow for completion of the program (inspecting all 8,500 residential properties) in three years instead of the original four years anticipated. Expenses• • 2009 - Budgeted expenses - $16,400.00 One month extension - $3,100.00 Total - $19,500.00 o The extension of the program from 5 to 6 months in 2009 (and 2010) will allow the program to be completed one full year ahead of schedule and reduce overall cost of the program by approximately $10,200.00. Accomplishments: • To date (2008 and 2009) have inspected 5,059 residential properties, observed 339 public nuisance violations, and corrected 326 public nuisances: o Cooperation from the public on correcting public nuisances has been exceptional. 96% have complied with simple letter requests for compliance. Most, who have not complied, have not done so due to financial and/or physical hardship. • Created an informational brochure to educate residents about common public nuisance violations in an effort to minimize violations through education and cooperation: o Each initial letter includes this brochure. o Distributed this brochure to a118,500 residential properties in water bill notices. o This brochure is also included in the City's Welcome Packet. • Including in initial letter additional HRA Program information as well as HRC Program information. • Generating goodwill: o Have received many supportive comments from the public about the Neighborhood Enhancement Program. o League of Women Voters endorsement of the program. • The program helps maintain the livability of neighborhoods. • The program helps maintain the city's tax base. Observations• • Public comment has been overwhelmingly supportive of the program. • This year observing a lower percentage violation rate (6.2% vs. 7.6% in 2008), indicating residents are aware of the program and cooperating when they receive the initial letter. • Still observing where one public nuisance in an area tends to promote more of the same - a clustering effect. • Still observing more violations in neighborhoods of older homes; this is to be expected due to typically smaller lots, smaller garages and older construction. • Some property maintenance cases remain difficult to resolve due to financial/physical hardship by the property owner. Most of the unresolved `pending' cases are of this type. • Remaining `pending' cases will be addressed by requesting authority from City Council to abate the violations if they are not corrected by the property owner in the spring of 2010. • Because of the typical turnover in rental properties, a"renters rules" handout will be created for posting in rental properties in an educational effort to minimize public nuisance occurrences at these homes. � � � .� t`�.�`'�`` d. , .� ,�- . � .d ' �� r �s�:�, ��'�'x,�p:,a��i � �