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Regular Council Meeting August 12, 2019 Page 4 fashion. He also said PEDC received a letter last year and a letter a few weeks ago and they are in good standing with their bank. Mr. Paris said that guarantee expires in a couple of years ago. A Motion to approve the FY 2019-20 budget was made by Council Member Knox and seconded by Council Member Portugal. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays. 13. Discuss revisions to the Property Management Ordinance. City Manager John Godwin said both items 13 and 14 were opportunities to improve the look of the town. He said item 14 would go to the Planning & Zoning Commission. He said a property maintenance ordinance for single-family rental properties was approved in July 2018, but that owner -occupied residential single-family structures were not covered. He said staff had directly utilized the ordinance in a number of instances, successfully working seventeen cases that removed renters, occupants, or squatters from very dangerous structures. Mr. Godwin also said staff had received numerous complaints about owner -occupied residential single-family dwellings. He reviewed details of expanding violations such as lack of weatherproofing, flashing, gutters, roof drains, overhangs, exterior wood and metal surfaces, masonry joints and siding, insect and/or rodent infestation, substandard fencing and vegetation that penetrates constructed surfaces. He also said if these ordinances were approved, it would increase more workload for staff. Council Member Knox said she was in favor of this. She wanted to know how staff would find out about structures like this, and asked if they drove around looking or if they were allowed to receive citizens' comments. Mr. Godwin said no, that almost all of responses were through complaints. He said the City did not have the staff for them to drive around and look for violations. Mr. Godwin said code enforcement was almost always responsive as opposed to pro- active. Council Member Hughes said there were people in town who bought empty lots for sale. They kept the lots mowed and cleaned, and they were told they could not park on the grass. He said these people felt like they bought the lot for nothing. Mr. Godwin said the ordinance says you cannot park on the grass and he did not have an answer for this but could look at it. Council Member Portugal said this does point to the success of the initial maintenance ordinance they passed and this would be a good step. She said there were several things available to them, such as the Methodist Army who came to town once a year. She said if someone had been cited and could not afford to make repairs or unable to make repairs, they could ask the Methodist Army to help. Council Member Portugal also said was a group by the name of Brush of Kindness who does minor repairs and paint. She said she did not want Council to pass something that staff could not enforce. Mr. Godwin said there was a new proposed position in budget to coordinate these types of things. Council Member Portugal said when she and the mayor met with the president of Turner Industries, he indicated that they wanted to get involved in the community and help people. She said he also indicated that Turner might be able to recruit other industries to help in the community. Mayor Clifford said this looked like a good idea. Council Member Knox said the key was going to be enforcement and follow-up.