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Regular Council Meeting May 9, 2022 Page 5 Enforcement Supervisor Robert Talley stated that due to more detailed data entry, enhanced organization, as well as multiple ownership changes, the number of Vacant Buildings for 2022 went up to 44. He said letters were sent out in February to all vacant property owners requiring the annual registration under the ordinance. He also said further refinements to the administrative procedures were anticipated for the next round of the vacant building registration program for 2023, which would include: expansion into all historic districts and vacant residential structures, enhanced communication measures with vacant building owners, closer examination of the funding incentive for encouraging vacant building renovations, and a more accurate inventory and accounting of vacant building properties in relation to the new quarterly reporting program for the City Council. Mrs. Bedford and Mr. Talley presented the Council with a slideshow of before and after pictures of newly renovated downtown properties. Council Member Pankaj asked staff if they could post the before and after photos on social media to promote the marketing of downtown. Mrs. Bedford stated that she does post some of them on Facebook with the owner's permission, but can make an effort to post more of them. Council Member Knox expressed how incredible the after photos looked in comparison to the before photos. Mayor Portugal asked staff if there was a way to get better compliance from the people who own the vacant properties, for example, withhold Fagade Grants if they were not fully registered, insured and had all payments up to date. Mrs. Bedford stated the Vacant Property Registry does allow for Fagade Grants, but it is specifically for vacant buildings, and when the owner is requesting the Facade Grant, he or she should be registered already. Mayor Portugal thanked staff for their presentation. 15. Discuss and act on ORDINANCE NO. 2022-028: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AMENDING CHAPTER 4, "BUILDING REGULATIONS," ARTICLE 4.02, "CONSTRUCTION CODES AND STANDARDS," ARTICLE 4.03, SECTION 4.03.004, "BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION ESTABLISHED; PROCEEDINGS; CIVIL PENALTIES," ARTICLE 4.04, "RESIDENTIAL RENTAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE," ARTICLE 4.05, "VACANT BUILDINGS;" AND AMENDING APPENDIX A, "FEE SCHEDULE," OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; PROVIDING A REPEALER CLAUSE, A SAVINGS CLAUSE; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. City Planner Andrew Mack stated staff has been working on this project for approximately nine months. He explained how this project initially developed in response to concerns that were brought to staff's attention regarding neglect and other nuisances inside and around the yards of occupied rental properties, and in the South Church Historic District 2 area. Accordingly, a project team was assembled including staff from the Community Development, Engineering, Fire and City Administration Departments. He said staff first presented the idea to Historic Preservation Commission (HPC), who unanimously sent a recommendation to City Council for adoption of the changes and implantation of the new rental housing inspection program and vacant residential structure ordinance amendments. He said there were also several residents in attendance who spoke in support of the proposed changes. He also said this