04-B Task Force Min 9-25-07 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

4. Discussion of and possible action on recommending a special City-wide project to target junked vehicles. Chairman Wilson stated he wants a concerted effort to target these by having the staff move forward on this and stepping back from other items for a week or two. He further stated that staff needs to identify the cars, go across the entire City and identify locations, assemble information, and then determine how we can achieve this with the staff we have and the jobs they already do. Todd Varner went through the procedure for the Task Force. He stated most people don't realize it's a violation. He advised the Task Force that he has worked 271 junk vehicle cases so far this year. Charles Richards stated that the City of San Antonio shortened their declaration time to 10 days. Chairman Wilson stated that we should not wait for a complaint; let's start an effort and go find them. He further asked how we can do this more efficiently. Lisa Wright advised the Task Force that this is high grass and weeds season, so Code Enforcement could stop working on this, but it would likely create a major problem. She recommended waiting until growing season stopped. Chairman Wilson recommended November. Todd Varner advised the Commission that he had over 100 reports pending that he was inspecting, and Lisa Wright stated that 100 reports would actually result in over 500 cases since Code Enforcement staff worked all violations in sight when in a reported area. She added that the paperwork was very labor intensive, causing Code Enforcement staff to spend at least half their time in the office instead of in the field. Chairman Wilson stated that we could ask the Council for more money for a part time person. Pete Kampfer recommended that we put up signs or post on billboards and undertake clean up efforts. He said the Chamber can help pay for that. He recommended such incentives as Yard of the Month. He said we could also use the postal system or walking route so everyone gets notice. The cost when Rockwall did this was roughly 6 cents a letter. Chairman Wilson appointed Pete Kampfer to the Education Committee, along with Bee Garmon, Cheryt Moore, Marilyn Bellevance, and Bruce Frazier. Chairman Wilson asked the Task Force to figure out how we can come together with volunteers and start the education process. Also, how can we educate the public on what a junk vehicle is, what will we do, and how will we do it? Chairman Wilson stated that we need to have a way to report violations on line. Lisa Wright said she could put something very primitive together that would work until we got some better software. Todd Varner stated that the dilemma on making reporting easier is that it still takes a while to get to the inspections because we have so many complaints. Marilyn Bellevance stated that we should put that in an article so people will know it takes time. Motion was made by Steve Brown, seconded by Don Taylor, to lower the time required to declare a vehicle as junk to 10 days. Motion carried unanimously. Chairman Wilson asked the staff to report at the next meeting on how we can set up a more efficient system and a website.