Title
Ordinance No. 18-26 amending Sections 102 (Definitions) of Article 1 (Public Health and Sanitation - General Provisions) of Chapter 6 (Neighborhood Vitality/Community Health) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, relating to the definition of administrator (Legislative)
Presenter:
Peter Wysocki, Director of Planning and Community Development
Mitchel Hammes, Neighborhood Services Manager
Body
Summary:
This ordinance is the first of three associated ordinances on the same topic. Some of the background materials associated with this item apply to all three proposed ordinances, including an analysis of Code Enforcement complaints and inspections, a redline that includes all the code changes proposed in these ordinances, and sections of City Code relating to minimum housing standards.
Together, the proposed ordinances consolidate and clarify the enforcement remedies applicable to violations of the City’s Housing Code, strengthen the remedies applicable to repeat and chronic repeat offenders for continued non-compliance with the City’s minimum housing standards and focuses on providing improved living conditions and quality of life for tenants. The proposed ordinances also consolidate, clarify and streamline the procedures for the issuance of notice and orders for violations and the appellate process to review notice and orders as well as the assessment of re-inspection fees. By providing for a single level of administrative review, unhealthy and/or unsafe situations can be abated quickly and efficiently with a minimum level of delay while providing a necessary forum for review of enforcement actions.
This ordinance changes the definition of the Code Enforcement Administrator from that of the Chief of Police or the Chief’s designee to the Manager of Community Development or the Manager’s designee to provide congruence with the current organizational configuration.
Previous Council Action:
N/A
Background:
In July 2015, through a reorganization, the Code Enforcement unit was removed from the Police Department and made to report to the Manager of Community Development. This ordinance is simply a verbiage change within the City Code to reflect that the Code Enforcement Administrator is the Manager of Community Development or his/her designee.
Financial Implications:
N/A
Board/Commission Recommendation:
N/A
Stakeholder Process:
In February 2018, the ordinances were distributed to a group of interested stakeholders, including Homeward Pikes Peak, the Colorado Springs Housing Authority, Greccio Housing, the Apartment Association of Southern Colorado, El Paso County Public Health, the Council of Neighbors and Organizations, and other subject matter experts. Council staff received feedback from a number of stakeholders, and their feedback was considered in the presentation of the three associated ordinances.
Alternatives:
City Council could approve the ordinance as presented, modify the ordinance, or refer the matter back to the City staff for further consideration.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Approve the ordinance as presented.
Summary of Ordinance Language
An ordinance amending Chapter 6, Neighborhood Vitality/Community Health, of City Code to define the Code Enforcement Administrator as the Manager of Community Development or the Manager’s designee responsible for enforcing the health, sanitation and housing ordinances of the City.