REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
December 10, 2015
FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director
Development and Resource Management Department
BY: DEL ESTABROOKE, Parking Services and Community Revitalization Division Manager
Development and Resource Management Department
SUBJECT
Title
***BILL NO. B-44 - (Intro. 12/3/2015) (For adoption) - Amending Subsection (f) to Section 1-304 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to Code violations, also known as "Ben's Bill" in honor of Benjamin Rash, former Code Enforcement staff member who worked on this matter until his passing.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the proposed amendments to Subsection (f) of Section 1-304 of the Fresno Municipal Code authorizing the City use of a Receivership.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Acting on community concerns and the recommendations of the Mayor-Council Code Enforcement Task Force, the City Council recently approved amendments to the Blighted Vacant Building Ordinance. The Blighted Vacant Building Ordinance will mitigate a substantial portion of vacant and blighted property issues within the City but there will still be some properties that do not comply. Under this amended ordinance's authority, the City will create a Receivership Program to address the remaining properties with ongoing or extensive violations of the Municipal Code, Fire Code, Building Code, or excessive criminal activity where the record owner is either unwilling or unable to correct the issues.
BACKGROUND
The Fresno General Plan was created to protect investments in private and public property; to preserve neighborhood character and community values; and to promote investment and reinvestment in Fresno's established neighborhoods. The creation of a Receivership Program under this ordinance continues the work of the Mayor-Council Code Enforcement Task Force to improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods.
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