REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
April 21, 2016
FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director
Development and Resource Management Department
BY: DEL ESTABROOKE, Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization Manager
Development and Resource Management Department
SUBJECT
Title
BILL - (For introduction and adoption) - An emergency ordinance of the City of Fresno, California, amending Subsection (f) of Section 1-409 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to Hearing Officer authority (Requires 5 affirmative votes)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of an emergency ordinance amending Subsection (f) of Section 1-409 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to Hearing Officer authority.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Fresno Municipal Code (FMC) section 1-409 relating to the hearing officer's authority does not currently compel property owners or tenants to repair nuisances or otherwise remedy illegal conditions on their properties in a timely manner. There has been significant effort on the part of the Administration, City Council, Mayor-Council Task Force, and concerned citizens to effectively and efficiently mitigate these conditions. Too often in the past, problem properties remained in a dangerous state of disrepair for an undetermined amount of time, causing further incidents and potentially dangerous situations to everyone living in close proximity. By amending FMC section 1-409, the hearing officer will have clear authority, and the responsibility, to require property owners to fix their properties within a 30-day time frame or risk larger fines and possible misdemeanor prosecution.
BACKGROUND
Recently, the City Council approved the Blighted Vacant Building Ordinance and a Receivership program to deal with problem blighted and vacant properties. The hearing officer hears appeals from those who own these type properties and either contest the actions or fees associated with Code Enforcement actions. The current ordinance does not require the hearing officer to ...
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