REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
April 27, 2017
FROM: BRUCE RUDD, City Manager
DOUGLAS T. SLOAN, City Attorney
SUBJECT
Title
Anti-Slum Enforcement Team (ASET) Quarterly Report
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Discuss the status of Anti Slum Enforcement Team (ASET) per requirements of the ASET Resolution (attached) approved by the Council and Mayor in November 2016.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Administration, City Attorney's Office (CAO), and DARM Code Enforcement staff is working in a coordinated effort to aggressively pursue compliance of egregious property owners. The CAO has recently hired and assigned three lawyers, a paralegal, and a legal secretary to ASET. Staff has assigned two senior inspectors previously assigned to the STOPP Team, and is in the process of hiring additional inspectors and a supervisor. Some significant results have been obtained, as set forth in the required weekly status report, the most recent copy of which is attached. Options to enhance the effectiveness of ASET and Code Enforcement generally can be discussed.
BACKGROUND
With City budget cuts taking place during the most recent recession, resources for all types of code enforcement were reduced. The CAO defunded all (formerly up to four) Code attorney positions between FY 2013 and 2016, and DARM experienced a significant reduction in Code Enforcement officers as well.
The FY 2017 Budget provided additional funding to add two lawyers, a paralegal, and a legal secretary position to pursue rental housing egregious violators effective October 1, 2016. DARM received funding to add two inspector positions, as well.
In November 2016, Council and the Mayor approved the ASET Resolution. A summary of the ASET Resolution is as follows:
1. The Resolution states the City's policy for Code Enforcement will be to prioritize pursuit (civil and/or criminal) of owners of occupied rental housing that have significant health and safety violations.
2. The Resolution provides additional resources wi...
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