04/15/2003 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 4/15/2003 ~„~ Law Director Dubelko said he had suggested to Finance Chairperson McKay that this issue be discussed in the next committee meeting. Mayor Musial said he would have no difficulty with that and hoped that the entire picture could be looked at. Mrs. Kasler agreed that would occur. Councilman Miller noted that the vacant parcel of land across from Wal-Mart (Parcel E} was an eyesore. It is full of debris and many blue Wal-Mart bags. It is a poor reflection on the city. He inquired of the Law Director if the city could hold Wal-Mart or the property owner responsible for cleatting it up. Law Director Dubelko suggested that Building Commissioner Conway be eomacted regarding real property maintenance. A few years ago, Mr. O'Grady sponsored legislation that address«l the condition of vacant lots, and the city specifically carved out an exception for lots that were greater than one acre. Mr. Miller noted that he would also ask the county community service group to help clear the parcel as they have done work in the city in the past. Councilman Miller's comment sparked a lengthy discussion as to the status of property mairnenance inspection in the city. At this time, the city is without a property maintenance inspector as the former person retired and was not replaced. It was suggested that perhaps one of the inspectors could split his work and take on some of the property maintenance inspections. Mayor Musial noted there is a problem of time expended by the inspector in going to court over citations. Law Director Dubelko said he was not concerned about the number of times the Law Department or the Building Departmenrt would have to go to court. The issue he is going to look at is whether or not there is an obligation in the real property maintenance code for individuals who own large tracts of undeveloped property. Safety Director Jesse said that he is addressing the property maintenance issues that are either a very strong safety ar nuisance issue. But the inspector is a very important position, and the city will be moving forward with a solution. Mr. McKay noted that he had spoken to the manager of Wal-Mart and asked that they police their property every day to avoid debris blowing across the street. Mayor Musial said he would also speak to Wal-Mart to ask them to address the issue of their debris blowing onto Parcel E. Finance Director Copfer: 1) Along with the Assistant Finance Du-ector, she attended the mandatory State Treaswer's annual training program last week. Besides getting up-to- date on new issues and what to do when there's no interest earnings to be had and safety and security of public funds being held, she also had an opportunity to talk to other finance directors who are in the process of going through financial system computer conversion. The information was very helpful, and she will continue to get as much information as possible from the other cities to aid her in this project. 2) The county revised the 2404 tax budget requirements and have streamlined the information that is to be provided. The formal public hearing requirement has been eliminated since the tax budget is discussed during Council meetings and committee meetings, which allows ample opportunity for public input.