04/06/2004 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 4I6/Z(i04 city code which establishes the requirement that appropriate trash containers/receptacles '~`' must be provided by a landlord. He would like the city to enforce the code and that there be a resolution to this problem by the end of the week. Mr. Fannin's comments sparked a very lengthy debate among members of Council and the administration as to the resolution of this issue. Service Director Driscoll clarified that, due to a complaint, the Engineering Department had notified the property owner that the dumpster, which was located right at the sidewalk, needed to be relocated or confined or another means of collecting the trash should be provided to be in compliance with the ordinance. The owner was not told to remove the dumpster from the property. Mr. Driscoll had several conversations with the owner and has attempted to give him time to come into compliance. The owner has offered various solutions, but he has not provided a solution. Mr. Driscoll determined that it was time to contact the Law Department and did speak to the Assistant Law Director who advised that a letter be written to the Law Department. Several members of Council expressed frustration and concern that this problem had been going on for so Long and that the owner has not been cited. There have been other problems with this property in the past, and it seems that the property owner continues to ignore the city codes. It was noted that the property owner had been several months behind in his payments to BFI for the trash dumpster. One Council member suggested that the lack of a property maintenance inspector may have contributed to the problems and expressed concern as to when this position would be filled. Another Council member suggested that the city could supply the pick-up service or a dumpster and charge the property owner. The Law Director noted that would have to be handled Legislatively as the city codes do not provide for the city to do so and to charge back those costs. The city codes do provide for the same treatment for all residential properties with regard to trash pick-up. The tenants can bring their trash out to a dedicated street (Claque Road or Lorain Road) and it will be picked up. That, however, does not address the problem of trash storage until the weekly pick-up. The Service Director noted that the tenants can bring their trash to the City Hall dumpster. A Council member suggested to Mr. Fannin that the tenants look into their own legal remedy, such as placing their rent in escrow. That may well get the owner's attention. Law Director Dubelko asked the Service Director to write a letter to formally send this issue to the Law Department so that legal action can be taken to get this problem remedied. Dennis Lambert, 25057 Carey Lane. • Regazding the trash issue, he feels the matter should be handled by the Building Commissioner rather than the Service Director as the Building Commissioner has the responsibility for occupancy permits for multi-family units. • Has a concern regarding public notice. With regard to the Charter Review Commission, he has provided a letter to the Clerk of Council and to the Mayor. There is no mention of the Charter Review Commission on the city website and there is no notice of meetings on the boazd in the City Hall lobby. He warns to know who at City Hall will be responsible for the Charter Review Commission as to postings of meetings and who can be contacted regazding meetings. • Regazding firearms, he suggested that Council pass an ordinance prohibiting weapons, concealed or otherwise, from being carried in any public building, park, public area, recreation complex, schools, library, etc. If the city has an ordinance on the books, it can be enforced without infringing on anyone's civil rights. 10