Title
Citizen Proposal - Monitoring Yard Parking Violations (B)
Explanation
At the May 14, 2007 City Commission, citizen Carol Daly expressed concerns with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) presented for the Codes Enforcement staff to follow to incorporate citizen participation in yard parking violations. The City Commission sent this issue back to the Public Safety Committee for clarification. There has also been concern expressed by some citizens that this procedure would have citizens policing other citizens. Mrs. Daly is concerned about creating a more adversarial environment between landlords and tenants and that because a tenant might get the warning or citation, points will be assessed against the landlord. All points may be appealed, however there is no appeal of warning citations.
Ron Combs, Senior Assistant City Attorney highlighted to citizens wishing to utilize this process that there is greater responsibility on them than just taking pictures and passing them on to the code officer. They must also be willing to execute and affidavit and testify if need be. The goal is to deter those who may wish to agitate by filing frivolous complaints against landlords and property owners.
Jim Garrett, Codes Enforcement Manager, explained that this authority has always been available to his department but a procedure had not been in place to use it. After the issue was referred to the Public Safety Committee he developed the SOP to insure that all Codes Enforcement officers are following the same procedures. It is the internal procedure to handle complaints. This procedure is not for yard parking violations only. Consistent with statutory authority, the SOP is written so that it can be used for other types of violations as needed in the future.
Fiscal Note
None
Recommendation
The City Commission 1) approve this procedure as clarified by staff and 2) remove this item from the Public Safety Committee referral list.