Council discusses ‘Restore Seminole’ code enforcement plan; staff proposes moving enforcement to police

The council spent an extended period discussing a proposed overhaul of code enforcement—labeled in staff materials as a “Restore Seminole” package—that would move code enforcement under the police department, hire dedicated enforcement staff, add curbside debris pickup and increase administrative abatement and lien/foreclosure activity.

Staff presentation and proposal A staff presenter (identified in the meeting as “Steve” and supported by community-development staff Sharon) described the current system: construction inspection and code enforcement functions were shared and, in the presenter’s account, had allowed chronic offenders to avoid timely compliance. To speed enforcement staff said the city proposed creating a civilian code enforcement position placed administratively under the Police Department, hiring additional part‑time enforcement help in peak mowing season, and standing up a city-run curbside bulky-debris pickup (“Seminole Bridal” in the presentation) with clearly limited parameters.

Staff provided cost and scope figures: a one-time investment (equipment and vehicles including a dump truck, riding mower, push…