Council members reviewed options to bolster code enforcement and civil enforcement capacity, including hiring a dedicated enforcement officer, using police personnel on an enforcement detail, or contracting with an outside vendor.

Why it matters: council members said stronger, reliable code enforcement could improve downtown appearance, address nuisance properties and support enforcement of maintenance standards for parks and public spaces. The council discussed the trade-offs between an outside contractor and an in-house employee who could also assist police patrols.

Cost and staffing options: staff cited an approximate annual cost for a full-time enforcement position of about $87,000 (salary and associated costs). Council members proposed an alternative: a retired officer working a 30-hour weekly schedule, which could lower benefit costs while providing experienced enforcement and daytime coverage. Several council members said they would prefer trying an in-house police-based enforcement approach first rather than immediately contracting externally.

Operational details and ordinance constraints: participants noted local code requires two warnings before citation issuance under current ordinance language; council members discussed whether to change that approach and whether a contracted party could meet community expectations or be perceived as less responsive. Staff emphasized the need for clear performance standards and schedule coordination with existing police patrols and special events.

Next steps: council asked staff to return with cost comparisons and job descriptions for a full-time enforcement position, a 30-hour retired-officer option and a contracting proposal. No hiring or contracting decision was made during the workshop.