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Council sends proposed nuisance-code updates and graffiti-removal ordinance to committee
Summary
Council members discussed proposed updates to the nuisance code, a replacement of Section 2-15-45, and a new graffiti-notification and removal program; the ordinances were placed in committee and two later-drafted items were pulled from consideration.
City council members reviewed several proposed changes to the municipal code intended to strengthen nuisance abatement and to create a city-administered graffiti notification and removal program. A council member who introduced the items said the revisions were prepared “based on recommendations of the chiefs, the public safety commissioner, sat down with the mayor, law,” and that “this piece needs to be updated, moving forward with nuisance abatement inside the city.”
The proposals discussed included an ordinance to amend section 2-17 (nuisances), a replacement of section 2-15-45, and an ordinance adding section 2-15-11 to require a graffiti notification and removal program. The introducer told the council the only change to the graffiti measure was adding “a definition to what graffiti is.” The council member also discussed practical issues: that DPW and parks staff currently remove graffiti from both public and some private property, and that removal from private residences would require a signed waiver from property owners. “There would be a waiver that they would sign,” the introducer said.
The nut graf: Council members said they wanted to test changes and refine language through committee rather than rush adoption. The meeting record shows the council voted to place the proposed ordinances in committee for further review. The introducer also said two other proposed items (agenda items 5 and 6) were not ready and would be pulled from consideration; the transcript records the introducer saying, “both 5 and 6, I'm gonna pull.”
Council action recorded the committee referrals: proposed ordinance amending section 2-17 and the proposed replacement of 2-15-45 were committed to committee, as was the graffiti ordinance. No final policy or budget decision on funding for graffiti removal was made at the meeting; the introducer noted that adding a budget line for removal was one of the components the council could consider.
Next steps: staff will circulate revised draft language and meet with the clerk’s office and public safety committee; committee review will determine whether any of the items return to the full council for final vote.
