Development Services presented enforcement metrics at the March 8 retreat and fielded council questions about sidewalk vendors, rental‑housing inspections and competing enforcement priorities.

The department reported complaint totals for 2024 and compared proactive work: sidewalk vendors generated 49 complaints and 19 proactive enforcement actions, while rental housing drew 255 complaints and community preservation generated 1,409 complaints, the department said. That comparison was offered to illustrate the scale of competing demands on a limited code‑enforcement team.

Director (identified in the transcript as Bauch) told council the contrast in complaint volumes means the city's enforcement team must balance landlord‑tenant work and other legal obligations with vendor enforcement. The director said staff have been proactive on vending but that vendors often return quickly after enforcement actions, limiting the policy impact of spot enforcement.

Multiple council members pressed for a more durable approach that does not divert code resources from legally required inspections. Opinions at the meeting varied: some council members urged stronger, regular enforcement against large, commercial vending operations and consistency with bans on single‑use plastics; others said enforcement should not crowd out rental inspection duties and asked staff to evaluate alternatives such as a targeted enforcement team or clearer partnership and permit pathways.

The council asked staff to assemble a cross‑departmental working group to develop a durable plan that could include enforcement, permitting, business licensing, public health and public‑space activation and to report back with options that preserve core services while addressing downtown and neighborhood impacts.

No ordinance or new enforcement program was adopted at the retreat; councilors requested staff analysis and stakeholder outreach as a next step.