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McMinnville Board approves code-enforcement measures to speed property cleanup and establishes review path for problem properties
Summary
The City Board approved a package of ordinances and administrative measures intended to strengthen code enforcement, expedite cleanups and create a commission path to address vacant or deteriorating properties. The Board recorded roll-call votes for the measures.
The McMinnville City Board approved a set of ordinances and administrative measures designed to strengthen local code enforcement and speed the cleanup and remediation of blighted or neglected properties.
A staff presenter described a proposal to adopt an administrative hearing-officer process that would expand remedies beyond existing municipal-court fines. The presenter said nonresidential violations could result in "$500 per violation per day" in remedial fees and that property owners would be given a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 120 days to come into compliance during the administrative process. He said McMinnville staff plan to meet with Morrison city officials about a reciprocal arrangement in which Morrison’s administrative hearing officer (Stan Phillips was referenced) could adjudicate McMinnville cases at no net cost to either city, and that the staff would return an ordinance to the full board for adoption.
The Board also considered an ordinance described in the meeting as "QCA title 13 chapter 1, Sloan Cares Act," which would create a commission to review candidate properties, provide property owners additional time (90 days in the presenter’s remarks) to remedy conditions and, where necessary, recommend properties for further action by the Board — including use of eminent-domain or other acquisition pathways to spur redevelopment. The Board approved the proposal by motion.
Relatedly, the Board adopted an ordinance referenced as title 654113 intended to expedite cleanup procedures and allow the city to file a remedial lien and add unpaid cleanup costs to the tax rolls to improve recovery of remediation costs. The presenter said the updated process shortens timelines and clarifies that property owners have a right to a hearing; if owners fail to appear or a hearing upholds the findings, the city may enter the property, abate hazards and file a lien.
Council members recorded roll-call votes as the measures were adopted. The measures passed in the recorded votes. Staff said they will return implementing ordinances and related administrative rules for final adoption and will provide updates in staff reports.
