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Connell City outlines new code enforcement board, neighborhood care committee and abatement steps
Summary
Council reviewed two ordinances to create a five‑member Code Enforcement Board and a five‑member Neighborhood Care Committee, outlined a 7‑step abatement process (notice, remedy period, hearing, abatement, billing, lien) and agreed to return with candidate names for volunteer positions.
The council reviewed two related ordinances to split code enforcement into (1) a five‑member Code Enforcement Board that would hear abatement hearings and (2) a five‑member Neighborhood Care Committee that would identify potential violations and provide community support.
The chair outlined a multi‑step process for handling violations: identification and documentation (photos, maps, notes), notice and an initial 15‑day cure period, further outreach and a 15–30 day remedy period depending on severity, an abatement step with posted notice and certified mail if the owner fails to act, a right to request a hearing before the Code Enforcement Board within 10 business days, and, if necessary, city abatement followed by billing to the owner and placement of a lien if the bill is unpaid after 30 days.
Council clarified that the Neighborhood Care Committee would not have enforcement authority and could not contact property owners or initiate action without authorization from the code enforcement officer. Members will be volunteers serving two‑year terms. Council members raised concerns about potential misuse ("nitpicking" or HOA‑like behavior); staff emphasized that the committee's role is supportive and that the code enforcement officer would control notifications and enforcement actions.
The council agreed to develop and present five candidate names for each body at the next meeting for council approval.
