Council backs targeted enforcement approach and asks staff to analyze hiring a code-enforcement officer

The council discussed an agenda item that examined options to address vacant commercial buildings and lots in Atwater: adopt a new registration-and-fee ordinance; reprioritize existing code enforcement resources toward vacant-commercial blight; or continue current practice.

City staff and Code Enforcement Manager Daniel Garcia explained the operational constraints: a small code-enforcement team, a daily workload heavily weighted toward homeless encampments and associated cleanup, and challenges locating and contacting out-of-town property owners of vacant commercial parcels. Staff estimated a new or expanded vacant-property program would require an additional full-time employee to administer registration, inspections and enforcement, and suggested the program could be at least partially supported by fees.

Public commenters and several council members urged stronger enforcement of existing rules, suggested focusing on penalties for repeat noncompliance, and emphasized that Measure B and other local revenue sources could be used to fund enforcement staffing. The mayor and several council members said they preferred a practical, non-bureaucratic path that did not create unnecessary regulations but provided teeth for enforcement.

The council voted to proceed with a fiscal analysis under Option 2 (targeted enforcement/prioritization) that would examine the cost recovery potential and, if warranted, return with a proposed budget amendment to hire an additional code-enforcement officer.