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Mayor, chief and attorney to draft nuisance-fee ordinance after Broadleaf stabbing
Summary
Following a violent incident at Broadleaf, St. Helens officials plan a draft chronic-nuisance ordinance by June and will work with the police and attorney on language and enforcement details; council plans to route the ordinance to legal review.
Mayor and staff said April 1 they will pursue a chronic-nuisance fee ordinance with a target discussion window around June, and they will coordinate the draft with the police department and city attorney.
The item follows a recent stabbing at Broadleaf; Mayor said a citizen stepped in to help and expressed hope the victim would recover. City Attorney Ashley said she will research model nuisance-fee ordinances and work with Chief Smith, who described the ordinance as a tool that can support case documentation and court proceedings when persistent issues at rental properties generate repeated calls for service.
Councilors discussed whether fees would be assessed to property owners for chronic calls (examples elsewhere include graduated fines for repeat calls) and agreed the proceeds would go into the general fund. The mayor and staff will meet with the chief and return with a tightened draft and a recommended enforcement and revenue treatment for council review and legal clearance.
