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Council approves $8,000 code‑enforcement tally after repeated noncompliance at single address
Summary
Council reviewed item 11j involving roughly $8,000 in accumulated code enforcement citations tied to repeated noncompliance at a single address; staff said multiple warnings and in‑person meetings preceded citations and the property has since been brought into compliance.
The Wasco City Council on June 18 voted to approve an item from the consent calendar — item 11j — that represented a package of code enforcement cases tied to a single address and totaling about $8,000 in accumulated citations.
Code Enforcement staff (Sergio) explained the citation process to the council: each violation carries a tiered schedule (typically $200 the first month, $300 the second and $500 per violation thereafter) and multiple violations and months can produce large totals. Sergio said officers and code staff attempted repeated outreach, including letters, certified mail and in‑person meetings, before citations were issued. "Before sending out citations, we send out warnings. We give them a chance to correct the violation," he said. He told the council that staff knocked on doors, contacted neighbors and held face‑to‑face meetings before escalating to citations.
Council members pressed staff on whether the unpermitted structure at the address could be made legal; staff said the way the structure was built and its location meant it could not be made legal and removal was required. Sergio said the citations — and the prospect of rising fines — were necessary leverage to obtain compliance, and he reported the matter had been corrected after the fines were levied.
After discussion, the council approved item 11j by roll call. The presiding officer said the council’s goal is compliance first, adding that staff always tries to obtain voluntary compliance but that in some cases citations are the only effective tool. "These citations go a long way leveraging the fact that you're going to have to pay thousands more dollars if you don't comply," Sergio said.
What the transcript shows: staff described multiple case numbers, repeated notices and accrued interest as drivers of the $8,000 figure; staff also noted property owners had opportunities to appeal citations and had been notified by certified and regular mail each time a citation was issued.
Next steps: Code Enforcement will proceed with standard collection or lien procedures if fines are not resolved; council directed staff to continue outreach to property owners and follow the established appeal process.
