Platteville staff propose code-enforcement changes to give police a designee role

The council received an information report July 14 on proposed changes to the municipal code that would allow the code compliance coordinator and the police department to enforce select sections of chapters 4, 5 and 24.

Chief (identified in the meeting) said the coordinator role is shifting from Public Works to the Police Department and the ordinance language needs to reflect that change. He said the amendments are primarily enforcement clarifications and "substantively do not change the ordinances themselves," but will add the police department as a designee for enforcement where the code previously named the public works director or fire chief.

Examples Chief cited include enforcement of material placed in streets and sidewalks, the 36-hour shoveling requirement, weed-commissioner duties, and certain fire-code enforcement actions (for example, an unattended fire ring that presents a hazard). The chief said police officers and a designated community-service officer will coordinate enforcement, and the city will set up an email address and social-media notices so residents know how to submit complaints.

Council members asked whether officers will be able to issue citations and whether anonymous complaints would be pursued. Chief said officers will be able to issue tickets when authorized, complaints will be verified before contact, and staff will not disclose complainants' identities to property owners. The council was scheduled to consider the ordinance changes for action at a future meeting.

Next steps: staff will forward final ordinance language after city-attorney review and provide council with updated complaint process details and contact information for the code compliance coordinator.