AgdaPkt 2008-11-10 Clsd and Reg - Laserfiche WebLink

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7C Page 1 REPORT November 10, 2008 INFORMATION ONLY SUBJECT Status of Code Enforcement Efforts - General History of Code Enforcement, Code Enforcement of Signage, and Volunteer Program BACKGROUND General Historv - Several City departments generate code enforcement activity related to property maintenance, zoning, health and safety, parking, signs, animal control, noise, shopping carts, etc. Responsibility for enforcement of these various codes is consolidated in the Building and Inspection Division of the Community Development Services Department Program size and staffing levels have fluctuated over the years. The City's first code enforcement officer was hired in 1985. In subsequent years staffing has included additional code enforcement officers, community service officers, a sign code enforcement specialist, administrative support staff, a counter technician, and a supervisor. At these higher staffing levels, the City was able to be proactive with regard to code enforcement rather than simply respond to complaints. All properties in Redwood City were inspected from the public right of way approximately every two years. Code enforcement staff teamed with staff from other divisions and departments to focus on blighted areas. As well, code enforcement supported special projects which focused on specific violations or areas such as certain types of signs, sign violations on designated streets, amortization of non-confonning signs, the downtown, municipal gateways. anti-gang, anti-graffiti, red light abatement, street maintenance, fire hazard weed abatement, banners, inoperable vehicles, and the posting of signs on poles and medians in the public right of way. During the budget cuts from 2002 through 2004, many positions throughout the City were eliminated, and in Building and Inspection the cuts included one Administrative Clerk II, one Secretary, one Senior Building Inspector (the code enforcement supervisor). the Sign Code Enforcement Specialist, one Community Service Officer, two Building Inspectors, and a part-time Plan Checker. Two contract Building Inspector positions were added during this time period, resulting in a net decrease of 5.70 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions. Building and Inspection went from 21.00 to 15.30 FTE with a 40% cut in the code enforcement subprogram. Remaining staff was cross-trained to perform both building inspection and code enforcement functions. Code enforcement efforts became reactive rather than proactive due to reduced staffing levels. Work on special projects was no longer possible and code enforcement response was restricted largely to health and safety issues. Code enforcement is a key component and tool to support City Council's overarching guidelines and priorities. In 2006, one Community Service Officer position was added back to the bUdget and in 2007, a Code Enforcement Officer position was funded through the Redevelopment Agency to provide focused service in the redevelopment