Provide an update to City Council on the enhanced code enforcement pilot program using the International Property Maintenance Code (I.P.M.C.). The IPMC is a companion document to the International building codes.  Following City Council policy direction, the cross-functional team set project goals, made extra efforts in the neighborhoods, and measured results that have been achieved in the past year.  The purpose of tonight’s study session is to report on the actions that have occurred since we have implemented the cross-functional team.

In March of 2016, a cross functional team comprised of the City Manager's Office, City Attorney’s Office, Planning & Community Development, Police/Code Enforcement, Fire, and Economic Development/Building Safety convened to address the issue of unsafe, abandoned, residential structures. The work of the cross-functional team was primarily on residential structures; however, the team included a couple non-residential to compare complexities between non-residential vs. residential. At the Study Session briefing Mayor and Council directed staff to implement a Pilot Program and to report back in one year on progress. Staff is reporting back to City Council on the results

1. Budget Allocation for FY17 approved - June 2016
2. Study Session Presentation, Policy Direction - March 15, 2016

The expected financial resources needed to continue this initiative will be included in the upcoming FY18 budget proposal.  Proposed addition of $30,000 in one-time funds to assist in the lot clean-up efforts for those abandoned residential structures and parcels requiring higher-level abatements.  These costs, if approved, would be supported through the City’s General Fund.

This was a Pilot Program to test and apply the property maintenance portion of the Building Code.    Working with property owners has been challenging and productive with positive results.  In key areas blight has been removed.  The momentum is important to maintain in order to continue work on key properties that have been identified in the program.

On the residential properties, allocating $30,000 is still viable for five to six houses at an estimated demo cost of $5,000 to $6,000 each. This year, we found that none of the properties identified (so far) have required us to spend money on demolitions. The primary cost has been the Wildan engineering analysis to validate the condition of the buildings. As a result of that savings, we were able to address even more homes. Staff recommends the current program remain focused on residential areas with blighted properties. Staff also recommends commercial properties continue to be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

This effort has been cost-effective and successful. Staff would like to receive Mayor and Council’s input and extend the Pilot Program for an additional year. This will be proposed in the upcoming FY18 Budget Study Session.