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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - July 21, 2021 C-26AGENDA ITEM C,,(2b CITY OF LODI M.. COUNCIL COMMUNICATION TM AGENDA TITLE: Adopt Resolution Authorizing Code Enforcement to Transition from Lodi Police Department to the Community Development Department and be Structured Under the Community Improvement Division and Appropriate Additional Funds in an Amount not to Exceed $25,000 MEETING DATE: July 21, 2021 PREPARED BY: Community Development Director RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt resolution authorizing Code Enforcement to transition from Lodi Police Department to the Community Development Department and be structured under the Community Improvement Division and appropriate additional funds in an amount not to exceed $25,000. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Prior to 2008, Code Enforcement was under the Community Development Department (CDD) umbrella. It was part of the Community Improvement Division and worked closely with Planning, Building, and Neighborhood Services before the transition to the Police Department (PD) in 2008. In a recent joint effort, the PD and CDD have discussed opportunities for expanding collaborative efforts, building community involvement, and rebranding Code Enforcement and bringing the unit back to CDD and reestablish the Community Improvement Division. Working as a team the Community Improvement Division will coordinate its activities with all related City Departments. Community Improvement _Philosophy. Striving towards compliance through education, communication and collaboration. Key components of this philosophy are: Community Improvement will be primarily complaint driven. o Proactive approach will be taken should we observe a violation posing a safety hazard while we are out conducting our daily inspections. • The Community Improvement Division shall use various techniques to assure compliance through our City of Lodi Municipal Code in support of: o Building and zoning requirements o Health and safety concerns o Property maintenance standards o Other land use laws and regulations. Voluntary compliance from citizens would be a primary objective. The Department understands, each case may be unique and a "one size fits all' solution does not always work. ■ A good compliance program promotes increased land values, safer neighborhoods, and pride in ownership. APPROVED: Steve Schwabauer Stephen Schwabauer, City Manager Code Enforcement Change July 21, 2021 Page 2 of 2 o Education of the public regarding applicable laws can be an effective tool in obtaining, immediate compliance, and a long-range solution to ongoing nuisances. Efficient code compliance is best accomplished by direct communication with members of the community through a variety of methods. These include reaching out via social media (such as Lodi Website and other formats), mass mailings, and face-to-face discussions with property owners through the Community Improvement Program. Timely resolution of code violations is imperative to the health and safety of Lodi residents. Staff recommends City Council adopt a resolution authorizing Code Enforcement to transition from Lodi Police Department to the Community Development Department and be structured under the Community Improvement Division and appropriate additional funds in an amount not to exceed $25,000 for incidental costs associated with the move. Existing Community Development staff will be taking on additional responsibilities to supervise and administer the Community Improvement Division as a result of this transition. As a result, there will be additional supervisory and administrative costs associated with the move that were not included in the adopted budget and will therefore not be transferring from the Police Department Budget as a result of the requested action. An analysis of the additional responsibilities as they relate to certain classifications within Community Development will be performed by Human Resources. Adjustments to classification and compensation will be submitted to the Council at a future meeting. FISCAL IMPACT: All budget and appropriations authority currently authorized for FY 2021/22 under the Police Department for Code Enforcement will be transferred to a new division within the General Fund titled Community Improvement Division. All authority for these appropriations previously vested in the Chief of Police will be transferred to the Community Development Director. In addition, the new Community Improvement Division is requesting $25,000 in additional appropriation to convert an existing conference room into workspace for Community Improvement Division employees. Added supervisory cost may also be required to maintain this departmental increase. Funding source for this increase will come from Community Development budget. FUNDING AVAILABLE: Funding for the initial transfer is available in the Police Department's approved FY 2021/22 budget. The source for the additional funding request of $25,000 for the conference room conversion is the General Fund reserve. Andrew Keys Andrew Keys Deputy City Manager/Internal Services Director John R Della Monica, Jr. Comm pity Development Dire tar RESOLUTION NO. 2021-209 A RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING CODE ENFORCEMENT TO TRANSITION FROM THE LODI POLICE DEPARTMENT TO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND BE STRUCTURED UNDER THE COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DIVISION; AND FURTHER APPROPRIATING ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR INCIDENTAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MOVE WHEREAS, the City of Lodi Code Enforcement Division is currently under the Lodi Police Department purview; and WHEREAS, prior to 2008, Code Enforcement resided under the Community Development Department, Community Improvement Division; and WHEREAS, in a joint effort, the Police Department and the Community Development Department have discussed opportunities for expanding collaborative efforts, building community involvement, and rebranding Code Enforcement; and WHEREAS, staff has determined a need to focus on processes and improvements in the development of Policies and Procedures and transition to a community improvement philosophy; and WHEREAS, there will be addition costs to accommodate the move that have not been fully vetted, but staff believes it should not exceed an additional $25,000; and WHEREAS, staff recommends authorizing Code Enforcement to transition from the Lodi Police Department to the Community Development Department and be structured under the Community Improvement Division. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Lodi City Council does hereby authorize Code Enforcement to transition from the Lodi Police Department to the Community Development Department and be structured under the Community Improvement Division; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Lodi City Council does hereby appropriate additional funds from the General Fund reserve in an amount not to exceed $25,000 for incidental costs associated with the move. Dated: July 21, 2020 I hereby certify that Resolution No. 2021-209 was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Lodi in a regular meeting held July 21, 2021, by the following vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — Chandler, Hothi, Khan, Kuehne, and Mayor Nakanishi NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None JENNIFP. CUSMIR City CCI 2021-209