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07-14-1992 CITIZENS COUNCIL ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING July 14, 1992 Minutes ROLL CALL Janet Ptaszek Present James Mackie Excused Charlene Dennis Present Shirley Roberts Excused Delores Cucanich Present Charles Gebelein Present INTRODUCTION OF THOSE IN ATTENDANCE Pat Montrowl, George Cowan, Doris Hill and C. E. Clark all introduced themselves. Alice Murphy attended later. The recording secretary explained there is currently no Committee Chairman. The floor was open for nominations. Mrs. Ptaszek nominated Mrs. Dennis. Mrs. Dennis declined due to health reasons. Mrs. Cucanich nominated Dr. Gebelein. Mrs. Dennis seconded the nomination. Dr. Gebelein was elected Chairman, the vote being 4 -0. It was agreed to hold the election of the other officers at the next regular meeting when more members are present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was pointed out that Mrs. Ptaszek is the only remaining committee member who attended the last meeting. She moved to accept the minutes as submitted. Mrs. Dennis seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 4 -0. Chairman Gebelein suggested the minutes he mailed to the former committee members for their information. OLD BUSINESS Code Enforcement Officers' duties Mrs. Ptaszek reiterated previous committee discussion regarding this procedure. Mrs. Cucanich stated neighbors do not like having to call in on each other. Mrs. Ptaszek stated she would like to know what amount of response they are getting now, compared to before, regarding existing violations. Mrs. Cucanich related the work load now compared to before is much lower. She previously served on the Code Enforcement Board and they use to receive a lot of complaints before the system changed to a call in system. Mrs. Ptaszek questioned whether it could be added to other City employees job descriptions to report violations as seen during their work day. Mrs. Doris Hill stated she attended the Council meeting when this change was initiated. She feels a good job was being done cleaning up the City when the Code Enforcement Officers were out there citing violators. It seems a lot of complaints were made by the violators and now we are on this trial period with neighbors enforcing the code. She also pointed out that a lot of citizens do not have knowledge regarding what exactly is a violation. Mrs. Ptaszek agreed that it is a sensitive situation. People feel they should be allowed to do what they want to on their own property. Mrs. Cucanich suggested if the problem with the officers is the paperwork involved, perhaps there should be more verbal notification before beginning the paperwork trail. She went over the procedure that was previously followed. Mr. Clark said the persons who complained about the previous routine were the abusers themselves. The paperwork could be cut down by assessing a fine sooner. He also mentioned the height restriction for grass within the City is too high. The County has a 12" restriction. Chairman Gebelein summed up the consensus of the conversation is the Code Enforcement officers should be out enforcing the code and handling violations as they see them. Mrs. Cucanich moved that at the end of the six months trial period, the Council reinstate the Code Enforcement Officers' duties as they were before. She believes that should be in August. Dr. Gebelein seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 4 -0. Mrs. Dennis moved to ask Council to change the grass to a 12" limit. Mrs. Ptaszek seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 4 -0. NEW BUSINESS Board /Committee application responses Chairman Gebelein asked for any suggestions to improve the response of applications. There was various discussion among the members regarding the advertisements having more content about the boards' duties and meeting times, etc. Mrs. Ptaszek suggested it be publicized that applications could be mailed to someone if they called in and asked for one, explaining that sometimes it is hard to get to City Hall during the day to pick one up. Chairman Gebelein summed up the conversation with the suggestion that perhaps the ads could be a little more user friendly. Board /Committee members' terms Chairman Gebelein asked the members' opinions as to whether the time should be limited that someone serves on a committee. Mrs. Murphy stated a complaint she has with shrubs on property on Virginia Street obstructing the view for vehicles. She feels the Police or Code Officers should take care of this. Chairman Gebelein explained to Mrs. Murphy this subject was already discussed and voted on. He suggested she should follow the current system and call in her complaint. There was various discussion among the members regarding the fact that it is hard to get members in the first place. Chairman Gebelein summed up that there should be terms established and Council should appoint accordingly, however, there should not be a limit to how many terms someone serves. Recycling Program /Refuse Pick Up Chairman Gebelein asked for discussion on the question regarding the need of garbage pick up twice a week along with the recycling program. There was various discussion among the members and the citizens present regarding the garbage stacking up for a week in this climate. Chairman Gebelein pointed out the recycling program only takes care of certain items. He summed up by stating the consensus seems to be to keep the garbage pick up twice weekly. Chairman Gebelein asked if there were any other comments. -2- C.C.A.C. 7 -14 -92 Pat Montrowl, Edgewater Landing, asked if she could make a statement in answer to some of the comments made at the last meeting in reference to the citizens in Edgewater Landing and their votes on the City Charter. She gave the results from each precinct within the City, showing that their precinct was not the only one with 55% in favor of the Charter. She corrected the previous comment made about this not being a "mandate "; the majority of the votes is a mandate. In regards to the question of reasons the citizens in Edgewater Landing voted the way they did; she stated they made themselves informed of the issues by having both ends of the perspective available to answer their questions, etc. She explained the bond issue should not be questioned; bond is posted on the City Manager to insure he is going to administer effectively and all appropriate employees are covered under the City's insurance. Mrs. Montrowl ended her statement by saying anyone working on a committee should try to work towards constructive and objective efforts, and not be negative about moving forward. She felt she was obligated to clear up some of the erroneous information that was passed on. She complimented the present committee on the way this meeting has been handled tonight. Chairman Gebelein added the only problem he had with the election was the small number of voters. Mr. Clark questioned the number of trailers allowed to be on someone's property. He complained again about the people who circumvent the code. Chairman Gebelein told Mr. Clark that this has been to Council and he suggested the individuals obtain their own legal counsel and get this resolved between them. Mrs. Cucanich asked whether concession stands are allowed to operate on public streets within the City? This needs to be determined, there was no certain answer. She also commented on people taking aluminum cans from recycling containers, etc. and questioned whether this is allowed? Chairman Gebelein reminded the members the next meeting will be August llth. There being no further business to conduct, he stated the meeting is adjourned. Meeting adjourned 8:20 p.m. Minutes submitted by: Debbie Sigler -3- C.C.A.C. 7 -14 -92