Wilson
07-10-2007, 03:44 PM
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/woodlands/news/4955722.html
July 10, 2007, 1:42PM
Oak Ridge North hopes to tighten restrictions on unsightly aspects of town
By BOB HOWIE
Chronicle Correspondent
Junked vehicles, overgrown lots, dilapidated houses and problem pools; all targets now as Oak Ridge North moves to tighten code enforcement regulations, city leaders discussed at Monday's council meeting.
While the city will strive first to achieve compliance with the various codes aimed principally at public safety and eliminating public nuisances, the ticket book and a visit to municipal court if not jail will be close at hand.
The move comes after other more "kinder, gentler" methods, as described by City Manager Paul Mendes, have yielded little results.
"I'm more for compliance than anything else," said Mayor Pro Tem James Walton, "but, it's pretty clear being 'kinder and gentler' isn't really working. It's time we tried something else."
Councilman Steve Holcomb said, "Since 2000, I've become quite involved in code enforcement issues. "When I ran for office, I ran for more code enforcement; my opponent ran for more commercial development. ... I won," Holcomb said. "I have no problem with people coming to court, saying the problem's been resolved and having the case dismissed.
"But, I want consistent and (timely) enforcement of our codes and ordinances and that's what our residents want too," he said.
Police Chief Andy Walters said his department has approached code enforcement as directed by the city council.
"Maybe we sometimes didn't respond as fast or the problems got solved as quickly as some might have wanted, but I do think we had responded to pretty much all the situations brought to our attention," Walters said. "Whatever way council directs the police department regarding code enforcement, that's the approach we will take; just tell us what you want us to do."
In a related move, council members tabled a move to alter the way fines are levied for code enforcement violations pending further study.
"I think what we need is to look at the way fines are currently set up and determine what changes, if any, need to be made," said Mayor Fred O'Connor.
Council members said they favored a system of escalating fines for repeat offenders.
"One thing we do know is that when you start hitting people in their pocketbooks, you definitely start getting their attention," said Mendes.
Walton said there should also be a minimum amount to be paid for first offenses.
Exactly what the new policies will be and how the new fine structures will be set are expected to be decided by July 31.
911 plan supported
Council members on Monday unanimously passed a resolution supporting the Montgomery County Emergency Communications District's proposed 2008 budget set to spend as much as $2 million more next year than currently being expended.
The district generates about $4 million annually and expects to spend $6 million next year.
The need to spend the additional money — which is coming out of savings and specific set-asides and not from an increase in the 911 fees — is being driven by the growth of non-hard-wired telecommunication devices such as cellular phones and laptop computers.
The district cannot access certain cellular and laptop services such as text messaging and cellular services utilized by the deaf. The expenditures will equip the district with facilities capable of accessing those services in the future.
July 10, 2007, 1:42PM
Oak Ridge North hopes to tighten restrictions on unsightly aspects of town
By BOB HOWIE
Chronicle Correspondent
Junked vehicles, overgrown lots, dilapidated houses and problem pools; all targets now as Oak Ridge North moves to tighten code enforcement regulations, city leaders discussed at Monday's council meeting.
While the city will strive first to achieve compliance with the various codes aimed principally at public safety and eliminating public nuisances, the ticket book and a visit to municipal court if not jail will be close at hand.
The move comes after other more "kinder, gentler" methods, as described by City Manager Paul Mendes, have yielded little results.
"I'm more for compliance than anything else," said Mayor Pro Tem James Walton, "but, it's pretty clear being 'kinder and gentler' isn't really working. It's time we tried something else."
Councilman Steve Holcomb said, "Since 2000, I've become quite involved in code enforcement issues. "When I ran for office, I ran for more code enforcement; my opponent ran for more commercial development. ... I won," Holcomb said. "I have no problem with people coming to court, saying the problem's been resolved and having the case dismissed.
"But, I want consistent and (timely) enforcement of our codes and ordinances and that's what our residents want too," he said.
Police Chief Andy Walters said his department has approached code enforcement as directed by the city council.
"Maybe we sometimes didn't respond as fast or the problems got solved as quickly as some might have wanted, but I do think we had responded to pretty much all the situations brought to our attention," Walters said. "Whatever way council directs the police department regarding code enforcement, that's the approach we will take; just tell us what you want us to do."
In a related move, council members tabled a move to alter the way fines are levied for code enforcement violations pending further study.
"I think what we need is to look at the way fines are currently set up and determine what changes, if any, need to be made," said Mayor Fred O'Connor.
Council members said they favored a system of escalating fines for repeat offenders.
"One thing we do know is that when you start hitting people in their pocketbooks, you definitely start getting their attention," said Mendes.
Walton said there should also be a minimum amount to be paid for first offenses.
Exactly what the new policies will be and how the new fine structures will be set are expected to be decided by July 31.
911 plan supported
Council members on Monday unanimously passed a resolution supporting the Montgomery County Emergency Communications District's proposed 2008 budget set to spend as much as $2 million more next year than currently being expended.
The district generates about $4 million annually and expects to spend $6 million next year.
The need to spend the additional money — which is coming out of savings and specific set-asides and not from an increase in the 911 fees — is being driven by the growth of non-hard-wired telecommunication devices such as cellular phones and laptop computers.
The district cannot access certain cellular and laptop services such as text messaging and cellular services utilized by the deaf. The expenditures will equip the district with facilities capable of accessing those services in the future.