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MINUTES/SERVICE/SAFETY COMMITTEE
Thursday, August 29, 2002 - 5:30 p.m.________

Members present: Kreun, Brooks, Kerian.

1. Consideration of an ordinance repealing and re-enacting Article 17, Chapter 13 of the
Grand Forks City Code relating to junk, abandoned vehicles, building materials, etc._
Bev Collings, Inspections, reported this issue was brought up by a citizen and his neighbors having concerns about limitations that the Health Department and Building Inspections Department had on cleaning up certain nuisances and were directed by council to make some changes and improvements to help clean up some properties where they had difficulties cleaning up (two ordinances because in two sections of the City Code), that they drafted an ordinance which was presented in April or May to the city council, however Mr. Swanson has had some problems with language and now starting over again and trying to get idea of what they want to do and that she and Wally Helland of the Health Department can work with Mr. Swanson to have it written correctly.

Kerian stated that "physically damaged or deteriorated" that there is lot of things working pretty well that would meet that. It was also noted that some people accumulate enough things to do but not enough time to complete all the projects, and how do you address that - reasonable solution to a situation - that individual has lots of projects but accumulates more projects than he can complete and they are stored outside the property and become an eye sore to the neighborhood and to the community and in turn become a health hazard at some point of time. Don Shields stated they have broken chairs, bicycles, cars and parts and it collects and when force them to put it in places, they may put it inside of a car and turn that into a storage shed and want to prevent that from happening because neighbors upset about that whole process.

Ms. Collings noted that the proposed ordinance shows what they are adding is underlined and other already in the current code, - she stated if you have a stove in your backyard it shouldn't be there and if not covered from elements- refrigerators dangerous and addressed in other parts of the code. - building materials have to be used for a project or have a building permit in order to store a stack of wood- that the code appears to be very severe but they don't treat people severely but work with them and up to 3 months before going to court sometimes - and if something has been there for a long time can tell that and work with people to get it accomplished - Mr. Shields stated when the judge looks at it does use an independent evaluation of it and listens to both sides and are some checks and balances.

Council Member Brooks asked what the process from receiving complaint. Mr. Shields stated the process is similar between the two departments, when receive call or complaint from citizen, investigate it within 24 hours to determine and if valid complaint, send individual a letter giving them 5 days to clean up (itemize it whether junked car, lumber, etc.), sometimes citizen will call and say he can't clean it up in that length of time and ask for additional time, and they negotiate that with them and if at the end of those periods of time and hasn't been taken care of, send them a certified letter saying the matter hasn't been taken care of and will be taken to court and if no response, goes to court (and court sends them a letter of court date); and that process probably takes 5 to 6 weeks; and if goes to court, to discuss what you have in your yard, and based on that the judge may give them more time to clean it up, determines that it is not a problem or renegotiate a fine plus time to clean it up. and those that go to court, have things that have been there for years.


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Some people go through and pick up collectibles and to them - one person's junk is another person's gold - for these individuals, valuable material, will sell or repair it, etc. but they accumulate so much that cannot complete the project, then becomes old, stale, deteriorates and overwhelming to the neighbors - by that time the garage is filled, shed filled, and yard filled (plus car filled) - It was noted when City does spring cleanup there is opportunity for them to clean it up. Ms. Collings stated they work with the sanitation department and these individuals and make special pickups - will do whatever we can to help them out - but that is in the benefit of the city of Grand Forks. Ms. Collings stated they are not talking about the individual that has an old boat he picked up but will fix it up - neighbors wont' complain about that and if do, will investigate it.

Moved by Kerian and Brooks that in Section 13-0701 (1) in the first sentence that following the words "..of other appliances..", add "physically damaged or deteriorated campers, boats, snowmobiles, motorcycle or other personal motor craft" remnants of wood, metal....." and second sentence be removed and other recommended changes go forward for approval to Mr. Swanson. Motion carried.

2. Consideration of an ordinance amending section 18-0302(5) Article 7 of the Grand
Forks City Code relating to off-street parking and loading.____________________
Ms. Collings stated in this ordinance residents store vehicles that were licensed and operable in rear yard and side yard, pay small license fee and it sits there, become parking lots in back yards and if properly licensed and if in residential neighborhood, bigger problem than first ordinance. Citizens brought forward because had concerns - main source of complaints - well over 3 and ones that haven't been moved (inoperable, unlicensed) nothing allowed in front yard.
New ordinance to limit number of vehicles in yard - limiting to 3. Kreun noted that this matter was brought forward by group of citizens saying they wanted something of that nature - nothing to do with city staff or city council.

Steve Lunseth, 1001 Belmont Road, stated lot of people have boats, snowmobiles and can't have because when include utility trailers - stated number of vehicles he has at his property and excluding front yard - 40% seems reasonable for side yard and rear yard - 40% or max of 5. Don Shields, health department stated that the number of vehicles determined by size of yard and look at percentage - 5 too much.

There was considerable discussion by the committee as to how to determine if limit by number of vehicles or percentage of yard allowed to be occupied for parking and loading (how much coverage of yard allowed)

Moved by Kerian to make adjustment to #1 to have use for motor vehicle and recreational vehicle be not more than a reasonable percentage of a yard up to 7500 and max of 5 motor vehicles beyond that. Seconded by Brooks. Motion carried.

Moved by Kreun and Brooks to remove D 2. Motion carried.

Kreun stated in section D 3. have other ordinances to cover - work with contractors and check with Mr. Swanson in major problem. 3. Moved by Brooks and Kerian to refer to Mr. Swanson. Motion carried.



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There was some discussion re. notice of violation and when in violation 48 hours notice - angers people. Ms. Collings stated they ask for response in 48 hours, write another letter and not going to be in court - response in 10 days and decide what to do - give time. Kreun suggested if receive complaint and is in violation, give time for response.

Ms. Collings stated putting together and bring back draft to committee before bringing to city council.

The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 09/03/02