HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/29/2009 CEAB
MINUTES
CITY OF THE COLONY
CODE ENFORCEMENT ADVISORY BOARD
OCTOBER 29, 2009
After determining that a quorum was present, the Code Enforcement Advisory Board
of the City of The Colony, Texas convened into a Regular Session which was held on
Thursday, October 29, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located in
City Hall, 6800 Main Street, The Colony, Texas, at which time the following items
were addressed:
Board Members Present: Richard Kuether, Chairman; Casey Truskunas, Vice-
Chair; Diane Ling, Lloyd Martin, Linda Van Vranken, and Ruby Lawrence
arrived at 6:40 pm.
Board Members Absent: None
Present from Staff: Iris Browder, Development Services Manager; Wes
Morrison, City Planner; Tracey Sherman, Administrative Assistant and Whitt
Wyatt, City Attorney.
1.0 CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Chairman Kuether called the meeting to order at 6:34 pm.
2.0 CITIZEN INPUT
2.1
No Citizen input.
3.0 MINUTES
3.1 Consider approval of the minutes of the September 24, 2009 meeting.
Vice Chairman Truskunas moved to approve the minutes of the September 24, 2009
CEAB meeting as written. It was seconded by Board Member Martin and the motion
carried unanimously (5-0).
4.0 CONSIDERATION
4.1 Review, discuss and make recommendation to City Council regarding proposed
changes to Chapter 6, Article IV Rental Registration and Inspection.
Iris Browder presented the proposed changes to Chapter 6, Article IV Rental
Registration and Inspection.
Code Enforcement Advisory Board
Octobe129. 2009
Pape 2 of 3
Board Member Martin asked why Section 6-103(b) stated all rental properties must
be registered on or before June 1 st of every year, however the rental registration
notices that the city sends out annually state December 31st. Ms. Browder stated she
has asked the City Attorney to look into the situation and possibly have the City
Council amend the ordinance to reflect the December 31 st date.
Board Member Martin asked what the procedure was involving rent to own
properties. Ms. Browder stated by law the city must use the Denton County
Appraisal District information to determine the property owner. If there has not been
a change of ownership legally then we would designate the property as a rental.
Board Member Ling recommend rental inspections be completed once a year instead
of every two, due to the number of rental properties located in the city as well as the
condition of the properties.
Board Member Ling asked how the city handles long term tenants in rental properties.
Ms. Browder stated our ordinance requires an inspection every two years or with
every tenant change.
Chairman Kuether asked if the city had inspected all of the rental properties that
included the same tenants living there longer than two years. Ms. Browder stated the
city would be implementing this program in June of 2010. The Development Services
Department has been limited on the required staff members to initiate the program
prior to this.
Chairman Kuether asked how the city knows if a rental property is registered. Ms.
Browder stated the city gets a copy of the tax rolls. If the mailing address is different
than the physical address then the assumption is made that the property is a rental. If
someone notifies the city that the property is not a rental, the information is compiled
and kept in a folder for the upcoming year. The Development Services Department
also works in conjunction with the Water Department to make sure rental properties
are registered and inspected before the water account can be switched into the
tenant's name.
Board Member Ling asked how someone could check to see if a property is registered
as rental. Ms. Browder stated the information could be obtained through the city's
website.
Board Member Ling asked the procedure for rental properties that are in a declining
state. Ms. Browder stated the inspectors need probable cause to walk up and
approach a property. Only violations visibly seen from the perimeter such as the
alley or public right of way could be addressed. The new Property Maintenance Code
CC)de
Pa to J C.l .3
provides the Code Enforcement Officers with more flexibility when addressing
violations.
Vice Chairman Truskunas motioned to approve Item 4.1 as stated. It was seconded
by Board Member Lawrence and carried unanimously (6-0).
Board Member Martin motioned to adjourn the meeting. It was seconded by Board
Member VanVranken and carried unanimously (6-0).
Meeting adjourned at 6:50
A
Richard Kuether, Chairman
racey Sherm n, Recording Secretary