AGENDA TITLE:
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Quarterly Update from the Community Improvement Division of the Community Development Department (CD)
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MEETING DATE:
February 7, 2024
PREPARED BY:
Dennis Canright, Chief Building Official
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RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Quarterly Update from the Community Improvement Division of the Community Development Department.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Community Improvement Division is comprised of officers that investigate and enforce violations of the Lodi Municipal Code on private property. The violations include, but are not limited to, accumulation of debris, inoperable vehicles, substandard housing, dangerous buildings, roll-away and portable waste collection containers placement, building without a permit, and other violations that occur on private property. If the officers observe a violation that is not in their purview, they will inform the appropriate party for handling (Public Works, Partners, Electric Utility, Police, or the Building Division of Community Development).
During the 2023 calendar year, the Community Improvement Division opened 1,405 cases, a 37% increase over the previous year. Of the 1,405 cases opened, 839 of the cases were complaint driven and 566 of the cases were proactive. Officers were able to close 1,292 of their cases while maintaining a 92% voluntary compliance rate. Voluntary compliance is defined as gaining compliance from the property owner by only issuing notices, and not issuing Administrative Citations. Throughout 2023, the officers issued over 1,300 notices, which include Courtesy Notices, Notices of Violation, and Administrative Citations. See Attachment 1 for the 2023 End-of-Year Report for a comparison of the 2022 year.
Complaint driven cases are initiated by citizens of Lodi and departments throughout the City. Proactive driven cases are initiated by the Community Improvement Officers throughout the major thoroughfare streets of Lodi. See Attachment 2 for a Plot Map of 2023 cases detailing the location of the different case types.
Community Improvement Officers are dedicated to improving the communities of the City of Lodi by eliminating blight and conditions that are determined to be a nuisance by the Lodi Municipal Code. Officers strive to gain compliance through education, while maintaining their composure and providing great customer service to the tenants, property owners, and property managers within the City of Lodi.
If you keep in mind compliance as the goal rather than punishment, your vision becomes clearer.
STRATEGIC VISION:
3A. Fiscal Health: Promote City's transparency & fiscal fluency.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Not applicable.
FUNDING AVAILABLE:
Not applicable.
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John Della Monica
Community Development Director
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Andrew C. Keys
Interim City Manager