01-11-2016 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 11, 2016 7:00 o'clock p.m. 19. CODE ENFORCEMENT (continued) Lanphor stated it isnot an easy matter for him or the other neighbors and that nobody wants to complain about what people are doing on their property. Lanphor stated that is not what is going on here and that the Council is aware of the violations. Walsh stated the Council owes the public a discussion on this issue, and if not, that would be a dereliction of their duties. Cornick asked if the City is at the point where they are ready to prosecute this homeowner and whether the homeowner needs to be notified. Mattick indicated the homeowner does not need to be notified but that he would like the ability to step back and re-examine what exactly exists out there. Cormick stated he would like a formal process to be followed rather than simply start with prosecution. Walsh requested Council Member Cornick identify what steps he would like to see happen. Cornick stated in his view the City should identify all the violations, draft a letter to the property owner saying the City is aware of this, give him a certain time to correct the situation, and then go on to Step 2, which is prosecution. Cornick stated he is not saying this property owner should be treated in a special way but that the City should treat him as a general resident. Mattick stated if the motion is successful, he would like to lay out what the process will be. Mattick stated he needs to have a firm grasp of what is out there, which should not take that long, but that it cannot go right to a legal proceeding. Walsh stated he would be amenable to that Walsh moved to amend his previous motion and to direct Staff to send the property owner of 1356 Rest Point Road a letter listing the violations, with the property owner being given 30 days to comply. If the property is not brought into compliance, the City Council should move forward to prosecution. Cornick noted the ground is frozen and that the property owner should be given a reasonable amount of time to comply. Mattick stated if there is an option to move forward, Staff can investigate it, bring the results back in a few weeks and then put forth a plan. Mattick indicated he would like to go into closed session to discuss those items. Mattick stated at that time he could receive direction from the Council on whether civil or criminal action should be pursued. Walsh asked if that can be ready in two weeks. Page 23 of 24