From
Fred Bates, Jr.
Title
Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances Part I, Chapter 29 - Code Compliance, Section 29-2, "Same - Duties," Section 29-20, "Administrative Seizure Warrant," Section 29-129, "Declaration of Nuisance," authorizing the code compliance manager to enforce article; providing criteria for administrative warrants; modifying the maximum penalty for a junked motor vehicle, providing for a cumulative clause, a savings clause and a penalty clause; and to become effective upon passage, approval and publication
Presenter
Steve Collins, Code Compliance Manager
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
The City of Grand Prairie is situated within the expanding Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex. This combination of varied; urban, suburban, commercial, and industrial growth necessitates a standardized code compliance system that is not capricious, arbitrary, nor inconsistent in maintaining compliance. The Grand Prairie Police Department, currently responsible for overseeing the City’s code compliance through the Code Enforcement Division, reviewed and revised City’s Code of Ordinances, Part I, Chapter 29 - Code Compliance. This review and revision was based on “Best Practices” and brought the ordinance into alignment with industry standards.
The Police Department’s participation in this quality of life issue extends into the enforcement of the various public and private property standards and codes in order to fully ensure that citizens of the City continue to enjoy a positive experience within City. Staff therefore proposes the following; the addition of the Code Compliance Manager to the list of individuals allowed to enforce this Chapter (29-2), the provision for written legal criteria for municipal judges when reviewing administrative seizure warrants for nuisance abatements of substandard buildings and junked / abandoned vehicles (29-20), and a revision of the “Fine Amount” to remain consistent with State law on the penalty for “junked / ab...
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