REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL April 30, 2015 FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director Development and Resource Management Department SUBJECT ..Title WORKSHOP presenting the Report and Recommendations of the Mayor-Council Code Enforcement Taskforce ..Body RECOMMENDATION Receive the Mayor-Council Code Enforcement Task Force Report and Recommendations. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In response to community concerns regarding vacant blighted properties, the Mayor-Council Task Force was formed in September 2014 to review existing codes in relation to the Fresno General Plan; evaluate current Code Enforcement Processes and procedures; and make specific recommendations for improvements. The Task Force represents a diverse multidisciplinary section of the community. The report and recommendations of the Mayor-Council Code Enforcement Task Force will be presented in a workshop. BACKGROUND The Fresno General Plan was created to protect investments in private and public property; to preserve neighborhood character and community values; and to promote investment and reinvestment in Fresno's established neighborhoods. Recognizing that the strategic, efficient and effective use of the City's code enforcement authority is a key to successful implementation of the 2035 General Plan, Mayor Ashley Swearengin, along with the Fresno City Council, launched a multidisciplinary Code Enforcement Task Force in September 2014. The purpose of the Task Force was to review existing codes in relation to the Fresno General Plan; evaluate current Code Enforcement processes and procedures; and make specific recommendations for improvements, including division structure, case prioritization, technological and legal tools, and fee structures that the City can implement now, as well as over time. To ensure quality feedback from City employees who are involved in Code Enforcement, the Mayor commissioned an internal Action Team that was charged with working alongside the Task Force to vet recommendations and to provide input on the Task Force's work. Mayor Swearengin estimated that the Task Force would conclude its work by March 2015, and asked that recommendations for early action be submitted as soon as they were available. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS This is not a "project" for the purposes of CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, section 15378(b)(5), as it is an administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes to the environment. LOCAL PREFERENCE Not applicable. FISCAL IMPACT Recommendations for the 2015-16 Budget are made in the Final Report of the Mayor-Council Code Enforcement Task Force. There is no recommendation for funding changes to the current 2014-15 Budget. Attachment: Mayor-Council Task Force Report (Includes Appendix A, B, C and Ordinance)