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21-1582 Policy for the Engagement of Code Compliance RESOLUTION NO. 21-1582 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LONGWOOD, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A POLICY FOR THE ENGAGEMENT OF CODE COMPLIANCE AS IT RELATES TO IDENTIFYING AND REACTING TO CODE VIOLATIONS, PROACTIVE EDUCATION, AND STAFFING; AND REPEALING THE PREVIOUS POLICY UNDER RESOLUTION 19-1498 PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the City of Longwood has a code compliance process consistent with Chapter 162, Florida Statutes; and WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Longwood has determined that it is desirable to update the adopted written policy towards certain actions of Code Compliance. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Commission of the City of Longwood, Florida, as follows: Section I. Code Compliance Approach. The following procedures are hereby adopted related to the approach of Code Compliance: Residential Compliance Approach • Single-family areas of the City will have daily patrolling. o Where an address has two or more violations in a 6-month period, the Code Compliance Officer will do periodic, proactive checks of the address beyond the standard follow-up inspections associated with the initial violation. o Single-family areas are generally defined as those within Low Density Residential or Medium Density Residential zoning districts, or those areas having the appearance of a single-family neighborhood in another zoning district Commercial Compliance Approach • The code compliance officer will complete multiple daily proactive patrols of the City's commercial areas including the primary corridors of SR 434, Highway 17-92, Ronald Reagan Blvd., Rangeline Road, and the Florida Central Commerce Park. Complaints • Staff will accept complaints by in-person reporting, phone calls, e-mails, or by submittals through the City's website. o Code Compliance issues are subject to Florida's Public Records laws. The website includes multiple warnings that all information submitted is a public record and Resolution No.21-1582 Page 1of3 subject to records requests. Both the Code Compliance main line and the Compliance Officer's Voicemail Inbox will also contain messages to that end. Proactive Education • Staff will work to provide proactive education on code issues to new businesses, Homeowners Associations, new residents, and more through multiple available means. This includes the preparation of brochures and social media updates on common code issues to address potential issues before they begin. • Where the violation is not an immediate life safety issue,and where it is a first time violation, the code officer shall give the property owner an opportunity to address the violation before issuing a citation. Staffing • The City Manager will evaluate the Code Compliance staffing levels to ensure that it is serving the City's needs in protecting the quality of neighborhoods and commercial corridors, while also not being overly burdensome on residents and business owners. • Staff will seek internal solutions to streamline code compliance responsibilities to reduce the need for additional staff, however, should staffing be needed to address employee workload and meet Commission goals, the Department's staffing will be increased accordingly. Section II. This resolution is intended to replace Resolution 19-1498, which shall be repealed. Section III. Severability. If any portion of this Resolution is finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, unconstitutional, unenforceable, or void, the balance of the Resolution shall continue in full force and effect. Section IV. Conflicts. Any resolutions or policies in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of the conflict. Section V. Effective Date. This resolution shall become effective January 1, 2022. Resolution No.21-1582 Page 2 of 3 PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 15th DAY OF November 2021. r/t � 2 1 Brian D. Sackett, M r ATTEST: ichelle L , MC, FCRM, City Clerk Approved as to form and legality for the use and reliance of the City of Longwood, Florida, only. Daniel W. Lan jlty orne Resolution No.21-1582 Page 3 of 3