Item Coversheet
 STAFF REPORT
For Meeting of September 14, 2020
MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Agenda Item # 8.B.

TITLE:  Ordinance No. 2309- Amending Chapter 139 of the Municipal Code, Entitled "Procedure to Obtain Administrative Warrant." 
Subject

Issuance of Administrative Warrants

Summary and Background

As part of our extensive review of code enforcement ordinances and processes it was determined that specific authority for Municipal Court to issue administrative warrants was a possible loophole. In an effort to make sure code enforcement actions are enforceable the clarifying section is proposed to be added.

 

Administrative warrants are used in many different situations. One that is common is when a property owner has not cleaned up their property and we get to the point of abating the nuisance. We secure an administrative warrant to allow the abatement to take place.

 

The reason for an emergency clause is that as we have been training our new code enforcement officer this has come up as a hindrance and possible loophole in addressing code violations and there are current cases that need this tool in order to address them.



Tie-In to Council Goals:

This assists staff in continuing to make the City of Hermiston an excellent community as stated in our vision statement.

Fiscal Information

Negligible

Alternatives and Recommendation
Alternatives

Alternatives include:

  • Adoption of Ordinance 2309 as presented.
  • Altering and adopting an amended Ordinance.


Recommendation

Adoption of Ordinance 2309 as presented which includes an emergency clause.

Requested Action/Motion

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2309 as presented.

Submitted By:  Byron Smith
ATTACHMENTS:
DescriptionType
Ordinance 2309Ordinance