The Medford City Council Study Session was called to order at 12:00 p.m. in the Medford Room of Medford City Hall on the above date with the following members and staff present:
Mayor Gary Wheeler; Councilmembers Clay Bearnson, Kay Brooks, Tim D’Alessandro, Dick Gordon, Tim Jackle, Kevin Stine*, Kim Wallan and Michael Zarosinski
Deputy City Manager Kelly Madding; Senior Assistant City Attorney Eric Mitton; Deputy City Recorder Winnie Shepard; Building Department Director Sam Barnum
*Arrived as noted.
Receivership Goals & Objectives Deputy City Manager Kelly Madding spoke regarding receiverships and derelict properties in Medford:
Code Enforcement and Building staff use the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) Code to determine whether homes are derelict structures
Home reported to Code Enforcement, which begins the process
*Councilmember Stine arrived.
The City uses a similar definition of “derelict structure” as used in many cities throughout Oregon
Building has created a list of properties that have been inspected or will be inspected in the future
The City will focus on voluntary compliance; waivers are available
Council need to balance the need for compliance with complaints received
Receiverships only for residential property, not commercial
Non-compliance is determined by building director
Council to determine if/when 60-day letters for compliance are sent to property owners
Previous letters have resulted in responses
Property owners moving toward compliance
If property goes into court system (receivership), it is time consuming
Changes in property ownership causes delays
If Building Director recommends receivership, it is ultimately Council’s decision to move forward or provide additional time
Homes with boarded-up windows and without other building violations staff recommends entering these homes into the receivership program
Staff would like Council direction regarding whether to abate, use IPMC or the receivership program.
Council comment:
The cost of the title search could pay for the abatement of weeds
Could spend money for one title search before deciding on the others
This is blight reduction program, the City does not want to retain homes
Weeds or boarded up windows should be abated, not put into receivership
Concerns regarding public health and/or safety would require more action
Owner-occupied houses should not be placed into receivership; determine why upkeep isn’t completed
Staff to determine which organizations will act as our receiver
Revise Code to have similar program for commercial properties
Council agreed to the cost of title searches for all properties on the list
Building Department concerns/comments:
Cost of the program impacting other Building Department duties/responsibilities
Current process involves staff from Code Enforcement and Building going to properties to inspect and determine the issues and compliance
No internal inspections have been completed
Microcells Code Amendment Mobilitie came to the City in 2016. The company builds micro (small) cells that cell companies rent. The cells are a low-voltage apparatus that boost a signal for a small area. They are generally placed on city infrastructures to enable data usage. It is foreseeable that more companies will be contacting Medford regarding the placement of these within the city limits.
Police Chief Randy Sparacino noted that small cells can reserve a portion of the data “spectrum” specifically for law enforcement and fire.
Council comments:
Fires and noise in residential areas
Size of the boxes and their appearance
Need more information regarding the franchise fees, pole use fee and perhaps a communication tax like Eugene
Perhaps offer exemptions for boosting the service for public safety
Should limit the number of cells in town
Possibility of smell from the diesel generators
Potential encroachment on properties
Environmental review may be required
Mobilitie has been sued by multiple municipalities for not complying with agreements
Any agreement should protect the City’s interests
The meeting adjourned at 1:19 p.m.
Winnie Shepard Deputy City Recorder
Attachments
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