CR 01-79 Central Business District Cleanup Program
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June 27,2001
HOPKINS
Council Report 2001-79
Central Business District Cleanup Proaram
Proposed Action
Staff recommends approval of the following motion: move to aoorove a Central
Business District Cleanuo Proaram.
Overview
The possibility of a Central Business District (CBD) Cleanup program was
reviewed at previous Council work sessions. The initial request came from the
commercial property owners committee as a result of a walking tour of the
alleyways in the CBD. The purpose of the program would be to clean up the CBD
by enforcing maintenance code violations. The specifics of the program are
detailed in this report.
Staff is requesting approval to move forward with the program.
Primary Issues to Consider
What are the specifics of the program?
Does the HBCA support this program?
What are the recommended contingencies?
What will the program cost?
Supportina Information
Draft informational flier
"'--
im Hartshorn
conomic Development Coordinator
Financial Impact: $ 600.00 Budgeted: Y/N no Source: E. D. Acct.
Related Documents: None. Notes: None.
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Council Report 2001-79, Page 2.
Primarv Issues to Consider
What are the specifics of the program?
The pUI:pose of the Program:
. To provide a practical method to regulate the minimum standards for maintenance
in the CBn and provide administrative and enforcement procedures.
Marketing Plan:
. An article would be placed in the Sun Sailor newspaper detailing the program.
. Approximately 85 decorative brooms would be distributed to Mainstreet level
businesses between Seventh Avenue and Twelfth Avenue, First Street South and
First Street North along with program information (fliers). The brooms would
serve as. a friendly reminder to business/property owners that the City will be
enforcing its maintenance codes. These brooms will symbolize the need to
maintain the CBn and would be more decorative than functional. A City of
Hopkins logo and a HBCA logo would be attached to the brooms, and the
business names would also be printed on the brooms.
. Program. information fliers would be distributed along with the brooms. The fliers
would include a sample list of certain maintenance code items/violations that the
City inspections department personnel would be looking for on bimonthly visits
thoughout the CBn. The items/violations would include exterior conditions,
drainage, stairways, etc.
. Staff would review the program with HBCA members at various HBCA
meetings.
The process includes:
· Staff will distribute an informational flier detailing certain maintenance code
items that the City inspections department personnel would be looking for on
bimonthly visits throughout the caD. Some of these items would include poor
exterior conditions, poor storm drainage, stairways, outdated signage, electrical
facilities, etc.
· Violations would be documented on a bimonthly basis to begin August 1, 2001.
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Council Report 2001-79, Page 3.
· The first warnings would be delivered in person by inspections personnel so that
possible corrective actions can be reviewed with property owners.
· A reasonable time for correction of the violation would be established.
· Property owners that have been served with a violation notice and an order to
make repairs shall have the right to appeal the orders at a City Court hearing.
· If repairs are not made within a stated time frame and violations have not been
cleared by inspections staff: the matter will then be turned over to the City
Attorney.
· The program would be set up on a pilot basis, to be reviewed in one year.
. Does the HBCA support this program?
The HBCA Board has reviewed the program and given its support; however, it has not
given confirmation regarding its help to distribute the brooms.
. What are the recommended contingencies?
Staff recommends that the distribution of the brooms be contingent upon the HBCA's
agreement to help distribute the brooms; however, the program would still move forward
without that portion of the marketing plan.
. What will the program cost?
The cost is approximately $600.00 for ninety-five brooms.
Alternatives.
The Council has the following alternatives regarding this action:
1. Approve the action as recommended.
2. Continue the item for additional information. With this action, the Council
needs to identify what additional information they need to make a decision on
this matter.
3. Deny the action as recommended.
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CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT CLEANup 11
PROGRAM
This flier is intended to serve as a friendly reminder that it is. everyone's
responsibility to maintain the Central Business District (CBD).
The City, HBCA and the Commercial Property Owners committee is
sponsoring a new program to help maintain the alleyways in the Central
Business District (CBD). The purpose is to regulate the maintenance of
existing buildings in the CBD by establishing minimum standards for
maintenance. This program is intended to benefit the propertylbusiness
owners, customers and residents by maintaining an attractive place to do
business.
City staff will be monitoring the alleyways of the CBD ona bimonthly
basis looking for possible maintenance code violations such as: garbage,
outdated signage,. signage maintenance, unsafe stairways, deteriorating
building facades, water drainage/scupper problems, etc. (See back of this
flier).
Step 1. Inspections personnel will issue fITst warnings so that possible
corrective actions can be reviewed with property owners. A reasonable
time frame for correcting the violation will also be reviewed.
Step 2. Property owners that have been served with a violation notice
and an order to make repairs shall have the right to appeal the orders at a
City Court hearing.
Step 3. If repairs are not made within a documented time frame and
approved by inspections staff, the matter will be turned over to the City
Attorney.
If you have any questions regarding this program or items/violations
listed on the back of this flier, you may contact Jim Hartshorn at 952-
939-1359 or Elizabeth Page at 952-939-1340.
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Central Business District Maintenance List
The intent of this list is to provide a brief synopsis of the items
that the City of Hopkins inspections personnel will be using as
their guide to assist business/property owners to maintain the
central business district (CBD). The formal list (maintenance
codes) of items/violations is available at City Hall and will act
as the actual governing document.
PARTIAL LIST OF ITEMSNIOLATIONS
. Unsafe Structures/faulty construction
. Deteriorating facades
· Deteriorating stairways
. Unlicensed vehicles
· Drainage/scupper problems
. Old/outdated signage
. Signage maintenance
. Deteriorating windows
. Old wires/electric services
. Lighting fixtures
· Garbage - old tires
. Graffiti
· Non-displayed address numbers
· Dilapidated decorative features
. Unsafe overhang extensions