Shelby code enforcement efforts get a boost
By David Jacobs Shelby Daily Globe
Months of discussions among multiple city officials and committees are resulting in the passage of legislation that will add a code enforcement officer to the Shelby municipal government.
Shelby City Council voted to approve the position at its opening meeting of June.
The vote culminated the wide-ranging discussions by the council, its Public Works and General Operations Committee, the Safety Committee and officials including Mayor Steve Schag and Shelby Police Chief Lance Combs. The discussions earlier this year focused on efforts to address junk vehicles, vehicles being stored in yards and other external property maintenance concerns. The discussions evolved into legislation.
In seeking the new position, officials said they did not want to see those duties being added to the responsibilities of city project coordinator Joe Gies, who already deals with a multitude other important job tasks as a City Hall official.
Council passed the measure for the code enforcement officer as an emergency on June 6.
Councilman Nathan Martin asked about the emergency nature of the legislation.
"As stated in section four, the emergency provides for the immediate preservation of the public peace, property, health and safety in the city of Shelby," Schag responded. "And for the additional reason as it being necessary for the code enforcement officer to initiate the functions during the favorable weather of spring and summer."
Councilman Charles Roub said: "The simple explanation is if it's not passed as an emergency, we won't have anybody in that position until fall, and that's about the time when that full job is going to start winding down a little bit."
"Summertime is when it is the most needed," Roub said.
Schag also provided details on the number of hours involved.
"It's stated that the employment status will be part-time and intermittent," Schag told Councilman Garland Gates, who had asked if the position was anticipated to be seasonal.
"I believe that will translate to 1,000 hours or less per calendar year," Schag said. "And in speaking with the finance director...the part-time, intermittent seasonal approach probably makes the most sense to see how this works in its initiation."
"This may evolve into a fulltime job. I don't know. But at least this will give us some footing and traction here this summer to see how it goes," Schag said.
Ordinance 9-2022 states that the code enforcement officer
will assist in administering and enforcing the city's exterior property maintenance ordinance and weeds ordinance and any other ordinances pertaining to building and housing regulations.
The person is to perform field inspections, issue and maintain reports of inspections, document violations and forward information for the prosecution to the city law director.
"It is in the interest of the public health, safety, morals and general welfare that the position of code enforcement officer be established," the ordinance states.
"The code enforcement officer shall also respond to inquiries by the public, seek to educate and resolve complaints and/ or violations and provide feedback" to council, the legislation details.
Councilman Martin spoke about the importance of the position that goes beyond the job description.
"It is going to be very, very important to get the right person for that position," Martin said.
"That's an administrative function," he said of the hiring process. "But just a word of caution that we definitely work on hiring the right temperament."
"Even in a job description, making sure that we emphasize that, a little more than just the enforcement piece of it. Applying common sense will go a long, long way," Martin said.
Mayor Schag said this was "duly noted and agreed upon."