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5 <br /> 1 Planning Department never prepared, or was even aware, that this requirement was in this <br /> 2 Ordinance. He said this requirement is not listed in the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). <br /> 3 Commissioner Greene asked if there is a plan for how the Human Rights and Relations <br /> 4 Department will carry out the function. <br /> 5 John Roberts said the statute does not require a Certified Code Enforcement Official. He <br /> 6 said the Human Rights Civil Rights investigator investigates civil rights violations, and a little <br /> 7 more training would be needed for them to do minimum housing inspections for the majority of <br /> 8 the types of violations that are found. He said the Department can consult with a certified code <br /> 9 enforcement official, if necessary, and it would cost more to hire a Certified Code Enforcement <br /> 10 Official than for the Civil Rights investigator to do it. <br /> 11 Commissioner Greene asked if there is a reason why a person in the Planning <br /> 12 Department, who is not a Certified Code Enforcement Official, could do the investigations. She <br /> 13 said this seems to do more with structure than Civil Rights related violations. She asked if <br /> 14 Michael Harvey has responsibilities for inspection. <br /> 15 Bonnie Hammersley said it has not been determined where the position will be, and it is <br /> 16 under evaluation. She said John Roberts named the three departments where there is <br /> 17 potential. She said all three departments are a potential good fit, and she is waiting for this to <br /> 18 be passed. She said she will keep the BOCC updated. <br /> 19 Commissioner Hamilton asked if there is a common theme in the majority of the <br /> 20 violations are. <br /> 21 John Roberts said rodent infestations or other pests; garbage inside the dwelling; <br /> 22 maintaining clean and sanitary conditions; hot water access; adequate water closet; adequate <br /> 23 heating when temperature is below 55 degrees; etc. <br /> 24 Commissioner Hamilton asked if there is a reason someone who is not a Certified Code <br /> 25 Enforcement Official could cover the majority. <br /> 26 John Roberts said the reason is most violations will not be structural defects, but rather <br /> 27 would be viewable, like working toilet, proper seals, etc. <br /> 28 Commissioner Fowler asked if this ordinance only applied to rental dwellings. <br /> 29 John Roberts said yes. <br /> 30 Commissioner Fowler clarified that homeowners could live however they choose. <br /> 31 John Roberts said there are policy reasons these standards have not been applied to <br /> 32 homeowners, including owners may choose not to make certain repairs. He said in cases <br /> 33 where an owner cannot afford a repair, there are Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) <br /> 34 funds available. <br /> 35 Chair Price asked if public health had been considered to house this function, who does <br /> 36 inspections regarding sewer and public water. She said this seems to be an issue of public <br /> 37 health or fair housing. She asked if anything done in NC when children are involved, even if <br /> 38 owner occupied. <br /> 39 John Roberts said the Health Department is certainly an option to be discussed. He said <br /> 40 when children are involved, it would be a Department of Social Services (DSS) issue and Child <br /> 41 Protective Services would get involved. <br /> 42 <br /> 43 Commissioner McKee exited meeting at 7:29 p.m. <br /> 44 <br /> 45 A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, to <br /> 46 open the public hearing. <br /> 47 <br /> 48 Roll call ensued. Commissioner McKee was not present, but vote was recorded as yes. <br /> 49 <br /> 50 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 51 <br />