Minutes 05-18-2021 Virtual Business meeting

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5 John Roberts said yes, and clarified that Certified Code Enforcement Officials are hard to come by, and this Ordinance has never been the Planning Department's responsibility. He said the old ordinance required that Code Enforcement Official, but was never used, so the Planning Department never prepared, or was even aware, that this requirement was in this Ordinance. He said this requirement is not listed in the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). Commissioner Greene asked if there is a plan for how the Human Rights and Relations Department will carry out the function. John Roberts said the statute does not require a Certified Code Enforcement Official. He said the Human Rights Civil Rights investigator investigates civil rights violations, and a little more training would be needed for them to do minimum housing inspections for the majority of the types of violations that are found. He said the Department can consult with a certified code enforcement official, if necessary, and it would cost more to hire a Certified Code Enforcement Official than for the Civil Rights investigator to do it. Commissioner Greene asked if there is a reason why a person in the Planning Department, who is not a Certified Code Enforcement Official, could do the investigations. She said this seems to do more with structure than Civil Rights related violations. She asked if Michael Harvey has responsibilities for inspection. Bonnie Hammersley said it has not been determined where the position will be, and it is under evaluation. She said John Roberts named the three departments where there is potential. She said all three departments are a potential good fit, and she is waiting for this to be passed. She said she will keep the BOCC updated. Commissioner Hamilton asked if there is a common theme in the majority of the violations are. John Roberts said rodent infestations or other pests; garbage inside the dwelling; maintaining clean and sanitary conditions; hot water access; adequate water closet; adequate heating when temperature is below 55 degrees; etc. Commissioner Hamilton asked if there is a reason someone who is not a Certified Code Enforcement Official could cover the majority. John Roberts said the reason is most violations will not be structural defects, but rather would be viewable, like working toilet, proper seals, etc. Commissioner Fowler asked if this ordinance only applied to rental dwellings. John Roberts said yes. Commissioner Fowler clarified that homeowners could live however they choose. John Roberts said there are policy reasons these standards have not been applied to homeowners, including owners may choose not to make certain repairs. He said in cases where an owner cannot afford a repair, there are Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds available. Chair Price asked if public health had been considered to house this function, who does inspections regarding sewer and public water. She said this seems to be an issue of public health or fair housing. She asked if anything done in NC when children are involved, even if owner occupied. John Roberts said the Health Department is certainly an option to be discussed. He said when children are involved, it would be a Department of Social Services (DSS) issue and Child Protective Services would get involved. Commissioner McKee exited meeting at 7:29 p.m. A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, to open the public hearing.