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Communication from the Director of Building Inspections & Neighborhood Services regarding a final staff report on landlord and neighborhood quality issues.
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March 31, 2010
Honorable Mayor Dan Devine & Common Council Members
City of West Allis, Wisconsin
RE: City Staff Strategic Planning Committee - Landlord and Neighborhood Quality Issues -
Final Report
Dear Mayor Devine & Common Council Members:
In 2007 Mayor Bell convened Citizens Strategic Planning Committee meetings to discuss numerous City issues. One citizen's group discussed neighborhood quality of life issues and listed numerous suggestions for follow-up regarding absentee landlords and other neighborhood quality of life issues.
Through 2008 and 2009 numerous staff members from the Police Department, Fire Department, Health Department, Development/Housing Department, City Attorney's Office and Building Inspections met to discuss and recommend implementation of group ideas based upon the citizen's group issues and comments.
Numerous recommendations have been implemented over the past two years while other ideas were researched and discussed. The City staff group has now concluded its meetings on this matter and I provide the following report with further recommendations for your consideration.
1. Graffiti. The citizens group reported they were alarmed by the amount of graffiti in the City. In 2008 and ongoing since the Police Department implemented proactive procedures to identify and remove graffiti. Proactive procedures included placing cameras in troubled areas; organizing groups to remove graffiti; purchasing a warm water power washer and hiring a part-time retired police officer to remove graffiti on a weekly routine; and enlisting private sector assistance with graffiti removal materials routine (excepting winter).
- Specifically, Ordinance No.2008-0022, adopted on May 20, 2008 enacted requirements for graffiti removal.
2. Neighborhood Block Wa...
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