Code Enforcement

I received this on our neighborhood email list. Stan was the head of the of our area's code enforcement committee.

It seems that more and more neighbors are being affected by increasing code enforcement problems. This past weekend, I received numerous phone calls and emails regarding code issues affecting the quality of life in our neighborhood and others in South Tampa. For example, drive by 1220 East Emma. Neighbors are concerned about safety and welfare of the children playing in this area. I also received a call about a home on Emma that has a pool that has been sitting stagnant for many years. We they, and I, speak to code we are told that they do not have the manpower to inspect in a more timely manner. These inspectors are in the field all day, every day, inspecting, issuing citations, etc. They then are required to input all information, etc. They are working very hard, are over worked, and falling more behind each month.

Tampa was listed on a list this year naming us one of the "dirtiest cities in America".

Recently, Mayor Iorio submitted her budget for city council approval. In this plan, 1.74 million dollars were allocated for the new Riverwalk Park downtown. The code enforcement operating budget was decreased. While this park will be a great addition, there are some concerns.

1) Being a downtown park, how many people will truly use this facility on a daily basis.
2) With so many neglected parks throughout the city, where will this one fall in order of maintenance. (Which park will have to be neglected in order to keep this one up!)
3) How much money will have to be added annually to maintain this park?
4) What will happen to the homeless residents that currently "reside" at this location.

I received a call from a newspaper that is doing a feature story on this exact topic...The Mayor's Budget. They stated that they were told that each year the city adds staff to police, fire and parks. However, National studies show that with a cleaner city, we all benefit. Decreased crime, increased property values, increased revenue for the city, better housing standards and the list goes on... In most cities, Code Enforcement is a self funded department. In ours, we as taxpayers fund the cities code efforts. For example, each time a citizens is sent to code court, they do not collect fines or court cost in most, if not all, cases. So you and I are paying to operate this "social club."

Over the next few weeks, City Council will be holding public hearings on this topic. PLEASE BE SURE TO ATTEND ONE, OR WRITE CITY COUNCIL asking that this budget be changed to include funding for more code enforcement officers. You can write all council members at once by emailing tampacitycouncil@tampagov.net, or you can find a link on the city website (and be able to track updates) by visiting www.tampagov.net and clicking on the city council photo. Do not be fooled by the new Clean City division. This is not an addition to the code department, but a division that is a renaming of an existing division that is already overworked.

While we have been told that code is a "Seminole Heights" problem, we have worked closely with the entire city of Tampa due to city-wide problems.

PLEASE SPEAK OUT TO MAKE SURE WE GET FUNDING TO CLEAN OUR CITY!

Stan