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RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE ADMINISTRATION EXPLORE OPTIONS FOR ADDRESSING NEGLECTED AND ABANDONED PROPERTIES AND REPORT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CITY COUNCIL.
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BY PRESIDENT HOBBS:
WHEREAS, the city council wishes to make Duluth a safer and more vibrant community by working with the administration, the planning commission and community stakeholders to reduce the amount of blighted properties in the city; and
WHEREAS, neglected properties pose a safety hazard to residents and emergency personnel, deter economic development, reduce property values, and enable criminal activity; and
WHEREAS, improving the quality of Duluth’s housing stock and neighborhoods, will preserve neighborhoods and prevent displacement of low and moderate income people; and
WHEREAS, addressing blighted properties in the city will provide an opportunity for community revitalization and improve the quality of life for all city residents.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the city council requests that the administration review the city’s building code to consider changes that will allow for more efficient timelines for blight mitigation and reduction; study best practices to address graffiti removal; investigate ways to encourage absentee property owners to care for neglected properties; and examine innovative proposals to improve the quality of the city’s housing stock and promote neighborhood curb appeal.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the administration report findings and recommendations, including proposed ordinance changes, ways to engage community stakeholders, proposals to improve the quality of the city’s housing stock and other ideas to address blighted properties.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the administration report its findings and present recommendations to the city council no later than September 30, 2020.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The city council requests that the administration study and make recommendations to address blighted properties in the city. The council seeks recommendations that include city code changes that would facilitate blight mitigation, graffiti removal, and neighborhood revitalization. The administration’s findings and recommendations should be presented to the city council no later than September 30, 2020.