LOS ALAMITOS : City Improvement Programs Pondered

The City Council is considering adopting new programs or revising current ones in an effort to involve business and homeowners more in improving their neighborhoods to keep up property values.

One program would extend low-interest loans to business owners to repair, remodel or renovate business locations in the same way that homeowners do under the community development block grants, officials said.

In another, a team from the city’s various departments, including police, would provide advice to business groups and residents on how to enhance property values in their neighborhood.

Community Development Director Elizabeth Binsack outlined the proposed programs during Monday council meeting as part of the review of current neighborhood preservation programs.

Current programs include graffiti removal, spring cleanup, recycling, street repaving and tree replacement and code enforcement.

Binsack said that the city must adopt a “proactive approach” to code enforcement and not simply react to complaints about code violations.

Binsack proposed that the city hire an employee who will work on code enforcement issues, including encouraging residents with code violations to comply voluntarily.

She proposed a $50 inspection fee for second and succeeding inspections to force compliance.

“Our emphasis is voluntary compliance,” said City Manager Robert C. Dunek. “But we have to recover costs.”