TITLE
Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by adding Chapter 18.24 relating to a Foreclosure Registry Program, read and adopted as read. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Pursuant to the request of the City Council at its meeting of September 7, 2010, this office has prepared the attached ordinance relating to a Foreclosure Registry Program. If adopted, the ordinance would establish a registration program that would allow the City the ability to better track and monitor distressed or vacant properties that are involved in a foreclosure process. The ordinance would also require owners of recently foreclosed upon properties to maintain those properties in such a manner that they not become a blight or nuisance to the community.
Determinations made by the City relative to the requirement to maintain properties would be appealable to the City's Board of Examiners, Appeals and Condemnation.
The ordinance also establishes an alternative enforcement mechanism whereby the City could impose monetary penalties in particularly egregious property maintenance situations. Penalties would not be assessed until the City provides the property owner adequate notice and opportunity to cure the nuisance related conditions. Penalties of up to $1,000.00 a day could be imposed in situations where the owner refuses to comply. Such penalties may be assessed in accordance with recently enacted State legislation adopted in an effort to insure that neighborhoods not become blighted as a result of foreclosure activity.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
ROBERT E. SHANNON
CITY ATTORNEY
BODY
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH AMENDING THE LONG BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE BY ADDING CHAPTER 18.24 RELATING TO FORECLOSURE REGISTRY PROGRAM