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THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 99538 <br />A special and duly-called meeting of the Council of the City of <br />Martinsville, Virginia, with Mayor George B. Adams, Jr. presiding, was <br />held Thursday, August 17, 1995 in the Council Chamber, City Hall, <br />beginning at 4:00 P.M. The following members of Council were present: <br />George B. Adams, Jr., Mayor; L. D. Oakes, Vice-Mayor; Mark A. Crabtree; <br />'and M. Gene Teague. Absent was Clyde L. Williams, who was away from <br />the City. <br /> <br />The Mayor explained the purpose of this work session as being to hear <br />briefings on a proposed Building Maintenance Code Enforcement Program <br />and the City's Law Enforcement Program. Upon motion, duly seconded and <br />by unanimous vote, Council voted to accept pay for this work session <br />due to the fact that the August 8 work session was unpaid. <br /> <br />Community Development Coordinator Tom Harned introduced the first item, <br />noting that the development of the Code Enforcement Program was a joint <br />effort involving the Police Department, Fire Department, Community <br />Development Department, and City Manager's Office. <br /> <br />Building Official Joel Baker defined the issues to be dealt with as <br />dilapidated structures, blighted buildings, vacant lots which are <br />overgrown and/or littered, storage of junk and inoperative/unlicensed <br />vehicles. Mr. Baker noted the causes of these items as follows: (1) <br />dilapidated structures/blighted buildings--conversion of property from <br />owner-occupied to rental, vacant structures which are not maintained, <br />and no city requirements for structure maintenance; (2) vacant lots--no <br />incentive for owners to clean and mow, multiple owners or no owners, <br />and no way to break the cycle; (3) storage of junk--no current <br />definition of junk, and health and safety issues relating to the <br /> <br /> <br />