Clovis to ramp up code enforcement

Apr. 22—Clovis is about to get serious with those who violate city codes.

The news came at Thursday's Clovis city commission meeting. Building Safety Director Daron Roach, who oversees code enforcement, told city commissioners almost 5,000 citations were issued last year to city residents over code violations. That number was more than four times the citations issued in 2021.

And so vigorous enforcement is needed, Roach said.

Roach said the city will be enforcing the violations according to procedures that are "already on the books."

After the meeting Roach said in 2020 1,063 cases were opened by code officers in Clovis.

"In 2022 the number of opened cases was up to 4,720," Roach said. "We're talking about weed violations, debris, abandoned vehicles, sign violations, too many yard sales in a year, whatever is in violation of the city code."

Roach said the process used to be a citation for a violation would be left on a resident's door. If the violation took place in a vacant lot, a sign with the violation would be posted and a letter would be sent to the property owner informing of the violation.

"After five days we used to send a second letter notifying the property owner of the violation," Roach said. "We won't be doing that anymore. If we return to the property after five days and the violation has not been corrected, we will be notifying municipal court and the property owner may find themselves summoned before the municipal judge facing fines, fees and possible jail time."

Additionally if the property owner does not correct the situation a city crew may be sent in to correct the situation and a fee will be assessed for the work.

In other business on Thursday:

— Commissioners unanimously approved a new policy for the city animal shelter in which adopting a cat or dog from the shelter will include spaying or neutering, microchipping the pet and giving the pet a parvo and distemper shot.

The policy represents an agreement between the city and veterinarian David Hudson.

Hudson told the commission the adoption fee will go to $215 for dogs, $115 for cats.

"Once the pet is adopted and the adoption fee is paid my office will be calling the person who adopted the pet and schedule the surgery," Hudson said.

After the meeting, Hudson said the plan is for the program to start in June.

"We're still waiting on some equipment," Hudson said.

— Hillcrest Park Zoo Director Damian Lechner appeared before the commissioners with two helpers who brought the zoo's young kangaroos to the meeting.

Lechner gave an update on the "Name the Kangaroos" contest where those who enter place bids on the the "right" to name the young animals.

As of Thursday evening Lechner said the highest bids were up to $800.

— Proclamations were issued for National Day of Prayer on May 4, Founders Day in Clovis for May 1, April as Community College Month and April 23-29 for National Library Week.