NSS UPDATE RELATED TO ESTABLISHING A
COMMERCIAL VACANCY REGISTRATION
Legislation Environmental Committee
February 3, 2025
Agenda Item 3.1
Background
• Request from the City Council Legislation/Environmental Committee • The City Attorney's Office has drafted an addition to Title 15 of the Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) to establish this program
• Goal: Create a new registration program for vacant commercial buildings • Registration Trigger: Buildings must be registered after 30 days of vacancy • Vacancy Definition: Greater than 50% of units unoccupied for over 180 days
Addressing Staffing Challenges
September 2022:
o Faced with 9 vacancies in Code Enforcement
Actions Taken:
o Enhanced Code Enforcement Officer job specifications
o Implemented a "deep class" specification
o Increased recruitment efforts by partnering with the PD’s recruitment team Current Status:
o Reduced vacancies to 3
o Currently staffed with 17 Code Enforcement Officers
Future Needs:
o Anticipate increased staffing needs with the launch of the Commercial Vacant Property (VP) Registration and Monitoring program
o Positions have been requested in the next budget cycle to address this need
Technology - Comcate
Comcate Features:
o Automated case management
o Violation tracking and management
o Tablet compatibility for field use
o Photo/video attachments
o Automated scheduling and reminders
o Parcel-based violation tracking
o Automated reports and notices
Implementation Timeline:
o 2023: Comcate acquired; Phase 1 launched
o 2024: System went live; new case entry and migration
o 2025: Phase 2 - Graffiti Team integration, CRM, & billing enhancements
Technology - City Detect
City Detect:
o Cameras capture images
o AI identifies violations
o Generates reports
Addressing Commercial Vacancy:
o Identifies characteristics of VP
o Facilitates proactive intervention
City Detect Timeline:
o January 2024: Pilot program conducted
o June 2024: City Council approved multi-year contract
o December 2024: System calibration and RISE program development o January 2025: Educational letters issued for blight violations
Technology – City Detect
RISE Program (Revitalizing and Improving Stockton through Education):
o Utilizes City Detect data to send educational letters o Provides violation information and corrective actions o Encourages voluntary compliance
o Initial focus on blight violations
o 6-month grace period for voluntary compliance
o Future expansion to other violation types
o Goal: Voluntary Compliance through Education
Technology - Tolemi
Tolemi:
• Connects City, State, & Federal data.
• Identifies vacant properties
• Integrates with City Detect
• Nightly data updates and alerts
• Identifies all rental properties
• Prioritizes outreach to high-risk properties
Slate Registration
• Online portal to register properties.
• Facilitates compliance and fee payments.
• Flags outstanding issues
• Triggers proactive outreach
• Supports inspections and task management
Code Changes
International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) Adoption:
• Collaborating with the City Attorney's office and Building Department to adopt the IPMC. • IPMC adoption will update Stockton's codes to current standards and streamline existing codes. • Currently in the final revision stage.
• Anticipate presenting the IPMC adoption request to City Council in the next few months.
Vacant Commercial Building Registration:
• Following IPMC adoption, staff will work with the City Attorney's office to finalize the draft addition to Title 15, Chapter 15.34 of the Stockton Municipal Code
• This addition will require commercial property owners to register vacant buildings (with specific exemptions).
Progress to date:
• Improved staffing
• Technology upgrades
• Software identified for vacant
property registration
• IPMC adoption progress
Progress, Plans, and Needs for Code Enforcement
Ongoing Efforts
• Staffing and retention
• Technology Utilization
• Vacant Property Identification
with Tolemi
• IPMC Adoption
• Commercial vacant property
Ordinance
Future Focus:
• Secure additional staff
• Expand Tolemi Contract
• Present IPMC and VP ordinance
to Council