Council praises Codewatch volunteer program, cites $100,000 in savings

Council member Chick used item 19 on July 28 to draw attention to Codewatch, a volunteer-driven code-compliance program run out of the mayor’s volunteer office. Chick said the program, led by Karen Wagner and volunteers, has helped the city avoid using building-and-safety inspector time and has produced substantial savings and compliance results.

"The city has saved over $100,000 in the first year and a half of the program," Council member Chick said, and she reported that among closed cases Codewatch achieved almost an 80% voluntary compliance rate. Chick described the program’s work — sending letters to property owners, prompting corrections such as cutting weeds, removing graffiti and stopping parking on lawns — as a low-cost means to reduce neighborhood blight.

Chick’s motion to recognize and continue support for the program was moved and the roll-call count recorded 11 yes votes. The council’s action acknowledged the program’s contribution to neighborhood improvement by leveraging volunteers rather than inspector time.

The motion carries formal recognition and directs continued coordination between volunteers and city staff in code-compliance outreach. Council members thanked those serving in the mayor’s volunteer office for their work.