Code Enforcement Officer position filled

Frank Scott was recently named La Conner’s Code En-forcement Officer, filling a posi-tion that has been vacant more than a year.

His duties include responding to calls for service and com-plaints, as well as issuing cita-tions for illegal parking and taking appropriate actions to enforce animal control, handling abandoned vehicles, upholding public nuisance ordinances, zoning and other municipal code activities as may be required by the town administrator, John Doyle.

Town staff was delighted to see the position filled after trying to fill in for the position, taking up valuable time from their other duties.

Until July 2012, most parking fines were $25 but were cut in half by the Town Council after then council member Cindy Tracey expressed concern that citations would harm the tourist-friendly image after some of her guests complained.

The only fines that weren’t cut were the $250 for parking in a fire lane and $450 for parking in a handicapped zone — which is a state-mandated fine.

The Town Council is expected to reconsider the fine ordinance at its next meeting Tuesday, April 22.

During the years there was a code enforcement officer on duty, parking fines were dwindling as fewer motorists disregarded parking ordinances. In 2008 some 143 fines were paid; there were 49 in 2010; 37 in 2011 and 54 in 2012. Without a Code Enforcement Officer in 2013, no citations were issued and no fines were paid.

The Town has budgeted $20,000 for the position — which will be pro-rated for this year. Scott is expected to put in six hours on Saturdays and six hours on Sundays, with an additional eight hours spread across the rest of the week as needed, according to town officials.

When asked what skills, licenses or training he needed to be considered for the job, Scott said he was expecting a lengthy interview with Doyle.

But walking into Town Hall, 5 minutes early for his interview, he said Doyle asked him if he wanted the position. “You know everyone’s going to hate you if you take this job,” he said he was told. “You still want it?”

Scott answered, “Yes.”

“You got it,” Doyle told him.