Consider approval of Ordinance No. 4222-A, an Ordinance amending the City of Muskogee Code of Ordinances, by adopting Chapter 18, Buildings and Building Regulations, Article X, Vacant and Abandoned Commercial Buildings, or take other necessary action. (Katrina Bodenhamer)
BACKGROUND:
The state legislature has amended Oklahoma statutes as to municipalities' methodology for regulating vacant and abandoned commercial buildings, removing a municipalities' authority to impose fees for the collection of information on such properties, or to compel a property owner to enroll in a registration list of vacant commercial buildings. New state law prohibits the disclosure of any property owner information as related to vacant commercial buildings, and creates an exemption of a city-generated list from the open records act. The proposed ordinance would adopt a new article under Chapter 18, Buildings and Building Regulations, which would bring the City into compliance with state statutes and provide the City with the authority to regulate these properties in a way that prevents public nuisance, prevents blight, and promotes future growth within the City of Muskogee.