2025-008 Community Improvement Services Overview Nov. 22,2024 Report No. 2025-008
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Community Improvement Services (CIS) Overview
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This Informal Staff Report provides information about the Community Improvement Services
(CIS) processes and enforcement, with specific analysis on staffing levels and engagement with
Homeowners Associations (HOAs).
DISCUSSION:
Department Structure & Staffing Levels:
• The CIS team consists of a Neighborhood Services Manager and seven (7) officers.
Based on population density and case volume, the team operates across seven(7) districts
(Exhibit 1).
• In Fiscal Year 2023-24, the team increased from six (6)to seven (7) officers. This
position was added to support Solid Waste and address Chapter 24 ordinance updates.
• The current staff transition resulted from two long-term employee retirements, one
resignation, and one transfer to another City department.
Skill Level of CIS Officers:
• Donnie Denny: Senior CIS Officer with over 10 years of experience in CIS with the City
of Denton and a TDLR licensed officer.
• Toni Hooten: CIS Officer with nearly 4 years in the department and a TDLR licensed
officer.
• Christina Dixon: First-year CIS Officer hired January 2024 and currently attending
Texas State TEEX Basic Code training from November 4 h to 8th.
• Megan Hall, Scott Stratton,Aaren Pierpoint, and Richard Naugle: All in their first
year, hired in July and August 2024 and are still in training.
Engagement with HOAs:
• Meeting Attendance: CIS regularly attends meetings for Denia, Wheeler Ridge, and
Sedna. While there have been a few one-time invites for online HOA meetings in the
past two years, consistent engagement with other HOAs has not been established.
• Proactive Communication: The team keeps HOA leadership informed through regular
emails that provide updates on property maintenance codes and seasonal reminders (e.g.,
winterization, wildflowers, tree care).
• Tracking List: A tracking list for HOAs is updated bi-annually using the Texas HOA
database.
Nov. 22,2024 Report No. 2025-008
• Direct Support: CIS officers engage in regular outreach in the field and maintain
communication through emails and phone calls to address inquiries or provide assistance.
Workload Measurement & Tracking:
• The City's land management system tracks caseload.
• Statistics for the Fiscal Year 2023-2024:
o Total Cases handled: 7,239
o Proactive case percentage: 58%
o Complaint-Driven Cases: 42%
o City Forced Abatements: 112
■ Work orders issued: 103 (trash & debris, Securing, and mow&trims).
■ Summonses issued: 9 (across four properties).
Workload Trends:
• There has been an increase in cases, totaling 7,239 in FY 23/24, compared to 6,451 in FY
22/23 and 6,691 in FY 21/22.
Success Measurement of Operations:
1. Focus on Education:
• CIS prioritizes educating residents on ordinance compliance and property
maintenance.
• CIS measures success by the voluntary compliance rate achieved and the average
time to close cases.
2. High Success Rate:
• CIS achieves a 98% success rate in achieving voluntary compliance.
• Only 2% of cases require further action such as work orders or summonses.
• The average time to close cases in FY 23/24 was 15 days, with only 2%
proceeding to summonses or work orders.
CIS Enforcement Procedures
1. Initial Notice and Education:
• 7-Day Verbal Notice/Courtesy Door Hanger: CIS provides a verbal notice or
courtesy door hanger to educate residents and property owners about the violation(s)
and potential impacts of non-compliance.
• Reinspection: Follow-up inspection to assess compliance and determine next steps.
• Engagement: CIS collaborates with residents showing measurable progress to
encourage community involvement and refers all possibly eligible candidates to
outside services such as Sweat Team, Hearts for Homes,Valley Creek Church, Minor
Repair Program, etc.
2. Written Notice:
Nov. 22,2024 Report No. 2025-008
• 10-Day Written Notice: If violations persist after seven days, a written notice is
mailed outlining the issues causing the violation.
• Contact Attempts/Due Diligence: Officers utilize all resources available to reach out
to residents, property owners and property managers.
3. Reinspection and Further Notice:
• Reinspection: This is conducted after ten business days. If violation is still present a
24-hour notice for a work order or summons is issued and CIS Officer contact
information is always provided.
4. Final Action:
• Issuing Work Orders or Summons: If violations still exist after reinspection, CIS
issues a work order for abatement or prepares an affidavit for summons depending on
the type of violation.
5. Processing Work Orders:
• Same-Day Processing: Work orders are processed the same day and sent to the
City's contracted vendor to complete within three calendar days.
6. Legal Action:
• Affidavit Submission: Signed and notarized affidavits are submitted to the City
Prosecutor for review and court filing.
7. Repeat Offenders:
• 24-Hour Notice: Officers can immediately issue a 24-hour notice for repeat
violations of the same type within one calendar year of the mailed written notice of
violation date.
Social Media Engagement:
• Currently, CIS does not review platforms like Next Door or other social media. CIS
contributes content to City social media but does not monitor feedback from these
channels.
• Direct community feedback is primarily received through resident emails, in person and
phone calls, which are addressed promptly.
CONCLUSION:
CIS is dedicated to maintaining community standards through education, enforcement, and
proactive engagement with property owners. The department focuses on achieving voluntary
compliance while adapting to increasing workloads.
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit I —District Map
STAFF CONTACT: Joshua Ellison,Neighborhood Services Manager
Nov. 22,2024 Report No. 2025-008
REOUESTOR: Council Member Vicki Byrd
PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS: Community Services
STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE REPORT: 2 hours
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