FRESNO, CA – Mayor Ashley Swearengin released the following statement on the Anti-Slum Enforcement Team and Landlord-Tenant Ombudsman Program resolution proposed today by Councilmembers Steve Brandau and Clint Olivier:
“It is always gratifying when councilmembers propose resolutions that codify what the Administration is already doing. This resolution simply renames the existing task force from ‘Strike Team on Problem Properties’ to ‘Anti-Slum Enforcement Team’ and adds 3 additional code enforcement officers. While we think the councilmembers are well-meaning and are trying to reinforce our ongoing efforts to address substandard housing, unfortunately, this resolution would water down the Administration’s STOPP efforts by inspecting minimal units on egregious properties. If that was intentional, then the Administration will vehemently oppose this resolution. We need to be adding tools to our tool box to combat slum housing, not taking them away.”