MOSES LAKE - While the actual law isn't changing, the Moses Lake City Council did approve changes to the enforcement process for people improperly storing vehicles in residential neighborhoods.

After a lengthy discussion, councilmembers voted 6-1 to shorten the enforcement process, essentially giving residents 10 days to correct a violation under the "Residential Vehicle Storage" ordinance before a citation can be issued.

Previously, residents in violation were still given a written violation notice through the mail and allotted 10 days to correct before a violation notice and order to correct was sent, giving the offender another 20 days before a fine could be issued.

The purpose of the ordinance is to "preserve the character and safety of the city's neighborhoods by eliminating improperly stored vehicles which may be characterized as nuisances," also limiting the length of time vehicles can be parked on the property. According to the ordinance, vehicles must be parked or stored on designated driveways or improved parking surfaces.

The violation notice and order to correct was voted out of the ordinance to make the enforcement process simpler and more motivating for the violator to correct the violation.

City Manager Joseph Gavinski said several citizens expressed concern about possible changes to the ordinance.

"There is nothing intended or suggested to change the ordinance itself and how we approach the community in terms of the violations."

Community Development Director Gilbert Alvarado said there were 187 violations under the ordinance last year, none of which resulted in a fine.

Gavinski added the city experienced issues with repeat offenders who are issued a written notice, move the vehicle for a short amount of time, then move the vehicle back, restarting the violation process.

"It takes a long time to get a simple violation solved," Gavinski said.

Alvarado said the ordinance is complaint-driven and code enforcement officers will try to make contact with the resident before a written notice is sent.

"If we saw a violation, we would first approach the individual and let them know, 'This is something that we have adopted. This is why you're in violation,' and ask them to move the vehicle," Alvarado said at a previous council meeting.

Under the amended ordinance, a written warning is mailed for the first violation in a year, followed by an $80 ticket for a second violation, $170 ticket for a third violation and $360 ticket for any following violation.

Councilmember Todd Voth did express concern that the ordinance allows the city to ticket violators every day until a vehicle is moved.

Although Alvarado said that could be allowed, the city has never taken that action and has no plans of doing so.