By JIM BUTLER

The City Council is on the verge of amending city law to handle administrative adjudication of various Alexandria code violation citations.

An initial step was taken in May of last year when an Administrative Hearing Bureau, advocated by the administration, was established by a City Council-approved ordinance.

Its purpose is to handle cases of alleged code violations in a timely manner rather than crowding court dockets, though right of appeal is retained.

This May, the Legislature approved revisions to state law to streamline and clarify the city’s changes. Rep. Jason DeWitt’s bill became Act 612 if the session.

It adds building codes, zoning, vegetation and nuisance ordinances to the list of housing violations.

Also under the ordinance purview is regulation of sewerage and drainage systems.

Matters involving licensing and permits are included, as are other possible categories as determined by the City Council.

The revised ordinance will be introduced at this afternoon’s council meeting and held over for consideration after required public notice.

---