The task force arrived at nine in the morning Wednesday, ready to do a thorough inspection of the Lake Mill Lodge in downtown Reno.
From health code violations and building safety, to business license compliance - no stone is left unturned.
"When we do a task force, we actually hit every unit, we don't do a sample. We go into every unit, we inspect the exterior of the property, we inspect the books,” says Alex Woodley, Code Enforcement Manager, City of Reno.
The Lake Mill Lodge is a motel, but some people live there permanently. About five years ago, the City of Reno temporarily shut the place down because it was considered uninhabitable.
And while the management would not speak to us on camera or let us on the property, people who live there say it's improved since then.
"There was drug dealers and there was riff raff here. It was dangerous, but it ain't like that,” says Steven Delong.
Barbara Gallagher adds, "I've had no problems with cleanliness or anything. I've heard some people complain they've had bugs in the past, but I haven't."
While there, police officers were able to identify 15 motel tenants with outstanding warrants.
"So we're verifying that those people are still here and if they are we confirm the warrants. They get detained and they'll be taken up to the sheriff's office,” says Reno Police Officer Tim Broadway.
After the inspection the owner will get a list of improvements that need to be made, and inspectors will keep coming back to ensure they're completed.
"Anything that has to do with heating will be the number one priority, so those will be the first items that we'll address - give 'em like, two weeks. And then we come in two week increments at a time,” says Woodley.
Officials say inspections like these are one of the ways the City of Reno is providing safe and liveable neighborhoods.
The team inspected for — but was not limited to — heating issues, water requirements, minimal safety requirements (handrails, lighting in stairwells, etc.), infestations (roaches, bed bugs, etc.), fire egress (emergency exits), smoke detectors, nuisances, and/or any criminal behavior.
The inspection is in compliance with one of Reno City Council's strategic priorities, which is to Provide Safe and Livable Neighborhoods, and the recent expansion of the Police Special Assessment District (SAD).
The CSAST includes representatives of Reno Code Enforcement, Reno Fire Department, Washoe County Health Department, Reno Business License Compliance, and the Reno Police Department. The CSAST was created to address businesses or issues within the community that appeared to be in need of education and/or enforcement of adopted ordinances that provide for safety and quality of life standards as established by local, state, or federal laws.
Of the 123 rooms that the CSAST team inspected, only 5 out of the 123 rooms passed inspection throughout. The discrepancies found in the 118 rooms which did not pass a complete inspection had issues that varied from missing faucets; lose toilets, stopped up plumbing and smoke detector issues. Some of the rooms also had no heat, cockroaches, bed bugs, and other unsanitary conditions. The Washoe County Health District closed 2 rooms temporarily due to unhealthy conditions.
During the inspection 5 individuals who all had active warrants for their arrest were contacted by Reno Police Officers and arrested.
Upon completion of the Lake Mill Lodge compliance check, a small group of the CSAST performed a ‘spot' check at the Wonder Lodge located at 430 Lake Street. (This is the same owner as the Lake Mill Lodge.) The Wonder Lodge property has 63 rooms. Main issue identified was an inoperable elevator. Only 5 rooms inspected and they had minor issues.
(The City of Reno, Reno Police contributed to this report.)
