Strict Code Enforcement Urged As Main Tool For City Clean Up

By Tammy Gray-Searles
   “Citizens need to know that we’re serious about it,” said Holbrook Vice Mayor and Focus Future Chairman Cynthia Stuart about code enforcement.
   The Focus Future committee met Nov. 7, and spent most of the meeting discussing cleaning up the city through stronger code enforcement. Stuart pointed out that she feels changes need to be made to the code to speed up the enforcement process, and that existing codes need to be strictly enforced.
   Code Enforcement Officer Mike O’Dell noted that there is an emergency abatement program that allows the city to go in and clean up property that poses a public threat. According to O’Dell, the city has been using the provision more often, but properties with abandoned buildings are a problem because ex-pensive asbestos testing is required. Abatements conducted by the city cost an average of $200 to $400. The property owners are then billed for the cost, and if they don’t pay, a lien is placed against the property.
   O’Dell noted that most property owners clean their own property when given a notice, but those who don’t often live out of town, complicating the procedure and making it difficult for the city to recover the cost of abatement. He also told the committee that he feels the city needs to clean its own properties up before beginning a strict code enforcement program.
   Stuart agreed, and asked Interim City Manager Fern Larson to identify the city-owned properties that need to be cleaned up and see that the work is done by whatever department is responsible for the property.
   Committee member Peggy Belknap remarked that the city should encourage citizens to join in by clean-ing their properties now rather than waiting until the city’s clean up is done.
   “Once the city has cleaned up, you have to hit those who won't clean up hard,” she remarked.
   Larson pointed out that there are some people who are simply unable to clean up their property due to health conditions or finances, but the city has a list of volunteer organizations and companies which can assist such individuals.
   The committee agreed that citizens must be informed before a strict code enforcement campaign begins to give them a chance to clean up their properties on their own.
   O’Dell noted that residents should be made aware that it could cost them anywhere from $200 to several thousand dollars if the city performs an emergency abatement on their property. He provided a copy of the emergency abatement code, which states that the city can perform an emergency abatement on a property that “poses a substantial and immediate threat of serious harm to the health or safety of any person.” The code also states that the property owner, or person responsible for the violation, can be charged civilly or criminally for the code violation.
   “As soon as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances, the city shall serve a civil or criminal citation or summons and complaint on the person or persons responsible for the violation or the property owner,” the code states.
   Committee members agreed that strict code enforcement should be made a priority.
   Stuart asked that a letter to citizens be prepared informing them of city code and that stricter enforce-ment is planned.
   Larson noted that city staff members will be working on recommendations for changes to the code that will make it quicker and easier to enforce.
   The next Focus Future meeting is scheduled at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 21, at city hall.