City Council Report

By Dottie McGrew

Mow in time, avoid a fine

Tough new regulations on the height of grass, weeds and other vegetation on properties in the city go into effect July 1.

Council approved an amendment to the nuisance ordinance providing for stiff
fines for residential property owners – not tenants or property management companies -- who let grass and weeds grow higher than eight inches, or 12 inches on undeveloped property.

The superintendent of permits and inspections will determine a violation and notify the property owner – once. The property owner has seven days from when the notice is
mailed or delivered to correct the violation. Previously, there was a 30-day grace period.

The fine for the first violation in a calendar year is $50 plus the cost of mowing and inspection. Second and third violations come with fines of $100 plus expenses for each count. A fourth offense carries a $200 fine plus expenses.

Unpaid fines will be assessed against the property owner’s tax bill.

“We are going to fast-track this,” Law Director Randy McFarren said. “Times have changed. Those who think this will not be enforced will be unpleasantly surprised. They will have a bill that will knock their socks off.”

Income tax proposal DOA
Mayor David Held’s proposal to put an increase in the city income tax on the November ballot never made it beyond the floor of city council. After a month of discussion, council unanimously defeated the proposed increase from the current 1.5 percent to 2 percent.

Held contended that the increase is necessary to make up for lost income tax revenue from the closing of Hoover. He had promised that the $1.8 million expected to be generated would be set aside for fire, police and emergency medical services to maintain service at current levels. It would have been the city’s first hike in income tax in 36 years.

But council had another idea. Council members endorsed a policy of watching expenditures, working with neighboring townships on cooperative economic development and waiting for the future of the Hoover Co. property to be revealed.

Finance Committee Chairman Pat DeOrio said that council has taken an active stance in preparing for a worst cast scenario. “At this stage I believe the loss of Hoover is manageable,” DeOrio said.

“Well,” Held said, “sooner or later we are going to have to deal with the loss of revenue.”

Drinking Water Source Protection Committee
Look for council to approve a resolution setting up a citizens’ Source Water Protection Committee before breaking July 9 for a six-week summer recess.

Water, Sewer and Rubbish Chair Kathy Magel is proposing the committee be made up of
one council member, one representative from the administration and three residents selected by council as well as the water superintendent, or his representative, as a non-voting committee member.

But at a recent council meeting, City Administrator E. J. Wise Jr. voiced the concerns of the administration, Water Superintendent Rich Steinhebel and Ward 3 Councilman Doug Lane. Wise said “the purpose and the authority of the committee are still unclear.” Lane is the only council member to vote against the committee.

There would be no concern if the committee were dedicated to educating the public
about safe drinking water, Wise said. There is concern about possible breaches of water security.

The city water treatment plant meets and exceeds EPA requirements, Steinhebel told council. The citizens Source Water Protection Committee, created before 9/11, is suggested by the EPA but not required, he said.