A neighborhood dispute over a persistent nuisance property at 70 Eighteenth Street dominated public comment Oct. 6, with a resident asking the council to ensure the city enforces code and cleans the site.

Kelly Shriver, who lives across from Dunwoody Park, said vehicles and unsafe conditions at the address create hazards for neighbors and that efforts to get the property cleaned up have been ongoing for three to four years. "We've had so many wrecks right there. It is so dangerous for people to even pull out that live there," Shriver said, asking whether street arrows and traffic markings could be added and whether the city would schedule property cleanup to allow neighbors to move vehicles.

Randy, a city code-enforcement official who spoke during public comment, said cleanup orders have been issued repeatedly and that staff have communicated with the property owner. He confirmed the property has multiple violations and that the city crews were planning to remove debris if compliance was not achieved. "This whole property, this started back in May. We had property cleanup ordered in June," Randy said, adding that the city tries to avoid litigation when possible but will proceed when necessary.

Council members and staff discussed several enforcement tools. Randy and other staff described fines and lien processes and said they are working on a code update that would make fines attach directly to property taxes — a change they believe would improve compliance. Council members also discussed taking small-claims action to recover fines in court when appropriate.

City officials said the city has contracted with American Legal Publishing to update ordinances and that the clerk-treasurer's office will coordinate publication and required readings for any changes. "We signed the contract with American Legal Publishing ... so at the point of the good night time that's one of the things we could ask them to maybe look at first," a council member said.

Randy told the resident the city would attempt to schedule a cleanup in the next few weeks and that staff would bring records to the Board of Works if a more formal action was needed. Council members said the Board of Works is the appropriate venue for operational follow-up and that the matter would not require additional council action unless new legal measures were proposed.

The resident also raised concerns about an unauthorized handicap parking sign on the property and recurring transient occupants; city staff said they would check records to determine how the sign was obtained and whether the property is enrolled in programs that would justify the sign.

No ordinance changes were adopted during the Oct. 6 meeting; city staff said they will continue enforcement efforts and will pursue legal remedies when appropriate.