Building commissioner reports 77 grass-code cases, new inspection system and contractor rollout dates

Building Commissioner Rudy Hillier told the Richmond Heights City Council on May 13 that the building department has generated 77 grass-related code cases in the last two weeks after deploying a new inspection and case-management system. "The word of the day is grass," Hillier said.

Hillier said the new system allows inspectors to write up violations on site and to leave a notice at the property. He described targeted enforcement runs: one inspector worked south and another north along Highland Road to assess conditions, and the department wrote up about 22 units in the Catlin area after a targeted sweep.

The building commissioner said that properties that do not comply with grass-cutting notices will be turned over to the service department for cutting. Hillier said the system integrates with the fire department and community-development staff and "tags people when they have a task to do through workforce." He said the plan remains to open the system to contractors on June 1 and to permit public access in July.

During follow-up comments a councilmember raised ongoing complaints about elevator problems and other issues at 444 Park and asked whether enforcement could be implemented for residents leaving garbage cans in front of garage doors. Hillier replied that those matters are private-property issues and that property owners and associations generally are responsible for policing residents; he said some matters remain under investigation and will be handled privately.

Ending: The building department described increased enforcement activity and a phased rollout of the new system; questions about 444 Park elevator repairs and enforcement of trash placement were left as ongoing matters handled outside the public record.