Residents urge more code enforcement on junk vehicles; council discusses scooters and stormwater fixes

A resident who said he is a retired firefighter from Parkersburg urged the council to increase enforcement against junk vehicles and address neighborhood appearance, describing multiple unlicensed vehicles visible between 20 First and 20 Third streets and saying the city’s current code enforcement staffing is limited. "There's approximately 16 junk vehicles in those few blocks between 20 First and 20 Third," the speaker said, adding that one vehicle had been on the street about three months and lacked license plates.

The resident recalled a program in his former department in which a code officer, police officer and firefighter walked neighborhoods to document violations and notify owners; he suggested Vienna needs a stronger recurring approach but acknowledged the city’s small staff and volunteer fire department limit options. "We only have basically 1 person in code, 2 part timers ... maybe 8 hours each a week," he said.

Council members acknowledged the complaint and noted the city maintains ordinances addressing junk vehicles and property appearance; they urged residents to report problem properties to code enforcement and said enforcement staff had been responding where possible. A council discussion later in the meeting shifted to motorized scooters and similar powered recreational vehicles. One council member warned of serious injury risk and recommended the city consider expanding its existing motorized cart ordinance to cover motorized scooters, go‑karts and similar devices and to enable parental liability enforcement. "I truly think we need to consider an ordinance that regulates and prohibits the motorized operation of vehicles by scooters, bikes, whatever on the city streets," a council member said.

Separately, councilors and public works staff discussed chronic stormwater and flooding complaints for certain properties and said remediation costs can be substantial. Public Works Director Craig Metz estimated individual localized stormwater fixes can run in the tens of thousands and said some larger site solutions could approach roughly $100,000. City leaders said stormwater funding and targeted programs may be required to handle recurring drainage complaints, and they noted that many stormwater remedies are limited by available dedicated funds.

Why it matters: Neighborhood appearance, abandoned vehicles and roadside motorized vehicles affect public safety, property values and quality of life; enforcement requires staff time and explicit policy direction.

What remains unresolved: council asked staff to research enforcement options, to clarify the city’s current ordinances on unregistered vehicles and to draft potential amendments or new language addressing motorized scooters and parental responsibility for minors.