The Logansport Board of Public Works and Safety on July 16 approved a $1,000 fine for the owner of 831 High Street after city code enforcement reported repeated mattress and trash violations at that rental property. The board voted in favor of the fine during the meeting.
Why it matters: Board members and code enforcement framed the action as part of ongoing enforcement against repeat nuisance and health-code violations at rental properties in the city, and staff said owners may face higher fines for future repeat violations.
Code enforcement officer Randy reported multiple properties with repeat violations and described persistent nonresponse from some rental owners and occupants. “We’ve had 0 contact from these individuals,” Randy said of one property, and later added, “we’re making money off these rentals. We need to be responsible with our rentals.”
Randy told the board that several properties had mattresses or household debris left out on the street; some owners paid previously assessed $100 fines and have begun eviction proceedings in at least one case. For 134 West Linden Avenue Randy said the owner had paid the $100 fine and was pursuing eviction of the occupants after multiple incidents. At 1212 Ash Street and at 906 High Street, board votes to approve cleanup actions were recorded as negative votes by the two board members who responded; the transcript records “Chris Martin? No. Levi Jones? No.” for those roll-call questions.
Board members and staff urged rental owners to adopt clearer lease terms and to check properties more consistently. Randy recommended owners include provisions that allow landlords to charge tenants for cleanup and noted the practical effect of repeated violations: “if this happens again … you’re gonna get up to a $2,000 fine,” the mayor warned, referencing the penalty ceiling described in the meeting.
The board also approved the rental property inspector’s monthly report during the same session. Christian, the rental property inspector, reported inspections for June: 41 parcels inspected covering 91 units, of which 8 were new inspections and 33 were reinspections; six certificates were issued; two new rental registrations were added and one registration removed; and 69 letters were sent to property owners.
What the board did and did not do: The board formally approved a $1,000 fine for 831 High Street. For some other cleanup items the recorded roll-call responses were “No,” and for at least one property (134 West Linden) staff reported cleanup and payment but the transcript does not record a clear roll-call outcome. No ordinance or state statute was cited by name in the transcript.
Next steps and staff recommendations: Staff advised owners to revise rental agreements to make tenants financially responsible for cleanup and to increase owner oversight. Randy and other staff emphasized that repeated violations may trigger higher fines and further enforcement.