Washington Terrace officials praise code enforcement work as complaints decline, officer says about 97% of cases resolve without court

Martin Nish, the city’s code enforcement officer, gave the Washington Terrace City Council an update on complaints, outreach and enforcement on Tuesday, saying roughly 97% of cases this year have been resolved without prosecutor or court involvement.

The presentation covered how referrals arrive, the most common violations and examples of before-and-after compliance. “This has got to be one of the most thankless jobs on planet Earth,” Mayor Allen said while introducing the item and praising Nish’s efforts. Nish described the work as a “continual game of whack-a-mole” but said most property owners respond to outreach, flyers and follow-up letters.

Nish told the council the majority of referrals come from his own proactive drive-by inspections, followed by web reports, phone calls and emails. He said landscaping and yard maintenance account for the largest single category (he cited 127 landscaping referrals so far this year), followed by parking violations and junk or debris complaints. He said the city prioritizes hazards that create safety risks, such as broken sidewalks or appliances left where children could be injured.

Nish described an outreach tool he developed: a flyer that lists the date he visited a property, the applicable code language and his contact information. He said those notices, taped to doors or left at properties, often prompt quick compliance and sometimes spare the city from formal enforcement. “I think what I came up with is about 97% are taken care of without having to have a prosecutor or court involvement,” Nish said.

Council members asked how the city handles tree hazards, landlords and rental properties. Nish said dead trees that present safety hazards are addressed when staff can verify them, that landlords are generally reachable and that in a few cases properties are bank-owned or the tenant/owner cannot be contacted, which delays repairs. He said he has sent several cases to the prosecutor this year when owners did not comply after formal notice.

Council members also requested copies of Nish’s flyer so they can explain the notice content to residents who call city offices. Nish agreed to email the flyer to council members, and several council members asked staff for copies to share with neighbors.

Nish showed a sample set of before-and-after photos of properties where yards were mowed, sod or seed installed and debris removed. He said the city is working under a new administrative procedure drafted by the city attorney that could alter the enforcement process; he said that procedure will come before the council when ready.

The presentation concluded with a brief discussion of the urban chicken ordinance; Nish said a small number of residents either applied for the required permits or removed birds after learning of the ordinance. He said one application was expected to be completed the same day as the meeting.

Council members thanked Nish for detailed recordkeeping, noting that good documentation helps the city in court and speeds enforcement.