Hopkinsville enforcement board upholds multiple default orders, authorizes towing and targeted abatements

Hopkinsville — The Hopkinsville Code Ordinance Enforcement Board on Aug. 12 took several administrative actions across multiple cases: it upheld default final orders with fines on a batch of properties, entered orders to dismiss two citations after ownership transfer, authorized towing of an abandoned vehicle and approved abatement and securing of additional nuisance properties.

Thomas Holloman, a building inspector with Community Development Services, told the board that one dismissed case had already sold and that a notice of violation had been sent to the new owner. Code enforcement officer Darnell West said two foreclosed properties had transferred ownership and recommended dismissal of the citations for those addresses because the cited parties were no longer the owners.

The board voted to dismiss the two citations tied to properties that changed ownership and to uphold the violations listed on agenda items 8b through 8k, approving the listed fines plus a $100 administrative fee for each. The agenda identified the fines; the board’s motion referenced those amounts as listed on the meeting agenda.

On a separate matter, the board authorized towing of a derelict vehicle at 118 Lynnwood (case cited as CEJAV2504001/ending in 004 on the agenda) after inspections found expired registration and extensive deterioration; a second vehicle originally listed had been removed before the meeting, staff said. The board voted to abate the remaining vehicle case as listed on the agenda.

The board also approved an abatement order for case CEBPM2507002 (1716 South Campbell Street), authorizing staff to gain entry, remove trash and debris, and have the structure exterminated to halt roach infestations that neighbors reported. Darnell West said Habitat for Humanity is engaged with the bank on that address and staff will coordinate entry and cleanup in concert with the bank and Habitat representatives.

Finally, the board approved securing (boarding and locking) a condemned property on Fayette Road (case CEBPM2507009) until the bank completes foreclosure and the city or owner can remediate conditions. West told the board that earlier actions had included water-meter disconnection after sewage was found to be discharging onto neighboring property; the structure has been condemned because children had been living there without running water.

All motions described above passed in open session by voice vote; the chair recorded “Ayes have it” for each action. Board members discussed using maximum fines more often for repeat violators, pursuing personal judgments that could attach liens against multiple properties owned by the same habitual offender, and improving prioritization of proactive inspections for recurrent problem owners.

These actions were framed as administrative follow-up to inspections and to ongoing efforts to abate public nuisances and protect neighborhood health and safety. For cases where the board entered default final orders, the fines assessed and the $100 administrative fee will be recorded and may be enforced through liens or further collection actions, and affected property owners retain appeal rights under the Hopkinsville Code of Ordinances.