Board certifies liens for mowing and trash violations totaling $109,683.54

The Board of Business Neighborhood Services of Indianapolis City on July 24 voted to certify liens on properties for unpaid abatement costs related to high weeds and grass and for trash, junk and debris cleanup.

Staff recommended the board authorize the director to place liens on properties listed in exhibit A for unpaid mowing and abatement costs under Resolution 2025C10019 and for unpaid trash, junk and debris cleanup costs under Resolution C1020. Carly, a department staff member, told the board the high-weeds certification covered 223 mowing cases with a total amount owed of $85,484 and that the trash certification covered 45 cases with a total owed of $24,199.54. Carly said the cases reflected outstanding fees 30 days past due as of July 24, 2025.

The board approved each certification by voice vote. A board member moved to approve the mowing liens and a second was given; the motion passed on an affirmative voice vote. The same procedure followed for the trash liens, which also passed on an affirmative voice vote.

Under the city's applicable provisions (cited by staff as Chapter 5.75 of the Revised Code for mowing and Chapter 3.61 of the Revised Code for trash abatement), the department handles inspection, abatement and enforcement of environmental public nuisances and may contract contractors to perform abatement when property owners do not correct violations. If abatement costs remain unpaid, staff told the board the city places liens on the properties.

During the discussion of the trash certification, board members asked about neighborhood cleanup activity. Department staff said the vendor has collected about 23 tons of trash so far this year; staff noted the same vendor collected about 43 tons last year. Staff explained the vendor typically removes large items in advance of neighborhood cleanup events and then collects material gathered by volunteers and staff during the events.

The director was authorized to certify the liens and proceed with placement on the listed properties per the resolutions. The resolutions direct that liens be placed on properties listed in exhibit A when abatement costs remain unpaid.

Items certified

- Resolution 2025C10019: High weeds and grass lien certification — 223 cases; $85,484 total; fees 30 days past due as of July 24, 2025; outcome: approved. - Resolution C1020: Trash, junk and debris certification — 45 cases; $24,199.54 total; fees 30 days past due as of July 2025; outcome: approved.

The board did not record a roll-call vote in the transcript excerpt; both certifications passed on unanimous voice votes as recorded during the meeting. The director will proceed with placing liens on the properties listed in each resolution's exhibit A.