Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Code Enforcement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves property-maintenance code changes and fee schedule adjustments
Summary
Council passed three ordinances amending property-maintenance violation notices, administrative fee schedules and penalties. City staff said some fees will decrease to encourage compliance while reinspection fees for ongoing open violations will increase.
Lima City Council approved three related ordinances adjusting notices, fees and penalties under the city's property maintenance code.
Miss Carmelia Zion, representing the department overseeing code enforcement, told council the revisions were intended to help build relationships with residents and improve compliance. She said the $50 civil-penalty fee will be replaced by a $25 administrative fee and explained other fee adjustments. "That fee will now the new approval fee will be $250, administrative fee plus the contractor cost," Zion said, and she said the reinspection fee for ongoing open violations will rise from $75 to $100.
Councilors asked for clarification about the fee changes and the department explained that lowering some initial fees was intended to encourage voluntary compliance while higher fees would apply if problems continued. The three ordinances (1 44 25, 1 45 25 and 1 46 25) were moved, discussed with department staff and passed by roll call vote.
Ending: The ordinances passed and are on the record; the department said the fee schedule changes aim to increase compliance and that the administration will implement the revised notice and fee process.
