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Resident urges changes to grass-and-weeds enforcement; council says it will review ordinance 4-97
Summary
A Hamilton resident urged the city to modify enforcement of Ordinance 4-97 after receiving a notice he said was out of date; council members said they will review enforcement timing and height thresholds and expect to begin enforcement in May.
Austin Coward, a Hamilton resident, told the City Council he received a notice for an overgrown-yard complaint that arrived after he had already mowed and asked the council to change how grass-and-weeds enforcement is handled.
“Ordinance 4-97 aims to keep Hamilton beautiful, and nobody disputes that,” Coward said. He asked the council to adopt a short grace period after severe weather, ensure inspections are current before letters are mailed, and improve notice methods and training for ordinance staff so enforcement feels less punitive.
Coward said he had received feedback from other residents and business owners who described inconsistent or abrupt enforcement, and he asked the council to consider accommodations for rain or other challenges.
Council members acknowledged the concerns and said they have discussed changes in prior work sessions. The mayor told Coward the council would “look at May as our first month of enforcement going forward” and that staff already were considering adjustments to the ordinance height threshold. Council members also said the city would consider longer cure periods when residents call and report they need more time.
The council did not adopt a change at the meeting but directed staff and the city attorney to continue work on revisions. Council discussion noted the ordinance dates to 1992, that enforcement had been sporadic for years, and that city officials want to balance town appearance with fairness in enforcement.
No formal vote was recorded; the item was presented during the public-comment portion and followed by council discussion and direction to review the ordinance.
