Metro Code Enforcement Board upholds fines, grants conditional discharges and continues multiple cases

Board member Chris Wetland presided over a Metro Code Enforcement Board hearing that reviewed a slate of property-maintenance cases, upheld preconference orders and scheduled follow-ups to verify repairs and compliance.

The board called through preconference dockets and “no-shows,” upheld the related orders where notice had been provided and set future status dates for properties with documented deficiencies. Wetland stressed the board’s enforcement priority: “I’m not here to take your money. I’m not here to take anybody’s money. But what I want is I want your compliance.”

Why it matters: repeated calls to the same addresses have led to mounting penalties and, in some cases, liens on properties. The board used status dates to allow owners time to complete repairs or secure representation while preserving the county’s enforcement options if problems persist.

Key outcomes and instructions

- Preconference orders: The board read and upheld a set of preconference orders called at the start of the docket.

- 1726 Second St. (ENF PM 22-003332): The board heard testimony describing recurring interior leaks and roof problems; the owner reported ongoing soffit and gutter repairs. The matter was continued for a June 6 status inspection to confirm full compliance.

- 9100 Dixie Highway (ENFDPMAT 24-017042): An individual owner appeared for property held by a corporation. The hearing officer noted Kentucky law bars individuals from representing corporations in these hearings; the board passed the matter 30 days (June 6) to allow the owner to obtain counsel or transfer title into an individual’s name.

- 9912 Eveningstar Drive (ENF PMAT 23-005317): A $700 penalty for a garage (accessory structure) cited in 2023 remains unresolved; the county said ECAP is soliciting bids and expects contractor selection within weeks. The board set an Aug. 1 status date to allow repairs to proceed.

- 1208 Sealback Avenue (ENF PMAT 20-005474): The board upheld the citation and the $700 penalty for documented violations but granted a conditional discharge of the penalty for one year provided there are no future enforcement visits at that address.

- 4304 Malcolm Avenue (ENFDPMAT 24-018601): The county showed photographs of an untagged vehicle and yard debris; the owner said he was working on both. The board set July 11 for total compliance and warned fines would be reinstated if problems recur.

- Estate and abandoned-vehicle issues (3821 Alfred, ENFDPMNT 21-007813): The owner, Jan Billingsley, said a partially recorded deed and an uncooperative co-owner have complicated sale and repair plans. The board discussed towing procedures and the option of contracting for removal of a large trailer; it set a July 11 status date and advised securing the property and scheduling dumpster services where needed.

- Eric Court LLC cases: Counsel reported a conflict on representation for multiple Eric Court dockets; the board passed a series of Eric Court cases to June 13 to allow alternate counsel to appear and for inspectors to meet with management about water heaters and other safety issues.

- No-shows: For multiple addresses where notice had been provided and no representative appeared, the board upheld citations and related fines (examples read into the record included properties on Davies Avenue, Camden Avenue and South 30 Second Street).

What the board told owners: In several exchanges the hearing officer emphasized two priorities: secure unoccupied properties to avoid squatters and keep premises clean. The board offered practical help such as directing owners to 311 for free pickup of up to four large items per week, and suggested contacting county inspectors when work is done so the property can be reinspected and removed from the docket if compliant.

Next steps: The board set staggered status and compliance dates — primarily June 6, June 13, July 11 and Aug. 1 — and asked code enforcement staff to update ownership records and notice information when deeds show multiple owners. The docket adjourned after the scheduled matters were addressed.

Representative quotes

“I'm not here to take your money. I'm not here to take anybody's money. But what I want is I want your compliance,” Board member Chris Wetland said, framing the board’s goal as compliance rather than revenue collection.

Tammy Goatley, code enforcement supervisor, summarized recurring findings across cases by listing inspection dates, penalties and the types of violations (interior surfaces, roofing, cleaning, accessory structures).

Provenance: Reporting in this article is drawn from board proceedings and testimony across the hearing docket (opening and roll call; case calls and staff findings; owner responses and board rulings). Topic introductions and the last related exchanges appear throughout the docket (see timeline).