Oglesby council directs staff to draft $100 administrative fee for code-violation notices

The Oglesby City Council voted on Sept. 9 to direct staff to draft an ordinance allowing the city to charge a $100 administrative fee when it issues a code-violation notice.

Commissioner Moyle moved to have the city draft the ordinance and Commissioner McDermott seconded. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with at least one member recorded in opposition.

A staff member advising the council said the city could adopt a single ordinance that reconciles existing enforcement language across multiple code sections and then authorize one person or office to act as the city’s enforcement contact. "In the event the city sends out any code violation notice in any capacity, there will be a fee charge of a $100," the staff member said.

Discussion focused on whether the city should create a dedicated code-enforcement officer, which would require revising several sections of the municipal code, or rely on existing authority in the police and building-inspection offices to enforce violations. Several commissioners said better interdepartmental communication and a single tracking point for complaints would address many problems without immediately creating a new position.

Commissioner Moyle said the fee and improved tracking would give the city more options for handling repeat violations and recommended drafting language for council review at a future meeting. The council recorded the motion as carried with Cullinan, McDermott, Moyle and the mayor voting in favor and Aldridge voting against.

The ordinance will be drafted and brought back for council consideration; no final fee ordinance was adopted at the meeting.