Lamont council approves second reading of ordinance increasing nuisance-abatement penalties

The Lamont City Council approved the second reading of Ordinance No. 109 on March 8, 2023, updating penalties under the city’s nuisance-abatement provisions. The ordinance establishes a graduated fine schedule after a Notice to Abate is served: a first offense (after a 21‑day grace period) carries a $200 fine; a second or repeat offense or new offense at the same property (after an additional 7‑day grace period) carries a $250 fine; a third and subsequent offense carries a $300 fine. The ordinance further states that at the third offense the City of Lamont may take legal action to abate the property and charge $100 per hour, per worker to perform cleanup and rectify the nuisance.

The measure passed its second reading by motion of Councilmember Slack, seconded by Councilmember Devlin, with ayes recorded from Councilmembers Lincoln, Lamphier, Behrens, Devlin and Slack. The minutes record this as approval of the second reading; no effective date or additional implementation timing was included in the meeting record.

Why it matters: The ordinance codifies specific monetary penalties and gives the city authority to recover labor costs for abatement after repeated violations, creating a clearer enforcement pathway for property-maintenance violations. The council did not record any public comment on the ordinance during the meeting.

Next steps: The minutes do not specify an effective date or whether a third reading is required by local ordinance; staff will follow the city’s ordinance-adoption procedures to implement the change.