Ordinance Allows City to Track, Recoup Costs On Neglected Properties

On March 3, 2009 the Common Council approved an Alderman Bohl-authored measure to track and recoup costs associated with properties where garbage, lawn care, snow shoveling and other basic homeowner duties are ignored or neglected.

The ordinance provides an initial inspection charge and increases other special charges when the owner or occupant fails to comply with code provisions to keep sidewalks clear of snow, to return garbage and recycling carts to original positions after pickup service or fails to mow grass or weeds. The intent of the ordinance is to recover actual costs related to processing complaints, inspecting premises and other costs of administration including printing, public education, and accounting.

The ordinance, co-sponsored by Alderman Nik Kovac, provides an initial charge of $25 if, upon inspection, the inspector determines that the owner or responsible party is in violation. The ordinance increases the special charge for failure to return a service cart to original storage after notice or order to do so from $20 to $35 for the first violation following written notice or order, and from $35 to $60 for a subsequent violation in a calendar year.

In addition to contracted cost for city work in removing snow or mowing lawns, the ordinance also:

• Provides a special charge of $65 for failure to mow grass or weeds, and a special charge of $100 for each subsequent violation within the calendar year.
• Further increases the special charge for failure to keep sidewalks clear of snow and ice from $25 to $45 for the first violation and each additional violation in a calendar year will be subject to a special charge $90.