Blight, Code Enforcement Discussed
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
A couple of Bradford residents told City Council Tuesday night that they think the code enforcement officers are working hard, but also think more could be done.
Vista Circle resident Brad Mangel said in the last 11 years they "did quite a bit" and that any problems with the officers don't need to be confrontational.
He did say, however, that the program "obviously does need to be fixed."
He added that he wholeheartedly agrees with Mayor Tom Riel's position that something needs to be done about blight.
Mangel said he's also concerned about fines and enforcement, especially concerning landlords, nothing that they're getting an income from the tenants that should be put back into the buildings.
But, he said, they know how to play the system and are aware of what they can get away with.
Cole Avenue resident Jeff Bartholomew is also concerned about blight, and wondered what's being done to go after landlords who let their property go.
"If a landlord's out there and he's telling you he's not making money, he's got no business in the game," Batholomew said. "They're bleeding the city and they're taking advantage of the whole damn system."
City Clerk John Peterson said money collected from property owners for fines and penalties does go back into the code enforcement department. He added that, with changes in the landlord ordinance, more people have been tearing down their properties that have been deemed a health or public safety hazard.
Riel said that he's not saying code enforcement isn't doing anything, but that maybe more restructuring has to be done to make the program more effective.
He said the city has decent landlords who do take care of their properties. But there are landlords out there who let their properties go until they're uninhabitable and they just sit there until the city has to tear them down and foot the bill and, all the while, they're renting out other properties, making money and not paying the city back.
"Those are the ones I'm talking about," he said, "people who are almost laughing at the city and owe all this money to the city."
Fire Chief Boo Coder said code enforcement has taken a more active role and has done "hundreds and hundreds more inspections this past year than we have ever before."
"Code enforcement has stepped it up," Coder said. "Every household in the city that's rented will be inspected by code enforcement."
Coder said he takes care of a lot of the nuisance complaints (tall grass, abandoned vehicles, etc.) himself to free up George Corignani and Merle Silvis to do inspections.
"We're catching up," Coder said, adding that maybe council and code enforcement should sit down and address the concerns.
He again invited Riel and the rest of city council to go to the code enforcement office to see what they're dealing with.
"I'd like to go out in some of these neighborhoods with the guys and see what's going on," Riel said.
Also Tuesday night, council approved several resolutions related to the replacement of the Kennedy Street Bridge.
One authorizes the city to execute a license agreement to occupy state land under the Tunungwant Creek. Two other resolutions concerned rights-of-way. Another authorized Riel and Peterson to increase the contract amount for E&M Engineers from $307,098 to $314, 960, which adds design services for the replacement of the waterline attached to the existing bridge.
Council also approved payments to companies that provided equipment to the police department. The equipment includes rechargeable flashlights; a camera, lenses and other supplies; and portable breathalyzers and mouthpieces.
The money comes from the Byrne Memorial Justice Grant program.
Council also agreed to pay the Bradford Special Police $750 for the services they provide. This is the city's 2010 allocation.
Also Tuesday, council granted a waiver for Stinkfest so alcohol can be consumed outside in plastic containers. No alcoholic beverages will be permitted in "Kiddyland," however.
Stinkfest is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 1.
WESB/WBRR News Director
A couple of Bradford residents told City Council Tuesday night that they think the code enforcement officers are working hard, but also think more could be done.
Vista Circle resident Brad Mangel said in the last 11 years they "did quite a bit" and that any problems with the officers don't need to be confrontational.
He did say, however, that the program "obviously does need to be fixed."
He added that he wholeheartedly agrees with Mayor Tom Riel's position that something needs to be done about blight.
Mangel said he's also concerned about fines and enforcement, especially concerning landlords, nothing that they're getting an income from the tenants that should be put back into the buildings.
But, he said, they know how to play the system and are aware of what they can get away with.
Cole Avenue resident Jeff Bartholomew is also concerned about blight, and wondered what's being done to go after landlords who let their property go.
"If a landlord's out there and he's telling you he's not making money, he's got no business in the game," Batholomew said. "They're bleeding the city and they're taking advantage of the whole damn system."
City Clerk John Peterson said money collected from property owners for fines and penalties does go back into the code enforcement department. He added that, with changes in the landlord ordinance, more people have been tearing down their properties that have been deemed a health or public safety hazard.
Riel said that he's not saying code enforcement isn't doing anything, but that maybe more restructuring has to be done to make the program more effective.
He said the city has decent landlords who do take care of their properties. But there are landlords out there who let their properties go until they're uninhabitable and they just sit there until the city has to tear them down and foot the bill and, all the while, they're renting out other properties, making money and not paying the city back.
"Those are the ones I'm talking about," he said, "people who are almost laughing at the city and owe all this money to the city."
Fire Chief Boo Coder said code enforcement has taken a more active role and has done "hundreds and hundreds more inspections this past year than we have ever before."
"Code enforcement has stepped it up," Coder said. "Every household in the city that's rented will be inspected by code enforcement."
Coder said he takes care of a lot of the nuisance complaints (tall grass, abandoned vehicles, etc.) himself to free up George Corignani and Merle Silvis to do inspections.
"We're catching up," Coder said, adding that maybe council and code enforcement should sit down and address the concerns.
He again invited Riel and the rest of city council to go to the code enforcement office to see what they're dealing with.
"I'd like to go out in some of these neighborhoods with the guys and see what's going on," Riel said.
Also Tuesday night, council approved several resolutions related to the replacement of the Kennedy Street Bridge.
One authorizes the city to execute a license agreement to occupy state land under the Tunungwant Creek. Two other resolutions concerned rights-of-way. Another authorized Riel and Peterson to increase the contract amount for E&M Engineers from $307,098 to $314, 960, which adds design services for the replacement of the waterline attached to the existing bridge.
Council also approved payments to companies that provided equipment to the police department. The equipment includes rechargeable flashlights; a camera, lenses and other supplies; and portable breathalyzers and mouthpieces.
The money comes from the Byrne Memorial Justice Grant program.
Council also agreed to pay the Bradford Special Police $750 for the services they provide. This is the city's 2010 allocation.
Also Tuesday, council granted a waiver for Stinkfest so alcohol can be consumed outside in plastic containers. No alcoholic beverages will be permitted in "Kiddyland," however.
Stinkfest is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 1.
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