Andrews: Code Enforcement Has to
Go Beyond Being Complaint Driven
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
One city official says if the code enforcement department is complaint driven, perhaps more people should make formal complaints.
“If it has to be complaint driven then I guess a bunch of us have to walk up and down Main Street and write a complaint out,” said OECD Executive Director Sara Andrews.
“I think it has to go beyond being complaint driven and at this point in time – if we see something we need to address it,” she said.
Andrews made her comments during Tuesday’s Bradford City Council meeting in a discussion on who is responsible for enforcing codes in commercial buildings.
Businessman John Kohler brought up the issue, and gave the IAS building on Marilyn Horne Way as an example, saying wires are hanging off of it, electric boxes are hanging loose, there’s broken glass and piles of pigeon droppings.
“Who’s responsible to make sure that kind of stuff is cleaned up and taken care of?” Kohler asked. “Somebody could walk by there and get hurt real easily.”
Councilman Ross Neidich, who oversees code enforcement, said that building may be an issue for the Board of Health which “sometimes seems to have a little more clout – long-term.”
Andrews noted that council has held at least two work sessions on code enforcement and nothing’s been resolved as to who is responsible for commercial buildings.
The condition of the commercial buildings is starting to be a concern,” she said. “Those buildings are a whole lot bigger than houses. When it comes to a point where we’re going to have to be responsible (to tear down the buildings) we’re looking at a very expensive proposition.”
“There has to be some decision somewhere as to who really is responsible for code enforcement,” Andrews said.
She added that there is some misunderstanding as to what code enforcement officers George Corignani and Merle Silvis can do.
“It doesn’t matter what kind of structure it is -- They can enforce a code on a commercial building. They can enforce a code on an industrial building or a residential building. It doesn’t matter. They can enforce a structural code on any building,” she said.
“They are trained to do code enforcement in any structure,” she said.
Fire Chief Boo Coder said he will “absolutely” check into that.
WESB/WBRR News Director
One city official says if the code enforcement department is complaint driven, perhaps more people should make formal complaints.
“If it has to be complaint driven then I guess a bunch of us have to walk up and down Main Street and write a complaint out,” said OECD Executive Director Sara Andrews.
“I think it has to go beyond being complaint driven and at this point in time – if we see something we need to address it,” she said.
Andrews made her comments during Tuesday’s Bradford City Council meeting in a discussion on who is responsible for enforcing codes in commercial buildings.
Businessman John Kohler brought up the issue, and gave the IAS building on Marilyn Horne Way as an example, saying wires are hanging off of it, electric boxes are hanging loose, there’s broken glass and piles of pigeon droppings.
“Who’s responsible to make sure that kind of stuff is cleaned up and taken care of?” Kohler asked. “Somebody could walk by there and get hurt real easily.”
Councilman Ross Neidich, who oversees code enforcement, said that building may be an issue for the Board of Health which “sometimes seems to have a little more clout – long-term.”
Andrews noted that council has held at least two work sessions on code enforcement and nothing’s been resolved as to who is responsible for commercial buildings.
The condition of the commercial buildings is starting to be a concern,” she said. “Those buildings are a whole lot bigger than houses. When it comes to a point where we’re going to have to be responsible (to tear down the buildings) we’re looking at a very expensive proposition.”
“There has to be some decision somewhere as to who really is responsible for code enforcement,” Andrews said.
She added that there is some misunderstanding as to what code enforcement officers George Corignani and Merle Silvis can do.
“It doesn’t matter what kind of structure it is -- They can enforce a code on a commercial building. They can enforce a code on an industrial building or a residential building. It doesn’t matter. They can enforce a structural code on any building,” she said.
“They are trained to do code enforcement in any structure,” she said.
Fire Chief Boo Coder said he will “absolutely” check into that.
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