COMMON COUNCIL
JUNE 21, 2010 7:00 P.M.
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WAS GIVEN BY EVERYONE IN ATTENDANCE.
PRAYER WAS GIVEN BY TISHA SLEDD.
MAYOR SMALL OPENED THE MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
ROLL CALL:
SANDY YORK PRESENT
ANGIE GOODMAN PRESENT
JAMES KIDD ABSENT
MARY MALONE PRESENT
MARK KOGER PRESENT
VAUGHN REID PRESENT
RICHARD HAHN PRESENT
MINUTES WERE APPROVED AS PRESENTED.
ORDINANCE #3599-
AMENDING NEW CASTLE CITY CODE TITLE VII, CHAPTER 74, SCHEDULE 1 WAS READ IN FULL ON FIRST READING BY SANDY YORK.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO PASS THIS ORDINANCE ON FIRST READING. COUNCILMAN REID: SECOND. ROLL CALL VOTE: SIX VOTES AYE. PASSED AND ORDERED
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
COUNCILADY GOODMAN ASKED WHO TO CONTACT ABOUT TRASH PICK UP AND ANYONE INTERESTED IN MOWING, WHO SHOULD THEY CONTACT.
MAYOR SMALL SAID WASTEWATER SUPERINTENDENT HAMILTON. HE IS OVER THE PORTION OF THE STREET DEPARTMENT THAT COLLECTS THE TRASH. HE SAID THAT THE LAID OFF EMPLOYEES ARE BEING OFFERED THE PART TIME POSITIONS OF MOWING.
MAYOR SMALL ANNOUNCED THAT THERE WILL BE A FLYER WITH THE UTILITY BILL IN JULY.
BLIGHTED HOUSES:
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER DISCUSSED AND EXPLAINED THE LEGAL ISSUES ABOUT ABANDONED HOMES AND CONDEMNED HOMES THAT WERE SUBSTANDARD. HE SAID IF A HOME IS SUBSTANDARD AND NEEDS TO BE DEMOLISHED, ACTION IS FILED IN COURT. THE OWNER IS NOTIFIED BY CERTIFIED MAIL AND THERE ARE THREE PUBLICATIONS IN THE PAPER. IF NO ONE APPEARS, AN ORDER FROM THE JUDGE TO DEMOLISH CAN BE GIVEN. COURT ACTION CAN BE VERY EXPENSIVE WITHOUT ANY RETURN ON YOUR MONEY. HE SAID IF THE CITY DID GO TO COURT AND DEMOLISHMENT WAS ORDERED, THE EMPTY LOT WOULD NOT PAY FOR WHAT IT COST IN LEGAL FEES. HE SAID THE ONCE A HOUSE IS DEMOLISH, YOU HAVE THE LOT, A HOUSE COULD BE BUILT FROM N S P GRANT MONEY.
COUNCILMAN REID ASKED ABOUT UNSAFE DEMOLITION AND LIENS ON PROPERTIES.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER EXPLAINED PROPERTIES THAT ARE PUT INTO THE SHERIFF'S SALE FOR NON-PAYMENT OF TAXES.
COUNCILMAN REID ASKED IF SEWER LIENS CAN BE ELIMINATED. THE ANSWER WAS YES. HE DISCUSSED HOPE INITIATIVE AND THE REBUILDING OF HOMES WITH A GOOD TITLE AND TITLE INSURANCE.
COUNCILMAN REID SAID HE HAD BEEN ASKED WHY IF A HOME CANNOT BE REHABBED, BURN IT DOWN.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID THAT THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE STATE APPROVAL. HE SAID EVERY CASE IS DIFFERENT AND THE PROCESS IS VERY EXPENSIVE. WE JUST DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO DEMOLISH. HE SAID IT SHOULD BE UP TO THE OWNER TO STAND THE EXPENSE.
GRASS ISSUES:
DIRECTOR DAVIS GAVE A MAP PRESENTATION OF CITY OWNED PROPERTIES THAT HAVE TO BE MOWED. THE CEMETERY HAS 200 ACRES AND THE PARK HAS 100 ACRES, PLUS ALL OTHER SMALL OUTLETS THE CITY OWNS IN THE CITY.
CEMETERY SUPERINTENDENT DENNY SAID HE HAS 2 FULL TIME EMPLOYEES AND THE HELP OF THE G E O PRISONERS. HE SAID THE PRISONERS HAVE TO BE WATCHED EVERY MINUTE. HE SAID THAT HE AND HIS FULL TIME EMPLOYEES HAD TO HAVE A 4 DAY TRAINING BEFORE THE PRISONERS WERE ALLOWED TO HELP. HE SAID THE 7 PRISONERS THAT HE HAS WORKING DOES THE WORK OF 12 MEN. HE SAID THEY DO A GOOD JOB AND WE ARE THANKFUL TO HAVE THEM. IF ONE SHOULD GET HURT, THEY ARE TAKEN BACK TO THE PRISON FOR TREATMENT.
COUNCILMAN KOGER SAID HE HEARD THERE WERE 6 OR 7 G E O WORKING FOR HIM. HE SAID WHAT WE PAY DAN, SOUNDS LIKE AN EXPENSIVE BABY SITTER. HE SAID MAYBE WE COULD BRING SOMEBODY BACK DURING THE SUMMER FOR MINIMUM WAGE. THIS IS A SUGGESTION. DAN COULD GET BACK TO HIS JOB.
SUPERINTENDENT DENNY SAID THAT MIKE BALLENGER AND SCOTT NICHOLSON WATCH THE PRISONERS. HE SAID HE FILLS IN IF SOMEONE IS OFF.
MAYOR SMALL SAID THERE WAS AN ARTICLE IN THE PAPER THAT THE BUILDING COMMISSIONER PUT IN ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF CONTRACTORS GAMBLING AND GETTING THEIR MONEY BACK. THEY WOULD BE COORDINATING WITH THE BUILDING COMMISSIONER IN MOWING PROPERTIES, KNOWING THEY WILL NOT GET PAID AT THAT TIME BUT WOULD BE FIRST ON A LIEN ON THE PROPERTY. HE ASKED ATTORNEY COPENHAVER IF THIS COULD BE DONE.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID WE HAVE DONE IT IN THE PAST. THE CITY WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A CONTRACT WITH A THIRD PARTY TO MOW THE PROPERTY. THE CONTRACT WOULD PROVIDE THAT THE PERSON WOULD DO IT FOR A CERTAIN RATE THAT IS FEASIBLE DO TO THE SIZE OF THE PROPERTY, UNDERSTANDING THAT, THEY WOULD NOT GET PAID UNTIL THE CITY WAS PAID FROM THE PROPERTY OWNER AND THAT MAY NEVER OCCUR. WE HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE WITH LARGE ACREAGE. WE ARE ALLOWED TO CONTRACT WITH THIRD PARTIES TO DO MOWING. GENERALLY, YOU AGREE ON A PRICE AND YOU PAY THE PRICE. WHAT WE ARE SAYING IS, YOU'RE DOING IT ON A CHANCE THAT THIS LIEN WILL BE PAID OFF, THEN WE PAY YOU. IF SOMEONE WANTS TO DO IT ON THOSE TERMS, FINE.
PRESIDENT YORK ASKED IF THIS WOULD BE PER OUR MOWING ORDINANCE.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE DISPATCHED TO THE PROPERTY BY THE BUILDING INSPECTOR. IT COULD NT BE THEIR RIGHT TO DETERMINE IF THEY SHOULD MOW OR NOT. THE LOT OWNERS THAT HAVE GOTTEN A NOTICE, THEY HAVEN'T MOWED; THE GRASS IS OVER 12 INCHES LONG, IF THE CITY HAD A CREW TO MOW, THEY COULD. THEN A LIEN WOULD BE PUT ON THE PROPERTY. THE CITY WOULD BE PAID AND THE CITY WOULD PAY WHOEVER MOWED IF THE LIEN WAS PAID.
MAYOR SMALL SAID ONE ISSUE THE PUBLIC IS CONCERNED ABOUT IS THE STATUS OF THE RAILROAD RIGHT-A-WAY GOING DOWN CHERRYWOOD AVENUE. HE SAID HE TALKED WITH PETE BELL, PRESIDENT OF THE CONNERSVILLE/NEW CASTLE LINE. THEY HAVE STARTED AT GRAND AVE AND WILL GO TO RILEY ROAD CUTTING TREES AND BRUSH ON THE EMBANKMENTS AND RIGHT-A-WAY. THEY KNOW IF THEY DON'T KEEP DOING IT, THEY WILL GO TO COURT AND THEN THE FINE WILL BE $2,500.00 DAILY.
MAYOR SMALL SAID THE OTHER ISSUE IS THE CONDITION OF THE PARKS. THERE ARE CITIZENS WHO ARE WANTING TO FORM A PARKS CLEANING. WE HOPE TO INITIATE THAT SOON. THEY CAN'T JUST GO OUT AND DO THEIR OWN THING, THEY MUST BE UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE PARK SUPERINTENDENT. HE SAID BARE WITH US. WE ARE GETTING THINGS DONE AS WE CAN. IT TAKES A LOT OF TENDER LOVING CARE. WE ARE ASKING FOR A LOT OF VOLUNTEERS. WE WILL BE PICKING UP TRASH AT THE PARKS ON MONDAYS AND FRIDAYS.
PRESIDENT YORK ASKED IF THERE IS A PROPERTY THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, WHO SHOULD THEY CONTACT. ISN'T IT THE BUILDING INSPECTOR'S OFFICE AND WHAT ARE THE HOURS? SHE SAID SHE HATED TO BARE BAD NEWS BUT SHE HAD TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO CALL AND COULD GET NO ANSWER.
MAYOR SMALL SAID IF YOU CAN'T GET THE BUILDING COMMISSIONER, CALL THE MAYOR'S OFFICE. WE DO HAVE A CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AND DOING A GREAT JOB. IF IT IS PERTAINING TO HIGH GRASS, THEY WILL BE NOTIFIED, BY REGISTERED LETTER, TO GET IT MOWED WITHIN 10 DAYS. EITHER
THE BUILDING COMMISSIONER OR CODE ENFORCER WILL CHECK TO SEE IF IT HAS BEEN DONE. IF NOT, THEY WILL ORDER THE OWNER INTO COURT. THEY WILL THEN GO THROUGH THE COURT PROCEDURE. IT IS LIKE DEMOLISHING A HOUSE. IT IS NOT THE EASIEST THING TO ACCOMPLISH.
COUNCILMAN REID ASKED HOW HARD IT WOULD BE TO HAVE PARK LAND TURNED OVER TO SOMETHING ELSE. WE HAVE THE ARMORY THAT HE HOPED THE CITY DIDN'T GET STUCK WITH. BUT IF IT DOES, HE WANTED TO SEE IT MADE INTO SOMETHING THAT WOULD GO TO THE TAX ROLE. WE HAVE MORE CITY LAND TO MOW AND CARE FOR. WE ARE TO THE POINT WHERE OUR BUDGET IS SHRUNK AND NOT GETTING BIGGER ANY TIME SOON. WE ARE SCRAMBLING. IF WE HAVE MORE BUDGET CUTS NEXT YEAR, WE NEED TO FIGURE ON HOW TO UNLOAD SOME CITY LAND. HE HATED TO SEE THAT BUT IF WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO KEEP IT UP, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.
MAYOR SMALL SAID THAT THE MURPHY PARK IS AN ACCEPT ION. IT WAS DEEDED TO THE CITY FROM THE MURPHY FAMILY OR ESTATE TO BE A PARK. SOMEWHERE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAD ENOUGH POWER TO SECTION OFF THAT LITTLE BIT OF LAND WHERE THE ARMORY IS. HE THOUGHT THAT COULD BE PUT BACK ON THE TAX ROLE.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID IF THE CITY DECIDED THAT THEY DIDN'T WANT THE PARK ITSELF, YOU COULD HAVE THE HEIRS OF THE MURPHY'S TAKE IT BACK. NOBODY CAN MAKE YOU TAKE PROPERTY. IT WOULD TAKE AN ORDINANCE. WE DISCUSSED THIS BEFORE. THERE IS AN ATTACHMENT FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE ABOUT THE PARKLAND. HE SAID IF THE DEED READ THAT THIS WAS TO BE USED FOR A PARK, AND THE CITY DIDN'T WANT IT TO BE A PARK, IT COULD REVERT BACK TO THE PRIOR OWNER.
COUNCILMAN REID SAID THE COUNTRY HAS SPOKEN AND SAYS THEY WANT SMALLER GOVERNMENT AND THEN WE WOULD HAVE TO OFFER LESS SERVICES. HE WOULD RATHER SEE US LOOSE A FEW PARKS AND BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN WHAT WE HAVE AND PROVIDE OTHER FUNCTIONS THAT THE CITY HAS. COUNCILMAN REID SAID, TALKING ABOUT VOLUNTEERS. BAKER PARK GETS THE MAJORITY OF ATTENTION. WE DO HAVE OTHER PARKS THAT NEED VOLUNTEERS AND TRASH PICK UP.
MAYOR SMALL OPENED THE FLOOR TO THE PUBLIC:
BRAD CROWE, MEMBER OF THE PARK BOARD, SAID THE PARK BOARD DID PASS A RESOLUTION THAT ADDRESSED VOLUNTEERS IN ALL THE DEPARTMENTS. YES, ALL PARKS WILL BE INCLUDED. ANYONE WANTING TO VOLUNTEER, CONTACT THE PARK BOARD OR THE PARK SUPERINTENDENT. WE HAVE CERTAIN AREA THAT ARE BEAUTIFUL. PUT IN A FLOWER BED, YOU HAVE TO MAINTAIN THOSE.
JANE BEATTY, 2830 B AVE., SAID THAT THE HOUSE NEXT TO THEIRS HAS BEEN EMPTY FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS. IT IS LITERALLY FALLING IN. THE GRASS IN BACK IS CANADIAN THISTLE. THEY ARE NOW COMING IN OUR YARD. MY HUSBAND WEED EATS ALONG THE FENCE IN THE FRONT TO KEEP THEM FROM COMING ON OUR SIDE. HER LITTLE DOG WAS INJURED WITH A THISTLE IN ITS FOOT. SHE WANTED TO SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE TO THE HOUSE AND WEEDS. THE ADDRESS THERE IS 2820 B AVE.
MIKE WEST, 110 N. 27TH, SAID, IF YOU LIVE ACROSS THE STREET FROM A HOUSE THAT HAS WEEDS THAT HIGH (3FT.) ALL THE WINDOWS BROKEN OUT AND THE BACK DOOR STANDING OPEN, CATS RUNNING IN AND OUT, ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS, TOUGH. HE LOOKED AT BUILDING INSPECTOR HALL AND SAID, HOW DO YOU INSPECT A BUILDING BY DRIVING BY. THE ADDRESS IS 113 N. 27TH ST...
INSPECTOR HALL SAID IT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF GOING TO COURT.
KATHY HAMILTON, SAID SHE WAS ALL FOR THE RELATIONSHIP IN HOUSING.
WE NEED A GRANT WRITING TEAM TO GET MONEY FOR HOUSING AND DEMOLITION. SHE SAID THE HOUSE AT 16TH AND BROAD IS A TOTAL NOTHING. IT IS A HAVEN FOR DRUG USERS. SHE DISCUSSED THE RAILROAD CARS AND WHAT THEY DID TO THE CHILDREN WITH GRAFFITI. SHE SAID THE FORMER BLDG. INSPECTOR FRAME, TOLD HER THAT 50% OF THE FORECLOSED HOUSES ARE NOT OWNED BY PRIVATE CITIZENS. 50% ARE OWNED BY BANKS IN OTHER STATES WHO WRITTEN US OFF SAYING THEY WILL PAY NO TAXES TO THIS CITY.
THEY DRAG THEIR FEET. WHAT ABOUT A FORM LETTER SENT BEING SENT.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID WE DON'T KNOW WHO THE BANKS ARE. THEY DON'T RECORD THEIR DEEDS. THE STATE OF OHIO RECENTLY PASSED A LAW STATING YOU HAVE TO RECORD A DEED WITHIN SO MANY DAYS AFTER BEING ISSUED. INDIANA DOES NOT HAVE THAT LAW. WHICH MEANS WE HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING WHO THESE BANKS ARE. TO FIND OUT WHO THEY ARE, CALLS FOR A TITLE SEARCH AND THAT COSTS MONEY. ABOUT $400.00. WITH ALL THE DEMOLITIONS, WE ARE PAYING THE BILL.
MRS. HAMILTON SAID IN HER TRAVELS, SHE SAW WHERE CITY GOVERNMENT PURCHASES A PAGE IN THE NEWSPAPER AND PEOPLE CAN SAY WHATEVER THEY WANT TO. IF YOU HAD AN ORGANIZED PAGE, THAT COULD GIVE YOU INSIGHT. MRS. HAMILTON SAID," I BELIEVE WHEN ABANDONED HOUSES GET LEFT OVER TIME, THE MESSAGE IS SENT THAT THIS ISN'T VALUABLE. THE AREA GETS FURTHER AND FURTHER BLIGHTED AND WE OWE IT TO OUR NEIGHBORS TO GO AFTER IT WITH A PASSION."
EDDIE HAGER, NEW CASTLE, HE SAID HE DID RESEARCH ON WEED CONTROL. HE GAVE PAPERWORK TO THE COUNCIL. THE CONDITION OF OUR CITY IS TERRIBLE. ESPECIALLY CITY OWNED PROPERTY. OUR PARKS BAD.
MAYOR SMALL SAID WE ARE AWARE OF EVERYTHING AND WE ARE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
MR. HAGER SAID IT WASN'T JUST CITY PROPERTY WHICH IS IN THE MAYOR'S HAND BUT IN EVERYBODY'S HANDS. HE ASKS FOR HELP FROM VOLUNTEERS BUT NOT MANY VOLUNTEER. HE SUGGESTED THAT THE CITY AND HENRY TOWNSHIP GO INTO PARTNERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE.
DAVE MILLER, 2315 N AVE., SAID THERE WAS A LOT ACROSS THE STREET FROM HIM AND THE HOUSE HAS BEEN VACANT FOR 3 YEARS. IT NOW IS A BURN OUT. HE SAID IF HE WOULD HAVE KNOWN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS GOING TO DO SUCH A GOOD, HE WOULD HAVE WAITED FOR AN HOUR BEFORE CALLING THEM. IT CAN NOT BE FIXED. IT SITS ON 2 LOTS AND A PARCEL. THE BACK OF THE HOUSE IS TOTALLY EXPOSED AND IS AN EYE SORE.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID IF ALL WE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT IS TEARING THIS HOUSE DOWN, NOT A NEIGHBOR GETTING TITLE OR GETTING IT BACK ON THE TAX ROLL, OR RECOVERING ANY OF OUR MONEY FOR DEMOLITION, MAYBE THE ONE YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT IS ONE WE SHOULD TEAR DOWN. WE WILL NEVER OWN THAT LOT UNLESS WE GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS. IF WE WENT THROUGH THAT PROCESS AND YOU CAME AND SAID I WANT TO BUY THOSE LOTS, WE COULD SELL THEM TO YOU BUT WE CAN'T UNLESS WE GO THROUGH THAT COURT PROCESS.
MR. MILLER SAID HE WAS INTERESTED IN THE HOUSE FOR SOME TIME. HE SAID THE LADY THAT LIVED THERE IS GONE BUT SHE DID TELL HIM THAT THEY RAISED HER PAYMENTS SO SHE LET IT GO BACK. THEY PAD LOCKED THE DOORS SO THAT SHE COULD NOT GET ANY OF HER BELONGINGS OUT. AS FOR AS SHE KNOWS, SHE STILL OWNS THE PROPERTY. UTILITIES ARE STILL IN HER NAME AND RACKING UP FAST. HE OFFERED TO HELP TEAR THE HOUSE DOWN IF THE CITY WANTS TO DEMOLISH IT.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID IF MR. MILLER IS INTERESTED, A TITLE SEARCH WOULD HAVE TO BE DONE.
COUNCILMAN REID ASKED CAN WE PASS AN ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION THAT ALLOWS A NEIGHBOR OF A PROPERTY THAT IS ON THE LIST, TO PAY IT AND BE REIMBURSED FOR THEIR COST.
COUNCILMAN KOGER SAID YOU DON'T NEED AN ORDINANCE FOR THAT.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID HE DIDN'T WANT TO DISCOURAGE ANYONE WHO VOLUNTARILY MOWING THEIR NEIGHBORS YARD. IF THERE IS A VACANT HOUSE NEXT DOOR AND THE GRASS IS TOO HIGH, YOU DO A FAVOR OR AN ACT OF KINDNESS. THAT IS NOT WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DISCOURAGE HERE.
COUNCILMAN REID SAID THAT IS NOT WHAT HE WAS ASKING. THERE ARE GOING TO BE PEOPLE, OUT OF THE KINDNESS OF THEIR HEART, ARE GOING TO GO OUT AND MOW ABANDONED PROPERTIES. SOME PEOPLE OWN A LOT OF PROPERTIES IN NEW CASTLE. THEY ARE MAKING MONEY OFF OF THOSE PROPERTIES. THEY ARE IN VIOLATION OF THAT WEED ORDINANCE.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID THE VAST MAJORITY OF OUR MOWING PROBLEMS IS VACANT PROPERTIES. IT IS NOT A SITUATION WHERE JOHN DOE IS REFUSING TO MOW HIS LOT. IT IS HOMES THAT WE DON'T KNOW WHO OWNS. THERE IS NOBODY LIVING THERE. PEOPLE THAT ARE LIVING IN THEIR HOMES, THERE IS NO PROBLEM GETTING THEM IN HERE.
COUNCILMAN REID SAID IF HE UNDERSTANDS OUR ORDINANCE WITH THE GRASS, WE SEND OUT A LETTER, THEY GET 10 DAYS TO COMPLY. IF THEY DON'T COMPLY, THEN WE SITE THEM INTO COURT. WHAT WOULD IT TAKE FOR THE COUNCIL TO MOVE TO THE SPEEDING TICKET MECHANISM?
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE. WE FOLLOW THE STATE LAW ON IT. THAT IS WHAT MUNCIE HAS ALSO. IF WE HAD A MOWING CREW, WE COULD SEND YOU THE NOTICE AND IF YOU DIDN'T MOW, IN TEN DAYS WE COULD MOW IT. IF THERE IS A CITATION, THEY HAVE TO PAY A FINE.
JOHN WILDER, 720 SO. 15TH ST., SAID TO BUILDING INSPECTOR HALL, THIS WAS IN REGARDS TO A HOUSE THAT IS LIVED IN. WE HAVE CALLED YOUR OFFICE SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT ABANDONED CARS IN THE BACK YARD OF 1234 C AVE. MR. BRUMMET HAD A BUS THAT WAS LICENSED. HE WAS FORCED TO MOVE IT OFF OF HIS LOT. CASEY, WHO LIVES NEXT DOOR, HAS 7 VEHICLES IN HIS BACK YARD. THEY ARE STILL THERE AND HAVEN'T BEEN MOVED IF FOUR YEARS. HE PARKS IN FRONT OF MRS. BRUMMET'S HOUSE IN A HANDICAP PARKING SPACE. HE SAID TO POLICE OFFICER CARNES, WE HAVE CALLED YOUR OFFICE MANY TIMES WITH NO RESULTS. CASEY HAD A FAKED HANDICAP STICKER AND PARKED IN THE HANDICAPPED ZONE. THE CHIEF OF POLICE SAID HE WOULD CALL THE STATE MVH AND CHECK UP ON IT. HE SAID HE WOULD LET ME KNOW BUT I'VE NEVER HEARD FROM HIM. WE CALLED THE MVH AND THEY SAID CALL THE STATE POLICE. THE STATE POLICE CAME AND MADE HIM MOVE HIS TRUCK. WE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR 2 YEARS. HE DUMPED ANTIFREEZE IN HIS DRIVEWAY. WE CALLED THE POLICE, THEY CAME OUT AND THE OFFICER DIDN'T EVEN GET OUT OF HIS CAR. CASEY GOT MAD AND THE COP TOOK OFF.
NOTHING DONE. HE IS A KNOWN DRUG DEALER AND SIGNALS TO HIS CUSTOMERS WITH HIS PORCH LIGHT. REPORTED IT TO THE DRUG TASK FORCE AND FOR 2 YEARS HE HAS HAD THIS SIGNAL. SINCE WE CALLED DRUG TASK FORCE, THE PORCH LIGHT HASN'T BEEN ON FOR A WEEK. WE HAVE DRUG DEALS ALL DURING THE DAY AND NIGHT. IF YOU WANT TO SAVE MONEY, FIRE YOUR POLICE DEPARTMENT AND HIRE THE STATE POLICE.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID HE WOULD CHECK TO SEE IF THERE WAS A PENDING CITATION. IF THERE ISN'T, WE WILL GET ONE OUT AND GET THEM INTO COURT.
CHARLES CRISWELL, 636 S. 19TH SAID HE WAS THERE ABOUT FINANCIAL INTEREST. GET THEM INTO COURT.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID IF YOU HAD A JUDGMENT LIEN AGAINST SOME BODY, YOU WOULD HAVE A LIEN ON THEIR REAL ESTATE. THAT DOES NOT CREATE AN OBLIGATION FOR THEM TO MOW THEIR LAWN. IF WE ARE GOING TO TAKE THAT PROPERTY WE HAVE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH A LIEN NOTICE. THAT IS A DIFFERENT PROBLEM THAN WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. YOU CAN'T FINE SOMEBODY JUST BECAUSE THEY HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY. WE CAN ONLY FINE THE TITLE HOLDER. THAT IS WHO IS RESPONSIBLE.
JERRY BEATTY, 2830 B AVE., SAID IF HE MOWS HIS NEIGHBORS PROPERTY, CAN HE BE ARRESTED FOR TRESPASSING.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID HE WOULDN'T ARREST HIM FOR TRESPASSING.
IS THERE SOMEBODY LIVING THERE?
THE REPLY WAS NO SIR. ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID ANYONE WOULD HAVE TO BE VERY HARD PRESSED IF ANYONE COMPLAINED ABOUT TRESPASSING FOR MOWING OF A VACANT HOUSE.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO ADJOURN.
COUNCILMAN REID: SECOND
