At Monday’s meeting, Washington’s City Council finalized plans to aid growth in a local industry and passed an ordinance raising the cost for property owners who neglect to upkeep their property.
Following a public hearing, Washington’s City Council passed a resolution that confirmed the establishment of an economic revitalization area and set a ten-year tax abatement schedule for property and machinery at the Allied Barrier Films expansion on Washington’s east side.
The Council also raised fees and penalties for property owners who neglected the upkeep of their property. The number of properties in violation of city codes requiring city workers to do yard maintenance has grown. After the passage of a new ordinance, if city workers and machinery are needed to care for delinquent property, there will be a minimum $250 fee plus an additional hourly cost to pay for workers and equipment after the first hour. Repeat offenders will see increasing fees. An additional $50 will be added to the minimum fee for the second offense, and the base fee will increase by another $50 for each subsequent violation during a calendar year. Speaking to the repeat violators, Mayor Rhoads said, “The city does not want to be in the lawnmowing business.”.
The Council introduced an ordinance regarding the inspection of business and rental properties for fire code compliance. The ordinance would permit the use of online forms and third-party inspectors. The proposed ordinance will be on the agenda for discussion and possible action at the next meeting.
In other business, the Council discussed proposed amendments to the Storm Water Ordinance.
Meeting after the Council, the Board of Public Works and Safety awarded paving contracts to the low bidder, E & B Paving. The Board also approved annual rate contracts for Raber Septic Service and Quest Liner, Inc.
The next Council and Board of Works meetings are scheduled for June 24.
