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Chillicothe City Council members approved an amendment to the city’s public nuisance code during their regular council meeting in the council chambers at City Hall on Monday evening.
The amendments addressed trash issues and establishing penalties for nuisance violations.
An offense would occur by placing trash outside for pickup in an untimely manner, such as more than 48 hours prior to the scheduled refuse collection date for such location, or not putting refuse in a city-approved trash bag or container.
The amendment addressed, in part, the procedure for abating trash in the public right of way. Enforcement will begin by providing a notice to the owner of the property located adjacent to the trash location and, if known, the owner of the trash of the nuisance condition. If the trash is not removed within 48 hours from the date notice is given to the owner of the trash, then the code enforcement officer may request Chillicothe Municipal Utilities to remove the trash. The cost of the removal will be added to the refuse bill for the owner of the trash.
Another portion of the amendment approved Monday addressed who may issue citations for violations and set the penalty structure. This is intended to speed up the time it takes to resolve a nuisance issue.
The approved change states that a citation may be issued by the city engineer, code enforcement officer, building inspector or assistant code enforcement officer, directed to the owner of the property where the alleged violation exists or the owner of such nuisance property.
The penalty was set at a fine of up to $50 for the first offense, up to $100 for the second offense, and between $100 and $500 for the third offense. Each day that the nuisance continues will be considered a separate offense.
Before issuing a citation for a nuisance violation (except in cases where it is determined that an imminent threat to the public safety or welfare exists), a warning notice will be served on the alleged violator, requesting that the alleged violator abate the nuisance within 12 days of the date of the letter.
The amendment to the nuisance code and setting the penalty structure was introduced and passed to discourage individuals from repeating offenses, and modifies the previous ordinance, in which city officials gave offenders little incentive to refrain from similar actions in the future.
Chillicothe City Council members approved an amendment to the city’s public nuisance code during their regular council meeting in the council chambers at City Hall on Monday evening.
The amendments addressed trash issues and establishing penalties for nuisance violations.
An offense would occur by placing trash outside for pickup in an untimely manner, such as more than 48 hours prior to the scheduled refuse collection date for such location, or not putting refuse in a city-approved trash bag or container.
The amendment addressed, in part, the procedure for abating trash in the public right of way. Enforcement will begin by providing a notice to the owner of the property located adjacent to the trash location and, if known, the owner of the trash of the nuisance condition. If the trash is not removed within 48 hours from the date notice is given to the owner of the trash, then the code enforcement officer may request Chillicothe Municipal Utilities to remove the trash. The cost of the removal will be added to the refuse bill for the owner of the trash.
Another portion of the amendment approved Monday addressed who may issue citations for violations and set the penalty structure. This is intended to speed up the time it takes to resolve a nuisance issue.
The approved change states that a citation may be issued by the city engineer, code enforcement officer, building inspector or assistant code enforcement officer, directed to the owner of the property where the alleged violation exists or the owner of such nuisance property.
The penalty was set at a fine of up to $50 for the first offense, up to $100 for the second offense, and between $100 and $500 for the third offense. Each day that the nuisance continues will be considered a separate offense.
Before issuing a citation for a nuisance violation (except in cases where it is determined that an imminent threat to the public safety or welfare exists), a warning notice will be served on the alleged violator, requesting that the alleged violator abate the nuisance within 12 days of the date of the letter.
The amendment to the nuisance code and setting the penalty structure was introduced and passed to discourage individuals from repeating offenses, and modifies the previous ordinance, in which city officials gave offenders little incentive to refrain from similar actions in the future.
