By Brendan G. Coyne
Denise Ribble addresses the city council during a hearing on proposed legislation on abatement of rundown properites.
The Newburgh city council tabled an ordinance addressing rundown properties Monday night following a public hearing that drew many comments including a suggestion that the resulting rehabilitation work be offered to city residents.
Long plagued by rundown properties, the city proposed the ordinance as another tool to improve the city’s appearance.
“We probably all could put together a list of our top five rundown properties,” said Mayor Nicholas Valentine.
Under a proposed ordinance, the city would have the authority to clean up building violations.
The proposed public abatement legislation would allow the city to clean up private property, put a lien on the property and charge a 15% administrative fee to the property owner. If a property owner doesn’t correct a violation, the city will offer the owner a hearing, undertake the work and charge the cost back to the owner along with the administrative fee. If the property owner does not reimburse the city for the work and the administrative fee, the city will add those costs to the next tax bill.
Several speakers commended the council for the effort to respond to the problem and Fire Chief Michael Vatter said that he had developed the proposed legislation from existing elements of the city code.
Others offered suggestions for improving the legislation.
Michael Gabor said that the similar legislation already exists but hasn’t been enforced. Kippy Boyle said the legislation was confusing and the process could take months.
Mayor Nicholas Valentine explained that this legislation is different because it would allow the city to create its own hearing officer rather than rely on the courts. He said that judges have issued minor penalties but haven’t deterred violators from allowing their properties to remain in disrepair.
Corporation counsel Bernis E. Nelson said that the city must provide for a hearing and that the process should be completed in about two months.
Noting the need for jobs in the city, several speakers asked that the work stemming from violations be given to city residents. Denise Ribble asked the council to delay passage until the city had created guidelines for contractors and hiring processes.
The council decided to table adopting the legislation for further review.
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