Washington’s City Council began Monday’s meeting by hearing residents on Maxwell Avenue complain about trash and, what they called, junk automobiles at a rental property in the 900 block of Maxwell.
The residents said they were trying to take pride and keep up their property but claimed the tenants of the rental property threw trash in the yard and kept junk cars, although the cars are tagged.
Mayor Joe Wellman explained that laws passed by the state legislature has handcuffed local communities in such situations. The Mayor also said Code Enforcement Officer Brian Sergesketter had dealt with the property owner and tenants several times. Sergesketter said that on each occasion the tenants would take care of the problem, but that in just a few days things were back to the way they were before.
Councilman Blake Chambers suggested using the nuisance statute but said that would have to go before a judge. Sergesketter noted the fine could be as high as $2,500, if the case could get before a judge.
The Washington Council adopted a joint resolution with the County Commissioners which assigned tax sale certificates on several blighted properties to the city.
Natalie Smith of the Daviess County Economic Development Foundation said that all the houses are derelict and unoccupied and the property taxes had not been paid for several years.
As required by state law, the properties were then turned over to the Economic Development Foundation for demolition. After demolition the properties will be available for the construction of new homes. The owners of record have 120 days to redeem the property before demolition can occur.
Smith told the Council the properties were located on Sycamore, S.E. Eleventh, Apraw Road, N.W. 10th, and North Street. Several of the properties have already been condemned.
In other business at the regular meeting;
The Council approved rezoning a lot on SE 5th Street and heard the first reading of an ordinance adopting Washington’s 2016 budget.
At the end of the meeting the Council set Washington’s official trick or treat time at 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. Halloween night.