Council to reconsider emergency ordinance
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
The property maintenance and restoration committee of the HIllsboro City Council has voted to recommend the repeal of ordinance section 150.05 regarding "dangerous buildings," and replacing it with an ordinance that had its first reading during the April 12 council meeting.
During that meeting, council voted to waive the three-reading rule on an emergency ordinance, but failed to act on it after numerous questions were raised.
"A need exists to provide for the inspection, removal and/or repair of buildings or other structures that may be insecure, unsafe, structurally defective," according to the ordinance.
Council president Lee Koogler told the committee during an April 28 meeting that deputy law director Kathryn Hapner, who prepared the legislation, did not intend for it to be introduced during the April council meeting.
Hillsboro Mayor Dick Zink said that was not his impression, and that since it was written as an emergency, it was his understanding that it was to be presented to council at the earliest time possible.
The ordinance seeks to allow "the housing inspector" to "1. Enter the premises with the assistance of the police department and make a closer inspection of the premises; 2. Abate any serious nuisance posing an immediate threat to the public safety; 3. ban entry into the building and post notices of the same on the building, under penalty of arrest for trespassing; 4. solicit bids for the demolition of the building and removal of the debris; 5. Summon interested parties to a hearing before the housing inspector to acquire further facts. The legislation further states, :if any city funds are utilized to demolish, seal or repair an insecure, unsafe or structurally defective building or structure, the same shall be certified to the county auditor for inclusion on the tax duplicate of the property."
Koogler told the committee that it was not necessary to repeal the legislation, as the newest ordinance passed would supersede the old one. The committee discussed the matter, but ultimately decided that repealing the old legislation would eliminate possible confusion.
Holt said that the only major difference in the new and old legislation is a change between allowing residents to have 30 days to file an objection regarding a report by the housing inspector. According to the Ohio Revised Code, he said, 30 is required by law, but the city's current ordinance only gives 15.
Committee member Dave Shoemaker made a motion to recommend to repeal the old legislation and pass the proposed ordinance. After reviewing both, he said, "As far as I can see there is nothing that would be advantageous to keep out of the old one and put in the new one." Council member Bill Alexander seconded the motion, and Shoemaker, Alexander, and committee chairperson Bonnie Parr voted to make the recommendation to council.
In other business, the committee heard from Hillsboro Rotary members Christopher Lewis and Darrell Tissot regarding the construction of a park in the lower lot behind the new fire station.
Tissot said the club has secured a $25,000 grant from Rotary International to use for the park, and that he has offered to contribute $25,000 if Hillsboro Rotary agrees to raise funds to match it. With a possible $75,000 to go toward the park, Tissot and Lewis said that a quality park for Hillsboro city youth and families could be constructed.
The committee asked questions regarding lighting, time frames and who would be responsible for maintaining and policing the park. Two phases of construction of the park have been proposed, with the first phase containing playground equipment and the second phase containing a shelter house.
The committee voted to table the matter until Holt could speak with the city's insurance company regarding liability, and to gauge the opinion of the Hillsboro firefighters, as the building is so close.
Holt said that he did not want anyone to think that the firefighters had time to "babysit" the park. However, Holt said, the ultimate decision on the park is up to council.
Lewis said Rotary members have discussed contributing monthly volunteer hours toward maintaining the park, but they would probably ask for the city's contribution in keeping the property mowed.
The next meeting of the Hillsboro City Council is scheduled for May 10 at 7 p.m. in the community room of the Hillsboro fire station.
The property maintenance and restoration committee of the Hillsboro City Council has voted to recommend the repeal of ordinance section 150.05 regarding "dangerous buildings," and replacing it with an ordinance that had its first reading during the April 12 council meeting.
During that meeting, council voted to waive the three-reading rule on an emergency ordinance, but failed to act on it after numerous questions were raised.
"A need exists to provide for the inspection, removal and/or repair of buildings or other structures that may be insecure, unsafe, structurally defective," according to the ordinance.
Council president Lee Koogler told the committee during an April 28 meeting that deputy law director Kathryn Hapner, who prepared the legislation, did not intend for it to be introduced during the April council meeting.
Hillsboro Mayor Dick Zink said that was not his impression, and that since it was written as an emergency, it was his understanding that it was to be presented to council at the earliest time possible.
The ordinance seeks to allow "the housing inspector" to "1. Enter the premises with the assistance of the police department and make a closer inspection of the premises; 2. Abate any serious nuisance posing an immediate threat to the public safety; 3. ban entry into the building and post notices of the same on the building, under penalty of arrest for trespassing; 4. solicit bids for the demolition of the building and removal of the debris; 5. Summon interested parties to a hearing before the housing inspector to acquire further facts. The legislation further states, :if any city funds are utilized to demolish, seal or repair an insecure, unsafe or structurally defective building or structure, the same shall be certified to the county auditor for inclusion on the tax duplicate of the property."
Koogler told the committee that it was not necessary to repeal the legislation, as the newest ordinance passed would supersede the old one. The committee discussed the matter, but ultimately decided that repealing the old legislation would eliminate possible confusion.
Holt said that the only major difference in the new and old legislation is a change between allowing residents to have 30 days to file an objection regarding a report by the housing inspector. According to the Ohio Revised Code, he said, 30 is required by law, but the city's current ordinance only gives 15.
Committee member Dave Shoemaker made a motion to recommend to repeal the old legislation and pass the proposed ordinance. After reviewing both, he said, "As far as I can see there is nothing that would be advantageous to keep out of the old one and put in the new one." Council member Bill Alexander seconded the motion, and Shoemaker, Alexander, and committee chairperson Bonnie Parr voted to make the recommendation to council.
In other business, the committee heard from Hillsboro Rotary members Christopher Lewis and Darrell Tissot regarding the construction of a park in the lower lot behind the new fire station.
Tissot said the club has secured a $25,000 grant from Rotary International to use for the park, and that he has offered to contribute $25,000 if Hillsboro Rotary agrees to raise funds to match it. With a possible $75,000 to go toward the park, Tissot and Lewis said that a quality park for Hillsboro city youth and families could be constructed.
The committee asked questions regarding lighting, time frames and who would be responsible for maintaining and policing the park. Two phases of construction of the park have been proposed, with the first phase containing playground equipment and the second phase containing a shelter house.
The committee voted to table the matter until Holt could speak with the city's insurance company regarding liability, and to gauge the opinion of the Hillsboro firefighters, as the building is so close.
Holt said that he did not want anyone to think that the firefighters had time to "babysit" the park. However, Holt said, the ultimate decision on the park is up to council.
Lewis said Rotary members have discussed contributing monthly volunteer hours toward maintaining the park, but they would probably ask for the city's contribution in keeping the property mowed.
The next meeting of the Hillsboro City Council is scheduled for May 10 at 7 p.m. in the community room of the Hillsboro fire station.