|
Bow council passes 3-strike litter law |
|
|
|
|
Thursday, 14 February 2008 |
 By DEBORAH McCASLIN
Chief Publisher
The law is on the books - property owners in the city of Broken Bow need to keep their properties clear of overgrown weeds, stagnant water and litter. Yes, they can be fined if the ordinance isn’t followed, and yes, Broken Bow City Council is fully aware that one man’s junk is another man’s treasure.
What the council accomplished Tuesday night was putting on the books an ordinance that recognizes this junk vs. treasure debate and formally organizes a follow-up procedure for repeat offenders.
“It gives the property owners plenty of due process,” stated Broken Bow City Attorney Jason White. “And it gives folks a little extra time.”
Ordinance 1042 came about following a discussion between White and the Broken Bow Police Chief Steve Scott According to Scott, most folks do clean up their properties when first notified. This ordinance addresses the 20 percent who refuse, those who go after the problem but just barely, and those who do the initial clean up but allow their properties to ‘come again into noncompliance’ within that same year.
The procedure is as follows: First - If after the first notice the owner fails to comply, a second notice is delivered allowing the property owner five days to clean up their property or request a hearing concerning the clean-up.
Second - if the owner fails to do either (request a hearing or clean up their property) on the sixth day following the second notice a ticket will be issued. On the seventh day if the property is still not in compliance a second ticket will be issued. On the eighth day, if the property has yet to comply a third ticket will be issued.
Third - On the ninth day of noncompliance, the nuisance will be removed by the city and the cost of removal billed back to the property owner.
The property will be stored for 30 days. If the clean-up bill is paid during this time the owner can come pick it up. If the property is not claimed, it will be taken to the transfer station and disposed of. The cost of the disposal of the property will also be assessed back to the property owner.
“It’s a three strikes and you’re out program,” said White. Following the first two notices, a police officer will monitor the property for three days and the city folks who then do the clean-up won’t have to answer any questions. They (the property owners) will have 30 days to claim anything they want returned, White explained. The procedure is laid out.
Ordinance 1042 passed by unanimous vote. |
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 21 February 2008 )
|
Huskers.com
