Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the City Clerk to report to the Auditor of Franklin and Fairfield Counties in Ohio all charges which are due to the City of Columbus, Department of Development and are certified for payment to said County Auditor in conformance with Sections 701.07 through 701.19 of the Columbus City Code for weed and solid waste removal. The 2001 Budget transferred responsibility for weed and solid waste abatement activities from the Columbus Health Department to the Department of Development. In the assessment period covered by this legislation (May 1st through October 31st, 2007), owners of 1491 properties within Columbus were notified to abate weed and solid waste nuisances. Those properties where violations were not abated were turned over to the Environmental Nuisance Weed and Solid Waste Program for compliance. Abatement was completed using the services of private and/or City contractors. This legislation provides for assessment of the costs associated with the weed and solid waste abatement process.
Emergency action is required so that assessments can be placed on the January 2008 tax duplicate.
FISCAL IMPACT: No funding is required for this legislation. This legislation provides a mechanism for recovery of costs associated with the weed and solid waste abatement program.
Title
To authorize assessments for weed and solid waste removal on properties in violation of weed and solid waste regulations as set forth in the Columbus City Code; and to declare an emergency.
Body
Whereas, the owners of certain vacant lots and structures in the City of Columbus have allowed the growth of noxious weeds, grasses and/or the accumulation of solid waste on their properties; and
Whereas, said owners have been duly notified of the requirements of the law in such circumstances; and
Whereas, said owners have failed to provide mowing services and solid waste removal as set forth in Section 701.07 through Section 701.19 of the Columbus City Code; and
Whereas, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City of Columbus in that it is immediately necessary to authorize assessments for weed and solid waste removal on properties in violation of weed and solid waste regulations as set forth in the Columbus City Code so that assessments can be placed on the January 2008 tax duplicate, all for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the assessment of the owners of certain lots and structures in the City of Columbus who have failed to provide the necessary mowing and solid waste removal services required by Sections 701.07 through 701.19 of the Columbus City Code, be and is hereby authorized in order to cover costs incurred by the City of Columbus, Department of Development, Neighborhood Services Division, in carrying out the provisions of said sections.
Section 2. That the City Clerk shall report to the Franklin and Fairfield County Auditor all charges which are due to the City of Columbus, Department of Development, Neighborhood Services Division, and are certified for payment to the County Auditor in conformance with Sections 701.07 through 701.19 of the Columbus City Code.
Section 3. That said funds, upon reimbursement from the Franklin and Fairfield County Auditor, shall be deposited in the General Fund, Fund No. 010 and the Community Block Grant Fund, Fund No. 248, to repay the costs incurred for weed mowing and solid waste abatement services.
Section 4. That for the reasons stated in the preamble thereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.