RICHMOND —
The Richmond Codes Enforcement Department issued 60 citations or warnings in the first four weeks of July for violations of the city’s nuisance ordinance, City Manager Jimmy Howard said Tuesday.
Most of the violations related to improper disposal of sanitary garbage or items of large refuse, but some were for tall grass or weeds.
Citations/violations have been issued in a wide range of areas, from Main Street to isolated cul-de-sacs, with some concentrated in particular neighborhoods or streets.
The fine for a first-offense citation is $100. Second-offense fines are $200, according to the July report.
During his report at the conclusion of the July 10 city commission meeting, Howard listed the number of citations/warnings issued since July 1and their locations.
The city manager said he intended to make a regular practice of the report to document that the city is aggressively enforcing its nuisance ordinance.
“We’ve been going after violators, and I think things are improving,” he said Tuesday.
However, violations are still so common that keeping up with them continues to be a challenge, Howard said.
The six-person codes department includes one employee whose main duty is nuisance ordinance enforcement, Howard said.
The department also includes a receptionist, a building plans reviewer, an administrator and two full-time building inspectors.
At the July meeting, the city manager read a letter from a Brandy Lane resident commending Renee Banks of the codes department for her efforts in correcting the situation at the street’s intersection with Lexington Road.
The problem had given the otherwise “quiet, little-known oasis” with well-kept yards a bad reputation and was affecting property values, the letter-writer stated.
“Renee did a wonderful job of staying on top of the situation,” according to the letter.
The Brandy Lane entrance is now “clean and inviting,” the writer continued, and property values have improved.
The letter was accompanied by a series of “Before-and-After” photos.
Howard said the letter would be placed in Banks’ personnel file.
The nuisance ordinance prohibits setting out of garbage or large refuse prior to “the night before pickup.”
The city has publicized summaries of the ordinance as it pertains to sanitary garbage and large refuse in a newspaper advertisements this summer.
Residents or businesses unsure of Veolia pick up times or the city’s franchised service for the collection of sanitary waste, should call the provider toll-free at 1-866-363-4869.
The city runs three trucks daily to remove large refuse such as furniture and mattresses. Two trucks run regular routes that cover every street in the city each week. A third truck patrols principal streets and responds to reports of debris, Howard said.
When city employees see debris on roadsides, they call the public works department, which operates the trucks. Howard said he had done that once already this week.
The city’s trucks once followed Veolia’s schedule, but since the provider stopped running routes five days a week, the schedules are no longer synchronized.
To learn when the city’s trucks run, call the public works department at 625-6435.
To report a code violation, call the codes department at 624-6404.
Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@richmondregister.com or at 624-6622.
Local News
City issues 60 citations, warnings for nuisance violations during July
- Local News
-
-
Board eyes cost-cutting options
In a special-called work session Tuesday, the Madison County School Board looked at ways of reducing a projected $2.84 million draw from its reserves to fund the 2013-14 budget.
-
‘Berea’s Unsung Heroes’
A group of Bereans were honored Tuesday night at the Berea Community School Board, many of which had never been in the spotlight before.
-
Berea relaxes yard sale ordinance, may restrict fireworks
The Berea City Council adopted a new yard sale ordinance Tuesday, but only after it was amended twice.
-
Items stolen, but no one injured in home invasion
Berea police are looking for a man who broke into a First Street home Monday and threatened a resident with a knife.
-
Madison County veterans to host Memorial Day ceremonies
The Madison County Veterans Association, which includes a number of local veterans’ organizations, will be hosting two Memorial Day ceremonies Monday.
The first will take place at the Richmond Cemetery near the flagpole at 10 a.m., and the second will follow at noon in Madison County Memorial Gardens on Berea Road.
Everett King of the American Legion, which is coordinating this year’s events, said U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, R-Sixth District, will be present at the morning ceremony.
Every year the Memorial Day event has a theme. Last year’s theme was honoring Vietnam veterans, King said, while this year’s theme is honoring all American soldiers. -
Another arrest made in rash of business burglaries
Another local man has been arrested in connection with a “smash-and-grab” business burglary in April.
-
Memorial Day 5K to benefit Hospice Care Plus
For the second year, Chick-fil-A is donating the proceeds from its Spicy Memorial Day 5K race to Hospice Care Plus.
-
Donations to national charities is best way to help disaster victims
The best way to help with relief efforts associated with the recent tornadoes in Oklahoma is to contact national organizations such as the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army, according to a statement from the Madison County Emergency Management Agency.
-
‘Etta May’s On Her Way’ for Model Lab benefit
Laughter will fill Eastern Kentucky University’s Keen Johnson Ballroom June 8 when southern comedienne Etta May comes to town for Model Laboratory School’s first annual fundraising event.
Half of the ticket proceeds will be donated to help five Model program: Scholarships, gifted programs, the arts, athletics and extended field trips or exchange programs, said school psychologist Ellen Rini. -
Court hearing reveals errors in trafficking case’s investigative file
A discrepancy in police records led to an unusual hearing in a drug trafficking case Thursday in Madison Circuit Court.
The attorney for 49-year-old Carla Rae Clontz made a motion earlier this month for a bill of particulars hearing. Both the prosecution and defense attorneys had noticed problems with the file numbers in Clontz’ case, and there also were different reports of the number of pills sheriff’s deputies allege were found in her home. - More Local News Headlines
-
Board eyes cost-cutting options
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
Obama Renews Call to Close Gitmo
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
