Spokane7
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March 18, 2010 in City
City fees jump for trash, other code violations
Fines imposed in 7 percent of 3,000 cases in 2009
This property on West Broadway Avenue was issued a $513 ticket last month because of accumulating trash. The city had attempted to clean up the yard in January, but officials could not reach all the trash and it continued to accumulate.
(Full-size photo)
Spokane residents who ignore warnings from city code enforcement officers about abandoned vehicles, fire hazards, dilapidated structures or junk on their property will face significantly stiffer fees under new rules approved this week.
The increased charges are expected to generate about $100,000 for the city this year, about double what the city otherwise would have collected.
Under old rules, property owners of trashed land that the city cleaned up after warnings were ignored for 15 days paid a fee based on a portion of the city’s cost to remove the trash – an amount that averaged $59 last year.
The Spokane City Council this week increased the minimum cleanup or “abatement” fee to $284.
City code enforcement officers handled more than 3,000 cases last year. About 1,100 of them were for garbage problems on property.
Jonathan Mallahan, Spokane’s director of code enforcement and neighborhood services, said the changes were made to better reflect the city’s cost to remove trash and enforce the law.
Supporters of the amendments argued that if violators don’t pay more than the cost to remove waste, they don’t have an incentive to act.
“If we don’t send a strong message that it won’t be tolerated, it will be tolerated,” said Councilman Jon Snyder.
Mallahan stressed that in 93 percent of code enforcement cases last year, no fines were levied because responsible parties began or completed work on the problem within 15 days of receiving a warning. The waiting period was not changed in new rules.
Last year, the city cleaned up 108 properties after owners or tenants ignored warnings. If problems persist after abatement, the city issues tickets and, in rare cases, pursues misdemeanor charges.
Another change will force owners of cars the city labels as “junk vehicles” to pay $200 if they want to appeal the city’s decision. The new code also allows the city to issue a $513 ticket for owners who do not abide by junk car rulings, something it couldn’t do before.
Currently, appeals of junk car violations with the city’s hearing examiner are automatic and free.
“We would be holding a lot of hearings that nobody showed up to,” Mallahan said.
It is illegal to store cars outside enclosed structures when most of the following conditions exist: they are inoperable, more than 3 years old, substantially damaged or have a value equal to or less than its scrap value.
“We’re talking about rusted-out hulks that have little to no value outside the metal,” Mallahan said.
Spokane City Councilman Bob Apple, the only council member who voted against the changes to the rules, said he worries that folks rebuilding cars could be unfairly penalized by the rule.
“I am very concerned about abuse of authority,” Apple said.
Rules also were changed for fire hazards caused by overgrown vegetation and substandard and unfit structures. Before the law was amended, if warnings were ignored, the city would charge landowners the city’s expenses for removing dried weeds deemed to be fire hazards. The City Council vote added $85 to the cost.
The city increased its annual fee on owners of substandard structures from $600 to $1,500. But if the building is rehabilitated, $500 can be refunded.
Heather Trautman, Spokane’s code enforcement supervisor, said the city works with property owners to help them clean up property. The new rules, she said, won’t change that.
“That’s our goal, always – to get voluntary compliance,” she said.
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Albert on March 18 at 8:06 a.m.
We could comment on the union based highly compensated employees, excessive employee benefits, and the lack of discernment with the mayor, and city council, however what good would it do? Folks are unemployed, homes foreclosed, behind in their bills, and struggling to feed their families, but again what good would it do to mention this factor to the mayor and city council? When the SR published this forewarning on the “passed increases” on the refuse removal, we canceled our green can, and downsized our refuse can to maintain our rates. How many folks will do the same and the result will be lost revenues - again. I did find out that the city “refuse service” is considered by the management to be a “for profit” venture….that’s interesting. Keep looking up good friends, the “End” is in sight.
soccermomsusie on March 18 at 8:40 a.m.
Albert, I like your style.
I watched the city council meeting the other night. My hero, George McGrath spoke out against this. If you have never heard his lovely voice proclaim our liberties, you should listen. It was obvious he was in some sort of gastric distress, but he was still able to tell Big Brother that they have no business telling us what we can or can’t have in our yards and in front of our homes.
The other day, my friends and I went into Starbucks. I wore a bandoleer over my sundress and a glock was sticking out of my purse. That showed ‘em!
In that vein, I would like to stage a protest at George’s home. It will be a T-rash Party! Let’s take all of our spring cleaning detritus and dump it in George’s yard. Does anybody have a junker they could donate? Let’s see what the city does then!
HEAR OUR VOICE!
I overheard someone saying that Mr. McGrath is a hypocrite. That if his neighbors had a code violation of having garbage in their yard, he would be making a speech at the next city council meeting how the city wasn’t doing its job because they hadn’t moved fast enough to get rid of the neighbors garbage.
This is your chance George to show them that you are not a hypocrite. May we have the T-rash Party at your house? Just say when and where!
HEAR OUR VOICE!HEAR OUR VOICE!HEAR OUR VOICE!HEAR OUR VOICE!HEAR OUR VOICE!HEAR OUR VOICE!HEAR OUR VOICE!HEAR OUR VOICE!HEAR OUR VOICE!
Albert I am with you. “Lack of discernment” is almost like fluoridation in our drinking water.
cowboy on March 18 at 8:59 a.m.
This is a big problem people just don’t care about their city.
I think a lot of it is adults were brought up in a dump and stay in the life cycle. I also think some of it may be a form of demonstration against the city.
I mean in Spokane you have no voice. Sure you can blog, you can stop watering your lawn like I did. I have no recourse against the potholed streets, utility fees rising monthly, murderous cops, crooked judges, and the list goes on.
And so when visitors come to Spokane they get to drive by my brown ugly lawn and lump me in with the rest of the malcontents that don’t seem to give a damn about their fine city.
I used to love my hometown but now I just want to sell my house and get out while I still can.
misjustice on March 18 at 9:02 a.m.
What, Code Enforcement actually cites code violations? I have made numerous complaints to the department about a house in the neighborhood and NOTHING is ever done.
This home owner has 10 junk vehicles, 3 huge stacks of tires, old rusty water heaters, assorted piles of wood, old satellite dishes, rusty piles of metal, hulking skeletons of old exercise equipment, and other assorted garbage all over his lot. The porch of the house is stacked with junk from the floor to the roof; bottles of chemicals, 6 bowling balls, newspapers, paint cans, etc….Every year there is more junk, and yet complaints to “Code Enforcement” do no good.
The piles of tires are especially worrisome, as they fill with water and are a breeding ground for mosquitoes. But neither Code Enforcement, nor the Health Department will do anything about the deplorable conditions at that address.
I’m shocked, shocked, I say that Code Enforcement claims to be, well, enforcing the codes!
soccermomsusie on March 18 at 9:09 a.m.
Misjustice, Mr. George McGrath made a compelling speech at city council of why this is OK. You should be thankful that your neighbor is standing up for his Constitutional Rights! This is not a breeding ground for mosquitoes, but a breeding ground for freedom - a shrine if you will.
HEAR OUR VOICE! See you at the next tea party unless Mr. McGrath lets us have the T-rash Party at his place first!
MrNatural on March 18 at 9:13 a.m.
I’ve often wondered how folks who say they can’t afford to go to the dump can afford to generate so much garbage. Regardless I’m glad there is a mechanism to address this filth because of community health and safety risks though granted I wish it was less expensive.
CharlesBillford on March 18 at 10:46 a.m.
They should start with the trash in City Hall, then head over to the SPD HQ, make a pass through the auditors and assessors offices and end up at the County Prosecutor, whom by the way is an absent tenant.
smarg on March 18 at 12:07 p.m.
I agree with Albert. Do you know how much the police and firefighter unions extort from the taxpayers in humongous wages and perks?? My God, it is unbelievable. These folks are pure criminals! Start with that before you go snooping in people’s yards who are struggling on the economy during this depression! The city and county employees want more funds so they can build that new addition to their lake cabins! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!
MrNatural on March 18 at 12:22 p.m.
So assuming the reason these impoverished miscreants can’t (or don’t) cleanup their yards is because they have no money. Or maybe it’s because they are on a shoestring budget and have a disability or such. I’m sure there are many excuses, valid or not. So the City goes in and cleans it up and places the lien cost on their utility bill. So then when they can’t afford to pay the utility bill the City cuts off their water and garbage service. Somehow I don’t see where this improves the situation. I’m gonna have to think about this one…
Betty on March 18 at 1:04 p.m.
I too, watch the council meetings and am glad I can from my home, but I have a new beef in that my Utilities bill came today and an insert ( which costs to compose, proof, print and add to bills) says that there is a contest to select a design for all the city sewer covers and these are to be made of marble besides rewarding the designer in a contest!!
MARBLE SEWER COVERS??????—Sounds like what we saw in luxury in Saddam’s palaces that we rushed and wrecked!!! This is an appalling extreme something passed by someone and I wonder who is behind it or passed it as I thought I kept a good finger on the pulse of what goes on in the august city hall chambers with those august learned deciders!!
Betty
JBlim on March 18 at 7:19 p.m.
TJ, - No. How much?
smarg on March 19 at 4:55 a.m.
JBlim, average salary for patrolman is almost $72K per year, which includes benefits (full medical/dental). State retirement pensions are ungodly. On top of that, read this: http://www.spokesmanreview.com/tools/story_pf.asp?ID=211285
It will make you vomit.
cowboy on March 19 at 8:17 a.m.
Mr. Natural I thought the same thing, we can afford fancy man hole covers but we cant fill some pot holes. Or is it I will be able to see the pretty man hole cover after i hit a jaw dropping pothole. I feel so warm inside.
cowboy on March 19 at 8:18 a.m.
Albert now the county is taking out loans to make payroll. They really don’t get it.