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Code Enforcement Focuses on Respect

Living in a community means neighbors. Some people believe that “fences make good neighbors.” However, if the neighbor’s lack of maintenance of his home and yard affects his neighbors, its becomes a Code Enforcement issue.

Lisa Hanley is Sidney’s Code Enforcement Officer. She has been on the job since July 2018. She sees her job as one of educating the public, encouraging residents to be good neighbors with how they maintain their property and their pets.

As Code Enforcement Officer, she responds to complains, documents properties, including vehicles, not in compliance, and works with Kevin Kubo, Chief Building Official for the City, on zoning compliance. She helps in the enforcement of zoning compliance issues; ensuring activities at a specific area are within the zoning limits.

As Code Enforcement Officer, she has her own “bible,” a reference book she follows. On of the subsections in the Code is defined as “Filthy Accumulations; noxious odors.” The ordinance references a list of articles from building rubbish and solid waste to dead animals. It also includes “any condition that gives off offensive odors that interfere substantially and to an unreasonable degree with the reasonable enjoyment of other property.” Essentially, if you have something on your property that produces such an odor it interferes with your neighbor enjoying his property, you are in violation.

The issue comes down to three points: health, safety and sanitation, Hanley said.

“I’m not doing this to pick on you,” she says.

She said she often gets push-back from people who believe “it is my property. I can do what I want.” She said every community has regulations on what can and cannot be done on a property. She added many people may not

realize they are responsible for the curb and sidewalk adjacent to their property, and the alley. The responsibility includes keeping grass cut, weeds under control and trash picked up.

Being in violation does not automatically mean a fine or court appearance. Hanley first tries to contact the landowner or resident to correct the issue. If it is not addressed within the stated time, a letter of abatement is sent. After that, the City contracts to have the violation corrected and the owner is billed.

“I’m happy to work with anybody,” Hanley said. “I’m happy to educate anybody. I’m pretty easy to work with.”

She said the first stage of the procedure is verbal. She tries to meet the resident or landowner in person to explain what the violation is, and how to correct it.

“Normally, everyone is fine,” she said.

She said her experience so far is if a homeowner is given a proper amount of time, the violation is corrected. The length of time varies with the complaint. For example lawn mowing and weed control is frequently given five days to correct. She said she hasn’t had to issue many citations; a couple of dog-at-large tickets. When a dog is picked up at-large, the owner is responsible for the citation, impound fee and proof of rabies vaccination.

Another issue that comes up is noise complaints. It is complaint that many people associate with barking dogs, but can also include construction work or loud music. The City has an ordinance against construction work before 7 a.m. or after 10 p.m. Music complaints, she said, is also related to knowing your neighbors. Music complaints can be filed at most any time of the day.

“People work all hours. If there’s a dog barking all hours, that’s a nuisance,” she said.

Another ordinance she enforces is illegal dumping.

She said she has cases of people dumping furniture on the street next to trash receptacles, or filling the receptacles with grass and leaves.

“All of these need to be taken to the landfill separately, not placed in the city receptacles,” she said.

The struggle in the job is when a complaint involves vacant property, or an out of town owner. When the owner cannot be contacted, and code violations are identified, the problem can be fixed and the service billed to the landowner, by lien if necessary.

Working in Code Enforcement sends Hanley to any given location, meeting a variety of people any given day. It is part of what she enjoys about serving the city. It is about starting each day waiting to see what is in store.

“My day to day is always different. I never know what to expect,” she said.

 

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