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Tompkins: Give code enforcement tools to fight blight and help distressed homeowners

By Kenny Tompkins;

Niagara Falls City Councilman

Niagara Falls City Councilman Kenny Tompkins has ideas on how to improve the code enforcement in the city.

One area that continues to be a problem in Niagara Falls is our code enforcement of derelict properties in our city. These properties pose a safety hazard for residents, decreases property values, and make our city unappealing.

Last summer, I rode around with code enforcement inspectors to see what they do. I believe the inspectors are dedicated individuals with the best of intentions when it comes to cleaning up our city and enforcing the rules on the books. However, the process doesn’t fully support their efforts.

Our system is designed to handle code violations as follows:

The questions I want to investigate this year are:

I understand that there are issues that create this backlog. One is absentee or out-of-town landlords. In this case, there should be a requirement that the property owner appoint a local proxy to address these issues promptly. If they fail to have a contact person in the city (or don’t respond themselves), a fine could be levied to get their attention.

Consistent enforcement is necessary as well. Niagara Falls is a small city and everyone is somehow inter-connected. Making exceptions to rules for friends and family is part of the reason this issue has grown so fast. We need to hold all homeowners and property owners accountable for maintaining their properties.

This is also a city where many individuals are living at or below the poverty level and are on fixed incomes. I propose to identify opportunities to help people by coordinating with the Isaiah 61 program. Under supervision, the individuals training with Isaiah 61 could do some of the repair work needed. This would provide a community service and offset the amount of money the city has already invested in this program.

While there are many challenges this city faces, code enforcement is one for which we already have the money budgeted and laws on the books. I have discussed this matter at length with City Administrator Nick Melson. If we can streamline the process and give the code enforcement team teeth, while providing ample, genuine support to those in need, we might see dramatic improvement in our neighborhoods. This upturn could help attract new homeowners and create the type of city we all desire.

 

 

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