By Joseph Slacian
WABASH, Ind. – City Code Enforcement Officer Kipp Cantrell issued 455 violation letters in 2017, 324 more than the previous two years.
Cantrell, who began working in the newly created position in 2017, updated the Wabash City Council on his first year of duty. The Council budgeted funds for the position during budget hearings in 2016.
Of the 455 letters issued, Cantrell said, the largest was for grass or shrub violations, 206.
Another 167 letters were issued for trash violations, while 69 were issued for leaf violations, two for pool violations and one for a sidewalk violation.
Council members asked the procedure once the letter is written.
Cantrell said the violator is given a period of time to rectify the problem. If it isn’t, another letter is sent and the matter is taken to Wabash City Court. Only one matter ended up in court last year, he said.
Council members also asked what the leaf violation was.
Between Sept. 5 and Dec. 1, Cantrell explained, leaves are allowed to be raked to the curb for pick up by the city. Before and after those dates, they must be placed in yard refuse bags.
Council member Bob Greene asked if the trash violation was for those who fail to take their trash bins back to their houses after trash has been picked up.
Cantrell said that the trash violations are for those who place various items – sofas, mattresses and so forth – on the curb at times other than spring and fall cleanup.
Council member Mitch Figert praised Cantrell, saying his constituents have complimented him on his professionalism while educating them about and enforcing the codes.
Figert also asked if there was anything the Council could do to help him in his job.
Cantrell said being able to fine the person directly, rather than take the violator to court, would be beneficial.
Council members said that that would require changes to city ordinances, and suggested possible reviews of them.