§ 14-401. Findings and purpose.

The city council finds that there are foreclosed, vacant, or abandoned residential properties in the city that are a public nuisance and that foreclosed, vacant, and abandoned residential properties that are not maintained and secured constitute a hazard to the public health, safety and welfare for the following reasons:

(1)

These properties often become dilapidated because they are not maintained by the owners of the properties;

(2)

These properties attract children, harbor vermin, and provide shelter for vagrants and criminals;

(3)

These properties are more likely to be vandalized or be the target of arsonists;

(4)

These properties provide a dumping ground for garbage, trash and other debris; and

(5)

These properties require an increased amount of city resources and staff time to maintain, secure, demolish or otherwise respond to problems associated with them.

The city council finds that owners of foreclosed, vacant, and abandoned residential properties should be held accountable for the physical condition of their properties. At a minimum, the owners should prevent the properties from creating a blight upon the surrounding neighborhood and decreasing property values. The city council also finds that a responsible local agent should be required for all properties not owned by persons or entities within a reasonable distance of the city in order to safeguard the properties and structures, assist city personnel with access for inspections, and accept notices concerning the properties.

(Ord. No. 2012-4, § 1, 3-7-12)