Lake Station is taking steps to crack down on residents with unsightly, blighted yards and houses.
The city council approved initial readings of three ordinances, including the establishment of a blight court, aimed at collecting fines from residents with unsightly properties.
The council is expected to finalize the ordinances at an upcoming meeting and Mayor Bill Carroll said the blight court would begin sometime this year and be held in the council chambers at city hall.
“I’m glad to get this court going and get some of these homes down,” said Councilman Rick Long, D-5th, who said it would be good to get all the complaints he receives off his voicemail.
One of the ordinances creates a non-reverting fund to cover the expense of the administrative law judge and the demolition of blighted buildings and incidental costs.
Those expenses would be recouped through fines assessed by the Zoning, Blight, and Building Department Court. Expenditures would be reviewed and approved by the Board of Works.
The new court’s establishment would not replace the City Court, which also operates in the council chamber.
The new court’s mission is to adjudicate building code violations, zoning violations and to bring blighted properties into compliance.
The court will have the authority to order demolition, levy fines and to suspend the license of a contractor licensed in the city.
The court can enter judgment liens and fines on property tax bills.
Only funds collected by the blight court would be deposited in the non-reverting fund. Funds collected will maintain the court’s expenses and a surplus would be used for demolition.
Building commissioner Bob Novick said the city was in the process of receiving bids for the demolition of five structures.
Carroll opened the meeting holding a moment of silence for Briana, 27, Aurorah, 7, Ava, 6, and Alayna Payne, 4, who were shot to death last week in their Lake Station mobile home. Robert Payne, 31, was found dead at the scene from suicide, authorities said.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
