Monday, October 19, 2009

Great moments in (non?) ordinance enforcement: The Elm Street Coke Machine.

Let's kick off Monday morning with a look at just one example of New Albany's chief persistent failing, ordinance enforcement.

An NAC reader asks, "Didn't the Board of Works rule that the Coke machine at 610 E. Market had to be removed?

For photos and the original story, go here: Coke machines and condoms: Let's all vend.

Yes, the board did vote in favor of removal. The vote came at the June 30 meeting, as described below in the meeting minutes. If there has been any updates, they are not available, as no minutes have been posted on-line since July.

A MEETING OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS & SAFETY OF THE CIVIL CITY OF NEW ALBANY, INDIANA, WILL BE HELD IN THE THIRD FLOOR ASSEMBLY ROOM AT THE CITY/COUNTY BUILDING ON TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2009 AT 10:00 A.M.

PRESENT: Matt Denison, Suellen Wilkinson, Kay Garry, Corporal Mike Lawrence, Dennis Smith Traffic Department, Code Enforcement Officer Tim Teives, Deputy Clerk Marcey Wisman, David Hall, Animal Control, Tim Marinaro, City Engineer

CALL TO ORDER:

Mr. Denison called the meeting to order at 10:02 a.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

NEW BUSINESS:

Item #1 - Matt Denison re: Vending Machine in front of 610 E Elm Street

Mr. Denison stated that Shane McCain is the owner of this property and the complaints have come from several different sources throughout the community. He explained that they vending machine is in a City right-of-way and that Mr. McCain has never been before the board to request permission to put the machine on the property which is what policy requires. He stated they have tried to contact Mr. McCain and sent him a letter requesting his presence at the meeting today but did not get any response. He explained that Mr. Wood said that they have come across some issues but nothing to make them take action and he asked the boards opinion on what action they should take at this time.

Mr. Teives stated that this started with residents complaining about the aesthetics and the fact that this is in a residential area and he explained that the property owners are not residents of New Albany.

Mrs. Wilkinson moved to remove the machine from the City right-of-way, Mrs. Garry second, all voted in favor.

Mr. Denison stated that he would draft a letter and with the approval of Mr. Gibson would send a certified copy to Mr. McCain giving him notice that the city will be removing the machine.

4 comments:

SBAvanti63 said...

Maybe they're still waiting for the letter to be written and approved ...

G Coyle said...

SBA - I think you put that tongue-n-cheek, but it may be the truth.

This seems to be the local governments weakest link, the actual - making people conform to rules we elected them to make people conform to.

Rational people assume it's not a big deal to write a letter about a code violation, like there's even a computer template that prints them at digital speed, just fill in the "offender".

They could even copy the system they use for property tax collection. How many people think there would be a precipitous drop in property tax compliance if there weren't an established mechanism for enforcement?

It's almost like city hall is terrified of confronting it's own failing over three generations to enforce the codes. I mean, jeez, where to start?

Anonymous said...
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The New Albanian said...

Tanya is a spammer. Bye bye, spammer.