Martin board to formally address citizens’ complaints

By Amanda Mansfield
Press Reporter

The Martin Board of Mayor and Aldermen have responded to citizens’ complaints regarding several public health and nuisance matters. In August, several Martin residents attended the informal and formal board meetings as well as meetings of public safety and public works to find answers on how to address areas of concern, including trash piling up on city streets, overgrown grass, inoperable vehicles, homes with multiple families residing out of compliance with zoning, feral cats and other public nuisances.
Over the last two months, the city of Martin has been working to draft ordinances regarding such matters, and these ordinances were read during Tuesday night’s informal meeting of the board.
It is the hope of city officials that these new ordinances will give more guidance to code enforcement officials and to the city judge in remedying such situations. All of the following ordinances will be read during the board’s formal meeting Oct. 11. If passed on first reading, a public hearing and second reading of each ordinance will be held Nov. 8.

• Ordinance 2021-08: This ordinance will address unsafe buildings. The building inspector will determine reasonable grounds for violations, which include buildings that are unsafe, unsanitary, unfit for human habitation, not provided with adequate egress, fire hazards, or other health and safety violations. It will allow 15 days to correct major violations and 30 days to correct minor violations with a maximum time limit of 120 days for either. Legal charges can be brought upon individuals who violate this code. Abatement suit may be filed if property owners do not follow the building inspector’s directives within 120 days.

• Ordinance 2021-09: This ordinance will address neglected property, and it designates the chief of police and their subordinates to enforce city codes. Nuisances, such as accumulated trash, abandoned appliances, overgrown vegetation, furniture not intended for outdoor use and other debris compromise public health and welfare, are fire hazards and are prohibited, according to this ordinance. Notice of violation will be given to property owners, and if no action is taken within 10 days, the codes enforcement officer shall set forth to remedy the situation, and a lien will be placed upon the property to secure the cost of cleanup. The cost shall be placed on the tax roll of the municipality, added to property tax bill to be collected in the same manner taxes are collected. If the owner fails or refuses to pay the cost, they shall be collected in the same manner as delinquent property taxes, subject to the same penalties and interest.

• Ordinance 2021-10: This ordinance will address storage of abandoned vehicles. Abandoned, wrecked, junked, partially dismantled and inoperable vehicles are exempt from this ordinance if the vehicle is deemed collectible and over 25 years old, kept within a building not visible from any adjacent property or right-of-way, or designated approved by the Martin Zoning Code or the City of Martin. Owners in violation of this ordinance will be contacted by the codes enforcement officer and have 10 days to remedy the situation. If the owner fails or refuses to comply, corrective action may be taken by the chief of police and their subordinates. Upon remedy, the chief of police is authorized to bill owners the cost of remedy plus a 15% administrative fee.

• Ordinance 2021-11: This ordinance will address single-family dwelling restrictions. A dwelling unit will be considered a single-family residence only if it is occupied by one individual; any number of person related by blood, marriage, adoption or foster care; no more than eight unrelated mentally or physically handicapped persons; and not more than three unrelated persons. For the purpose of this ordinance, related persons are defined as first cousins or closer.
To hear a full reading of each ordinance, citizens are invited to attend meetings of the Martin Board of Mayor and Aldermen Monday, Oct. 11 and Monday, Nov. 8 at 5:15 p.m. at the city courtroom, located at 732 N. Lindell St.