×

Council to consider property maintenance code

NEGAUNEE — The Negaunee City Council will consider a first reading of a proposed property maintenance code during a meeting at 7 p.m. tonight at the Negaunee Senior Center.

The code, drafted under the direction of a six-member Special Advisory Committee on Blight Resolution, is intended to “maintain, preserve and improve the stock of non-residential buildings in the city.”

“The Negaunee City Council finds and concludes that there are non-residential buildings in the City of Negaunee with are poorly maintained and neglected,” the proposed code states. “These buildings adversely affect citizens who own or occupy nearby buildings and dwellings by lowering property values and rental values. These buildings also pose health and safety concerns as many of these poorly maintained and neglected buildings have become so dilapidated that occupancy is no longer economically feasible, and this increases the incidence of vandalism and fire.”

Under the proposed code, a Diversionary Team consisting of five appointed members, to respond to citizen complaints and nuisance issues “collaboratively with persons or entities to resolve violations arising out of this code in lieu of citation/prosecution of the violation(s).”

The code also creates time frames for violation corrections. The property owner would have not more than 24 hours to correct an emergency situation; not more than 10 days to correct hazardous conditions; and not more than 120 days for all other violations, the proposed document states.

Property owners can make appeal of recorded violations to the Zoning Board of Appeals under the proposed code, but in the case of an emergency situation, an appeal would by prohibited.

The city’s 2019 budget is also on the agenda, as well as a pole rental agreement with AT&T, two proposed resolutions: one regarding the Vista Theater and another opposing Michigan Senate bill 1031.

The council will also consider a $49,990 quote for engineering services from UPEA Engineers and Architects for a sewer replacement project on Brown Avenue slated for 2019 as well as a $10,518 bid for a replacement pump for the Cambria lift station.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today