Martins Ferry steps up property enforcement with new digital tools
Trending
MARTINS FERRY -- Efforts to address property maintenance issues throughout Martins Ferry are showing results, city officials say, while a new digital system is helping the city move more quickly when violations are reported.
City Safety Director and Code Administrator Melissa Yeso told Martins Ferry City Council Wednesday that the new GovPilot software is making it easier to document violations, attach photographs and notify property owners and landlords electronically.
"Landlords of the properties are now being notified via email via GovPilot," Yeso said. "Our officers have been using it this week. It's super easy to use and we have really been able to accelerate the process."
Yeso said the difference is particularly noticeable when preparing violation notices.
"I myself have been using it and I have found that I can get a violation-notification letter out the door in a matter of minutes as opposed to the time it takes to draft it, select all those ordinances, print out a copy letter, attach a photo," she said. "Now I can do it all on my computer or on my iPad."
The new system comes as the city continues efforts to address property maintenance issues, including excessive grass and weeds, structural problems, pests and deteriorating properties.
Last week, Yeso reported one roach issue, three property demolitions, five condemned properties, six tall-grass violations, six weed violations and two structure-related issues. Two of the demolitions involved properties on Third Street, Yeso said. Five properties have been condemned, including a post-fire property on Union Street and another property on Monroe Street.
The city approved a three-year GovPilot contract in May at a cost of $10,000 per year, down from an original proposal of $12,000 annually. The project is being funded through the city's General Fund.
The software is intended to do more than streamline code enforcement. It also will allow residents, contractors and businesses to complete certain municipal transactions online, including permit applications, while giving city departments a centralized location to maintain records.
Yeso said council members will soon get a closer look at the information being generated by the system.
"At the next council meeting, you will actually be getting a full report from GovPilot, printed out with data and every violation," she said.
Council also took action Wednesday on another property-maintenance concern: neglected swimming pools. Council unanimously approved an ordinance addressing stagnant swimming pools within the city. The legislation follows concerns raised by Mayor John Davies about several pools that have been left unused and untreated for extended periods.
Davies previously told council that he had identified six to eight dormant pools that were attracting mosquitoes and creating unpleasant odors.
The city's broader code-enforcement efforts have included sending violation notices for excessive grass and weeds, dealing with structural problems and pursuing action against properties that remain out of compliance.
Those efforts can become more complicated when rental properties are involved, Yeso has said, particularly when landlords live outside the area or when tenants are responsible for maintaining the property.
If fines remain unpaid after a hearing in Mayor's Court, the cases can be referred to the city law director, who can begin the process of placing unpaid fines on the property owner's taxes.
"But to forcibly make somebody clean up their property, it is difficult when it is a tenant-landlord situation," Yeso previously told council. "One of the problems with the property has been going on for three years."
With GovPilot now in use, city officials will have a centralized digital record of violations and enforcement activity, while property owners can receive notices electronically.
The latest enforcement report comes as Yeso continues settling into an expanded role in city government. She serves as safety director and code administrator after the city separated the service and safety director positions in January.