By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
The Bucyrus Health and Safety Committee discussed a proposed ordinance that would involve a Crime Free Housing Program on Tuesday evening.
Another ordinance discussed as part of that is designed to help take care of vacant run-down buildings within the city.
The proposed draft of the Crime Free Rental Housing Program calls for landlords to register all rental properties, attend a four-hour seminar, as well as pass an inspection to receive a certificate.
Ordinance 1377 would deal with vacant buildings which would extend the powers of the city to try to find the owners of vacant properties and would give leeway to foreclose on the property.
Paul Moser spoke before the committee against the Crime Free Rental Program.
“This proposed crime free rental checklist is an unworkable, unneeded, burdensome piece of government that doesn’t do anybody any good. I don’t see any good coming from this.”
After hearing from the public, the Health and Safety Committee tabled the proposed ordinances in order for landlords in Bucyrus to review the two proposals and discuss them with the committee in a future meeting.
Bucyrus Police Dispatcher Jenny Gerger spoke before the Bucyrus Health and Safety Committee about the alarm permit ordinance from 1987 which calls for each private citizen or business with an alarm to have a permit for an annual fee of $5.
According to Gerger 450 residents are registered with 200 being added in the last three years. Gerger also mentioned numerous false alarms takes up man hours and that some cities charge either $20 or $25 for the service with fines going to those with numerous false alarms. Gerger also mentioned that some cities don’t offer the service from their police forces any more.
The committee placed the item on hold for future consideration to review police and fire numbers between private owners and business owners.
The Health and Safety Committee reappointed John Walker and Bill O’Rourke to the Volunteer Firefighters Dependent Fund Board.