City to condemn unclaimed land

Foreclosure processes across the state have banks taking second looks at properties in disrepair.  In one local case recently, Mayor Don Jones told the Hohenwald City Council, the bank gave the property back to the homeowner because they did not want the hassle of the upkeep.

According to the mayor, the property owner did not want the house and property either.

Unwilling to pay taxes and unwilling to comply with local property restrictions, the homeowner may leave City officials no choice but to condemn the property.

Local land restrictions within the City require property owners to keep grass cut within 12 inches.  Building Inspector Billy Don Jackson issues citations to property owners who violate the law, but in recent cases when a bank or foreclosure company takes possession of multiple properties, they find themselves in violation of upkeep regulations in cities and counties all across the nation.

Sometimes the upkeep of properties in foreclosure is too much to manage.

City of Hohenwald officials, in many cases, are resorting to maintaining the properties and attaching the fines and fees to the deed to be collected when, and if, the property ever sells.

“None of us are anxious to condemn property but when we cannot find the owner and [the property] is an eyesore for seven years....” Mayor Jones began.  Mr. Jackson informed the Council how on one call to seek someone responsible for property, he was transferred more than 50 times before getting a recording that ended the call.

Mayor Jones told the City Council during Jackson’s building inspector/code enforcer report June 1, 2010, the entity may choose to condemn properties if neither the property owner or the financial institution will claim responsibility for properties which violate codes.

No condemnation actions were taken at the Tuesday evening meeting but could begin as soon as July.

In other business of the Hohenwald City Council, reports were accepted from Chief of Police Larry Joe Hinson, Fire Department Chief Steve Vineyard and Utility Department Supervisor Bobby McCann.

Hohenwald Police officers issued a total of 154 tickets for the month of May, the bulk of which, 23, were for possession of a controlled substance.  Nineteen tickets were issued for violation of the insurance law, 10 violations of the child safety restraint law, nine for speeding, eight for under-age possession of alcohol, eight for miscellaneous misdemeanors, five for domestic assault and five for driving on a revoked license.  Four charges each were placed for DUI, no driver’s license and failure to yield.  Three charges each of public drunkenness and open beer.  Violations of curfew, stop sign, red light/bus law and registration law occurred two times for each charge.    Charges were placed for aggravated assault, destruction of private property and violation of the light law, one time for each.

Fire Chief Vineyard reported eight motor vehicle accidents for the month, calling first responders into action.

During the month of May, 23 water leaks were repaired and the utility department responded to 213 work orders received through City Hall, McCann reported.

The Council authorized the purchase of a vehicle for the Hohenwald Police Department, accepting the low bid of $21,061.00 from Alexander Ford Mercury.  Vice-Mayor Dr. Dustin Flowers made the motion, seconded by Councilman Don Barber, for a 2010 Dodge Charger.  A unanimous roll call vote approved the resolution.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for a leakage rehabilitation project were awarded.  Four bids were received for improvements to gravity sewers and main lines with the low bid, received, at $547,000.00.  Six bids were awarded for a new south side pumping station with the low bid, received, at $210,297.42.  Both bids were awarded to B & W Excavation of Shelbyville.

Councilman Mike Hinson made the motion to award the bids, with a second by Councilman Barber, to precede a unanimous roll call vote.

A resolution allowing the City of Hohenwald to provide matching funds for the CDBG funded projects was approved by unanimous roll call vote with a motion by Councilman Bill Lawson, seconded by Vice-Mayor Dr. Flowers.

An ordinance establishing a post retirement employee health insurance benefit was delayed until the next meeting.

Passed on the second and final reading was an ordinance amending the municipal zoning ordinance affecting political signs.  Passed into law, with a motion by Councilman Barber, seconded by Councilman Hinson was the following verbage:

Election Sign - All election signs are temporary signs which may be displayed at the candidate’s discretion prior to an election, but must be removed seven days after the election.

An ordinance to accept the 2010-11 fiscal year budget was approved on the second reading with a motion by Vice-Mayor Dr. Flowers, seconded by Councilman Barber.  A roll call vote passed the ordinance which will face its third and final reading on June 29, 1010 at a special-called meeting.

City Recorder Mark Graves noted a new tax rate for the City will be established at $1.03 with passage of the new budget, down from the current rate of $1.07.