Columbus has issued its first fine against a homeowner for failing to remove an inoperable vehicle from private property.
The Columbus Board of Works agreed on Tuesday to issue the $250 fine and turn the matter over to the city attorney Alan Whitted for any further legal action.
The fine was issued to the property owner at 1111 Lafayette Ave., owned by James Handley, according to public property records.
City code enforcement officer Fred Barnett told the board that four notices were issued to the homeowner, who has not responded. The $250 fine will be levied as a lien on the property, Barnett said.
"This is the first time I haven’t been able to resolve (an issue) before a hearing," Barnett said.
However, Barnett said on Wednesday that a message was left by a woman willing to work with the city to have the vehicle removed from the property. If that occurs, the fine would be waived and that would eliminate the need for legal action, Barnett said.
Barnett said he did not know the relationship between the woman and the property owner.
Attempts by The Republic to reach Handley for comment were unsuccessful.
In September, the city approved changes to an ordinance that allows code enforcement to identify and remove abandoned and inoperable vehicles from private property. Barnett as code enforcement officer was given authority to investigate complaints about the abandoned vehicles.
Penalties for violating the ordinance call for a fine of up to $250 fine per vehicle for the first violation, $500 for the second violation and $1,000 for the third violation, the ordinance states. Homeowners who are cited may appeal the fine before the city’s Board of Works, according to the ordinance.
The city also established an inoperable vehicle abatement program in October that allows residents to have inoperable vehicles towed at no charge while receiving the full value of the metal from the scrapped vehicle. Under the program, the city covers the $65 cost of towing a vehicle when an individual presents proof of ownership, a clear title and signs a waiver for removal of the vehicle.
Barnett said 90 cases involving abandoned or inoperable vehicles found on private property have been resolved since the ordinance was passed last year.
Barnett estimated there are about 60 private properties in Columbus that still have abandoned or inoperable vehicles on them.
"The goal isn’t to sue local citizens," Whitted said. "We want to work with local citizens to get them to comply."
