(Sept. 28, 2017) The Pocomoke City Council is scheduled to hold second readings and could approve of a trio of ordinances related to housing standards during the next council meeting, Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m.
First readings for the ordinances occurred during the previous council meeting, last Monday.
During that meeting Dan Brandewie, housing and zoning coordinator, led a discussion on Ordinance 433, which would amend the city code to add a chapter called “Rental Property.”
Brandewie said the draft was largely created by previous city manager, Ernie Crofoot, and would require landlords to meet basic housing standards.
“If you have a rental, you have to register with the city and obtain a license,” he said.
Brandewie suggested the renewable license be valid for one year and cost about $25. He added, “It’s a pretty basic ordinance.”
Mayor Bruce Morrison said the council previously considered similar legislation.
“I think we were a little leery on it the first time around but … as the people of Pocomoke are complaining enough about the [way] properties make the town look, we [should] start to move forward with this new code,” he said.
Despite earlier uncertainties, Councilwoman Esther Troast said the time had come for the city to oversee rental properties.
“In the past we tabled it,” she said. “After reading it twice, I‘m ready for it.”
Brandewie also discussed Ordinance 434, which would amend city code related to housing standards and placement of bulk trash.
“[It’s] an update to a problem I think we’re experiencing, with landlords setting trash and eviction materials out in front of the properties [and] leaving it there, in many cases, for several days or weeks,” he said. “It’s unsightly and creates problems.”
Brandewie said there had to be a limit to how long the evictees had to claim their possessions.
“At some point, it has to be removed,” he said. “It’s not fair to the residents and neighbors to leave all the trash sitting out front.”
The ordinance would increase fines and streamline the notification process for violations, Brandewie said.
If landlords evict tenants who don’t reclaim their property, Cowger said it should be the landlords’ responsibility to remove the items.
“It’s not fair to the taxpayers … to pay for a complete cleanout of the houses,” he said.
Morrison said the city already had a generous allowance for bulk trash pickup.
“We allow for seven items of bulk trash [and] that could be a couch [or] a chair, but doing a whole house [is not fair to taxpayers],” he said. “I agree with you we need to stop this.”
Morrison said the key was to inform landlords the city would charge for removal.
“After three days, it’s your responsibility,” he said. “If we clean it up … it’s going to cost you.”
Ideally, Brandewie said notifications would preempt the need for citations.
“If they don’t clean it up within two or three days, we’ll issue a citation with a fine,” he said. “That would be the first offense.”
Councilman Dale Trotter suggested a tiered fine schedule that would increase with subsequent incidences.
Brandewie introduced a third ordinance related to solid waste collection and trashcan placement.
“What we’re observing are people that essentially are putting their trash cans out in front of their front porch and leaving them,” he said. “It’s unsightly.”
City code currently requires trashcans to be removed by nightfall on the day of collection. Brandewie suggested adding an additional sentence to the code: “No containers shall be placed in any required front yard, setbacks or in front of the main dwelling or main structure.”
“They need to put them on the side of the house when they’re done with them,” he said. “They don’t belong in the front.”
The council also held a first reading to amend the charter requiring the city manager to reside within Pocomoke City limits.
Morrison said the intent of the charter was to make sure the city manager lived in close proximity to City Hall.
“We didn’t add mileage into [the charter],” he said. “We thought just … in a timely manner that he could get here in 15 minutes.”
Councilwoman Diane Downing questioned the wisdom of the charter.
“What if you have an emergency?” she asked. “Are you going to sit and wait 15 minutes for the city manager to get here?”
Councilman George Tasker suggested a mileage radius might be more appropriate, while Downing said the manager should at least live around, if not within, the city.
Morrison asked residents who voiced previously displeasure with the city’s appearance to attend the next City Council meeting and share their perspective.
“This room will fill up with the rental people and they’re going to come jumping down our throats,” he said. “The residents of Pocomoke need to stand up behind us and say we’re sick and tired of this mess.”
First readings for the ordinances occurred during the previous council meeting, last Monday.
During that meeting Dan Brandewie, housing and zoning coordinator, led a discussion on Ordinance 433, which would amend the city code to add a chapter called “Rental Property.”
Brandewie said the draft was largely created by previous city manager, Ernie Crofoot, and would require landlords to meet basic housing standards.
“If you have a rental, you have to register with the city and obtain a license,” he said.
Brandewie suggested the renewable license be valid for one year and cost about $25. He added, “It’s a pretty basic ordinance.”
Mayor Bruce Morrison said the council previously considered similar legislation.
“I think we were a little leery on it the first time around but … as the people of Pocomoke are complaining enough about the [way] properties make the town look, we [should] start to move forward with this new code,” he said.
Despite earlier uncertainties, Councilwoman Esther Troast said the time had come for the city to oversee rental properties.
“In the past we tabled it,” she said. “After reading it twice, I‘m ready for it.”
Brandewie also discussed Ordinance 434, which would amend city code related to housing standards and placement of bulk trash.
“[It’s] an update to a problem I think we’re experiencing, with landlords setting trash and eviction materials out in front of the properties [and] leaving it there, in many cases, for several days or weeks,” he said. “It’s unsightly and creates problems.”
Brandewie said there had to be a limit to how long the evictees had to claim their possessions.
“At some point, it has to be removed,” he said. “It’s not fair to the residents and neighbors to leave all the trash sitting out front.”
The ordinance would increase fines and streamline the notification process for violations, Brandewie said.
If landlords evict tenants who don’t reclaim their property, Cowger said it should be the landlords’ responsibility to remove the items.
“It’s not fair to the taxpayers … to pay for a complete cleanout of the houses,” he said.
Morrison said the city already had a generous allowance for bulk trash pickup.
“We allow for seven items of bulk trash [and] that could be a couch [or] a chair, but doing a whole house [is not fair to taxpayers],” he said. “I agree with you we need to stop this.”
Morrison said the key was to inform landlords the city would charge for removal.
“After three days, it’s your responsibility,” he said. “If we clean it up … it’s going to cost you.”
Ideally, Brandewie said notifications would preempt the need for citations.
“If they don’t clean it up within two or three days, we’ll issue a citation with a fine,” he said. “That would be the first offense.”
Councilman Dale Trotter suggested a tiered fine schedule that would increase with subsequent incidences.
Brandewie introduced a third ordinance related to solid waste collection and trashcan placement.
“What we’re observing are people that essentially are putting their trash cans out in front of their front porch and leaving them,” he said. “It’s unsightly.”
City code currently requires trashcans to be removed by nightfall on the day of collection. Brandewie suggested adding an additional sentence to the code: “No containers shall be placed in any required front yard, setbacks or in front of the main dwelling or main structure.”
“They need to put them on the side of the house when they’re done with them,” he said. “They don’t belong in the front.”
The council also held a first reading to amend the charter requiring the city manager to reside within Pocomoke City limits.
Morrison said the intent of the charter was to make sure the city manager lived in close proximity to City Hall.
“We didn’t add mileage into [the charter],” he said. “We thought just … in a timely manner that he could get here in 15 minutes.”
Councilwoman Diane Downing questioned the wisdom of the charter.
“What if you have an emergency?” she asked. “Are you going to sit and wait 15 minutes for the city manager to get here?”
Councilman George Tasker suggested a mileage radius might be more appropriate, while Downing said the manager should at least live around, if not within, the city.
Morrison asked residents who voiced previously displeasure with the city’s appearance to attend the next City Council meeting and share their perspective.
“This room will fill up with the rental people and they’re going to come jumping down our throats,” he said. “The residents of Pocomoke need to stand up behind us and say we’re sick and tired of this mess.”