Niles council discusses nuisances, unpaid bills

City council is looking to Shaker Heights’ example to curb nuisances.

By TIM YOVICH

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

NILES — City council is discussing how to reduce a wide range of public nuisances by making landlords more responsible.

Lawmakers also talked Monday during a council roundtable session about finding a way to reduce the city’s loss in nonpayment of utility bills that have reached about $100,000 annually.

Although nothing was settled, both issues will be explored by Law Director Terry Dull and returned to council in the form of draft legislation.

Councilman Stephen Papalas, D-at large, said he thinks nuisance problems such as animal odor, noise, disorderly conduct, gambling, sanitation issues, sex offenses, littering and fireworks can be reduced by putting pressure on landlords.

He called attention to a Shaker Heights nuisance law that fines landlords if police are required to make three calls to a rental unit in one year.

After the third offense, the property owner or landlord is fined. If the fine isn’t paid, it is placed on the owner’s tax duplicate as a lien.

Tom Telego, head of the water and light office and the city’s computer system, said computers allow police to determine how many times they have cited a property owner or renter for a nuisance complaint.

Concerns

Councilman Edward Stredney, D-3rd, said he wants to make sure any law would require the issuance of three violations so a persons isn’t accused on a lark by a neighbor.

“We have landlords who are irresponsible, and we have to do something about it,” Papalas said.

Anthony Vigorito, building inspector and landlord, said landlords have problems getting renters who cause trouble evicted.

Papalas countered that if an owner has been trying to evict a tenant, the tenant can be held harmless.

“We’re not disappointed with all the landlords,” Papalas added.

Concerning the loss of money through the nonpayment of utilities, Telego said it now amounts to about $100,000 a year.

Currently, renters pay a $125 deposit with the city when they open an account for electricity, water and sewer service.

When tenants move out, they leave behind a utility bill more than the deposit will cover. Thus, the city loses the difference.

Vigorito said it would be unfair for landlords to make up the difference.

Telego said a new computer system that will be in place in about six months will allow the city to perform credit checks on people who want to open a utility account with the city.

The amount of deposit could depend on their credit rating, he suggested, adding that this would apply to new customers.

Papalas and Stredney suggested that the city increase the city’s deposit requirement to $400. Telego said that simply increasing the deposit would penalize those who regularly pay their utility bill.

About 32 percent of the city’s housing is rental properties, it was explained.

yovich@vindy.com