Gillams owe city $1,200 for unmowed lots

YOUNGSTOWN — Councilwoman Annie Gillam abstained from voting on assessing fees to specific property owners for failing to cut the grass on vacant lots because four parcels she and her husband own are on the list.

Each lot was mowed twice by the city with the Gillams owing $1,200 to the city – $150 for each cut, according to the assessment list.

Because she was on the list, Gillam, D-1st, said today it would be inappropriate to vote on the ordinance that seeks payment for costs incurred by the city from property owners who haven’t paid the municipality for demolition, boarding up structures and grass cutting.

The list includes four vacant properties on Kenneth Avenue on the East Side owned by her and her husband, Artis Gillam Sr., a former city councilman.

She said the lots are connected and each is small enough that all would be needed to build a house there.

The list shows the city had those four lots mowed June 30 and July 28. Lots are mowed if the grass is at least 8 inches high.

The councilwoman voted in favor of the 8-inch limit and has urged better enforcement of tall grass and other property codes.

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com