Property owner pleads no contest to violations

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The owner of two vacant South Avenue buildings pleaded no contest Friday in municipal court to nine separate housing-code violations.

Judge Elizabeth Kobly found Musa Alhamid, 54, guilty of all the violations. She told him they each carry maximum sentences of 60 days in jail.

The city cited Alhamid for the condition of two buildings he owns at 2310 and 2316 South Ave.

Under a plea agreement, Jeffrey Moliterno, an assistant city prosecutor, said sentencing will be in 45 days, and Alhamid will have an opportunity to make repairs before he is sentenced.

Abigal Benniston of the city’s Housing Code Enforcement Office said Alhamid has agreed to demolish the property at 2316 South and make repairs at the other property. Benniston said the work has to be done by the time of sentencing and also has to meet city requirements.

Benniston said Alhamid was brought into court because of excessive weeds at both properties, as well bad roofing and unsecured windows. Benniston said one of the buildings is boarded up but it was the city who boarded it up.

The citations were filed April 22. Benniston said the citations were filed only after several attempts by the city to get the properties cleaned up were not successful.