CLEARLAKE >> A total levy of $87,500 in administrative fees against 14 nuisance abatements was unanimously approved by the Clearlake City Council during a public hearing Thursday night.
Requests for extensions were heard from three of the 14 property owners Thursday. However, the council decided to deny the requests citing that the properties had been notified as early as September of last year and granted numerous extensions already.
The city has approved a total of $175,000 since holding its first nuisance abatement hearing in March, after six years of little to no code enforcement activity because of budget constraints. During that round of hearings, seven case assessments totaling $32,5000 were approved by the council.
During the second hearing in April, $55,000 in administrative fees from 12 nuisance properties were approved.
There are two distinct procedures taken by the city to enforce code. The first procedure includes notifying and citing property owners. It is during this stage that an appeal can first be submitted. The second stage involves penalty and fines.
If no appeal has been received, the city can enforce the abatement and place a lien on the property.
Vehicles can be considered public nuisance if they are abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperable and are located on either public or private property.
So far this year, a total of 33 properties have been notified and fined.
Contact J. W. Burch, IV at 900-2022.
