SULPHUR SPRINGS - City officials recently placed nine properties on its list to condemn because the properties do not meet new ordinance criteria.

Sulphur Springs police chief, Duke Brackney, said there are more houses and structures he will add to the list in the coming months if property owners do not arrange with the city to make required cleanup or repairs.

Under the new ordinances adopted by the city council’s majority vote during its March 14 regular session, any structure or land declared dilapidated, unsightly, unsafe, unsanitary, obnoxious or detrimental to public health and welfare can be condemned and eventually cleaned up by the city at the owner’s expense.

◊Ordinance 13-02 requires property owners to keep premises “free from weeds, rank grass, garbage, rubbish and other unsightly and unsanitary articles.”

◊Ordinance 13-03 prohibits dumping or throwing any trash or refuse within the city’s limits. It says any person or persons caught throwing or dumping“trash, refuse, cans, bottles, garbage, paper, rags or any other kind or form of trash or garbage” can receive a citation.

◊Ordinance 13-04 requires property owners or occupants to keep abutted “street gutters alongside their premises cleared and kept clean of all materials preventing the free fl ow of water.”

◊Ordinance 13-07 gives thecity legal means to “condemn and remove houses, buildings or structures within corporate limits constituting a nuisance.”

The nine properties and houses currently on Chief Brackney’s list include: 120 N. Black Ave., 217 S. Black Ave., 305 S. Bush Ave., 308 Bush Ave., 400 N. Duff Ave., 110 W. Moffit St., 221 W.Moffit St., 301 N. Hwy. 59 and an abandoned house on Broadview.

Chief Brackney said city ordinances require him to send out letters by certified mail to owners of the above properties. If owners do not arrange for necessary repairs or demolition within the time limit specifi ed inthe letter, the city council by majority vote can condemn it. If the city foots the bill for cleanup, any property owner not reimbursing the city’s expenses will be subject to the city placing a lien on the property.

News, Pages 1 on 09/04/2013