Much ado about nothing

I hope Shakespeare forgives me for borrowing this title. It seems appropriate to use this as an introduction to my position on the topic of lack of code enforcement when it comes to housing/rental properties in New Albany.

Now, before you misunderstand the title to think that I'm saying there's not a problem, take the title and apply it to the level of activity that you see taking place from New Albany's city government. There's a lot of talk, especially now that there's an election coming up, but what is REALLY being done? NOTHING!

I've made a promise not to say anything negative about fellow candidates. I don't believe it's necessary or warranted. I believe an incumbents actions speak louder than anything I could say about them.

It's been said that we are known by the fruits of our labor, and the truth is looking around New Albany it's easy to see trees are barren and not producing fruit.

This might be long, but I believe this is a multi-faceted problem that needs to addressed at different levels. The bottom line is that it needs to be addressed in a timely manner. There is also nothing etched in stone. I prefer to use an erasable marker and a wipe-off board, not so that I can waffle on an issue, but so that it can grow and be more inclusive based on the knowledge of those closer to the issue.

Let's jump in, shall we?

1. Find out what the heck takes so long after someone files a complaint and action is taken.
I understand there's red tape in government, so let's get the scissors out and start cutting. It's New Albany, not Chicago and I'm guessing it can't be that hard. I'm going to step out on a limb here, because I'm not close enough to the position to have all the facts yet. Here's one thing I can tell from what I do know: The job is not getting done in a timely manner.

It could be from lack of funds, or lack of personnel, or lack of resources. It could also be lack of initiative. It could be that there's not a level of performance required of this department, nor is there anyone for them to be accountable to for lack of performance.

As a business owner, the best way to find out where the problems are is to roll up your sleeves and get involved in the actual production. I wouldn't mind shadowing this department to see exactly where the hold up is. It would be a worthwhile investment of time to be able to resolve the issues.

In addition to shadowing to understand the problem, here are some ideas that can solve some of the other reasons:
Not enough money: Simple. Generate revenue to support your department. You need money, enforce the codes. Those that do not come into compliance are fined. Collect the fines. Increase the fines. Have a habitual offender? Create stiffer fines if the same person is guilty of the same offenses. We do it with criminals, I don't see why this should be any different. Put liens against the property. Take ownership of the property if penalties are not paid.

Not enough personnel/resources:
I would have to tap into the power and passion of so many people who invest so much of their personal time trying to improve New Albany. I'm talking about the Home Owners Associations and the bloggers that love this town and their neighborhoods. If we can make an average citizen a volunteer fireman or policeman, why not a code enforcement officer??? Most have already done all the legwork, we just need to tap into their knowledge to get things done faster.

2. Increase the efficiency of the street department/ sanitation department.
It appears to be part of the problems is apathy for certain neighborhoods. I live in the second district, and for some reason the trash, no matter what it is, is always promptly picked up. It really shouldn't take anything more than a phone call to the street department/sanitation to get something done. It shouldn't have to appear in the Tribune for it to be important. It needs to be important simply because it is, and the level of service needs to be the same no matter where you live.

3. Get tough on the habitual offenders.
We need to send a message loud and clear that if you're a slumlord, this is not the town you want to be in. There's probably more effort to run adult dvd place on main out of town than there is to do something about the way slumlords steal from this city. Not every landlord is a bad one, but the ones that are bad need to go. Need a precedent? Use the "3 strikes you're out" that they use for criminals. Is a slumlord any different?? I'm not saying they're going to jail, but I think the city needs to actively pursue condemning property for those that refuse to comply fully. Some people may say this is extreme, but if you look at the map of worst offenders (I can't remember the link! sorry!) and see the same names over and over you feel that SOMETHING must be done.

4. Rental Inspection Program.
This is a hot topic already. I'm laughing at the incumbents who are saying "this must be done", when they've had the ability and opportunity to do something before now and chosen not to. I'm not saying they can't or won't, just that they already should have.
I think this is a great idea, and definitely should be a part of doing business as a landlord in new albany. Now to be honest, without the above steps being taken, this is really more than just election honey. It sounds sweet, takes a long time to pour, and just gets all sticky after a while.
I would want action first so that this program could have some teeth to it.

5. New Developments contribute 10% of revenue back to the city.
Boy, this will fly like a led balloon! They do it in other states, and it's definitely worth looking into at some capacity. In Maryland, developers must set aside a percentage of all units built for lower income housing, and contribute to the states MPDU (moderately priced dwelling units) program. Will it chase builders away? No, you'll either want to build in New Albany or not. I think the current political climate has chased away more development than any program would.

6. Enforcement with fairness.
It's one thing to go after a slumlord, it's another thing to go after a neighbor who's lost their job and going through a tough time. I'm not saying make exceptions but I would solicit the help of local churches and other volunteer organizations that would do low cost or free repairs for OWNERS who are having financial difficulty.

7. Trash Dumping.
This is a tough one. The city says get a license plate and they'll pursue it. I say clean it up, and if you happen to get a license plate that's great, pursue the living daylights out of the offender with some serious penalites. If you have a problem with the routes that is leading to alleys being overlooked, then fix the routes! I'm sure we would all like to catch who's doing it, but at the end of the day the first priority is to get it picked up. Until it becomes a priority, nothing will happen. Too bad Garner privatized Sanitation. Getting a third party company to do this without it costing an arm and a leg is going to be difficult. I'd have to get the attorney to start looking for ways out of the contract based on lack of performance. I can't get started on the whole sanitation/privatization issue, it could be a blog in itself.

If I've forgotten anything (it's getting late) i'll post more later.

Regardless of the plan, it's going to take people with a spine to stand up to the old guard and say "enough". It's going have to be people who are going to be willing to make some waves and stand their ground. It's going to take you to hold your elected official accountable for everything they're promising. You are going to have to hold their feet to the fire to get the job done. You're going to have to defeat some old giants. Look past the good 'ol boy business as usual mentality and actually accomplish something. It's time council meetings to be productive, and not auditions for the latest reality tv show.