Private contractors to be paid more for city nuisance abatements

In order to continue improving the city’s curb appeal by getting rid of nuisances throughout the community, the Newton City Council on July 15 moved forward with staff’s request to increase the abatement rate for private contractors from $60 per hour to $100 per hour with a one-hour minimum.

When residents are non-compliant to the city’s curb appeal ordinances and are therefore producing nuisances, they are given an initial warning. Common city nuisances are uncut grass and unsightly materials collecting on properties. So if a warning is ignored, contractors are hired to cut the grass or remove the junk.

Another example of nuisance abatement was the old Newton Inn site when it was being cleaned up. For decades, trash and other items were thrown all over the property. The city hired a contractor who removed the junk and transport it all to the landfill. A lot of landfill fees are involved in nuisance abatement work.

According to city documents, the increased rate is to help offset the rising costs of operations and also to encourage current contractors to continue services. Council member Stacy Simbro questioned the $40 jump. Council member Randy Ervin asked if city had any information or data to support its request.

Newton City Administrator Matt Muckler said the city only has two contractors available, and the rate increase could attract more interested parties to fulfill nuisance abatement violations. A lot of times, he added, contractors are putting their equipment at risk by mowing a yard with 18 inches of growth.

To complicate the mowing job even further, there may be other items in the grass like machine parts that could damage equipment or just generally take more time and effort to remove from properties. Muckler said the $60 hourly rate has been in place for as long as he has been city administrator, which is seven years.

“And for, I believe, years before,” Muckler said. “I’m not sure when it was last touched … We have two (contractors) that are willing to do the work right now.”

Sometimes contractors even have to rent larger equipment to take care some of these nuisance abatement jobs, Muckler added. Newton Mayor Evelyn George suggested that the accumulated trash can turn into projectiles when a mower rides over them. And it take multiple trips to the landfill.

Ervin was concerned about individuals who are may be regularly violating the nuisance codes but have a legitimate reason as to why they cannot mow their grass. Ervin doubted those individuals would have the money to pay the $60 or more nuisance abatement bill charged to them currently.

“Much less now we’re going to turn around and charge them $100,” Ervin said. “I’m a little concerned that jump is steep.”

George added, “That price is passed directly on to the property owner. And if we can’t get it mowed?”

“For $75 an hour you can’t get it mowed?”

“I don’t know.”

Ervin then made a motion to amend the resolution before council to change the nuisance abatement contractor rate to $75 per hour. However, his motion did not receive a second, so it failed. The city council went on to approve the $100 rate in a 5-1 vote, with Ervin voting no.