Slidell getting tougher
on codes

Even though voting on a bill that would streamline enforcement of code violations was postponed Tuesday night, the Slidell City Council agreed that the proposed ordinance was sorely needed in the city.

The bill, introduced by Councilman-at-large Landon Cusimano, would help the city’s code enforcement officers to get both homeowners and renters to remove litter, junk and abandoned vehicles from their properties. Cusimano explained that under the current code enforcement ordinance, it takes a lot longer to get violators to comply with code regulations.

“This is a quality of life issue,” Cusimano said. “If the occupant doesn’t maintain the property, we speed up enforcement to clean it up.”

Director of Building Safety and Permits Eric Giroir agreed, and said the proposed ordinance would help his inspectors to deal with renters as well as homeowners.

“We usually have to chase the landlord down. With this, we can now give notice to the renters, and if they don’t comply, we could go on the property and remove the violations,” Giroir said.

The proposed legislation is based on a similar ordinance in New Iberia, which Giroir said has worked very well.

“They love it in New Iberia,” Giroir said.

However, Cusimano proposed the council postpone voting on the bill until the wording has been cleaned up and that some legal issues are cleared up.

The bill also proposes the city adopt the International Property Maintenance Code along with the new enforcement regulations.

Besides notifying the owner or renter, the proposed ordinance would also stiffen the fines for littering and tossing debris on city streets. Mayor Ben Morris said that the administration is working with Slidell City Judge Jim Lamz on a schedule of stiff fines for people caught littering.

“Right now, the fines are too small. The new schedule will get people’s attention,” Morris said.

For most code violations, the homeowner or renter would be given a notice that they have 15 days to clear up the violation. If they don’t, they will get fined, and the city will come onto the property and clean up the violation, whether it is picking up debris or cutting high grass. The violator would have to pay for the expenses incurred by the city to clean up the violation. If they do not pay the fines or the cost of the cleanup, the total will be added to their property tax bill.

However, City Attorney Tim Matheson said that the city needs to do more than collect the fine. To do the work, the city will have to contract with third party contractors that will do the actual cleanup. Matheson said that he would like to see contractors lined up before the bill is made into law.

During the public hearing on the bill, residents agreed that such legislation is necessary.

“I’m glad that the word enforcement is in the ordinance,” said resident Buddy Lloyd. “We have to force compliance, or this will be a waste of time.”

Another resident, Richard Reardon wondered why the city would allow a homeowner grow their grass to 12 inches before being cited.

“That is growing hay,” Reardon said. “It should be lowered to six inches.”

Morris replied that 12 inches is state law and the city could not change that.

The council as a whole backed the intent of the legislation, even though some wording needed to be changed.

“The old laws are cumbersome and complicated,” Councilman Joe Fraught said. “With this, we area headed in the right direction.”

Fraught also recommended the city find the money to aggressively advertise the new ordinance when it is made into law.

Morris agreed. “I see this as a giant step forward, but we are not there yet.”

The council unanimously agreed to postpone voting until the wording is cleaned up.