KEOKUK – The Keokuk City Council held the third reading of the vacant property registry ordinance on Thursday during the regular city council meeting and it was passed. Once the legal notice is published in the Daily Gate City, it will go into effect.
There was one resident, Kirk Savage, who spoke to the council on Thursday about a few concerns he had with the ordinance. That included some of the buildings at the Keokuk Yacht Club that house boats. He asked if those would be considered vacant properties.
He said he has some properties that are vacant right now and asked if this was just a way for the city to get more money from its residents. He said it did not seem like the city was encouraging investment in the city with the ordinance.
The ordinance, however, is designed to help city officials keep track of properties that are sitting empty in an attempt to keep them from falling into a state where they cannot be repaired. At that point, a lot of times, these properties become the responsibility of the city and it costs the taxpayers the money to tear them down.
The initial registration fee is $200, with a discount to $50 for property owners who quickly comply with the registration ordinance. Savage had asked what is going to happen if property owners do not comply.
Those who do not comply with registering their vacant properties can face a municipal infraction. That can cost up to $750 for the first offense and $1,000 for a second offense. There also may be court dates involved with municipal infractions.
Council Member Shelley Oltmans thanked Community Development Director Pam Broomhall for her work on the ordinance. Oltmans said the registry was a top priority of the housing committee and she was glad to see it moving forward.
The city spelled out more requirements in a press release last week. It said: A property that has become vacant shall be registered within 90 days after the property becomes vacant or within thirty 30 days after assuming ownership of a property that has already been vacant for 60 days, whichever is later, file for a vacant property registration. Registration will be required annually.
Exemptions: A valid building permit has been obtained, and active progress is being made;
Property is for sale, listed with a licensed realtor (exempt for 6 months); A property owned/occupied by a person who travels seasonally/snowbirds.
If the owner does not reside within 50 miles of the City of Keokuk, a responsible person living within 50 miles must be named to respond to matters involving the vacant property.
Proof of insurance or other acceptable financial guarantees must be submitted for vacant property.
A written plan with a timeline shall be submitted describing actions that will be taken to rehabilitate or demolish the structure.
Click Here For This Articles Original Source.
