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Dr. Ferlic stated that people don't have as much trouble with homes caving in as they have with <br />yards that go unmowed. He asked how much money was collected just for the yard cutting if <br />there were 1,900 yards under continued enforcement at $170 per yard. <br />Ms. Johns stated that $4,000 was collected from referrals, and the amount of judgements entered <br />on grass tickets referred to legal is $21,335. <br />Dr. Ferlic said that 1900 times $180 is $342,000, so we are way down. The mayor has not made <br />this a priority, and it is costing tax payers money. <br />James Mueller, Chief of Staff to the Mayor, respectfully disagrees, stating we've made <br />substantial gains in the efficiency of Code Enforcement. <br />Dr. Ferlic asked how much money the Clerk's Office has collected from the 1,900 chronic, and <br />the six - hundred (600) first and second time violators, 1,900 at $250 -500 for continuous <br />enforcement, and the first and second time violators for $25 -180. <br />City Clerk Kareemah Fowler responded that we haven't been collecting on those. They are not <br />always citations. It's a work in progress, but we've come a long way. You'll see the numbers in <br />the next six (6) months. <br />Committee Chair White thanked Code Enforcement and the other departments. She would like <br />more information on how they plan on decreasing their penalties. Unfortunately, we can't fine <br />our way out of this situation. Hopefully it will bring these two (2) pieces together since you are <br />projecting twenty -three percent (23 %). <br />Mr. Wilkerson explained that previously, they would put a civil penalty of $25 on someone for <br />showing up at a hearing. Now, we're giving people a chance to make the repairs, and if you <br />make the repairs, you don't have to pay the civil penalty. By holding people accountable to their <br />timelines, they aren't having to pay the penalties. <br />Committee Chair White asked if the illegal dumping crew is also part of Code Enforcement, and <br />if they are focusing only on that, or if they are doing other things as well. <br />Mr. Wilkerson stated that they are part of the N.E.A.T. Crew. <br />Committee Chair White asked Mr. Wilkerson if they are keeping up on the illegal dumping, <br />because there has been an increase in certain areas. <br />Ms. Johns stated that you also have to keep in mind that a lot of the vacant and abandoned <br />properties have been largely addressed, so you aren't going to see the same amount of penalties <br />anymore. <br />19 <br />