06-29-15 News Release - New Tall Grass/Weed Regulations Take Effect on Friday, July 10, 2015

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1 «_ NEWS RELEASE Date: Monday, June 29, 2015, 3:30 p.m. From: I" District Council Member Tim Scott Contact 538 -1936 Council President Council Member at Large Karen L. White Contact: 229 -3100 City Council Committee of the Whole Chairperson 4 1 District Council Member Dr. Fred Ferlic Contact: 286 -2273 New Tall Grass/Weed Regulations Take Effect on Friday July 10 2015 4el As the sponsors of the tall grass /weed ordinance recently passed by the South Bend Common Council, we want all residents and businesses to take notice that the new regulations will take effect on midnight, Friday, July 10'. All lawns throughout the city must be mowed, with no lot permitted to have grass /weeds taller than nine inches (9 "), without being cited by the Department of Code Enforcement. President Tim Scott noted that "the sponsors have been working very closely with the Department of Code Enforcement Director Randy Wilkerson, and Corporation Counsel Cristal Briscoe in the Law Department. Thee have assured us that their staffs are ready. We are getting the word out that there will be consequences ifproperty owners ignore the law New brochures are being prepared, the Council's and Code's websites are being updated & we are contacting neighborhood groups and organizations. Council Member Karen White added that "the Council has created another tool for the City Administration in the interest of improving quality of life throughout our neighborhoods. We will closely watch this program". The new regulations call for fines of $250 per violation. Property owners who ignore the regulations and have more than three (3) environmental complaints in 90 days will have a hearing. If a continuous enforcement order is issued against the violating property owner, that individual will be faced with higher fines & fees. Doc Ferlic emphasized that "in all my years on the City Council, I believe that this piece of legislation could become the most important one ever. We are working to take back our neighborhoods. I want to hear the sound of lawnmowers as we work to together to help beautify every single lot in South Bend. The sponsors stressed that the "new regulations help shift the cost of enforcement from the taxpayers to the property owners who ignore the law. That should free up some of the taxpayers' money for other priorities."