OTTUMWA —
Boarded-up old buildings with junk in the entry and bricks falling off the wall may be aggressively targeted by the city of Ottumwa.
“It’s long overdue that we do this,” said Bob Meyers, a member of the Ottumwa City Council, which held a meeting Monday.
Jody Gates, director of the city inspection department, told council members her office was proposing a number of changes, specifically to the town’s commercial properties. Her presentation included multiple downtown buildings she said would benefit from a new ordinance.
Gates said residential property must meet certain appearance and health guidelines, but commercial property is not currently covered under the law.
She’s researched various property maintenance codes in cities both small and large. Ottumwa’s proposal would call for property owners to maintain the visible portions of the building, avoid using boards or trash bags in place of windows and that the vestibule be clear of debris.
Property owners would have time to submit a repair plan and have a certain amount of time to make the corrections.
“This is going to have to be a long-term project,” Gates said.
Council member John Richards said it seems as though responsible business owners would be frustrated as they work hard to maintain or improve their buildings only to recall there’s a building flush up against theirs that looks like it was hit by a bomb.
Councilman Brian Morgan agreed with Meyers, he said.
“You have a residence, the weeds are too high, you’re going to get a letter. There’s a [junk] car sitting in the yard, you’re getting a letter. I don’t think there’s anything ... unfair ... in this proposal,” he said. “I agree. It’s long overdue.”
Richards suggested enforcement would need to be aggressive in order to have an impact.
Gates said her department would need tools to enforce the new code. It may start with a letter being sent to the owner, and escalate to civil citations and fines.
If people would like to see it, Gates added, a draft of the proposal is currently posted on the City’s website under the inspections department page.
“I find the proposal is not a lot different from what I have to do [at] my residence,” Morgan said.
At the end of the meeting, the council welcomed a group of citizens interested in pit bull ownership. They weren’t asking for an immediate vote, but they did want to share some ideas that could keep citizens safe while allowing lawful pit bull ownership.
Currently, animals identified by authorities as being pit bulls are forbidden in city limits. According to a paper from the American Bar Association, the American Kennel Club does not have a dog breed simply called a pit bull.
The bar association, in its advice to owners, refers to “pit bull breeds” like bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, and Staffordshire bull terriers.
The citizens suggested ownership be allowed under certain circumstances. First, DNA testing, paid for by the owner, could identify whether a dog is a pit bull. It’s not fair to look at an animal, decide you don’t like its looks and declare it illegal.
In fact, of the 21 attacks by “pit bulls,” asked one member, how many were pit bulls — and how many just looked like pit bulls?
Belinda Smith said she isn’t suggesting dropping the ban. But an avenue that included testing of a particular pit bull’s temperament, as well as training of both dog and owner, could lead to a special certification to own a pit bull.
One of her peers gave a presentation about the pit bull breed’s history: “World’s most misunderstood breed.”
A good owner makes for a good dog, while a bad owner makes for a bad dog — any dog, members told the council. They also said some studies show pit bulls have a better disposition than many dogs. Media hype and ignorance have given this “awesome” breed a bad name, they added, saying there is no evidence that pit bulls are any meaner than other breeds.
Ottumwa Police Chief Jim Clark said there is evidence. When the pit-bull ban was challenged in court, the standard to determine if the ban could stay was what the experience of the community had been.
In just a few years, pit bulls had been responsible for more than 20 attacks in Ottumwa. That’s our experience here, Clark said. It wasn’t Dobermans or German shepherds or chows responsible for the attacks. And they’re not banned.
Meyers said since the ban was passed, those attacks have faded to nothing.
The police chief said it’s not just his department that wants the ban to continue as it stands now. He said the Ottumwa Fire Department, trash collectors, water department meter readers and the acting postmaster have all told him they are in favor of the ban remaining in place.
Local News
Related Photos
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Though in better shape than many empty buildings downtown, this structure was displayed at a council meeting as one that could benefit if owners followed a new code being considered by the city of Ottumwa. Mark Newman/The Courier
September 25, 2012
No more dilapidated buildings
City considers new code for commercial properties
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