Code officer provides report on enforcement
EVANS CITY — The job of a code enforcement officer isn’t always easy, but Richard Mannas said working in the borough causes him little grief.
“It’s because the people are cooperating so nicely,” Mannas told borough council members at their July 7 meeting.
That includes Butler County Commissioner Jim Eckstein, whose house at 131 Wahl Ave. caused consternation in the borough because of its disrepair and what officials said was his lack of effort in making improvements.
Eckstein, who does not live there, bought the house a few years ago after it was abandoned by its owners.
Borough officials and Eckstein came up with an agreement in late March that requires Eckstein to make improvements according to a timeline.
“I’m very satisfied with his progress,” Mannas said. “He’s done everything we’ve asked.”
Board President Lee Dyer agreed.
“We will continue on the same path until the outside (of the home) is done, and then we’ll discuss the inside,” Dyer said, “but there has been significant progress there.”
Regarding code enforcement in the borough, Mannas said of the 73 cases he recorded in June, 31 are closed and 41 remain open.
Mannas explained the process of issuing a citation on a property after being asked by Dyer at what point he decides the property owner is ignoring his notifications.
Mannas said the property owner is notified by mail of the violation, and Mannas waits to see if it is corrected. If not, a second letter is sent giving the owner a certain amount of time to correct it.
If the violation is not fixed, Mannas issues a third notice.
“Then, in two or three weeks, if it’s still not done, I file a citation at (District Judge Wayne Seibel’s) office,” Mannas said.
Councilwoman Linda Bicehouse asked Mannas about the problems at the Pickle Barrel Antique and Country Shoppe on Main Street, where the building’s roof and electric system were in disrepair.
Mannas in March recommended that the building, which is rented by the owner of the Pickle Barrel, be condemned.
He met with the building’s owner in early June, and pointed out the work that needed to be completed inside.
Mannas said extension cords snaking across the building were causing a fire hazard. He said the owner placed conduit and outlets throughout the building to correct that.
Mannas said a tarp continues to hold back leakage from the roof in the rear of the building.
“That’s my next project, to push (the owner) on that,” Mannas said. “We’ve got warm weather now, so he can do the roofing (repairs.)”
The council hired Mannas last year after going without code enforcement for an extended time.
