The City of Butler will institute a program to ensure property maintenance is kept up around town.

Councilwoman Kathy Kline said that the Quality of Life Program will consist of a volunteer committee that enforces ordinances already in place relating to high grass and other property upkeep.

“It's not a program that needs to be voted on, because the ordinances and such are already in place,” Kline said. “It's just a matter of, I want to absolutely put something in place to follow through (on) these ordinances.”

The program was discussed at Tuesday's city council meeting. Mayor Tom Donaldson was in favor of the program and said the city will move forward to institute it.

The program would enforce Ordinance No. 1663 Article III: Disruptive Properties, which labels “any violation related to maintenance of property free from noxious weeds, excessively high grass or refuse” as disruptive activity.

Kline noted that the city's police and fire departments sometimes respond to complaints regarding disruptive activity on properties, but that this program will lighten the burden for both departments.

“The purpose of this is to be proactive,” Kline said. “Certainly we know (the police and fire departments) have enough on their plate.”

In addition to high grass, littering on property also will be a focus. Kline said another focus will be on inspections of rental properties.

Kline said an ordinance on rental inspections will need to be put into effect before inspections of rental properties can be part of the program.

Kline noted that the city has six Uniform Construction Code inspectors available who would inspect rental properties should an ordinance be passed.

“This is one of the reasons why I encouraged and supported (council) to do it now,” Kline said. “This is the first time that we have six (inspectors) out there we can utilize.”

She said she does not want to penalize landlords, but that it is essential to ensure properties are well maintained.

“I don't want us to sit and wait until we get a complaint, Kline said.