By AMY RICKER
Great Bend Post
If you've ever attended a Great Bend City Council meeting, you may have observed an agenda item where pictures of city ordinance violations regarding property maintenance rotate on a screen, with Great Bend's Property Maintenance Enforcement Manager pointing out the specific violation details.
Contrary to popular belief, Austin LaViolette is not on the prowl every day looking for piles of tires and overgrown greenery to cite the property owners. In fact, LaViolette says most of the complaints made to his department are citizen-driven.
While the winter season typically sees fewer greenery maintenance issues, LaViolette said they usually see an increase in tires, furniture, mattresses and appliances being stored outdoors.
"The biggest thing on tires is they are a fire and safety concern," said LaViolette. "We'll see where they are used for tomato gardening or a sandbox. If there's a structure or a purpose where they have recycled the tire to fit a need, we will probably be okay with that."
Suppose you are investigated, and it is found that a violation exists. In that case, LaViolette says they will document it by taking photos and send a letter to the property owner that states the timeframe they have to correct the situation and the date of the City Council meeting where they will present it and ask for a resolution.
"At the time that they reach a resolution, I will receive a signed copy from the mayor," said LaViolette. "We post that resolution at the location, and that gives them another week before we can abate it ourselves. Typically, that stage generates most of our response because it's often the first time they've been made aware of it for different reasons."
LaViolette says second offenses go through the same process, and if a citizen hits a third or fourth time as a repeat offender, they may be given a notice to appear. He says his department prefers to have a conversation and work with people to develop a joint solution, which is frequently the end result.