Atlantic City Administrator John Lund Wednesday evening, received a blessing from the City Council, to crack down on property owners who violate the city’s Minimum Maintenance Code, this Spring. (Chapter 148 of the City Code, http://www.atlanticiowa.com/atlantic/city-government/city-code/ )

Lund said “The plan right now is begin issuing orders to correct violations, and people who are not doing that are going to get Municipal Infraction citations.” If the problem is still not corrected, or the citations are not paid, the City will move forward with the magistrate court’s intervention.

He said from this point forward, Code Enforcement Officer Kris Erickson will work with City Attorney Mark Bosworth to deal with the habitual offenders, those who have received prior notices and failed to rectify the situation.

He says “By the time the municipal infraction citation is issued, it becomes a judicial process. Not administrative, not political, and I’m not going to engage people that want to protest or make a scene or complain about the fact that they received a citation because they have a property violation.”

Lund said he’s been working with Erickson for three-years, and he’s not seen one instance where he’s questioned her judgement, or her compassion when it’s reasonable. He says “We need to take this seriously and for people that feel they are being treated unfair by the City, you will get your hearing before the Magistrate. If we are being unreasonable, the Magistrate will step-in and stop us. I am not going to encourage people to come [to City Hall] and protest if they’re in violation of City Code.

He recommended the Council take a similar position, “Otherwise people will try politics and influence to get around the fact that they own property they’re not maintaining and it’s an eyesore in this community. If we start carving out exceptions based on that, we’re going to end up with inconsistent enforcement, and it will compromise the whole purpose of why we’re even bothering with this.”

Attorney Mark Bosworth said the fines for failing to follow the Ordinance are $250 for the first offense, $500 the second offense, and $1,000 for repeat offenses. If fines are not paid, the City would pursue Judgements or liens on the property.