Two Washington ordinances to be updated
The city of Washington is in the process of updating two ordinances.
First readings of adopting the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) is scheduled for Thursday’s meeting of council along with the first reading of an ordinance which increases the fines for violations of the Quality of Life ordinance from $25 to $50.
City Administrator Donn Henderson explained that the IPMC is updated every few years by the International Code Council.
“Municipalities don’t always do it that often,” he said. “The last time we adopted it was the 2009 edition. Usually, it doesn’t change that much every four years, but every 10 or 12 years, there’s a lot of changes. The time was right for us to update it.”
The IPMC provides requirements for continued use and maintenance of building elements, site conditions, swimming pools, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and fire protection systems in existing residential and nonresidential structures
Henderson said the additional fee for Quality of Life Ordinance helps to offset the costs of using a third party – Harshman CE Group – to enforce the ordinance.
“It’s costing us more to get it enforced for the $25 fine,” he said. “At $50, we’ll at least break even. It’s working, as we’re handing them out for people not taking care of their sidewalks. Instead of them having to go to court, they pay the $50 fine and they know that we’re watching them and they keep up with keeping the sidewalks clean.”
Also on the agenda for Thursday is a motion to accept Henderson’s resignation, effective April 12. Henderson plans to retire to spend more time with his family.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time here,” Henderson said. “Council has been great, as have both mayors I’ve worked with. I appreciate the opportunity.”
Henderson has been the city administrator since May 2022. He replaced Lynn Galluze, who retired from the position in October 2021.
Also scheduled for Thursday is the swearing in of police officers Ryan McIntyre and Kaden Cvitkovic and a motion to accept the retirement of firefighter Brent Dubina, effective as of Tuesday.