Plymouth City Councilman Mike Delp brought several issues up during the Common Council meeting Monday night.
Delp mentioned the idea South Bend had of increasing the tall grass fine up to $350. He said they are experiencing issues with out-of-town-owners who don’t seem to care what is happening with their properties, “similar to what we are experiencing.” Delp asked if they should consider an “bump up” in the fee.
Street Superintendent Jim Marquardt said the minimum charge if the city has to come and mow is $70, that’s for two people for two hours and included trimming. Marquardt estimated that his employees have already done 10 to 12 yards already.
Councilman Duane Culp asked if the city code gives a specific height at which the grass must be mowed? He was told it’s basically up to Code Enforcement Officer Lisa Plant to make the determination.
Delp also asked about the ordinance and if there’s a requirement for trimming. He noted a property at the intersection of Pennsylvania and Lincolnway East where they mowed after being notified by code enforcement but failed to trim and the grass and weeds are more than 12 inches tall.
It was suggested the city tighten up the code with a specific grass height and ad the requirement of trimming to the ordinance.
The final issue Mr. Delp brought to the City Council meeting was the 6 brick pillars at Kingston and Lincolnway East, Kingston and Pennsylvania and Ferndale and Lincolnway East.
The large pillars which have been in place for at least 50 years are crooked from sinking into the soil and some are in desperate need of tuck-pointing.
Delp said even though most of them sit on private property the city should like at fixing them or removing them and replacing them with street lights that are in the neighborhood.
The mayor said he would look into the two options and report back to the city council meeting.
