Property case to go before code judge

Published 12:00 am Saturday, October 25, 2008

A municipal code violation involving a Washington Street property owner appears to be back in the hands of the city’s code enforcement court.

Mark Werner, 2400 Washington St., was cited Sept. 30 for not removing graffiti sprayed on the commercial building he owns in a timely manner, buildings and inspections director Victor Gray-Lewis told city board members Friday.

Werner, a frequent critic of the administration, said he was singled out because of prior dust-ups with city officials over code and crime in the Washington and Speed street neighborhood where he lives.

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Specifically, Werner took issue with the city’s application of the International Property Maintenance Code, in force since 2003 for structures inside the city. While enforcement for new construction has been fairly consistent, problems have arisen with older buildings such as Werner’s, the former Mississippi Hardware.

“You’re not doing the law fairly, Mr. Leyens,” Werner said during a 30-minute session of verbal jabs traded with the board. “I’ve been a target.”

The board indicated Werner may appear again Oct. 31 for a formal appeal of the citation. Werner contended he wanted to talk to the board earlier but was unable to get on the agenda.

“I don’t want to interfere with the appropriate process,” Mayor Laurence Leyens said. “It needs to be held in a court venue, not here.”

No vote was taken on the issue following the end of discussion. A court appearance is set for Nov. 4 before code enforcement Judge J. Mack Varner.  

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Contact Danny Barrett Jr. at dbarrett@vicksburgpost.com.

On the agenda

* Accepted assignment of contracts for the Vicksburg Municipal Airport, a procedural move following the board’s absorption of airport costs and operation into its own department.

They included pacts with Eastern Aviation Fuels Inc. for jet and low-lead fuel, Neel-Schaffer for consulting, various month-to-month leases on airplane hangars and Frank May, its manager. Accounts receivable for fuel purchases or other funds owed to the facility on U.S. 61 South were also accepted.

New activity at the city-run airport includes remodeling the terminal and a new fire station, to be financed with Katrina-related grant funds. Separately administered grants to allow the city to cut trees just north of the runway were announced this week, bringing the total of federal grant money marked for the airport to more than $1.5 million.

Also, the board approved terms on two pacts on a 20-year plan for the airport. Birmingham-based Excel Aviation Consulting Service will be retained for the capital improvement and layout plans up to $4,410, or 42 hours. An engineering design detail services agreement with Woodson Enginering Inc. for the terminal work was OK’d, calling for $85 in hourly fees up to $2,400.

* Approved three amendments to its operating budget for 2008-09.

Two dealt with a $100,000 Preserve America grant, administered by the U.S. Department of Interior through the National Park Service. Creation of a budget for the funds involved supplies, travel and contractor services costs totaling $200,000. A transfer of $100,000 into the fund balanced the budget item.

* Approved assessments and resolutions for cutting, cleaning and demolition of properties for 229 Rose Chase Circle, 1411 Jackson St., East Avenue and 116 Melrose Ave. Also approved were cleanup and trash removal orders for 1609 Martin Luther King, 1385 Warrenton Road, 1510 Grove St., 1301 Prospect, Fleetwood Drive, 924 Meadow St. and 1104 Third North St.

* Reappointed James Burnett and Warren Jones to the Vicksburg Planning and Zoning Commission.

* Approved professional services contract with Allen & Hoshall for repairs and upgrades at the Water Treatment Plant and hydraulic analysis of the distribution system.

* Approved an agreement for landfill services with Warren County Waste Control Inc.

* Approved an agreement with Physio Control Inc. for defibrillators used by emergency medical staff with the Vicksburg Fire Department.

* Approved a $10,311 allocation to Central Mississippi Planning and Development District.

* Approved $500 in supplies for the 2008 Christmas parade.

* Appointed Richard Martin to the Vicksburg Police Department as a new officer.

* Recognized Patrick Woodson for 20 years of employment in building maintenance, Barbara Williams for 15 years in the Water & Gas Administration, Ricky Johnson for 10 years in the fire department, James Porter for five years in Community Service and Charles Gladwell for five years in Water Mains.

* Following a closed session, approved budgeted pay adjustments in the police and right of way departments, a resignation in the police department and terminations in the rights of way and vehicle maintenance departments.