Blight officer talks to business group

Ryan Satkowiak, Fourth Ward blight control officer, was the speaker at the Eastside Business Association meeting Sept. 1.

"The mayor asked what services people wanted most and blight control was their number one choice," Satkowiak said.

He is one of six seasonal officers hired by the city in July to combat a narrow yet important nuisance — blight. Fresh out of a three-week city training course, Satkowiak said one of the major issues is that citizens don't understand what blight is and their hotline has been inundated with calls that don't pertain to blight — like animals, kids and noise nuisances.

"Our most pressing issue is vacant homes where the grass is high and trash or items of questionable value are strewn on porches, driveways or sidewalks," Satkowiak said. "We receive calls about tree limbs touching electric wires. That's a call to Consumer's Energy," he said. "But, if the grass is over 8 inches high, or an abandoned vehicle is on the property — that's blight."

"The Genesee County Land Bank is cutting high grass on all properties — not just those they own," Satkowiak continued.

"When we get a call we have to figure out who owns the home and issue the owner a warning. Satkowiak said the owner, not the tenant, of the offending residence is ticketed. Before a ticket is issued a warning is given to both the tenant and homeowner. The homeowner has one week to reply to the warning before a ticket is issued.

If the owner fails to comply, a $25 ticket is issued. The ticket can be paid at City Hall or by mail, Satkowiak said.

"The fine jumps to $500 for homeowners who fail to pay their tickets. Fines can go as high as $1,000 and become part of the real estate tax bill," Satkowiak explained.

If a homeowner wants to appeal his case, the city has an assistant attorney who will hear the appeal. An appeal for a blight offense can then go to the circuit court, Satkowiak explained.

The city's blight hotline is (810) 237-2090. Three clerks man the hotline.

"We can't take care of it all as fast as we would like to, but we're working hard," Satkowiak said.

In other matters, Robert Gill, Potter Longway Neighborhood Association, asked for volunteers for their clean-up program Sept. 18. He also announced a neighborhood fun day sponsored by Eastwood United Methodist Church, 3312 Whittier, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 25.

Sandra McKellar, Mott Park Neighborhood Association events coordinator, announced the annual Art in Mott Park arts and crafts show and family fun day will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 11. It will feature rhythm and blues music by the Noso King Band. Admission is free.

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