The Department of Development now has a quality of life ticketing process allowing code enforcement officers to ticket directly, and this process was discussed during Monday’s housing committee. P-J photo by Sara Holthouse

After many iterations of the Department of Development’s quality of life tickets, and working with the courts to figure out how the process will work, the department now has a ticketing process where code enforcement officers can ticket city residents directly.

During Monday’s Housing Committee meeting, Crystal Surdyk, city development director, discussed the process, saying this is something that has been in existence, passed by the City Council a few years ago, and a few tickets have been issued, saying that while the process is not perfect city officials are close to getting it as perfect as they can.

“These will be for animal waste and feces, exterior junk and debris, high grass, weeds, overgrowth, dangerous trees, unauthorized motor vehicles — so that’s unregistered vehicles parking in front yards, that kind of thing — and prohibited burns,” Surdyk said. “That’s what is covered in quality of life.”

What this allows for is for the department to ticket directly, like a fix-it ticket, Surdyk said, adding that the goal is always just to get compliance. The intent is to get whatever the issue is cleaned up, but if the issue is not fixed there will be a fine.

“Just like a parking ticket, there is a fine,” Surdyk said. “Now, if you remediate the problem within the first five days, we will dismiss the ticket. All is good, you don’t have to pay the fine. There is an opportunity for violators to plead, so they can plead guilty or not-guilty and in that case there is a resulting hearing and they will be brought into court.”

If none of these steps are taken or followed and nothing is fixed, there are further penalties. For the different types of quality of life tickets, first offense fines can range from $50 to $100, with a failure to respond in 15 days fine ranging from $100 to $200. A second offense fine ranges from $100 to $150 and a failure to respond to that in 15 days is between $200 and $300. A failure to respond to any ticket within 60 days results in collections, but for all tickets if corrective action is made within a specific time, the ticket is dismissed without penalty. Quality of life ticketing is also included in the city code.

If someone is unable to address their code violation because of circumstances that prevent them from complying, the Department of Development may be able to assist, and those ticketed are welcome to contact their citing officer. For questions, the DOD can be contacted at (716)483-7542 or dod@jamestownny.gov.