Sabiston told city council Tuesday it is an incentive program designed to encourage people to cut grass and get rid of dilapidated structures without having to pay the city a $45 debris removal fee.

After Oct. 18, people who do not comply would have to pay the fee, Sabiston said. The city will require anyone who wants the fee waived to get it done in writing by contacting the city.

The city is taking part in the effort itself, preparing to paint city hall, Sabiston said. “We need to set a good precedent,” he said. “We should take pride in our building.”

Sabiston believes Opportunity Clean Sweep is a way to nudge people across the city into cleaning up their property. While there are dilapidated houses throughout the city, the major focus of the initiative centers on things like junked vehicles, tall grass and accessory buildings like sheds which have become eyesores.

It will be a joint effort between the code enforcement, public works and the police department, Sabiston said.

In a memo to council and the mayor, Sabiston said the initiative should “highlight the fact that it is an opportunity for the city’s property owners to correct various code enforcement issues over a short period of time. At the end of the timeframe the city staff will seek full compliance, issue fines, and seek all remedies available to it at law to correct any remaining code enforcement issues.” 

The memo says, “As an introduction to this elevation of code enforcement, I have asked the relevant staff persons to work with and try to educate the public and encourage voluntary cleanup and correction of all code violations.”

During this period, staff will seek to notify and assist all property owners and tenants in bringing their properties into compliance. “All serious violations endangering health and safety will still receive immediate and direct notice of violation letters,” the memo says.

The emphasis will be on abandoned vehicles; cleaning up trash, junk and debris; clearing obnoxious vegetation and other non-vegetation code enforcement issues such as dilapidated fencing and storage buildings.

Code enforcement can explain details of the program to the public Tuesday through Thursday and can be reached at 252-533-2844. Public works can also address questions on matters such as the grass cutting and can be reached by calling 252-533-2846.

Meanwhile, Sabiston said he would like the city to apply for Golden Leaf Foundation funds to help fund economic development, education and infrastructure issues within the city. There is $2 million in Golden Leaf funds available in the county.

One of the things he believes the city could use the money for is to address facade improvements on Roanoke Avenue. While the city can’t use Golden Leaf money to buy buildings, Sabiston told council, “I believe improvements to facades will qualify.”

Sabiston said another way Golden Leaf dollars could be applied is through working with the school system to see what can be done with the Patterson mill site. “There’s 25 acres of land in the middle of the city which could be used for athletic fields or business development,” he said.

An application much be submitted by the end of the month.