LIMA — One resident’s problems with a neighbor could ultimately lead to more structured property regulation within the city of Lima.
Lois Ware, of 1445 Cedar St., briefly told Lima City councilors about a problem she was having with people staying in a camper next door to her property. Ware said several people are living in the camper with dogs and no running water.
“It was so loud,” Ware said. “One day they just backed it in.”
Now, living next to several people living in a crowded camper with no running water, Ware was worried about potential problems and wanted to report the situation. Problems came about with where she needed to actually report the problem.
“I spoke to councilors, the health department, the police and I tried to set a meeting with [Community Development Director] Amy Odum,” Ware said.
Ware said it became even more unclear where to report the problem after trying to make a connection, which set up a conversation between councilors and village administrators about making it more clear where residents can report property concerns.
Odum said some regulations are set by the council, others by code and sometimes it can be unclear where issues need to be addressed. Councilors agreed.
“Something needs to be done about this,” said Councilman Derry Glenn. “She has been a good neighbor. She shouldn’t have to live like that.”
The discussion led to the scheduling of a Neighborhood Concerns Committee meeting for 6 p.m. April 27 to discuss the issues. Councilors were on the same page to take care of the situation swiftly. Committee Chairman Jesse Lowe II said sometimes it was even difficult for councilors on addressing property issues.
“We know who to talk to,” Lowe said, “and we have had problems.”
In other business, the council authorized entering a contract with Findlay-based Hohenbrink Excavating for the 2016 Various Storm Sewer Improvements project. Work on the project will include storm sewer improvements on Cable Road between Cable Court and Spencerville Road and Ford Avenue between Brookwood Drive and Virginia Ave. Total cost for the project is set not to exceed $353,434.
City Engineer Kirk Niemeyer said the project would likely begin in mid to late May and take about three months to complete.
The council also passed a resolution congratulating the Lima Central Catholic High School boys basketball team on winning the state Division III title in March.
Head coach Frank Kill told councilors the team worked together.
“They didn’t play for themselves,” Kill said. “They played for the letters on their chest. They played with passion, love and determination.”
