The Knox Board of Works is increasing the fines on 401 East Lake Street. Director of Building and Code Compliance Kenny Pfost recently told board members that the owners were ordered to remove garbage from the property almost three years ago, but issues remain. “It’s been an ongoing battle with them,” Pfost said. “I can’t get them to do what is asked of them.”
Pfost said he had two vehicles and a trailer towed away from the property back in March, but not without a confrontation with the owners. Later that same day, the vehicles were back.
City Attorney Autumn Ferch added that the owners have failed to show up to meetings with city officials. “The best discussion I had with him was when I went to the jail and met with him and tried to discuss this with him about how we were going to go forward,” Ferch said. “He was very receptive, and then once he was released, we heard nothing.”
In the end, the board voted to assess another $5,000 civil penalty and give the owners 30 days to get everything cleaned up. If they don’t, Mayor Dennis Estok felt the city could remove the items, according to the unsafe building ordinance. He also directed Police Chief Harold Smith to issue tickets for any vehicles blocking the sidewalk.
