08-19-2010, 08:34 PM
Ex-inmates to clean up nuisance yards
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WAUKEGAN -- Summer-long complaints from aldermen about overgrown grass and weeds on private property could be addressed under a plan to pay former inmates to mow nuisance lawns.
The City Council voted Monday to authorize Former Inmates Striving Together -- a non-profit group that seeks to assist and encourage individuals who have recently been incarcerated -- to remove "nuisance greenery" from properties for up to $90 per job.
"We've got enough work for you," said 3rd Ward Ald. Gregory Moisio after the council approved the program, which will be paid for by fees charged to the owners of nuisance properties.
FIST founder and president Joe Schmidt of Waukegan said Tuesday that the program could start next week, but only if the organization is able to line up insurance that would indemnify the city from any liabilities.
"We need to get an insurance policy, and we do know there are agents out there who can help us," Schmidt said. "Basically, we will be using lawnmowers and Weed Wackers to clean up yards (and) give these guys a day's work."
Under the agreement passed Monday, the city will identify properties that are in violation of nuisance greenery ordinances and notify owners about bringing the land into compliance. If the owners "fail or refuse to remove the nuisance greenery after a reasonable time period," the city will refer the matter to FIST.
The structure of fees is set up for three tiers of properties -- 8,000, 12,000 and 16,000 square feet. Payments range from $30 for removal of 12-inch grass or weeds from an 8,000-square-foot parcel to $90 for removal of 24- to 36-inch greenery on a 16,000-square-foot lot.
The cost of the services are to be covered by the property owners, with payments to FIST to be made only after the city receives payment from the owner involved. The city could file a lien against a property for costs.
Schmidt said FIST, which was founded in 2009, has 50 to 60 active members out of a total member database of 600. He added that the group employs 15 staff members through funding from the Illinois Works capital plan, and those workers would likely participate in the nuisance greenery program.
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WAUKEGAN -- Summer-long complaints from aldermen about overgrown grass and weeds on private property could be addressed under a plan to pay former inmates to mow nuisance lawns.
The City Council voted Monday to authorize Former Inmates Striving Together -- a non-profit group that seeks to assist and encourage individuals who have recently been incarcerated -- to remove "nuisance greenery" from properties for up to $90 per job.
"We've got enough work for you," said 3rd Ward Ald. Gregory Moisio after the council approved the program, which will be paid for by fees charged to the owners of nuisance properties.
FIST founder and president Joe Schmidt of Waukegan said Tuesday that the program could start next week, but only if the organization is able to line up insurance that would indemnify the city from any liabilities.
"We need to get an insurance policy, and we do know there are agents out there who can help us," Schmidt said. "Basically, we will be using lawnmowers and Weed Wackers to clean up yards (and) give these guys a day's work."
Under the agreement passed Monday, the city will identify properties that are in violation of nuisance greenery ordinances and notify owners about bringing the land into compliance. If the owners "fail or refuse to remove the nuisance greenery after a reasonable time period," the city will refer the matter to FIST.
The structure of fees is set up for three tiers of properties -- 8,000, 12,000 and 16,000 square feet. Payments range from $30 for removal of 12-inch grass or weeds from an 8,000-square-foot parcel to $90 for removal of 24- to 36-inch greenery on a 16,000-square-foot lot.
The cost of the services are to be covered by the property owners, with payments to FIST to be made only after the city receives payment from the owner involved. The city could file a lien against a property for costs.
Schmidt said FIST, which was founded in 2009, has 50 to 60 active members out of a total member database of 600. He added that the group employs 15 staff members through funding from the Illinois Works capital plan, and those workers would likely participate in the nuisance greenery program.