From: Marge Moon [mailto:mmoon@clvhts.com]
Subject: Yard Maintenance 2006 for VACANT-UNOCCUPIED properties in Cleveland Hts, OH 44106, 44112, 44118, 44121

Yard maintenance communique regarding all vacant-unoccupied properties in Cleveland Heights, Ohio

Please be advised that grass cutting season in Northeast Ohio begins in mid-April and extends past Halloween. Lawns should be cut no less than once every 2 weeks from May to September.

Long grass creates not only a code violation but also ill-will with neighbors, property value depreciation for the neighborhood, negative attention which advertises the vacancy and an invitation for breaking & entering. Long grass is a blighting influence which damages the character of our community..

Although most lenders do not assign leaf raking, failure to clear excessive leaf accumulation is both unsightly and another clue that a property is unoccupied. Since fallen leaf maintenance can be done, for the most part, with a lawn mower, there is no reason to exclude leaf removal from a work assignment. Leaves blowing into adjacent yards create angry neighbors; leaf piles are another blighting influence on the neighborhood.

In Cleveland Heights, yard waste should be removed from the property or put on the tree lawn at the appropriate collection time. That information is available from the Service Department at (216)691-7300. Grass, leaves and sticks must never be put into plastic bags. Only kraft (brown paper) landscaping bags are approved for collection because yard waste is recycled. Branches and tree limbs should be removed or tied in 4' x 2' bundles for collection. Leaves may be placed on the tree lawn for collection in the late Fall and early Spring. The Service Department will have a leaf collection schedule for all streets in the city,

Violation notices will be posted at the offending property 2006 as was done in 2005. It is doubtful that we will have time for courtesy calls, emails or faxes.

It is your responsibility to identify the vacant properties in which you or your client has an interest. Cleveland Heights zip code include 44106, 44112, 44118 and 44121 which are shared with adjacent communities.

Sometimes it is difficult for a securing company to make a positive identification of a vacant/unoccupied property. Occasionally a neighbor uses the driveway for overflow vehicles or even as a place to abandon a vehicle. At times the lights will be on because electric service was not terminated. The City can assist with vacancy verification. Please advise your securing companies to contact Marge Moon (216)291-5908 or mmoon@clvhts.com if they have questions.

a) The owner, occupant, person having charge or management of any lot or parcel of land situated within the City, whether the same be improved or unimproved, vacant or occupied, within two (2) days written or oral notice to do so, shall cut or destroy or cause to be cut or destroyed, any noxious or poisonous weeds or tall grasses growing upon such lot or parcel of land, and prevent the same from blooming or going to seed, or exceeding a height of six (6) inches, or spreading pollen which may be harmful to human health.

b) If the owner, occupant or person having the charge or management of any lot or parcel of land does not cut or destroy, or cause to be cut or destroyed, noxious weeds or grasses as provided herein, the City Manager is authorized to cause to be cut or destroyed such noxious weeds or grasses.

c) When any noxious weeds or grasses are cut of destroyer by the City, as provided herein, then after such work is performed, the City shall give five (5) days’ notice by regular mail to the owner, occupant, or person having the charge or management of such lot or parcel of land, at his known address, to pay the cost of such cutting or destroying of noxious weeds or grasses, which notice shall be accompanied by a statement of the amount of the cost incurred. If the same is not paid within thirty (30) days after the mailing of the notice, such amount may be certified to the County Auditor for collection as other taxes and assessments are collected or the City may seek recovery of such costs by civil action against the property owner involved.

d) When it is deemed necessary to cut and destroy weeds or grasses on private property, in accordance with the provisions of this section, the owner shall be charged at the rate of one hundred-twenty-five dollars ($125.00) per hour or portion thereof or the actual cost of such work, whichever is the larger. The minimum charge therefore shall be one hundred twenty-five dollars (125.00.) Ord. 56-1992 Passed 6-1-92.)

The residents of Cleveland Heights truly appreciate the cooperation you have demonstrated in previous years and anticipate a summer of quiet enjoyment of our community.