The Monroe City Council voted down three proposals from Mayor Jamie Mayo to address blighted properties during its regular meeting Tuesday night.
Council members Betty Blakes, Eddie Clark, and Kenneth Wilson voted in unison against the items. Gretchen Ezernack was the only member in support of the measures. Council chair Ray Armstrong was absent from Tuesday's meeting.
Mayo had cited the ordinances as bringing needed changes to the city code and revamped the way property violations are handled. The measures addressed items including a shift of such property issues to be taken up in Environmental Court. It would also allow the city to place liens on properties that repeatedly violated code. Another item sought to increase mowing fees for vacant or abandoned lots.
Councilman Kenneth Wilson says he did not support the proposals due to the council not being included in the process of writing the ordinance. Ezernack disagrees with that reason, saying the council could have agreed to introduce the items and open discussion of the measures.
