In 2018, the City of Belleville began a Nuisance Abatement Program to address the growing number of properties that were in violation of City code. Each year, the Governing Body designates a certain section of town that the program will address. Initial inspections of properties will begin shortly after the City wide cleanup in the beginning of April. The City encourages all property owners to take advantage of the city wide cleanup to remove items that may be found in violation of City code, such as tires, pallets, lumber, metal items and construction debris. A list of items the City will pick up during the City wide cleanup is available on the website or at the City Office.
Find a full copy of Ordinance 987 - Nuisance Abatement Program here.
INSPECTIONS
The Belleville City Council designates a Nuisance Officer for this project each year, who works alongside City staff.
When the property inspections are conducted, items that will be looked at include unlicensed vehicles (including trailers), auto parts, white goods, dead trees and trash, along with the prior mentioned items. If any of these items are found on your property, a courtesy letter will be sent to you, notifying you of a potential violation. These letters are sent certified mail to assure the resident receives the notice. Property owners/tenants will be given adequate time in which to clean up their property prior to the action going before the City Council.
If a property is still found to be in violation after the second inspection, the Governing Body may declare that property a nuisance, and they will notify the property owner once again of what action needs to be taken. Normally, the property owner has around a month to clean up the property or request a hearing, as outlined in the notice.
REQUESTING A HEARING
If a property is declared a nuisance, the property owner can request a hearing before the City Council.
- A written request must be made within 10 days to the Belleville City Clerk, 1819 L Street, Belleville KS, 66935. The date & time of the hearing will be provided to the property owner.
- The hearing shall be a "Show Cause" hearing where the property owner will need to provide evidence of why the property should not be considered a nuisance.
- The Belleville City Council may rescind the resolution of violation so the property is not considered a nuisance, approve a resolution providing for an extension time for the property owner to correct the violations or the Council may take no action, and the declaration of nuisance shall stand.
- Property owners who request a hearing are asked to submit to the City of Belleville, prior to the hearing, any evidence they will be providing, so the Governing Body can take into consideration all information.
ABATEMENT
An inspection is done one more time after the given deadline has passed, and if the property still has not been cleaned up, the Governing Body will take action to abate the properties and bring them up to code.
The City appreciates the cooperation of the citizens in improving the safety and visual quality of Belleville’s neighborhoods. For more information or if you have questions, feel free to contact the City Office.
