Las Vegas council briefs for March 21, 2002

Thursday, March 21, 2002 | 9:53 a.m.

Owners to face possible liens

Las Vegas Neighborhood Services Department has a new tool to force absentee landlords to take care of abandoned properties.

The City Council approved an ordinance Wednesday that requires anyone who abandons a home or business to pay a fee of at least $325 to the city or face a possible lien on the property.

If an owner demolishes a home or business, he or she must still maintain the landscaping on the remaining vacant property. Owners of boarded-up buildings will be required to file a plan with the city explaining what they plan to do with their property.

According to the bill, property owners can appeal any decision by the city's Neighborhood Services Department, which is in charge of taking care of abandoned buildings.

The department will survey neighborhoods to determine how many buildings are abandoned and give property owners 60 days to comply with the new bill.

Local agencies to share $144,000

Nine local social service providers will share a $144,000 grant from the city of Las Vegas to fund emergency shelters for the homeless.

The money comes from extra funds allocated yearly to the city from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to give to nonprofit agencies for shelter. MASH Village in the past has received funding for an emergency tent during the winter.

All providers who applied received a portion of the funding.

The money was distributed to the Women's Development Center ($7,500), Lutheran Social Services ($8,870), HELP of Southern Nevada ($15,000), Shade Tree ($30,000); Salvation Army ($20,000); Economic Opportunity Board-Ashley House ($7,480), Interfaith Hospitality Network ($30,000); Catholic Charities ($10,000); and Westcare ($5,1500).

The council at its next meeting will discuss awarding the remaining $10,000 to the local Key Foundation.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has also awarded the city a $4.3 million federal grant, which will be allocated to various nonprofit agencies.

Las Vegas Assistant City Manager

Betsy Fretwell's position was reclassified by the City Council Wednesday, and she will become deputy city manager. One of the distinctions between the deputy positions and the assistant position involves supervising department heads, City Manager Virginia Valentine said. Fretwell will oversee community services and special projects, including Leisure Services, Neighborhood Services and Administration services.

Councilman Michael Mack

will hold his first Ward 6 Neighborhood Association Presidents Forum at 6:30 p.m. today in the multi-purpose room at the Joseph Neal Elementary School at 6651 W. Azure Drive. Presidents of homeowner and neighborhood associations registered with the city of Las Vegas in Ward 6 are invited to participate.