By SUSAN BERG

Managing editor

“Accountability.”

That’s what Todd Heitschmidt of Marion said he wanted from Marion City Council regarding the enforcement of the city’s nuisance properties ordinance.

Directing his comments primarily to Mayor Mary Olson at Monday’s meeting, Heitschmidt said he held the mayor accountable for allowing some nuisance properties that “got off the legal process.”

“I think the mayor took it into her own hands,” he said. “In three years, nothing has been done. Whether it was you (directed to Olson) or the council, something has to be done. Don’t pass an ordinance if you don’t intend to enforce it.”

Heitschmidt continued that it wasn’t up to Olson and it was a disservice to the council not to enforce the ordinance.

“I talked with the chief of police and Marty (Fredrickson, the city’s building inspector) to enforce this,” Olson said.

“Is this the proper process?” Heitschmidt asked.

Marion Economic Development Inc., of which Heitschmidt is a member, has been working with City Attorney Dan Baldwin to assist people in reporting nuisance properties.

“But we’re not willing to let things slide,” Heitschmidt said. “The buck stops with the mayor and the council.”

Earlier in the meeting, the council discussed the possibility of having a work session to set goals and objectives. Olson commented that MEDI had asked about ordinance enforcement and what policies that could “slide.”

Concerns about upkeep

During the meeting, Olson commented that the city was stuck with the maintenance of projects and equipment when money is donated to pay for the initial expense. How are those expenses factored?

City Administrator David Mayfield said it was part of the city’s budget to maintain them.

During the public forum portion of the meeting, community activist Margo Yates suggested the council “tread lightly.”

“I hope this doesn’t discourage anyone,” she said.

Yates continued that a baseball booster’s organization had raised funds for about $20,000 in improvements at the ballpark but needed the city to provide the maintenance of those improvements.

“If MAC (Marion Advancement Campaign) provides money for auditorium renovations, will MAC have to come up with money for the upkeep?” she asked.