The need for a code enforcement officer and funding to pay for the position was discussed by the Palos Heights Finance Committee last week, but the committee’s four aldermen split on bringing back the position.
At the suggestion of Ald. Alan Fulkerson, the Police Department will try to let a community service officer handle code infractions for the rest of the month and the Public Safety Committee will re-evaluate the need for an enforcement officer later this month. The enforcement officer handles code infractions such as unkempt property and overgrown weeds.
The City Council did away with the position, which paid $12,000 a year, in late December because of budget constraints. Several aldermen and Mayor Dean Koldenhoven had agreed that the code enforcement officer, Cal Bouma, who is currently on the Palos Heights Public Library Board, had done an excellent job taking care of residential code infractions and should have been kept on in the position.
With residents complaining at a recent Public Safety Committee meeting about hearses being parked at a house and loud noise and garbage from the Coffee Lounge, Ald. Bob Donnick, chairman of the Finance Committee, suggested bringing back the position.
“My only concern at this point is I have to reflect on the ability of Cal Bouma,” said Police Chief Howard Roseen about letting a community service officer take over the position. “I think it would be better to get a resident who is more familiar with the community and its violations.”
Since Bouma left the position, patrol officers have taken turns handling violations. Roseen said it would be more efficient to have one person handle all the code violations.
Donnick, who said he would like to bring Bouma back, proposed paying an enforcement officer $1,000 a month. Ald. Jim Murphy, a member of the committee, said the cost would be closer to $800 a month.
