Arnold hopes to hire new code enforcement officer soon, councilwoman says

Arnold is without a code enforcement officer, but Councilwoman Deborah Vernon said Thursday that the city hopes to hire one soon.

Until then, she said, “We are covering (the code officer’s duties) as best we can.”

The city’s previous code enforcement officer, Scott Sanders, worked for the city for two or three months before stepping down in July because of a medical issue, Vernon said.

Council was prepared to hire his replacement in August, but that person backed out at the last minute to accept a different job elsewhere, she said.

Vernon said people have expressed interest in the job. Council could vote to hire a new code officer at or before its next meeting on Sept. 14, she said.

Vernon said the city is aware of problems with high grass and other vegetation – issues that would normally be addressed by the code enforcement officer.

“This has been a particularly rainy and hot summer where everything is growing uncontrollably,” Vernon said. “We’re doing our best. The properties that the city owns are taken care of immediately. There are also some we are taking care of as well because the owners are long gone.”

Properties where the owners are present or known have to go through the “proper channels” before the city can do anything, she said.

Vernon said the city is in talks with a tree service about clearing growth from alleys.

Building Inspection Underwriters, which does commercial inspections in Arnold, also is covering residential inspections in the city until a new code enforcement officer can be hired, Vernon said.

Residents with any questions or concerns are asked to call Amy Dziobak, the city’s administrative assistant, at 724-337-4441. Issues will be addressed as quickly as possible, Vernon said.