Junction City officials are tired of the eyesore created when people leave their yard grass clippings in the streets.

The City is doing something about it. Staff and legal counsel are working on an ordinance that could lead to fines for violators.

Cheryl Beatty, Assistant City Manager, said under the current blight code the City can only give seven to ten days notice to clean it up, and must witness the offense occurring. They feel the seven to ten day period needs to be eliminated. It must be immediate. “So what we’re going to do is develop a new ordinance that we’ve seen other cities do. Make this an issue of a property owner liability issue in which we can have our inspectors issue tickets. They can issue them a warning ticket to say you can have so many hours, or 24 hours, to clean it up. If you don’t we’re going to make that ticket into a fine. And then they have to pay a fine in Municipal Court.”

Commissioner Pat Landes said Tuesday night it is past time to do something about the people who blow grass clippings into the street, and it’s time for a little punishment. Other commissioners had similar sentiments. Mayor Mick McCallister noted the only time you get somebody’s attention is when you get in their pocketbook. Commissioner Mike Ryan said a way needs to be figured out to target people leaving grass in the street, and bring about a change in attitude.