Questions about potholes, timeliness of request responses, and issues with out-of-state landlords and investors were some of the inquiries broached at Engage Toledo’s inaugural Neighborhood Discussion webinar Tuesday.
About 25 registrants listened in to find out how various city departments are working to benefit neighborhoods and were then invited to ask questions and share suggestions.
“We are the front line to the city," said Jennifer Jaqua, the program’s commissioner. “We may be the first and only time you interact with the city, so it's a lot of information that our team needs to know, but we do it, and we do it with great pride.”
Moderated by neighborhood navigator, LuCynthia Jones, the webinar marked the start of a quarterly series aimed at keeping residents informed and engaged, organizers said.
With 125,545 properties in Toledo, complaints about trash and litter continue to be the biggest concern from city residents, said Jim Molnar, director of the department of inspection, division of code compliance.
Reports concerning potholes and trash are routed to the appropriate division. And while it may take some time to receive a response, Mr. Molnar wants residents to rest assured that they are being heard.
Each of the 10 inspectors handles approximately 12,550 parcels, he said.
Historically, a written notice that an inspector was out was enough to get people to straighten up their property, he said, but the method is no longer as effective.
“Essentially, it's not that we're trying to put you in jail, we just want you to fix the problem,” Mr. Molnar said. “We want you to address that issue.”
Mr. Molnar unveiled a new “Future Compliance Notification” set to be used containing language hoped to be better received. In addition to violation details, the revamped notice will also provide residents with direction including grant options for those struggling to satisfy other common code violations like removal of accumulated junk or debris, peeling paint, and costs for the removal of inoperable or unlicensed vehicles.
“We’re not saying that we want to let people get away with not being responsible owners, but we’re trying a new approach,” he said. “We're really hoping to create a dialogue with these property owners in the neighborhoods and if you need more time, reach out that way.”
Organizers emphasized that Engage Toledo is available 24/7/365, including holidays, weekends and after business hours.
“I'm always surprised to learn that some people think that we close at the 5 o'clock business hour,” Ms. Jaqua said “[But] we are open at 2 in the morning on a Sunday and on a holiday at the city number if you need our services.”
Engage Toledo accepts city service requests and issues by phone, email, and online portal, and mobile app — but reports received via phone calls take priority, said Kalena Harris, a representative with the organization.
“The reports that come in through the app are not always seen right away,” Ms. Harris said. “With a phone call, we get to you as soon as possible and we can address whatever issue you have right away.”
Because 50 percent of Toledo home dwelling is rental-based, issues with repairs for code violations are often because of often inaccessible LLC and out-of-state property owners.
Past legislation attempted to put specific stipulations on city property owners that reside outside Ohio, but such regulations were challenged and deemed unconstitutional, panelists said.
“If there's somebody from out of town that's saying that they don't have time to come to Toledo and address their properties because they're out of town, that's not an excuse,” Mr. Molnar said. “They own properties in Toledo and they're renting this property to somebody that's working and that lives in Toledo.”
Consequently, talks of a “Landlord 101” education platform are in the works in hopes of enlightening all property owners of what is expected of them, the panel said.
While they don’t perform the work, the Engage Toledo ambassadors said they take care to collect the necessary information, provide the service request ID number to the resident, and follow up on the requests.
“It's so important at the end of every call, when you're self-servicing, or you self-report it, you get a five-digit service request ID number,” Ms. Jaqua said. “Please write that down. That way, if you have to follow back up on it, you can offer that to the agent.
“We’re the conduit for the city,” she added. “We're here to be your eyes and ears.”
Future neighborhood meeting updates will be posted at toledo.oh.gov/engage-toledo .
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