Gallipolis City Commission traditionally meets the first Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at 333 Third Avenue. Special meetings are typically held the third Tuesday at the same time.
GALLIPOLIS — Gallipolis City Commission passed an emergency resolution Tuesday evening which would hold landowners responsible for residents who prove to be reportedly continuing criminal nuisances.
The legislation is modeled after a similar such ordinance in Huntington, W.Va., said City Solicitor Adam Salisbury, but while the Huntington law features a two strike feature, the newly created Gallipolis ordinance features a three strike feature.
In order to qualify within one of the reported instances of criminal conduct, the previously reported offense of a tenant will have to have been punishable by up to six months in prison, said the commission’s counsel. The area of offense was often dubbed in the ordinance as the “nuisance” area in question. A home made up of multiple units would not be held accountable for actions held in it, save the offending unit.
The third time a criminal act is found, that is when the provisions of the ordinance will “kick in,” said Salisbury. Notices of incidents are sent to a property owner.
Penalties found against the property owner can potentially result in $1000 fines, stacking for multiple occurrences.