Code enforcement also came up Tuesday night at the Cass County Rental Association meeting at Chestnut Towers.

Bill Lorenz said cars parked in yards and across sidewalks “seem to be a perennial problem that I don’t see anything being done about. It’s all over the city. Nothing happens. I don’t know why,” since it is prohibited by city ordinance.

“We have a code enforcement officer who’s around on a part-time, limited-hour basis,” City Manager Kevin Anderson said. “Nobody will be annoying us if they just call those in when they see them. That’s helpful.”

A landlord suggested the problem grows worse during winter when parking on streets is prohibited for snow plowing.

“The other issue on code enforcement,” Lorenz added, “is there are a number of derelict properties around town that have been empty for years and nothing happens. They ought to be torn down, and I realize the city’s torn down a few properties, including the downtown area to improve the appearance, but there’s also other buildings that are in bad shape, unoccupied or used for storage. Some of them have sat there for years in prominent places and nothing happens.

“I wish the city would take a little more aggressive stance at improving the appearance of the city. My kids who haven’t lived in town in 10 years were home over the Christmas holidays and told me the city’s looking worse than ever. It’s noticeable.”

Mayor Don Lyons responded, “I agree with you wholeheartedly, Bill. I think we could make a very good case for being a lot more aggressive than we are.”

However, Lyons added, “There’s also the issue that people are in economic distress. They’ve lost their jobs. Just how far do you carry that? If it was me, I’d probably be a lot more critical. Maybe (the administration) has more sympathy or empathy than I would.”

“There have been three or four houses a year torn down,” Anderson said. “I guess the question is, is it enough?”