Jeannette hires code enforcement officer, hopes to tackle blight

Code violators in Jeannette beware.

A full-time code enforcement officer is coming onboard, and city officials hope the move will bring in more revenue and reduce dilapidated properties.

“This is a good next step for the city,” City Clerk Nathan Bish said. “It’s a good way for us to combat blight and combat zoning infractions.”

City council agreed to hire Bill Whetzel, who works as zoning officer and building code official for Jeannette on a contract basis through K2 Engineering, as code enforcement officer. Whetzel will make $60,000 annually.

Fire Chief Bill Frye said Whetzel is responsible for similar duties in other municipalities throughout the region and spent a limited amount of time each week in Jeannette. By hiring him to the full-time spot, Whetzel will be focused solely on the city, taking some of the code-related burden off Frye’s shoulders.

He will be able to do more proactive and aggressive enforcement of zoning, building and property maintenance issues, while Frye will focus on getting rental property permits and inspections up to date along with issuing quality of life tickets.

Frye estimated about half of residents who do home remodeling follow the rules and get permits through the city for the work. That includes projects such as home additions, solar panels, retaining walls, swimming pools and fences.

The code enforcement officer will target blight and enforce associated penalties, a necessity for the elimination of problem properties to make way for redevelopment and investors, Frye said.

“We can go after some of these residents who have kind of ignored city authority,” Bish said.

The move also will rake in more cash. Frye said Jeannette got a 20% cut of fees brought in by K2 Engineering and Whetzel. In 2020, the city got $42,000 through the contract and $221,000 the year before, Frye said.

“With Bill being in-house, we will get 100% of our permitting fees,” he said. “Obviously, it makes sense. The permits should cover his position and then some.”

Bish said he plans to apply for grants that, if awarded, could help the city to expand the code enforcement office. Whetzel will start March 1.