Third Ward residents met Sunday with 3rd Ward Alderman Bill Hanna and Bill Nicklas, director of building and community services, to discuss improving the upkeep of yards and homes.

Nicklas said that until he began driving through the neighborhoods, the scope of the problem was unknown to him. During the past two weeks, he has issued fines and warnings to area residents for violations of the city code, such as excess numbers of unlicensed, inoperable vehicles, cars parked in yards, grass higher than 12 inches and objects blocking sidewalks.

Property owners are responsible for building structure, such as the roof, gutters, windows, furnace, and utilities, Nicklas said. Tenants are responsible for garbage and housekeeping, he said.

Members of the Third Ward Coalition, who sponsored the meeting, asked residents to put problems in writing so officials can use appropriate solutions. The coalition also encouraged residents to continue working for improvements in the neighborhood.

Marshall Hayes, coalition member and owner of Spot Lite Food Mart, 1029 Pleasant St., said the group will write letters encouraging certain people to better maintain their property.

Some of the problems, such as unsightly buildings and unkept yards, are not city code violations. “It’s the nature of the people,” Hanna said. “They think there is nothing wrong with a car hanging from a tree (in their yards).”