CITY COUNCIL EYES METH LAW CHANGES

Elmira Officials To Study Possible Revisions To Controversial 2004 Measure

Elmira City Council may revise the city's new methamphetamine law.

The city Council will get its first look Monday night at the proposed
changes to the 2004 law and will schedule a public hearing for
comments. The changes, by the city's law department, were prompted by
discussions city officials had with property owners and landlords.

Under the current law, which has not been used, a property can be
closed for up to one year for meth production, if convictions are
made on two penal violations or if several code violations occur in one year.

Landlords can be prosecuted and have their property closed for
allowing production of the drug on their property, said City
Councilman James Hare, D-6th. The city uses a council, appointed by
City Manager Samuel F. Iraci Jr., to decide on sanctions.

The amended law would change how landlords are prosecuted, would
allow one unit in a multi-unit property to be closed if found in
violation, and would send criminal cases to a court instead of the council.

Landlords would no longer be held accountable if they are not aware
that meth is being produced on their property, Hare said.

"Our focus should be on eliminating meth in the city," Hare said.
"We've tightened the language of the law now."

Prominent rental property owner John Travers worked on the changes to
the law with other property owners, Hare and Councilman Terry
McLaughlin, D-4th District, and said he was pleased with the changes.

"This is a much, much better law. I think it's a lot better," Travers said.

He hopes the cooperation that occurred in preparing these changes can continue.

"I am hoping it's a new era in the city of Elmira, where the people
can work together for the good of the community. Hopefully, we can
move forward in the cooperative fashion," he said.

The council also will vote to make purchase offers on three pieces of
property on East Church Street near the site of the former Hoss's
restaurant. The offers will be made to the state Department of
Transportation and will assemble about one acre of property adjacent
to city-owned property and the Hoss's property, Iraci said.

A developer is looking at the property now and assembling the parcels
will make it easier to develop it, Iraci said.

Council also will vote to sell a vacant piece of property at 401
Powell St. to Providence Powell Housing Development Fund Co. Inc.,
for $25,000. The company plans to build an 11-unit, assisted-living
facility for people with disabilities, Iraci said. The company is a
not-for-profit organization with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester.

"This will provide a clean, safe living environment, utilize a vacant
piece of land and generate revenue for the city," Iraci said.