New Butler police department member Chooch waits with his handler, Lt. Brian Grooms, to be introduced at Tuesday evening's city council meeting. Chooch is one of two new K-9s joining the city police department.

Members of Butler City Council on Tuesday said they like the idea of holding a hearing to gather input on a residential rental property inspection program.

Councilman Jeff Smith raised the issue, saying rental property inspection ordinances have been discussed, proposed and drafted by previous councils over the last 15 to 16 years, but none was enacted.

He said council members have heard stories about problems in rental apartments, and he believes two points are at the center of the issue.

One is: “Everybody deserves a decent place to live.” The second is: “If we don't do anything, who will?”

He suggested council hold a hearing and invite tenants and landlords to give their opinions.

“Our job is to raise the quality of life,” Councilman Bob Dandoy said.

Rental property inspections could increase property values and, he said, he likes the idea of holding a hearing.

Dandoy suggested not making inspections mandatory.

Instead, he said inspections could be voluntary and become incentives to landlords. Those with properties that pass a city inspection can use that inspection as a way to attract tenants, he said.

“I'd look for that if I was looking to rent,” Mayor Ben Smith said.

He said tenants he talked to while campaigning before he was elected in 2017 told him they support inspections and would be interested in additional discussions about the subject.

New K-9 introduced

In other business, police Lt. Brian Grooms introduced his new K-9 partner Chooch to council members.

Grooms and Chooch along with Officer Andrew Niederlander and his K-9 Rico recently completed training and began duty.

He said both dogs performed well during training.

“They'll do good on the street,” Grooms said.

The mayor said he is happy to have the K-9s in the police department.

Council approved a resolution agreeing to comply with Butler County parks renovation program requirements to apply for a $10,000 grant to renovate Ritts Park.

Jeff Smith said the county would provide $7,500, and the city would provide $2,500.

Council also hired Pat McGrady to demolish a fire-damaged home at 515 Carbon St. for $9,750 using money from the fire escrow account.

Officials said a fire damaged the house about 18 months ago, and the owner “just walked away from it.”

The escrow fund holds money a homeowner's insurance company sends to the city after a fire. The city forwards the money to the homeowner if he or she completes the needed repairs.

If the owner doesn't fix the property, the city uses the money to make the repairs and sends any leftover money to the owner. The money is also used to pay any unpaid taxes on the property.