DECATUR - City staff and citizens gathered Tuesday for the second of seven planned meetings designed to highlight neighborhood concerns.

About 35 people joined city Councilman Pat Laegeler and representatives from several city offices to speak about housing issues that have been concerning citizens.

Laegeler said the event was a good opportunity for him to hear directly from residents.

"In these forums I want to listen, I want to understand what issues people are dealing with and frankly what ideas they may have to make things better," Laegeler said. "I think that the most successful and vibrant we can make our neighborhoods, the better off the whole community is going to be."

Residents spoke with city staff about a variety of issues, including possible money for improvements to septic systems, roofing and painting or siding for houses. Richelle Irons of the city's Neighborhood Outreach Division helped coordinate the meeting.

"We are hearing people say that they need more rehab dollars in the community," Irons said. "The discussion has been really productive."

Some residents voiced complaints with how regulations can sometimes come down hard on property owners who might not always be physically able to make improvements to the fa§ade of their property. Irons said there was also much talk of difficulties with irresponsible landlords and concern about the number of abandoned properties torn down in the city.

"The consensus is that people are saying they want a rental landlord regulation, and they want to see whether or not we can do more things with the (abandoned) houses than demolish them," Irons said.

Doris Graham, 66, attended the meeting. Graham said the problem of abandoned houses and what to do with them is something she has seen in her neighborhood.

"I'm just interested in hearing what other people have to say," Graham said.

The next meeting, which will focus on neighborhood safety issues and will be presided over by Councilman Larry Foster, is scheduled noon today at 815 N. Church St.

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