The city of Mexico demolished five homes in 2024 and tore down seven so far this year, with plans to tear down 10 more (so far) this year, the Mexico City Council heard at its May 12 meeting.

Deputy City Manager Nathan Mai-Lombardo presented that information and other 2024 data during the Community Development Department annual report at the meeting. Areas that fall under community development are code enforcement, animal control, airport and planning and zoning, but the department also oversees Community Development Block Grant and other grant applications, grounds maintenance and household hazardous waste. 

Some of the data council saw included code enforcement results, such as the number of weeds and grass violations - 1,128 - and junk, trash and debris violations: 728. Court summons were issued for 19 weed and grass violations and 23 for junk, trash and debris violations.

“It does show you that there’s plenty of work to do, and that we do our best to stay on top of that,” Mai-Lombardo said. 

In year to date violations, for 2025, there have been 361 weed and grass violations and 341 junk, trash and debris violations. Court summonses for those violations: 17 for junk, trash and debris.

“What I always tell the residents, anyone who will even listen, is it is much easier and frankly cheaper for the community to get ahead of violations before you get a citation from the city,” Mai-Lombardo said. “So if you know that you have an issue with something, get it taken care of. … The rule of thumb is: If you’re unsure if something is a violation, it’s a violation. So just stay on top of those things.” 

He said officials are working on adjusting some regulations and procedures, explaining he knows there are concerns about codes and enforcing codes and overall city beautifications.  

Mai-Lombardo, who is also the community development director, explained that for the home demolitions in queue, the city has exhausted funds for demolitions, and there will be some discussion on where funds come for demolition and how the city will budget for that. The numbers in the queue were submitted through the voluntary demolition program and that number  could rise significantly given the challenges and opportunities when it comes to enforcement codes, he said.

The city has code enforcement opportunities, Mai-Lombardo explained, including a property maintenance code rewrite, staff education and training and improved communication with the community. Among the other opportunities are major dead tree removal throughout the community and faster demolitions, as Mai-Lombardo said residents shouldn’t have to live next to empty, abandoned houses for years. 

“Those kinds of things affect quality of life and safety, and it’s just not right, so we want to use the policies and legal mechanisms that we have to take care of those in a much more expedient way,” he said.

Residents are responsible for dead trees on their property and they are a code violation.

Mai-Lombardo also discussed animal control numbers, such as the number of dogs and cats taken in and adopted in 2024. There were 97 cats taken in and 41 adopted and 130 dogs taken in and 47 adopted. For 2025, those numbers are 82 cats taken in and 55 adopted and 130 dogs taken in and 56 adopted. Mai-Lombardo also discussed opportunities at the animal control shelter, including building improvements, increased staff and better scheduling, more community outreach and involvement and volunteering opportunities. 

Council also got an update on the airport, such as improvements and maintenance needs in the future. As far as planning and zoning opportunities, a comprehensive plan update is one area that could be reviewed, with updating and revising zoning districts one issue that could be examined, Mai-Lombardo said. 

Also at the meeting, council moved the day of the next meeting from May 26, Memorial Day, to May 27 at the same time. During public comments, a Mexico resident asked council to consider allowing golf carts and ATVs on city roadways. 

Council also approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a memorandum of understanding with the Columbia Fire Department to provide fire service mutual aid.