City Council declares abandoned property unfit for habitation and orders demolition

The Monroe City Council convened on May 13, 2025, to address several key agenda items, including a public hearing regarding a property deemed unfit for human habitation and a request for outside city water service.

The meeting began with a discussion about a property located at 1001 South Apatree, which has been under scrutiny due to ongoing issues related to its ownership. A recent title search revealed that the property owners are deceased, and no known heirs could be located. As a result, the city has followed state law by advertising the public hearing in local newspapers and posting notices on the property for three weeks. City staff reported no inquiries or comments from the public regarding the hearing.

During the discussion, council members raised questions about the property's history and the legal requirements for notification. It was confirmed that no taxes have been paid on the property since at least 2021, and the legal team assured the council that all necessary procedures had been followed. After closing the public hearing, a motion was made to declare the property unfit for human habitation, with a directive for the dwelling to be demolished or repaired within 90 days. The motion passed unanimously.

Following this, the council moved on to the regular agenda, which included a request for outside city water service from Jose Sanchez for a property at 1371 North Rocky River Road. This item had been tabled from a previous meeting and was presented by Rob Miller, Assistant Director of Water Resources.

The meeting concluded with no further discussions or actions required on the remaining agenda items. The council's decisions reflect ongoing efforts to address property maintenance issues and ensure compliance with city regulations.