Roseville council authorizes abatement of junk at 949 Brooks Avenue West

The Roseville City Council on Oct. 13 unanimously authorized city staff to abate junk and debris at 949 Brooks Avenue West and to charge the property owner for the cost, potentially placing unpaid charges on the property tax roll.

City code enforcement staff present evidence that the property’s outdoor accumulation has grown since the council last saw the matter. The staff brief said title to the property transferred within the last couple of weeks but that the new owner does not live at the residence; the prior owner did. Staff said they obtained contact information for the new owner and had communicated by phone but had not seen full compliance with abatement notices.

The action before the council would allow city staff or a third party to remove and dispose of the junk and to recover cleanup costs from the property owner through billing; unpaid costs can be placed on the property tax statement under the city’s established procedure. The council asked whether ownership affects the abatement timeline; staff and council said the abatement authority applies to the property regardless of ownership.

Council member Strahan moved the abatement authorization; the motion was seconded and, after discussion of the lack of demonstrated progress and the effect of the accumulation on neighbors, the council voted to proceed. Council members stressed they would consider a hardship extension only if a property representative appeared at the meeting and provided substantiating information.

All council members voted in favor. The abatement authorization will allow the city to remove the junk and to pursue cost recovery as described by staff.