Council delays condemnation of 12287 Levitt Road after potential heirs appear

The City Council of Central voted to delay final action on condemnation proceedings for 12287 Levitt Road until the June 24 meeting after staff confirmed additional notices had been sent and potential heirs attended the meeting.

Counsel (city attorney) reported that the curator had requested legal advertisement in The Advocate, which ran online and in print on May 10 and May 11, and that certified letters were mailed May 5 with return‑receipt requested to named parties. Counsel said no return receipt was received from John Claude Nettles or Cynthia Lane Nettles, but certified mailings to Thomas and Pauline Gagliano were delivered May 9 and May 13. Counsel added that staff had not located a judgment of possession for the Gagliano siblings.

Why it matters: condemnation would allow the city to secure the property and, if necessary, demolish an unsafe structure; it can also create financial liabilities for owners or heirs if cleanup costs or condemnation costs exceed the property value.

Multiple relatives attended the meeting and questioned whether notice and the condemnation process would make them liable for cleanup. Tom Gagliano, who identified himself as the son of an owner, said he did not want to be held responsible for cleanup costs if he had not been given the opportunity to assert any ownership claim: "I just don't wanna be responsible for any cleanup of the property if the bill's for sale. I'm okay with it." City staff told the family they should contact counsel and staff so the matter could be discussed and that, given the new information, a rehearing would be appropriate.

Council member Meyer rescinded an earlier motion to condemn and moved to defer final action to the June 24 meeting; Council member McKinney seconded. The council approved the deferral by unanimous roll call.

Staff clarified the limited scope of liability if the council ultimately condemns and demolishes the structure: the cost exposure typically is the demolition and the value of the property. Staff also noted outstanding title matters in the record, including a sheriff's sale and an owner with a 1% interest in a redemption period.

Next steps: staff asked the family to provide contact information and any documentation of succession or possession to counsel (city attorney) and the curator so the council can have a fuller record before reconsidering condemnation on June 24.

Ending: The council deferred the item to allow staff and the potential heirs time to exchange information and to give the family an opportunity to appear and present documentation before any condemnation order is finalized.