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Alexander City council approves ordinance allowing demolition liens after debate over costs and owners’ impact
Summary
The Alexander City Council approved an ordinance authorizing demolition of blighted properties and placing liens on owners’ properties. Council members and staff debated costs, the potential for liens to exceed property values, alternatives such as grants, and implementation safeguards.
The Alexander City City Council voted to approve an ordinance authorizing the city to demolish blighted properties and place liens on owners’ property after a discussion about costs, impacts on elderly owners and alternatives such as grant funding.
Council members and city staff debated whether liens and contractor costs could exceed the value of some properties, potentially leaving owners with little ability to repay the city. A staff member said, “this is our first year with it,” and noted there had been “1 bid for 1 property” in the initial round. The staff member added that the city had been consulting with other cities and reviewing how to lower contractor costs.
The council discussion included repeated concern that some properties would have liens greater than market value and that owners — including elderly residents — might not be able to pay. One council member asked whether the city has recaptured any of the cleanup costs to date; staff replied that it was the first year of using the program and the financial results were limited so far.
Staff described procedural limits and steps before demolition, including attempts to bring properties into compliance through existing programs and that condemnation would be a last resort. Staff said certain minimum standards are required to allow materials to be disposed of safely, and that properties must meet public-safety cleanup standards before work can be placed with contractors.
Council members pressed for clearer implementation safeguards and for the city to pursue alternatives — such as community development block grant funding — to avoid placing excessive financial burdens on owners. A staff member said code enforcement had reached out to similar-sized cities to learn best practices and to try to reduce contractor pricing.
A motion to approve the ordinance as written was made, seconded and carried on a roll-call vote. Councilor Hardy, Councilor Eric Brown and Councilor Phillips voted in the affirmative during the roll call; the chair recorded the ordinance as approved.
Council members said they expected staff to continue reviewing the program and to try to limit costs and negative perceptions in neighborhoods as implementation proceeds.
