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Council reduces nuisance assessments for 303 J Street to $3,000, orders payment within 30 days
Summary
After lengthy debate and a record of repeated code enforcement contacts, the council voted to reduce a 2024 nuisance assessment for 303 J Street (original citation $4,950 plus interest) to $3,000, payable within 30 days; legal staff said unpaid amounts may be certified to property taxes.
The Brainerd City Council on Jan. 21 voted to reduce nuisance assessments for the property at 303 J Street to $3,000, to be paid within 30 days.
Community Development Director James Krambek told council the property had a multi‑year history of junk, debris, outdoor storage and parking violations; the 2024 citation totalled $4,950 plus interest. Staff—s assessment review found the property had shown significant improvement since last year and the fence at issue was now in compliance, but several minor outdoor‑storage items remained. Staff recommended a reduced assessment that would at minimum cover staff costs and recommended $600 as a minimum to cover staff time. The property owners requested complete forgiveness.
Council members debated at length. Several members cited the volume of prior enforcement letters (council discussion referenced about 30 letters over multiple years), the need to uphold city code uniformly and the fact the council had previously denied full forgiveness and had granted a variance after the fence was already built. Others stressed the city—s goal of achieving compliance and expressed sympathy for residents in financial difficulty.
Council Member Kelly Bevans initially moved to uphold the full assessment; after discussion he and the seconder agreed to amend the motion. The amended motion — accepted by council vote — reduced the amount to $3,000 and required payment within 30 days. City attorney and finance staff noted that if the reduced amount is not paid, the outstanding nuisance assessment may still be certified to property taxes and collected through the tax process.
The council recorded a roll-call vote on the amended motion: Erickson, Bevins, Johnson, Yeager and O—Day voted yes; Chesak voted no. The motion carried.
Krambek said staff will continue to work with the property owners to resolve remaining minor items and reiterated that the goal of code enforcement is compliance rather than penalty.
