Crow Wing County commissioners approved an amended resolution allowing county action to abate a declared public-health nuisance at 23442 Rebel Road in Merrifield if the personal representative cannot abate the property.

A county public-health presenter described the property as having "a lot of household waste," multiple deteriorating trailers, vehicles and campers with broken windows, and ongoing hazards. The presenter said the property owner "unfortunately, has passed away," and the estate is going through probate. County staff said they have been working with the county attorney and Land Services and that law enforcement has had multiple contacts at the site.

Staff asked the board for authority to abate the property if the personal representative does not act. The resolution was amended before the vote: references to explosives were removed, language addressing open burning and the resulting pollution and fire hazards was added, and the phrase "at the property owner's expense" was removed because the owner is deceased and the estate is in probate. Staff clarified the resolution still authorizes assessment of abatement costs to the property "as mandated by statute." The presenter said the county had issued an initial cease-and-desist for open burning and a subsequent cease-and-desist in the past month.

Commissioner Barrow moved to approve the updated resolution; Commissioner Haug seconded. After brief discussion to confirm the board was viewing the updated document, the board voted unanimously to approve the resolution.

Why it matters: the resolution establishes authority for county abatement of a property posing health and fire hazards and records conditions for potential assessment to the parcel per statute. Commissioners emphasized preference to allow the personal representative time to act while preserving the county’s ability to intervene if the nuisance continues.

Ending: Staff will proceed under the amended resolution, maintaining communications with the personal representative and law enforcement and taking abatement actions if the nuisance persists.