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Neighbors press council; Augusta orders abatement at 242 East Twelfth Avenue
Summary
Council found a nuisance at 242 East Twelfth Avenue and ordered abatement within 10 days under KSA 12-1617(e) after neighbors described debris, unregistered vehicles and animal issues affecting nearby properties.
Augusta City Council members on May 19 voted to adopt Resolution 2025-09, finding a nuisance at 242 East Twelfth Avenue and ordering removal and abatement within 10 days under KSA 12-1617(e).
Tanner Thomas, the city's code enforcement officer, presented the case and told the council the backyard contained extensive debris, broken windows, a torn-apart motorcycle, deteriorated clothing and items that pool water and could breed mosquitoes. He said staff had attempted certified mail and phone contact with the property owner in April and had spoken with the tenant, who had not completed the cleanup.
Neighbors Michelle and David Miller, who own 244 East Twelfth Avenue, told the council the condition had persisted for years and affected their property value and daily life. "We own the property at 244 East Twelfth Avenue. . . The property next door . . . has a lot of debris, a lot of broken items, metal," Michelle Miller said. She and her husband described four unregistered vehicles on the neighboring lot, feral cats, a chained dog that reached onto their property and scattered animal waste. David Miller said the overgrowth now obscures the outbuilding and trampoline, and he worried an appraiser would be discouraged from viewing his home.
Thomas told the council the city had received complaints from other neighbors, that a privacy fence had fallen into the alley and that debris in the alley had caused traffic issues. He recommended moving forward with the abatement process when the property owner failed to respond to notices.
Council member comments were brief; one council member moved to approve Resolution 2025-09 determining a nuisance exists and to order removal and abatement as specified under KSA 12-1617(e). The motion passed on a voice vote.
The resolution directs abatement actions to proceed if the owner or occupant does not clean the property within the 10-day period prescribed. Code enforcement staff will administer the process and follow up as needed.
