Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Property Nuisance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Vinita council declares three properties public nuisances, gives owner of 251 N. Second 30 days to clean up
Summary
The Vinita City Council voted to declare three properties public nuisances on Oct. 7, ordering abatement for two and giving the owner of 251 North Second 30 days to finish cleanup before the city moves in.
The Vinita City Council voted Tuesday to declare three properties in the city public nuisances and to authorize city abatement actions if owners do not correct violations.
The council found ongoing trash, debris and structural deterioration at 251 North Second, 451 North Miller and 202 North Brown. For 251 North Second the council voted to declare the property a nuisance but gave the owner 30 days to finish cleanup before the city takes enforcement action; the council ordered immediate abatement for 451 North Miller and authorized demolition or removal for 202 North Brown.
City staff reported the problems. “The property had trash and debris, and some other violations with blocking the sidewalk,” said Mr. Go Forth, a city staff member who presented the cases. He told the council that the owner at 251 North Second had made progress but “there's still some stuff in the front yard” and recommended a 30-day timeframe to complete the work.
The owner who spoke at the meeting said he believed he had complied with earlier instructions. “I've done everything you asked me,” the owner said from the podium. He told the council he removed vehicles and other items when directed and asked for time to finish remaining work. Council members pressed for clarity on what remained, including inoperable lawnmowers and other scrap visible from the street.
Council member Olson noted the matter had been before city court repeatedly and that the judge had allowed the owner time to work on repairs. Council member Prince and others emphasized that mesh screening used to hide yard items does not meet city code and that deteriorated screening would be treated as trash if left in place.
Council member Tyler moved to declare the 251 North Second property a nuisance and abate it but to delay city abatement for 30 days to allow the owner to complete cleanup; the motion, seconded by a colleague, passed on a roll-call vote in which all present voted in favor. The council later voted to declare 451 North Miller a nuisance and to order its abatement after staff reported the house had been burned and sat as a rubble pile; the council also declared 202 North Brown a nuisance and authorized demolition, with council members saying they had attempted to contact the owners and that the structure had deteriorated.
Mr. Go Forth told the council staff has mailed notices and attempted contact where possible. He asked the owners to stay in communication with city staff during the 30-day period for 251 North Second.
If the owners do not complete the ordered cleanups within the time allowed, the council authorized the city to proceed with legal abatement and to recover costs as allowed under city code.
