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Residents raise concerns about cleanup of private and abandoned properties; city says dilapidation process underway
Summary
Two Del City residents spoke during public comment about denied extension for property cleanup and multiple long‑vacant properties attracting wildlife and lowering neighborhood values. City staff said inspections are under way and that a dilapidation process will be brought to council.
Two residents used the public comment period at Del City’s March 17 council meeting to urge the city to improve its handling of property maintenance and long‑vacant homes.
Billy Smith of 4415 East Reno told the council he requested an extension to clean his property because his wife required hospitalization and follow‑up care; he said the city denied the extension, red‑flagged the case and did not return calls. “I tried multiple times to reach the city manager…we never got one call back,” Smith told the council. He said city staff later performed work on the property without discussing it with him, which he said added to his frustration.
A second resident (a multiple property owner who asked about abandoned properties on Heisel/Hassel Road) said several houses in a one‑block area had likely been unoccupied for eight to ten years and that unmaintained lots had attracted wildlife and depressed property values. He said animal control and prior notices had not resolved recurring issues such as feeding wildlife on private property.
Council and staff responses in the meeting noted the city is inspecting the properties and intends to bring a dilapidation process to the council in coming weeks. During the Municipal Services Authority portion of the meeting Director (name recorded in transcript as) said staff are currently in inspection stages and will present the dilapidation recommendation to the council after further work. The city clerk acknowledged receipt of correspondence from Smith’s wife and said staff would follow up.
Council members and staff did not take formal action during the public comment period, but they recorded direction to pursue inspections and report back. Staff asked Mr. Smith and the other resident to leave contact information to facilitate follow‑up.
