East Ridge Housing Commission orders bids to clean up 1440 Millborough Circle, plans lien to recover costs

On March 12, the East Ridge Housing Commission approved a motion to solicit bids to clean up 1440 Millborough Circle and to place a lien on the property to recover costs if the owner does not comply.

Commission staff reported the property has been the subject of repeated citations and prior code-enforcement actions. At the time of the meeting, the lot was reported to contain debris, vehicles, jet skis and lawn equipment; staff said some items had been moved into a garage or covered with a tarp but that significant noncompliance remained. Commissioners noted the property owner had not appeared at previous hearings and that the property's condition continued to be a neighborhood nuisance.

During discussion commissioners expressed concern about repeated noncompliance and directed staff to seek bids for cleanup. A commissioner moved to acquire a bid to clean the property; another commissioner seconded. The commission voted unanimously to proceed. A lien will be recorded against the property to recover cleanup costs.

Commission staff clarified bidding requirements. When cleanup costs exceed $10,000, the commission must obtain multiple bids and follow procurement rules; if costs are under $10,000, staff indicated fewer formal bidding steps apply. Commissioners discussed giving the owner a 10-day appeal window once required notices are received; staff explained the appeal and notice process will follow legal procedures handled through counsel if an appeal is filed.

No immediate cleanup was performed by the commission at the March 12 meeting. The approved action authorizes staff to solicit bids and to proceed with abatement if required, then place a lien to recover the actual abatement costs.

The commission's motion included a directive that any abatement costs be fully charged to the property as a lien following the cleanup and in accordance with the applicable local code enforcement procedures.