Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents press council on long‑neglected vacant properties and districting concerns
Summary
Two residents urged action: Kevin Foy asked the council to address multiple long‑neglected properties, complained about an erroneous mowing notice and reported thefts and loss of rent; Ralph Spellbring raised concerns about District 1’s shape after redistricting and asked for longer public comment time.
During public comment, resident Kevin Foy urged the council to take action on seven properties he said have not been addressed in two years, and he added two more properties to his list. Foy said grass on properties such as ones on Bristol Street is overgrown and that city procedures for notifying owners may be out of date. He described receiving a “threatening notice to mow” sent to a former owner and asked which source the city uses for current contact information; he said tax records show a different owner than the notice referenced.
Foy also reported theft and an empty storefront that cost him about $50,000 in lost rent, and he said he had received a rude call from a zoning employee about a damaged fence at 1727 Lusher. “Not once in 45 years in the real estate business have I been contacted by the city ... ask how can we help you get this vacant property sold?” he said.
Ralph Spellbring, a long‑time Bank Street resident, commented on districting and civic engagement. He suggested residents should be allowed at least five minutes to speak and pointed to an unusual “finger” shape in District 1 following the 2020 census redistricting.
Council did not take immediate action during public comment; residents’ concerns were recorded for follow up by staff.
