Residents press council for cleanup of condemned Jamestown properties; city outlines demolition steps and legal limits

A Jamestown resident told the City Council on Oct. 20 that many neighbors are afraid to attend meetings and urged faster cleanup at condemned properties, asking specifically whether the city had obtained a court order permitting volunteers to enter properties to remove trash.

“Is there any kind of update on the court order?” the resident asked. City staff replied, “No. We don't we have not gotten a court order,” and explained volunteers may clean trash along rights-of-way but may not legally enter private dwellings without separate court authorization for each owner when parcels are occupied.

Staff outlined the demolition process: asbestos surveys must be completed, mitigation performed if asbestos is found, and work is put out to bid with time allowed for contractor responses. Staff said bids had gone out for three properties and contractor selection and availability will determine demolition timing. “Bids have gone out for 3 of those properties,” staff said, adding the city will select the contractor based on price and schedule.

Council and staff also discussed interim options. Staff suggested organizing a voluntary neighborhood cleanup for exterior trash that does not require entering private property but reiterated that entering privately owned, occupied houses would be a legal issue requiring court orders. The council recommended residents who believe they are being harassed by tax-sale bidders contact the county real-property tax office and seek legal advice if necessary.

The council did not take formal action on a court order at the meeting; staff said demolition and debris removal are on the docket and will proceed when bids and contractor schedules allow.