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Council postpones alley‑vacation ordinance after neighbors dispute boundary and long‑standing fences
Summary
Council postponed the second reading of an ordinance to vacate an east‑west alley after adjoining property owners testified the alley had been fenced and treated as private property for decades; council directed staff to meet with owners and reschedule to Jan. 13.
The Clinton City Council postponed a second reading on an ordinance to vacate the east‑west alley in the identified blocks after multiple adjoining property owners said fences and family use had effectively eliminated the alley for decades.
Thomas Thiesen Jr. spoke on behalf of his mother, Molly S. Thiesen, saying his father put up a fence in 1985 and that the family has maintained the fenced area continuously. He argued the family had effectively relied on the land for 40 years and asked to be offered the opportunity to purchase the full 16 feet rather than an automatic half split.
Neighbor Pete Andreesen and other residents supported Thiesen’s account, saying aerial photos and family memory showed the area had not functioned as a city alley. City staff explained that, during a vacation process, the existing ordinance typically splits a vacated alley half‑and‑half between adjoining owners but that staff would meet the property owners, check survey pins and attempt to avoid moving fences where possible.
After extended testimony and staff discussion about survey pins and assessor mapping, Council moved and seconded a postponement. The council agreed to defer the second reading until Jan. 13 and asked staff (Matt/property) to work with owners to clarify the property lines before any further action.
No final vacating action was taken at the meeting.
