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Council upholds code enforcement citations but approves six-month payment plan for downtown property owner
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Summary
After hearing from the property owner and code enforcement, the council approved a resolution related to an administrative citation for 602 Main Street but amended the action to allow the responsible party six months to make monthly installment payments; motion passed 4-1.
The Susanville City Council addressed a long-running enforcement matter regarding 602 Main Street during a public hearing that included staff testimony and statements from the property owner.
Code Enforcement Officer Mike Prettyman (speaker 4) reviewed a compliance timeline dating to September 2025, noting multiple inspections, two citations and a history of incomplete repairs. Prettyman told council the administrative citation process and cited the municipal-code provisions that led to the current penalty and notice sequence. He reported that, as of earlier inspections, some repairs were still insufficient and that the city had followed prescribed notification procedures.
Property owner Susan Chaffer (speaker 14) told council the work has now been completed and described financial hardship: she said she is retired, lives four hours away, and that travel to the hearing cost her about $120. Chaffer asked for leniency given the repairs and her fixed income.
Council members discussed the statutory 15-day payment period and whether an administrative extension or payment plan could be authorized. City Attorney Margaret (speaker 16) advised that council has discretion to authorize a payment plan or extension but that any change should be included in a written order.
Council amended the staff recommendation and approved a motion to uphold the resolution with an amended order allowing the responsible party six months for monthly installments to conclude payment; the motion passed with a recorded 4-1 vote (the transcript records Mayor Schuster as dissenting). Staff said they will prepare the written order for the payment plan and return the associated documentation to ensure clarity and enforceability.
