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Council orders cost recovery after abatement at 1508 East 8th Street; family requests relief
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Summary
Following code‑enforcement history dating to September 2024, council approved staff’s request to recover approximately $31,331.57 in abatement costs for a hazardous property at 1508 East 8th Street; the owner’s attorney asked for a deferral or reduction citing the owner’s medical incapacity and limited trust funds.
The city moved to recover abatement costs after a protracted code‑enforcement case involving the property at 1508 East 8th Street. Staff reported multiple notices, citations and attempts to secure voluntary compliance; the city contracted specialized remediation work that totaled roughly $31,331.57 plus nearly $6,000 in staff time.
An attorney for the property trust told council the owner, an elderly woman, has a serious medical condition that impaired her ability to respond and that the trust holds limited assets; he asked council to defer or reduce the charge and to review his written analysis alleging the staff invoices overstate prevailing‑wage or labor‑classification costs. Staff replied they exhausted outreach options, that citations were issued and that a city contractor (on retainer) completed the necessary abatement because city crews could not safely or lawfully perform the work.
Council discussed lien and collection options and affirmed staff direction to recoup the abatement cost; the resolution to recover costs was adopted unanimously. Councilmembers noted availability of payment arrangements or liens as mechanisms to protect the public interest while recognizing family hardship claims.
Next steps: Staff will place a lien or pursue other collection mechanisms consistent with municipal code and council direction; the property representatives may pursue administrative review or provide supporting documentation for possible invoice adjustments.
