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Burns Harbor council creates unsafe‑building fund, awards $18,500 demolition for 1182 Salt Creek Road
Summary
The Town Council adopted Ordinance 327‑2026 to establish an unsafe‑building fund and immediately moved to use such a fund to pay for demolition: the council awarded the job at 1182 Salt Creek Road to David's Lawn Care for $18,500 and instructed staff to pursue liens that may include demolition costs and previously assessed civil penalties.
The Burns Harbor Town Council on April 8 unanimously adopted Ordinance 327‑2026 to establish an unsafe‑building fund and then awarded a demolition contract for a long‑vacant property at 1182 Salt Creek Road.
Town attorney Nick explained that the ordinance creates a home‑rule fund where the town can deposit monies designated for remediation of unsafe buildings — including fines, settlements, donations and appropriations — and use those monies for abatement and demolition where state code permits. After no public speakers took the podium on the matter, the council adopted the ordinance on first reading, voted to suspend the rules and adopted it on second reading the same night.
Council then turned to old business on the Annayia property at 1182 Salt Creek Road. Legal counsel referenced Indiana Code 6‑2.5‑7‑12.7 while outlining options to fund demolition. The council agreed to transfer economic‑development seed funds into the new unsafe‑building fund to pay the contractor and awarded the demolition contract to David's Lawn Care for $18,500.
Council members asked staff to notify the property owners in person in addition to sending mailed notices; staff confirmed a notification process will follow and said the town will attempt to coordinate a demolition schedule with the contractor. The council also directed staff and counsel to record a lien that will include the demolition costs and the civil penalties previously assessed so the town can pursue recovery against the property as allowed by law.
Attorney Clay clarified that when the town incurs demolition costs and records a lien, the demolition expense and existing civil penalties can both be included in the lien; the council asked staff to ensure the lien filing captures the total amount the town expects to recover. Staff also confirmed the awarded demolition scope includes all buildings on the parcel (house, garage and shed) and debris removal to concrete, with the contractor representing that it is licensed, bonded and insured.
The motion to award David's Lawn Care and authorize the funding transfer passed by roll call with all present council members voting yes.
Next steps: staff will notify the property owners of the award, schedule demolition with the contractor subject to weather and logistics, transfer seed funds into the unsafe‑building fund to cover the cost and file the lien(s) to recover costs and prior penalties if necessary.
