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Residents press Presque Isle to clean and raze unsanitary properties; council orders cleanup and legal review
Summary
A resident described persistent trash, rodents and flies at a Judge Street property; councilors were told the property is condemned and the city will pursue a dangerous-building process. Council also approved cleaning and researching acquisition of 24 Braden Street, a fire-damaged parcel offered by heirs.
Kimberly Caldwell told the Presque Isle City Council on Sept. 3 that a neighboring property at 16 Judge Street has become unsanitary and poses a health risk to nearby residents. "My mother is 75 years old... she can't sit out during the day because there's just gnats that land on her," Caldwell said, and she described flies, rodents and accumulated trash that she said has caused mice in her own home.
City staff said they have visited the property multiple times, posted it as condemned and issued notices of violation. Tim (city code/operations) told the council the city intends to pursue the dangerous-building process and, if needed, solicit bids to clean and demolish the structure after required legal notices and court timelines. "We're making it condemned," Tim said, describing the steps staff will follow.
City attorney Rick told the council the city can assess fines and pursue civil remedies: "The fines available or penalties that the court can impose are between $100 a day and $2,500 a day at the discretion of the court," he said, adding fines would become judgments against the property owner and could be assessed against other owner assets.
Separately, council discussed 24 Braden Street — a fire-damaged mobile home property whose heirs offered to deed the parcel to the city. The city lawyer advised that accepting title typically requires probate or appointment of a special administrator and a search for mortgages or liens; councilors directed staff to proceed immediately with cleanup/demolition as a dangerous building and to research accepting the lot as a donation. Councilor Mike moved and Hank seconded a motion to clean up the Braden Street lot and direct the city manager and city lawyer to research accepting the parcel as a gift; the motion passed 7-0.
Why it matters: Residents reported conditions that they said are already affecting nearby homes and vulnerable residents; staff outlined both the legal timeline for evictions and faster public-health pathways (sanitation and dangerous-building authorities) the city can use to remove hazards and recover costs.
What’s next: Staff said they will pursue the dangerous-building process for the Judge Street property and will seek bids to clean and/or demolish 24 Braden Street as allowed by Title 22 and city code. Council asked staff to report progress before the next meeting and to explore whether the city can reduce standard response timelines when public health is at risk.
Ending: Council voted to authorize cleanup of 24 Braden Street and to pursue title/acquisition options with legal counsel; staff said they would update the complainant directly before the next meeting.
