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Pawnee City Council approves counteroffer, pursues demolitions and coordinates closings on nuisance properties
Summary
Council approved a $3,000 counteroffer for a small city parcel offered at $7,500, discussed demolition quotes and asbestos removal for a nuisance property at 1145 G Street, and reported closing steps for 522 & 526 G Street with additional charges added to the purchase agreement.
The Pawnee City Council on Aug. 25 approved several property-related actions: a $3,000 counteroffer to purchase a city-adjacent parcel, continued enforcement on multiple nuisance properties and steps to close pending property sales.
Clerk Tamela Curtis told the council she received an email from landowner Eileen Hines offering to sell property between the pharmacy and collapsed buildings for $7,500; the property’s current assessed value is $2,900 and the city would still need to remove debris. The city’s attorney advised presenting a counteroffer and pursuing abatement procedures; Council Member Vickie Zelenka moved to give a $3,000 counteroffer, Council Member Susan Eisenhauer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
City Attorney Jennifer Stehlik-Ladman reported that a buyer, Mr. Raper, signed an addendum to the purchase agreement for 522 & 526 G Street that adds $1,600.80 in charges (UBT) to the agreement and that closing can proceed pending a release from Heidi Kohake and bank signoffs. Stehlik-Ladman noted Mr. Raper remains responsible for taxes and some fees, and outstanding property damage (a knocked-down decorative lamp post) remains unresolved.
The council also reviewed demolition quotes for 1145 G Street (Percival). Gyhra Construction previously quoted about $12,000 and recently provided a new quote near $17,000; asbestos remains in the kitchen and must be removed before demolition. Janice Lewis requested more time but the show-cause hearing remains scheduled for Aug. 27; councilmembers discussed an amnesty program option and outreach.
Why it matters: The council’s actions affect blight remediation, public-safety hazards (asbestos), and the city’s cleanup costs. Approving a counteroffer for a low-assessed parcel and pursuing abatement can influence adjacent redevelopment plans, including a future park vision discussed earlier.
What happens next: Staff will send the counteroffer to Ms. Hines, proceed with the steps needed for the Raper closing, continue the Aug. 27 show-cause hearing for 1145 G Street and pursue abatement or demolition as appropriate.
