St. Paul council orders notice to 726 Howard Ave.; grants 30-day extensions to three other nuisance properties

The St. Paul City Council voted April 7 to send a Notice of Adoption of Resolution #2025-2 to the owner of 726 Howard Avenue, citing no observed improvement at the property, and granted 30-day extensions for three other properties where improvements had been reported.

Chief of Police Dan Howard had presented an overview of four nuisance properties under Municipal Code 4-315 and recommended further action where appropriate. Council member Katie Kowalski moved to approve sending the notice to 726 Howard Avenue; Bill Peters seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (Kowalski, Peters, Wilson and Woodgate voting aye). The council recorded that if the property is not abated within 30 days the City will abate the nuisance and assess a lien to the property.

The council also agreed to an additional 30-day extension for 1117 Elm Street, 1120 Custer Street and 810 Elm Street after staff reported observable improvements at those locations. Timelines and next steps for those properties were not further specified during the meeting.

Chief Howard additionally reported two other first-of-the-month nuisance complaints: outdoor appliances and accumulated scrap metal at 108 Howard Avenue, and a buckled sidewalk at 521 Sheridan Street; he said property owners had been notified and that the sidewalk municipal code will be discussed at the council's April 21 meeting.

The action on 726 Howard Avenue followed the hearing procedures described under Municipal Code 4-315 and the Nebraska Open Meetings Act as noted by Mayor Mike Feeken at the start of the meeting. The council adjourned at 8:15 p.m.