Board to pursue eviction or new lease after power cut and busted pipes at Dirty Dog Depot unit

The board discussed next steps after an electricity cutoff at the downtown commercial unit known as Dirty Dog Depot led to busted pipes and rent and utility arrears.

Staff member said the board must choose whether to evict the current tenant, identified in discussion as Diane McNight, or to prepare a new lease that would transfer responsibility for the electric bill to the occupant. Staff reported a $100 rent shortfall for February and an outstanding electric bill. The staff recommendation was to file an eviction in small-claims court and prepare a month-to-month lease draft that would make the tenant responsible for any future electric bills; staff said a draft would be prepared for the next meeting.

The board discussed options for keeping the electric service in the municipality’s name while increasing rent to cover costs, or requiring the tenant to take electric service in her own name. Staff described how the lease could require the tenant to pay any billed electricity within a set number of days after receipt.

The board also identified a subtenant, Maria Aragon (address recited in the meeting), who was mentioned as a potential occupant if the board chooses to pursue a new lease agreement with a different occupant. Staff said they would update the lease paperwork to reflect the correct party name and address and try to have a lease draft ready for the scheduled special meeting on Monday the 16th.

No formal eviction motion was recorded during the meeting; staff said they would file the eviction paperwork and return with a proposed lease. The board did not set a final decision during the open meeting and indicated the matter could be discussed further in a properly noticed executive session or at the special meeting.