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Council orders abatement at Pine City property after repeated code violations
Summary
After repeated inspections and neighbor complaints, council authorized staff to abate accumulated pallets, junk vehicles and other stored materials at 335 3rd Avenue NE, to pursue contractor quotes, bill the owner and seek a court-authorized administrative warrant if required.
City staff told council a March complaint and subsequent inspections found extensive outdoor storage of wooden pallets, junk vehicles, campers and boats at a private property on 335 3rd Avenue Northeast. Staff said the owner had been issued multiple notices and extended deadlines (an initial 30-day time frame followed by a second 14-day notice) but had not brought the property into compliance.
Because earlier visits raised safety concerns for staff, inspections had frequently included a deputy. Staff recommended authorizing abatement, soliciting quotes from removal contractors, charging the property owner for expenses and involving the city attorney to seek an administrative warrant or court order as needed to ensure safe contractor access and serve legal notices.
Council approved Resolution 2026-27 authorizing abatement and directed staff to work with the city attorney on the appropriate warrant process and contractor procurement. Staff said if costs are not paid in a timely fashion the city may assess abatement costs as a lien on the property per city ordinance.
Council members stressed the health and safety risks posed to neighbors and said action was necessary. Staff will return to council with contractor estimates and a plan for execution consistent with legal direction from the city attorney.
