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Supervisors set 30‑day notice for Sunnyside nuisance property in Washburn; 657A enforcement possible
Summary
County staff will issue a final notice requiring removal of items from Sunnyside county property within two weeks; the Board noted a second Washburn property and said the county may proceed with 657A enforcement if compliance is not achieved. Supervisors discussed vehicle accumulation and the ordinance's lack of a tall‑grass provision.
Black Hawk County officials on June 23 said they will issue a final notice requiring removal of items from county property at the Sunnyside site and a second property in Washburn, and will pursue enforcement under Iowa Code Chapter 657A if owners fail to comply.
Facilities Director Rory Geving told the Board a letter sent in April resulted in some removal but that most items remain. Edward Knebel expressed interest in rehabilitating one property. The Board directed staff to issue a final notice giving two weeks for removal before county staff remove remaining items from county property.
Supervisors flagged a broader concern about accumulation of vehicles on private properties. The Board noted the current county ordinance requires vehicles to be registered but does not address tall grass. Supervisor Tavis Hall asked whether tall grass provisions could be added; county staff member Mike Treinen responded affirmatively that the ordinance could be amended to address tall grass.
The Board’s action on the Sunnyside property was presented as administrative enforcement and not a legislative change; if property owners do not comply within the notice period, staff said the County will proceed with 657A action consistent with existing authority.
The meeting record shows the Board discussed this matter during the Washburn update; no formal ordinance amendment was adopted at the June 23 meeting. The Board later moved to other agenda items.
