Browns Valley council authorizes abatement proceedings for five properties under local ordinance

The City of Browns Valley council unanimously authorized the city attorney on June 8 to begin abatement proceedings for five residential properties found to be out of compliance with local ordinance 92.21(C).

On a motion by Councilmember Jan Biewer, seconded by Councilmember Tony Miller, the council directed City Attorney Matt Franzese to pursue abatement action for properties at 523 4th Street North; 37 6th Street North; 29 6th Street North; 502 3rd Street North; and 103 Jefferson Street South. The ordinance declares a residential home with water and/or electrical service disconnected for more than seven days a public health nuisance and deems it uninhabitable. According to the motion, if occupants do not vacate after written notice, the city may seek a judicial eviction under Minnesota Statutes § 463.15–463.261.

City Attorney Matt Franzese gave a verbal legal report to the council before the vote; the minutes do not record additional factual detail about the conditions at each property. The council’s action authorizes the attorney to proceed with the next legal steps of the abatement process and to pursue eviction through the courts if required.

The council took the action without recorded dissent. The motion record in the minutes identifies Jan Biewer as the mover and Tony Miller as the seconder; the minutes state the vote was unanimous. The minutes do not specify timelines for notices to occupants or any planned city assistance to restore utilities.

Next steps: City staff and the city attorney will execute the abatement process described in the ordinance and Minnesota Statutes; the minutes indicate the council directed the attorney to proceed but do not list hearing dates or specific enforcement timelines.