Resident tells council abandoned houses are burning, urges demolition and stronger enforcement

Edward Roskett, a resident who said he lives on 7th Street, used the meeting’s public-comment slot to deliver an extended appeal for action on vacant and abandoned houses that he said are catching fire and being occupied.

"All of these abandoned houses that are catching fire," Roskett told council. He described seeing people move into damaged storefronts and houses on Monroe and Madison streets and said calls to police produced no remedy. Roskett asked the council to pursue demolition or contract work if the city attorney would not act, and urged the city to coordinate with the county rather than rely on rhetoric or prayers.

Roskett said the city should not accept the status quo and warned that a planned water park and related concessions could cost the city more than the revenue it will generate. He urged officials to move beyond volunteer efforts and to use available funds to address blight and public-safety issues.

Council responded with a reminder about the public-comment signup process; the chair and city manager said people who wish to speak should sign up in advance. Council also noted some callers left the meeting upset and reiterated that there are administrative processes for enforcement and demolition when properties advance to those stages.

Why it matters: Roskett’s remarks highlight ongoing resident frustration about property blight, perceived enforcement gaps, and how those conditions intersect with public-safety concerns. The council did not take immediate action during public comment; transcript shows the meeting later moved to administrative and budget items and then into a closed session under statutory authority.