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Council asks staff to research vacancy tools after years of downtown vacancies
Summary
Council discussed long-standing vacant properties on Main Street (notably under owners Noel Vallejo and Drew Armstrong), directed Staff to explore vacancy-certification or enforcement options, requested draft code language and a possible Council letter to owners, and supported a City-led downtown committee and grant pursuit to spur redevelopment.
Council Members raised persistent concerns about long-vacant commercial buildings on Main Street and asked Staff to provide options to encourage occupancy or require registration of long-term vacancies. Administrator Scott Darrington and City Attorney Tina Petersen reviewed options discussed previously and said the City can pursue administrative registration (a Vacancy Certificate), fines, or hard deadlines but would need to balance enforcement costs and legal limits on compelling private property use. Staff listed next steps: research vacancy and neglected-building ordinances used by other cities, present proposed code language for Council consideration, and prepare a draft letter from elected officials to property owner Noel Vallejo if warranted.
Council members also expressed interest in supporting revitalization through an implementation grant (MAG planning/implementation grant up to $75,000), a potential downtown committee including business and property owners (with two Council representatives), and targeted streetscape investments such as permanent decorative lights and a revolving loan fund to assist storefront improvements. Staff will return in March with proposed ordinance options, grant status, and cost estimates for lighting and other interventions.
