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Resident James Edwards says city sought court process over long-running yard dispute
Summary
James Edwards told the council he lost potential lifetime housing equity because of a years-long code enforcement matter at 4695 Birch Creek and that he felt pressured by staff to take actions he called unlawful; the city attorney said staff recommended pursuing court action to protect worker safety.
James Edwards told the council during public comment that he has a "vested interest in 4695 Birch Creek" and described a multiyear dispute over property cleanup that he said has cost him financially and personally. "I lost $1,100,000 if you span it over a 30 year course," Edwards said, and added that efforts to resolve the issue had left him unable to keep the house and worried about losing his job and family stability.
Amy, the city attorney, responded that the city has been trying to address the property for about three years and that staff recommended going through the court system rather than sending city workers onto the site. "I'm worried about them going onto the property and... whether or not [the resident] is going to be violent," Amy said, and she told the council that both the property owner and the resident living there "have responsibilities to clean the property up." She offered to follow up directly with Edwards to walk through options.
The mayor said he would speak with staff and follow up after public comment. The council did not take formal action on the complaint during the meeting; the city attorney described the next practical step as pursuing legal process to ensure public-works staff safety and compliance.
