Nuisance properties under city's microscope
Three non-compliance property owners were put on notice Monday by Marion City Council.
It was reported that the owners of the property at 321 S. First Street, Marion, was to bring the mobile home structure to meet city regulations by Dec. 17. The council had granted a 60-day extension at an October council meeting.
City building inspector and public safety officer Marty Fredrickson reported the mobile home's skirting had been repaired but did not see any other improvements. He was not able to do an in-house inspection because the owner did not respond to his requests for an inspection. Instead Fredrickson said he looked through windows to observe the progress.
A portion of the floor in a front room had not been completely repaired. A back bedroom floor and plumbing also had not been repaired. There was no evidence that a heater had been installed and he didn't know if the water system was working.
The original petition or complaint was filed with the city in October 2006. City regulations require a petition to be signed by five residents. By resolution, the council could hold a hearing to show just cause why the structure shouldn't be condemned. The owners are given 30 days notice of the hearing.
Following the hearing and with input from the city attorney and officials, the council then would make a determination whether the property should be condemned and removed.
Since city attorney Dan Baldwin was not present at the meeting, the council did not make any decisions regarding the next step but did instruct city employees to keep moving forward with the process.
The owners of record at that address are Keith and Sherry Hess.
Two property owners along the city's right-of-way, which will be developed as a walking trail, have not complied to the city's request to clean up their properties.
The council was told that letters were sent by Baldwin, giving three property owners between Library and Main streets, Flamings, Inc., Al Church, and Tony Schafers, seven days to remove debris, materials, and equipment from the right-of-way. Only one of the business owners, Flaming's, Inc., complied.
Police chief Josh Whitwell told the council that a nuisance letter also was sent to Church. Contact was made with Church and Whitwell was told Church was going to hire someone to clean up the property.
Councilman Stacey Collett said he wasn't pleased that Baldwin only gave the property owners seven days to comply.
Mayor Mary Olson asked if volunteers could help clean up the properties.
Whitwell suggested the council give the other two property owners 60 days to comply, with noticeable progress being made during that time.
The opening of the walking trail is scheduled in April.
In the end, the council decided to allow the police department to handle the situation.
In other business:
— The council approved the city's five-year capital improvement plan as presented.
— A new shelter house will be built at Central Park in memory of former Marion resident Mark Applegate. Memorial funds will be used with the city providing a wheelchair ramp to the shelter house and electricity.
The proposed location for the shelter house is in the northeast part of the park, near the horseshoe pits.
Olson asked if the park committee had been contacted regarding the building. She was told that committee members had resigned and there was no committee in place.
— A payment of $56,380 was approved to Hett Construction for the Cardie Oil Company building at Marion Industrial Park.
— The council will consider a lease agreement with Crossroads Wireless for six antennas to be located on the water tower on the property of USD 408.
The next city council meeting will be at 1 p.m. Dec. 31 at the city building.
