Council amends nuisance-abatement code to broaden enforcement options against problem properties

The common council unanimously approved an ordinance amendment on March 12 that alters city nuisance-abatement language to remove a provision that had previously prevented charging owners when eviction proceedings were underway.

City Attorney (identified in the transcript as Attorney Buddy) read the change to the ordinance and said the amendment removes the sentence that had stated a property owner could not be charged with a violation of the section if they had instituted eviction proceedings against the tenant suspected of criminal activities. Attorney Buddy said the revision "puts a tool in the toolbox" to allow city action against properties where the owner may be contributing to chronic nuisance conditions.

Council members discussed the neighborhood-services program that coordinates multiple departments to address nuisances and noted the amendment provides an additional enforcement option rather than an automatic remedy in every case. Attorney Buddy said staff would evaluate facts and circumstances before invoking the authority.

The ordinance passed unanimously.