Stanwood Council pursues enforcement on Preston Street nuisance properties; adopts sidewalk snow-removal rules

Stanwood’s council repeatedly addressed private-property nuisance issues on Preston Street in 2021, taking enforcement steps including court action, fines and property clean-up plans.

Clerk Stephanie VonBehren provided recurring updates to the council on multiple nuisance properties at 202 E. Preston, 201 E. Center and others. The minutes record that a court ordered cleanup for 202 E. Preston and that a $750 fine with a 30-day compliance period was entered. The clerk said that if the owner fails to comply an additional $100 per day fine will be assessed.

The clerk also reported that municipal infractions and court timelines were pending for other properties; at several meetings the clerk said she would consult the city attorney and proceed with abatement steps where necessary. Council minutes show evidence provided to the court (photographs and testimony) and a scheduled non-jury trial date for March 4 in one case.

Separately, councilors approved a city policy to require residents to clear sidewalks within 24 hours of a snowfall; if not cleared, the city will perform removal and assess a minimum of one hour of labor per property. A special session on Feb. 2 awarded a residential sidewalk snow-removal contract to Deppe Construction after reviewing three bids.

Council members repeatedly returned to nuisance-property updates in their monthly reports; the clerk was directed to draft repayment or payment agreements where owners asked to spread nuisance-abatement costs over time and to file municipal infractions when owners did not meet deadlines. The record shows the council uses the court system and municipal fines as enforcement levers but does not indicate each instance of final collection or long-term compliance.