Council hears code-enforcement update; staff recommends 90 days for two rehab cases and warns of possible condemnation

Code-enforcement staff briefed the council on several property cases and recommended next steps.

Mr. Virgil reported that two previously tabled properties (14218th Court East and 6414 31st Street) have seen visible repairs — new roofs, repaired walls, removed decks and interior work — and staff recommended giving each owner another 90 days to continue progress. "It's our recommendation to give her another 90 days to continue making progress on this one," Mr. Virgil said when summarizing the first case.

The newest case, at 2918 26 Street, has no permits pulled and no water account, Mr. Virgil said; staff discovered someone may be living there despite the property being posted uninhabitable. He told the council that if an occupant presents a legitimate plan, staff would consider a 90-day timeline to pull permits and begin work, but said condemnation is an option if no plan is provided. The transcript records council discussion of prior complaints at the address, animal-control removals and inoperable vehicles on the property.

Council members discussed whether social services might assist an occupant who is physically unable to do repairs; staff said attempts had been made to contact the owner and serve legal notices without success. The council did not vote on condemnation during the portion of the meeting captured in the transcript.