Winthrop council authorizes abatement notice and approves $1,219.43 utility lien

The Winthrop City Council on Jan. 7 approved two enforcement actions affecting private properties: a certified abatement notice to one resident and a utility-lien resolution for outstanding charges at another property.

Council member Lee White moved and Council member Chance Cook seconded a motion to send a certified abatement letter to the resident at 465 3rd St N, giving 30 days to obtain a building permit for a constructed shed (the shed must not be in the front yard, must meet a 5-foot setback from the front of the residence, and must match the residence paint scheme) and to obtain a chicken permit. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Separately, Council member Jim Loughren moved and Council member Chance Cook seconded approval of Resolution 26-01 to place a lien of $1,219.43 for nonpayment of utilities on the property at 125 W Jackson, identified as belonging to Russ and Nicole West. The resolution passed on an "all ayes" voice vote according to the minutes.

The meeting record does not list additional enforcement steps, payment deadlines for the lien, or whether the property owners provided prior notice. The council's actions were recorded as motions with unanimous approval and did not include recorded roll-call tallies beyond the voice votes.