November 20, 2017 Special Meeting Minutes
City of Walcott
November 20, 2017
A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Walcott, Iowa was held on Monday, November 20, 2017, with Mayor John Kostichek calling the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Council members present were: Tim Koehler, Virgil Wayne Latimer, Lisa Mengler, and Jacob Puck. Absent: Jackie Puck. City employees present were: Scott Bengfort, Lisa Rickertsen, and Tom Schirman.
Nuisance Abatement Hearing – Parcel 820655138–5. Bengfort stated he sent a nuisance abatement notice to the property owner of parcel 820655138-55, S. Grove Street (behind the Lampliter). The abatement notice listed weeds and overgrowth of vegetation, scrap ferrous materials, dismantled vehicles/machinery, and junk vehicles. A letter was subsequently received from Ron May, attorney for the property owner (Bonnie Jackson), requesting a hearing with the City Council on the abatement notice.
Attorney May was present and stated the property owner would like to request an extension to May 1, 2018, to get the property cleaned up. Discussion ensued regarding drafting an agreement between the property owner and the City regarding the nuisance items and extended deadline. May stated he appreciated the City’s cooperation to result in the least amount of expense to the property owner. Attorney Schirman stated an extension could be appropriate but the City would need to see a good faith effort during the extension. Glen Houghton utilizes the property for open storage for his masonry business and he disagreed with some of the items that were being classified as a nuisance.
Following further discussion, Mengler moved and Latimer seconded to have Bengfort meet with the property owner or designee (Glen Houghton) to define and photograph what needs to be removed (according to the nuisance ordinances) and have the attorneys prepare and review an agreement with an abatement extension to May 1, 2018, to be presented at the December 18th council meeting. Motion carried.
Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to adjourn at 5:32 p.m. Ayes: All. Motion carried.