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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, September 11, 2017 Page 12 L Consideration of Community Development Department Request to Perform an Abatement for Unresolved Violations of City Code at 2911 Fairview Ave- nue As previously noted, code violations had been resolved prior to tonight's meeting. g. Consideration of a Community Development Department Request to Per- form an Abatement for Unresolved Violations of City Code at 2490 Sheldon Street Councilmember Laliberte submitted pictures from a resident showing the condi- tion of the brick planter at this property. The staff report was supplemented by a correspondence history with the property owners of record dated March, April, June and September of 2017. Codes Coordinator Dave Englund summarized this request and provided updated photos of the code violations as of today for this vacant, single-family home at 2490 Sheldon Street, with the property owner of record identified as George Nel- son (deceased), c/o Jeff Nelson. However, Mr. Englund reported that in discus- sions with Mr. Jeff Nelson, the property has been signed over to HUD and is un- der the management of Rushmore Management. Mr. Englund reviewed current violations, including south side awning on home in disrepair (407.02.B) and a stone planter/light post base in the front yard in disre- pair(407.023). Mr. Englund estimated that the cost of abatement, encompassing removal of the brick planter and awning and administrative costs at approximately $625.00. However, Mr. Englund advised that while the abatement action had been initiated due to previous lack of action and ownership questions, staff's rec- ommendation at this point given the most recent contact with Mr. Jeffrey Nelson was to not abate the property due to the minor nature of the violations. Discussion among council members and staff included an update on the property owner of record as per Ramsey County property records; and potential identifica- tion of the deed holder of the property(unknown). Councilmember McGehee stated that she had heard a lot about this, and con- curred with staff given past practice with more serious compliance issues consid- ered for abatement. Councilmember McGehee advised that she had discussed this with staff earlier today, at which time she had suggested that city staff replace missing bricks and cement and remove the damaged awning since it wasn't in front nor was the awning particularly visible from the street even though it ap- peared to be an issue for neighbors. Even thought the home is vacant, Coun- cilmember McGehee addressed the rights of the property owner as long as it was maintained and the property taxes paid, opining the home didn't constitute "blight" from her perspective. Since the homeowner of record was attempting to resolve the issue, Councilmember McGehee suggested some consideration given the various firms being dealt with and delays being encountered by staff in the process.