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Regular City Council Meeting <br />Monday, Apri126, 2010 <br />Page 11 <br />Mr. Munson summarized the proposed abatement and estimated costs, consisting <br />of removal of garbage stored in bags in the yard or on the driveway at an approx- <br />imately one-time total cost of $250.00; previous City Council directive; and <br />staffls attempts to resolve the situation in accordance with their directive: <br />Mr. Munson noted that staff could not locate and/or contact the property owner, <br />Carol Armstrong, even after repeated efforts, and advised that one of the adjacent <br />neighbors, in attendance tonight, indicated that the property was a rental and not <br />owner-occupied since approximately 2006. <br />Staff recommended that the Community Development Department be authorized <br />to abate the unresolved City Code violations as detailed as aone-time action, and <br />if not resolving the situation, returning to the City Council with further recom- <br />mendation. <br />Discussion included the process staff would follow in attempting to resolve this <br />recurring situation for the long-term; the concerns in lack of resolution of this is- <br />sue and apparent lack of interest of the property owner in its resolution; directing <br />staff to send notices to the property owner as well as "occupant;" how to resolve <br />the issue permanently, not just on a one-time basis; incentives for compliance by <br />the occupant and/or property owner; further attempts to research the current ad- <br />dress of the property owner; and the process in issuing a Ramsey Court citation <br />with City Attorney Gaughan outlining such a criminal citation. <br />Mayor Klausing noted that the property owner and/or occupant was currently in <br />violation of City ordinance and needed to show their willingness to cooperate to <br />avoid further recourse, and admonished that this situation was not acceptable. <br />Neighbor, Laura Florhaug, 1740 Galtier Street <br />Ms. Florhaug confirmed that Ms. Armstrong no longer lived in the home, which <br />was currently occupied by Ms. Joy Hayden and her two daughters; and expressed <br />concern that Ms. Armstrong was not receiving the notices and opined that she <br />would be responsive if she had received them. <br />Ms. Forhaug expressed concern with how incentives could be provided to resolve <br />the situation; further expressing her frustration in this ongoing problem, and their <br />personal expense in installing blinds and a fence to alleviate the eyesore from <br />their property's view. <br />Discussion included unpaid property taxes and forfeiture; how to enforce com- <br />pliance; difficulty in communication with the current occupants; other nuisance <br />issues for this occupant including lack of maintenance (snow shoveling) and dogs <br />running wild and defecating in other yards; and lack of refuse service at this ad- <br />dress. <br />