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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, April 12, 2010 Page 14 no response from any Councilmembers to-date. Ms. Davis reviewed these cir- cumstances in detail, opining that her family had been "in crisis" for a number of years; that their intent in moving into this home was to provide handicapped ac- cessibility for family members; and further reviewed their intent and the reality of their circumstances in completing this project. Ms. Davis assured Councilmemb- ers of their preference to be good neighbors, and advised that she had sought as- sistance from various agencies and neighbors to assist in completing this project. Ms. Davis noted that, due to her full-time employment, her family did not qualify for assistance from the agencies she'd contacted to-date; and that no assistance had been forthcoming from their neighbors or church in completing the work. Ms. Davis further assured Councilmembers that, given her husband's former ownership of a construction firm, they were more than qualified to complete the work, but that they had been overwhelmed by the circumstances previously noted, and asked for patience and understanding in completing this work, which she an- ticipated being completed by the end of this summer. Mayor Klausing offered the City Council's sympathy for the family's difficulties; however, noted that the property had become along-term nuisance for the neigh- borhood for seven years, and an immediate solution was necessary; and suggested that the abatement process may be useful for their situation, given their physical and financial circumstances. Discussion ensued among Councilmembers, Ms. Davis, and Mr. Munson related to whether it was realistic for Ms. Davis and her family to complete the work this summer; those materials on hand for completion of the siding and soffits and those yet to be acquired; clarification of those organizations contacted to-date; staff contact with GMHC to determine if any assistance was available; Ms. Davis' work with Xcel in burying a cable on the north end of the home; assessment pay- ment options over a certain time frame; and determination of a preferred date for completion of the work this year. Ms. Davis advised that she had experienced inferior construction from others in the past in assisting them in completing the work. Mr. Munson noted that if the work was not completed soon, the home's exterior would continue to deteriorate, as well as costs to abate the work increasing due to fall weather concerns if not completed during the summer construction season. Further discussion included the amount of work remaining to be completed (i.e., siding and soffits); nature of the work on scaffolding; equipment and materials available from the homeowner; and possible compromises to accommodate all parties and bring resolution to this issue.