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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, February 28, 2011 Page 13 home at this time. Mr. Munson provided an updated status report and photos of existing violations. Mr. Munson advised that, due to the significant work indicated, staff had obtained three (3) bids; and that the family was receptive to the abatement, simply asking that the cost be spread out over 4-5 years. Discussion among Councilmembers and staff included the potential of much more damage to the property than apparent from the outside; and whether the proposed abatement work was not addressing all of the items; whether further investigation on the interior of the home was prudent, and whether staff could gain access to the interior of the home given the lack of Power of Attorney by the family members, and elderly status of the property owner. Mr. Munson opined that there was no indication that this building be classified as a dangerous building needing condemnation; and noted additional 10% contin- gency allowed in the bids received for any additional work that may be indicated once work was initiated. Public Comment Ms. Chase Davies, 1442 Brenner Avenue Ms. Davies, as a neighbor to this property, advised that it had been approximately seventeen (17) years since this home had been occupied by the owner or a relative of the owner; and that for a short time someone was on site several evenings each week, but that occupancy had ended several years ago. Ms. Davies noted that the owner's children had been in the home and done some cleaning and removal of items in a dumpster on site, and in her opinion those items appeared wet. Ms. Davies advised that she was aware that the downstairs bath had no fixtures; but was unaware of other circumstances on the interior of the home. Ms. Davies ad- vised that the owner had been quite ill last summer, and when she'd spoken to one of the children, they advised that she was now in a nursing home in the Deer- wood, MN area. Ms. Davies recognized that the owner was not willing to part with her home, but that she was never there. Further discussion among Councilmembers, staff and Ms. Davies included the ac- tual condition of the home and whether it was of any value; prudence of using public dollars, even if reimbursed, for addressing this problem property; and sta- tus of the utilities for this property. Mayor Roe opined that it made sense to investigate the situation further. Mr. Munson advised that, when staff last checked, utilities were still on, and he noted that the family had indicated that they plan to have the home occupied in the near future.