Derelict property owner to city:
‘I’ve given up on it. I’m not going to pay anything.’
Staff writer
The owner of one of three derelict Marion properties wants to deed the property over to the city.
Hillsboro resident Scott Fisher, who owns 120 W. Santa Fe St. in Marion, was told Aug. 5 that he needed to put a fence around his property by Aug. 18 and determine by Sept. 22 whether he could fix its foundation and other problems.
On Monday, neighborhood services director James Masters showed council members photos.
A fence had been partially installed, then removed, Masters said. Windows and a door on the residence are open, he said, and nothing appeared to have been done to the foundation.
The property had been mowed, but only after the city ordered it. Fisher told council members he doesn’t plan to pay the city’s $100 mowing bill.
“Scott says he’s done with the property,” Masters said. “He doesn’t want the property.”
Fisher offered to deed the property over to the city.
“I don’t see why you wouldn’t take the property” Fisher said, “but if you want to do it the hard way . . . I’ve given up on it. I’m not going to pay anything.”
Mayor Mike Powers said the city was not in a position to make a decision whether to accept the property and would discuss the matter at a later meeting.
The house, sits on a too-small 25-by-164-foot wide lot. Zoning would not allow it to be replaced if razed.
Other property owners Floyd and Laura Myers, who own 529 S. Roosevelt St., were told Aug. 5 that they needed to repair a garage and porch by Oct. 6.
The Myers have worked on the property and were told Monday that no further city action would be taken.
The final property owner, Florence resident Lorretta Looney, who owns 516 S. 3rd. St., had been told she needed to have two garages and a shed demolished and removed by Oct. 6.
Looney asked for two more months. A garage and shed have demolished and removed. A garage remains.
She said her removal contractor had not been able to be there. Meanwhile, she’s been busy taking care of her husband.
Powers noted that she was making progress and the council voted to give her until Dec. 1 to finish.
In other business Monday, Powers announced annual appointments normally made in April.
Megan Jones was appointed as economic development director, and Brian Bina was reappointed city attorney; Becky Makovec city treasurer; James Masters neighborhood services director; Randall Pankratz municipal judge; Janet Robinson city clerk; Margo Yates zoning administrator; and Brian Wells city administrator. Interim was removed from Yates’ title. Robinson also was named interim municipal court clerk.
Council members didn’t grant a public works department request to purchase a power rake for $16,769.86. The city has previously rented one when needed at $900 a week to refurbish gravel and dirt for alleys.
Department head Tim Makovec said he didn’t know how often the equipment would be used if it were available.
Councilman Zach Collett said worried how often the rake, not designed for gravel, might break and thought rental might make more sense, especially if the rake were seldom used.
Powers said he wanted a plan for how often a power rake would be used before deciding whether to purchase one.
Council member Kevin Burkholder also asked for the city to check with other power rake users about cost and frequency of repairs.