08-23-2010 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, August 23, 2010 7:00 o'clock p.m. • PUBLIC COMMENT, CONTINUED Don Berkstad, 3585 Crystal Place, Navarre, indicated he owns lots 3, 4, 5, and is here tonight concerning a nuisance property, which is Lot No. 2, which adjoins Mr. Forester's property at 3599 Crystal Bay. Mr. Forester distributed pictures of the lot taken this spring and noted that the property is in even worse condition. Forester stated in the last year and a half he has been having a very bad rodent problem. Berkstad stated he had resided on this property for approximately 20 years and that this property is not occupied by the owner. There is a renter that has been there for approximately 10 years. Berkstad indicated he has been in contact with the City via e-mail and phone conversations regarding refuse, trash, garbage, junk cars, bicycles, animals, and now rodents. Over the years he has seen rats, mice, squirrels, and raccoons enter the premises. The renter has a tent in his backyard that is obviously a nonconforming structure, which is full of trash. Each morning crows go over his garbage pile to pick at the refuse. Berkstad stated he has a screen porch on his structure that he is unable to use because this person burns his garbage outside and the smell is intolerable. Forester indicated the police have been there more than once. Berkstad stated this problem has existed for at least ten years and that it is a nuisance property. Nothing ` has been done to correct the situation by the property owner and he is not sure who to speak to about it. • Curtis noted Staff has issued a notice to the property owner as well as talked to him personally on the telephone. Mattick stated they have stepped up code enforcement in Orono starting this spring and some of the early cases are in the court system at this point. The proper process is for Staff to take pictures documenting the problems, send a letter to the property owner, and if they receive no response, Staff refers it to his office for prosecution. The property owner can be prosecuted criminally. Bremer asked who was sent the notice. Curtis indicated a notice was sent to the property owner and that they have spoken with him on the telephone. The property owner has asked the City for help because they are having trouble with their renter. The City does not have a mechanism in place to help them at this point. The property owner is responsible for the property since they own the property. Curtis indicated Staff does not know the status of their rental agreement or any other agreements they have with the tenant. The owners do understand they need to take care of the problem. White asked if there is a time line for the property owner to improve the situation. Curtis indicated there is. Mattick stated Staff typically gives the property owner two weeks to respond and then a follow -up letter is sent by his office notifying them that they will be charged criminally if nothing is done within 10 days. If the property is being brought into compliance, no criminal action will be taken. • Page 14 of 18