Council discusses acquired property
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By BETH ZUMWALT
The Pittsfield City Council has received or taken ownership of several properties since stepping up enforcement of the city’s fix or flatten program. Now, the question becomes what do to with those properties. The matter was discussed at the May 16 meeting.
“Statute says we have to sell them at 80 percent of the appraised value,” Gary Mendenhall, mayor, said. “The problem is a lot of them won’t get bids at that amount. We need to find out what we can do if none of the bids are 80 percent.”
The city currently has two properties that have been flattened and are looking at three to four more. The city will pay for the demolition and then place a lien on the property to recoup the costs. Most often the cost of the demolition exceeds the value of the property.
“Most of these are just properties that people have just walked away from,” Mendenhall said. “They don’t want anything to do with it.”
Those properties often become havens for raccoons, ferrel cats and other wildlife, plus, the yards and surrounding areas go unmoved and unkept.
“Nobody wants to live in an abandoned property,” Mendenhall said. “If we can get these cleaned and ready for sale, then we can get them back on the tax rolls.”
The council also learned that the repairs on the intersection of Fair and Memorial Streets should start in the next 60 days and hopefully be finished by the beginning of school in the fall.
In other action:
• The city will hire summer workers to assist on projects including the mowing of city properties.
• The position of Steve Barker of the street and alley department, has been advertise. Barker has retired from the city.
• A variance for a shed at the residence of Mark and Jonie Gerard on West Washington Street was granted.
• The Big Buck disc golf tournament will be at Lake Pittsfield Oct. 28 and 29.
