SAC CITY, IOWA – AUGUST 31, 2010
On August 23, 2010 the Sac City Council held an abandonment hearing for Jewel Hoffard. She owns a property with a hole in the roof of the porch and a broken window in the back. According to a letter sent by the city attorney, the property was not abandoned because it is being maintained.
Councilperson Nick Frohardt apparently feels it’s time to start going after people who own rough looking properties but don’t have enough money to fix them and voted to let the abandonment charge stand. Councilperson Jim Johnston also voted to let the abandonment charge stand against the advice of the city attorney. With Brenny and Frederick voting to absolve the charge, the vote tied and the charge was left standing.
What that vote essentially amounted to was a punt back into the laps of the Sac City Planning and Zoning board.
The Sac City planning and Zoning Board met on August 31, 2010 to discuss what to do. The ensuing conversation which lasted over 30 minutes and was at times quite colorful, (see video) resulted in a simple solution; let the notice expire.
When the Sac City Zoning Officer approaches the home to deliver the second notice, and he observes that the property is not abandoned, all he has to do is not post a second notice, and it’s all over.
The property may still be vulnerable to maintenance citations.
Copyright (c)2007-2010 Curtis Bloes All Rights Reserved
Right or wrong Johnston and Frohardt brought these issues to a head and maybe things will be done correctly now. Amazing P&Z are willing to had over the reigns to the city council after all these years, they get a little heat and they all bailout:) Isn't government great always a fall guy to blame it on!!!!!
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