Council gives homeowners slight reprieve
Staff writer
Owners of a dilapidated house at 312 W. Grand St. that has been a point of contention since early October got a slight reprieve when city council members gave them two more weeks before taking further action against them.
Neighbors of homeowners Dick and Carla Hein complained to the council in early October about the condition of the house. At that time the house had missing siding, plastic covering hanging in shreds over bare wood, and north double doors blocked and unable to open.
City attorney Josh Boehm said Tuesday that not much progress has been made.
City administrator Larry Paine told council members the Heins could not be at Tuesday’s meeting and proposed a two-week delay of the planned hearing.
Council members instructed Boehm to make additional inquiries, including an intended timeline to complete needed work.
“I’ve heard stories that the contractor they hired stopped work because he hasn’t been paid,” Mayor Lou Thurston told Boehm.
Thurston added that he’s concerned the city could end up dealing with a contractor’s lien on the property.