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4.7 SR 01-21-2025The Elk River Vision A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity Request for Action To City Council Item Number 4.7 Meeting Date January 21, 2025 Prepared By Zack Carlton, Community Development Director Item Description Resolution 25-05 Hazardous Property Order for 19116 Troy St NW Reviewed by Cal Portner Tina Allard Action Requested Adopt, by motion, Resolution 25-05 ordering repair or removal of hazardous conditions at 19116 Troy Street NW Background/Discussion Code enforcement and the city attorney have been working to address the hazardous property at 19116 Troy Street NW. Numerous attempts were to contact the property owner, but were unsuccessful. In 2024, the Council authorized staff to proceed with an Eminent Domain proceeding to acquire the property, demolish the hazardous structures, and sell it as a developable residential parcel. During those proceedings, the city was contacted by two heirs of the previous property owner. They have since filed a successful probate matter and are now the estate's personal representatives. The city will no longer seek to acquire the property through eminent domain. With the ownership question answered, staff asks the Council to adopt a resolution formally ordering the removal or repair of the hazardous conditions on the property. We will continue to work with the heirs and their representatives to bring the property into compliance. Financial Impact Legal fees will be assessed to the property in accordance with state and local regulations. Mission/Policy/Goal Improve citizen quality of life. Attachments 1. RES 25-05 Hazardous Property Resolution 2. Exhibit A - O&E Report 3. Exhibit B - Interior Photos 4. Exhibit C - Hazardous Property Order Page 57 of 155 Page 58 of 155 232825v2 City of Elk River City Council Resolution 25-05 A Resolution Ordering Repair or Removal of Hazardous Conditions WHEREAS, the City staff of the City of Elk River have attempted without success to remedy the hazardous and unsafe conditions of the property located at 19116 Troy St. NW, in the City of Elk River, Minnesota, with a legal description of Lot 4, Block 1, Oak Knoll, Sherburne County, Minnesota (the “Subject Property”); and WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the building on the property constitutes a hazardous property due to inadequate maintenance that constitutes a fire and safety hazard to public safety or health within the meaning of Minn. Stat. § 463.15, subd. 3; and WHEREAS, in passing Resolution 24-50 the City Council has previously determined that the building on the property constitutes a hazardous property, and due to the lack of any living person claiming an interest in the property directed that the property be acquired through eminent domain to allow the hazardous conditions to be addressed permanently; and WHEREAS, the City has since learned of possible heirs to the property, and wishes to both avoid undue interference with any potential heirs’ property rights as determined through the probate process and ensure that the hazardous conditions on the property are addressed in a timely fashion; and WHEREAS, the City will no longer be seeking to acquire the property through eminent domain pending the potential resolution of ownership interests through the probate process; and WHEREAS, the City Council has fully considered all evidence relating to the code violations at the Subject Property. Said evidence is attached hereto as exhibits. The exhibits include the following documents: a.Exhibit A: Ownership and Encumbrance report for Subject Property; b.Exhibit B: Photographs of the Subject Property taken during an inspection on December 5, 2023 NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ELK RIVER, MINNESOTA, MAKES THE FOLLOWING: FINDINGS 1. The above recitals are incorporated as if fully set forth herein. Page 59 of 155 232825v2 2. The sole owner of record of the property is William G. Boop. The County of Sherburne holds an interest in the Subject Property for potential taxes. There are currently no other lienholders of record of the Subject Property. 3. Laura L. Madden and Amy M. Roll are the Personal Representatives and Heirs of William G. Boop. 4. The Subject Property contains a single-family home. The City believes the home to be vacant and unoccupied. 5. The Subject Property contains violations of City Code and the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC). See also Elk River City Code § 30-87 (adopting the IPMC by reference. 6. IPMC § 305.1 requires that the interior of all structures “shall be maintained in good repair, structurally sound and in a sanitary condition.” IPMC § 309.1 requires that all structures be kept free from insect and rodent infestation. City Code § 46-35 declares dilapidated structures to be public nuisances. City Code § 46-34 declares solid waste or junk accumulation so as to be dangerous or injurious to be a public nuisance. 7. The entire interior of the Subject Property is in extremely poor repair. The Subject Property is littered with trash and animal feces throughout. The Subject Property is cluttered with debris, furniture, and other items throughout. The Subject Property shows signs of ongoing rodent infestation. There is visible water damage inside the Subject Property and visible water damage to the exterior of the Subject Property. DECISION NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ELK RIVER, MINNESOTA, based upon the information received and the above Findings, the following: 1. The Subject Property contains violations of City Code and the IPMC. 2. The Subject Property, which is located in Elk River, Sherburne County, constitutes a health and safety hazard within the meaning of Minnesota Chapter 463. Specifically, the Subject Property contains conditions and improper construction that constitute a fire hazard and a hazard to public safety or health. Minn. Stat. § 463.15, subd. 3. 3. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 463.16 et seq., the City hereby adopts and approves the Order for Repair and Removal of Hazardous Conditions attached hereto as Exhibit C. 4. The City’s legal counsel, Campbell Knutson, P.A., 860 Blue Gentian Road, Suite 290, Eagan, Minnesota 55121, is directed to serve the Order for Repair and Removal of Hazardous Conditions and to proceed with enforcement in accordance with Minn. Stat. § 463.15 et seq. Page 60 of 155 232825v2 Passed and adopted this 21st day of January 2025. John J. Dietz, Mayor ATTEST: Tina Allard, City Clerk Page 61 of 155 Date: Number: Class/DescriptionFile Number AmountClient's File #Transactee Memo 09/20/2023 Land Title, Inc. 2200 County Road C West Suite 2205 Roseville, MN 55113 651.638.1900 Campbell Knutson 860 Blue Gentian Road Suite 290 Eagan, MN 55121 100372 Invoice 19116 Troy Street Northwest, Elk River, MN 55330 Boop, William Property Report $75.00684413 Total $75.00 $75.00Total Due When you provide a check as payment, you authorize us to use information from the check to make a one-time electronic fund transfer from your account. In certain circumstances, such as for technical or processing reasons, we may process your payment as a check transaction. Due Upon Receipt Page 62 of 155 LT File Number: 684413 Page 1 of 2 LT File Number: 684413 Report prepared on: September 20, 2023 Prepared for: Campbell Knutson 860 Blue Gentian Road Suite 290 Eagan, MN 55121 Attn: Miya E. Watson Client File No.: PROPERTY REPORT Applicant:William G. Boop Property Address:19116 Troy Street Northwest, Elk River, MN 55330 County:Sherburne State:Minnesota Property Type:Abstract Property LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Lot 4, Block 1, Oak Knoll, Sherburne County, Minnesota. APPARENT RECORD OWNER: William G. Boop WARRANTY DEED: Jerry R. Wells and Patricia A. Wells, as husband and wife to William G. Boop ; DOCUMENT NO.: 257126; DATED: October 29, 1991; FILED: December 18, 1991. OPEN MORTGAGES AND LIENS: -NONE- TAX INFORMATION: Tax I.D. No.: 75-452-0120 Taxes for the year 2023: $1,948.00, Total, are 1st 1/2 Due, 2nd 1/2 Due, plus penalty on unpaid 1st half Delinquent Tax: None Base Tax: $1,948.00(Homestead) Estimated Market Value: $161,100.00 Assessed in the name of: William G. Boop NAME SEARCHES: There are no unsatisfied judgments and notices of Federal or State Tax Liens docketed in Sherburne County District Court, and the Sherburne County Recorder’s office appearing against the following names (through the date interest was conveyed out): William Boop Except as follows: JUDGMENT: Bank of America, N.A. vs. William G. Boop, dated July 10, 2015, docketed July 10, 2015 in Sherburne County District Court records as Case No. 71-CV-15-688 in the amount of $7,838.85. Page 63 of 155 LT File Number: 684413 Page 2 of 2 POSTED EFFECTIVE DATE: September 15, 2023 This Property Report is not a title examination, title opinion, title insurance commitment or title insurance policy. This report is furnished for the use and benefit of the requesting party. The liability of the reporting company caused by inaccuracies contained herein is limited to the amount paid for in said report. Land Title, Inc.  2200 West County Road C, Suite 2205, Roseville, MN 55113  phone (651) 638-1900  fax (651) 697-6185  landtitleinc.com Page 64 of 155 Page 65 of 155 Page 66 of 155 Page 67 of 155 232826v1 CITY OF ELK RIVER Order of the City Council of Elk River, Sherburne County, Minnesota concerning Hazardous building on the property Located at: 19116 Troy St. NW, Elk River, MN 55330 Legally described as: Lot 4, Block 1, Oak Knoll, Sherburne County, Minnesota. Parcel Identification Number (PID): 75-00452-0120 TO: William G. Boop, Owner in Fee Simple of the Subject Property; Laura Madden and Amy M. Roll, personal representatives of the Owner. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 463.15, et seq., the City Council of the City of Elk River, having duly considered the matter, found the above-described property to be hazardous through the passage of Resolution 25-___. Elk River City staff have observed the conditions present at 19116 Troy St. NW, Elk River, MN 55330 [hereinafter: Subject Property]. Their observations revealed that the Subject Property constitutes a hazardous property within the meaning of Minnesota Chapter 463. Specifically, the Subject Property has been inadequately maintained, is dilapidated, and littered with junk and debris in violation of City Code and the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) in such a way as to constitute a hazard to public safety or health within the meaning of Minn. Stat. § 463.15, subd. 3. Specifically, the City Council finds that the following hazardous conditions exist at the Subject Property: 1. IPMC § 305.1 requires that the interior of all structures “shall be maintained in good repair, structurally sound and in a sanitary condition.” IPMC § 309.1 requires that all structures be kept free from insect and rodent infestation. City Code § 46-35 declares dilapidated structures to be public nuisances. Page 68 of 155 232826v1 2. City Code § 46-34 declares solid waste or junk accumulation so as to be dangerous or injurious to be a public nuisance. The entire interior of the Subject Property is in extremely poor repair. The Subject Property is littered with trash and animal feces throughout. The Subject Property is cluttered with debris, furniture, and other items throughout. The Subject Property shows signs of ongoing rodent infestation. There is visible water damage inside the Subject Property and visible water damage to the exterior of the Subject Property. Pursuant to the foregoing, in accordance with Minn. Stat. § 463.17, unless the hazardous conditions listed above are removed within thirty (30) days of the date of this Order, the City shall cause the hazardous conditions on the Subject Property to be removed. The removal of the above-reference hazardous conditions may include, if reasonably necessary, the demolition of the Subject Property, the detached garage, or both, the removal of the foundation, and backfilling to prevent any dangerous exposed excavation. If you fail to remedy the hazardous conditions, the City will seek permission from the District Court for the City to do so. The City will move the District Court for summary enforcement of this Order pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 463.19 unless you remedy the situation within said thirty (30) day period or unless an answer is filed within twenty (20) days of service of this Order upon you pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 463.18. Any answer filed must specifically deny sufficient facts presented in this Order to raise a material question as to the presence or absence of hazardous conditions. Upon enforcement of the Order by the City, all costs expended by the City will be assessed against the real property and collected as other taxes as provided in Minn. Stat. § 463.21. If you fail to remedy the hazardous conditions, you must remove all personal property or fixtures within thirty (30) days of service of this Order upon you pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 463.24. If the personal property or fixtures are not removed within that by time, then the City may sell the personal property or fixtures at public auction as provided in Minn. Stat. § 463.21 or the City may destroy the same. Moreover, you are advised that if the City of Elk River is compelled to take any action to Page 69 of 155 232826v1 abate these hazardous conditions, all necessary costs expended by the City will be assessed against the real estate and collected as other taxes as provided in Minn. Stat. § 463.21. CAMPBELL KNUTSON Professional Association Dated: ______________ By _/s/ John S. Brooksbank____ John S. Brooksbank (#0402593) Grand Oak Office Center I 860 Blue Gentian Road, Suite 290 Eagan, MN 55121 Telephone: 651-234-6235 jbrooksbank@ck-law.com Attorney for City of Elk River Page 70 of 155