Caledonia Argus

City hears property complaint; will hire new officer

Posted: 11/18/03

By David Heiller
Argus News Editor

Three Caledonia residents complained to the city council at its November 10 meeting about a house in their neighborhood.

Norman Snodgrass led the comments about a home at 205 North Winnebago which is owned by Tony Becker.

ìItís an absolute eyesore to our neighborhood,î Snodgrass said after passing around pictures of the property. He feels it is decreasing the property value of surrounding property, and is attracting vermin such as rats and skunks from garbage in the garage.

Caledonia city attorney Tim Murphy said there was nothing that could be done about the appearance of the house and garage, but that the city could look at public safety and health issues.

The city could determine the property to be a hazardous property under state law, or under a nuisance property under a city ordinance, Murphy wrote as part of a three-page letter to the city.

He suggested that the council spell out what nuisance categories the property falls in, and then invite Becker to discuss it.

An unpainted house isnít a nuisance, but trash is, councilor Paul Fisch said.

ìThe siding is physically falling off the house,î Snodgrass replied.

Councilor Mark Schiltz added: ìAt times thereís not even a front door on it.î

Murphy added that neighbors could bring a private action against Becker.

Citizen Jodi Ostern said she thought the city wanted to take care of run-down property. ìWe drive around town and we see crap like that and say, ëPerfect project for the city,íî she said.

Mayor Bob Burns said the council should organize a complaint and then meet with the owner. If it canít be resolved, they can proceed from there.

The councilors agreed to send a letter to Becker and the renters of the house to clean up the garbage.

Later in the meeting, which lasted 4-1/2 hours, the council discussed the old creamery, another property that people have complained about. Owner James Sheehan was to have replaced the roof by November 10. Since he hadnít done that, he was now out of compliance, Burns said.

Schiltz suggested that the council invite him to its next meeting and ask him when he will finish it, or when it will be torn down at his expense.

City will pay fine

The council voted 4-1 to pay a fine of $200 for the illegal sale of alcoholic beverage at the city-owned Caledonia Liquor Store on October 10.

The fine came as a result of a sting operation in which several businesses were caught selling to a minor. Councilor Randi Vick voted against paying the fine because she felt the city was being treated differently.

Police officer to be hired

The council was informed that police chief Duane St. Mary was advertising for a full-time officer. The need for this results from a medical leave for officer Jim Logan, who injured his knee and will miss about six months of work, and the impending resignation of another officer.

Soccer parents request field

Mike Albert and Jeff Rud of the Caledonia Youth Soccer Association asked the council if it could use cityís Veteranís Field for its practice and games.

Albert said he was afraid that Caledonia School District would get top priority for its use next year and possibly beyond that.

The soccer group had hoped to use the school fields, but grass on it hasnít developed well, prompting the school board to deny the request and seek the use of Veteranís Field for school events.

Fisch and Burns said they would attend the school board meeting on November 17 to try to understand the situation better before making a final decision.

Worker request denied; cable franchise on hold

In other business, councilors took no action on a request from Laura Ogilvie of Ability Building Center to hire a person at the Caledonia Public Library.

Ogilvie wrote in a letter that she had located funding for a portion of the salary of the person, who she said is otherwise unemployable. She wanted to write a grant for the balance of the salary, but noted that there was no guarantee.

ìThis option does not provide any guarantees, but it would be another attempt at alternate funding,î Ogilvie wrote.

Also, the franchise that the city was going to sign with HBC-Ace Cable has been put on hold due to some personnel changes with the cable company

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