Owner of 'nuisance' property gets more time

The property, at 305 East 12, was inspected by the McCook Health Board Aug. 13 and determined to be an unsafe nuisance property.

Owner Dottie Park asked the McCook City Council at a previous meeting to give her some time to clean up the property before legal action was filed and the council agreed, directing city staff to provide an update on the progress of the clean-up by the regular council meeting Monday night.

City staff noted that although much of the overgrown vegetation has been removed, dilapidated structures remain on the property.

Park appeared at Monday's meeting and told the council she appreciates the council being patient. She said she's been doing much of the work herself, mostly on the weekends, as she works full-time during the week.

Someone was lined up to remove one of the structures, but that fell through, she said and personal items are still being removed from the trailer.

Councilman Aaron Kircher commended her diligent efforts and stated that by the owner doing the work herself, she was saving the city the expense of doing it.

But he and other council members asked for a more definite timeline as to when the trailer and other structures, such as a house, garage and shed, could be torn down.

Mayor Dennis Berry noted the owner's efforts so far and said that he would like the city to work with her, but also agreed with Councilman Lonnie Anderson that the city had given her enough time, beginning with the Health Board's determination Aug. 13. The property has been neglected for years, he said.

"I'm fine (with you) coming back with what's lined up, but the city needs to see work completed," Mayor Berry said.

Councilman Jerry Calvin asked if the fire department could help out and City Manager Kurt Fritsch said city staff has the name of a contractor the owner could hire at a reasonable cost.

Park agreed to come back with definite plans about the structures on the property, at the next council meeting on Nov. 16.