BLUE EARTH– A lengthy discussion regarding the property located at 716 East Third Street was the primary focus of the Blue Earth City Council meeting on Tuesday.

City attorney David Frundt presented the council with updates on the current legal proceedings for 716 East Third Street, as well as potential courses of action for how to proceed.

“We have reached the point where we can go ahead with the court proceedings to get an abatement order, and I have started the process to obtain a search warrant for the property,” Frundt shared. “I have also reached out to the county health sanitarian, who would be part of the house inspection once we get a search warrant. Depending on the conditions inside, they would be able to declare the house unsafe for habitation and condemn the property.”

Frundt went on to explain that the current occupants may have some legal claim to the property, complicating the matter of ownership and title acquisition for the city. He also noted that there are currently four pending misdemeanor criminal charges against the occupants, not counting any of the more severe charges which would be processed at the county level.

“I think we need to take this case to another level,” council member John Huisman remarked. “I’d like to speak with our two county commissioners about this issue, and find out why there has been a lack of action taken against these criminals.”

“I agree with Huisman that we need to deal with the squatters, but I would also like to see the property taken down as soon as possible,” mayor Rick Scholtes added. “Condemning the building just means that it’s not safe to live in. We also need to find out if the building is structurally sound, because that will determine whether or not we can tear it down.”

Following further discussion, an agreement was reached to invite the county commissioners to the next City Council meeting on Monday, Feb. 2 and discuss the issue with them. No motions were made at this time.

Other business discussed at the City Council meeting included:

— A public hearing was held for Ordinance 26-01 to vacate the alleyway in Block Ten of Dow and Bowen’s Addition. After the hearing closed, a motion was made and seconded to pass Ordinance 26-01. The motion passed unanimously.

— The first reading was held for Ordinance 26-02, which would amend the language of Subsection 210.02 to comply with the City Charter. Following this, a motion was made to hold the public hearing and second reading of the ordinance at the next City Council meeting on Feb. 2. The motion passed unanimously.

— Scholtes presented the council with a proposal from New Chances Humane Society, suggesting that complimentary registration be offered alongside the adoption of a cat or dog. No action was taken at this time, but an agreement was made to pass the topic back to NCHS for further discussion.

— City administrator Dawn Collins presented the council with a draft Request For Proposal for a facility/property maintenance and management contract, which would act as a contact point for businesses with irregular hours. No formal action was taken, but Collins was given the go-ahead to proceed with formalizing the draft for approval.

— Resolution 26-03 reappointing Rick Scholtes and Lars Bierly as members of the Charter Commission was brought forward for approval. Following discussion, a motion was made and passed to amend the Resolution to add Dan Ristau to the list of appointed members. The amended Resolution was then passed unanimously.

— Resolution 26-04 increasing the industrial sewer service rates by four percent was passed unanimously. This change will not impact the residential sewer rates, nor the industrial or residential storm sewer rates.