Minutes - Council - 09/24/1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Case #2: Abatement of Junk Vehicles at 15443 Ramsey Boulevard N.W. City Administrator Schroeder stated that since June, he has visited with Mr. Welsh three times and has also written him a couple of letters asking Mr. Welsh to remove the junk vehicles from his property. Mr. Welsh has not responded. Mr. Schroeder requested City Council's authoritazition to take whatever action is necessary to abate the nuisance if Mr. Welsh does not remove at least nine of the most offending vehicles by September 30, 1991. Kathy Welsh, North Branch, Minnesota - daughter-in-law to Mr. Welsh- stated there are several residents on Nowthen Boulevard N.W. who do not meet the City's ordinance with regard to the storage of junk vehicles. She added that they (Welsh's) have documents proving they have been trying to get rid of the junk vehicles. She stated that the City hindered his activity when they built the road through his land. Stanley Welsh, 15443 Ramsey Boulevard N.W., Ramsey - stated the City pushed debris up to his tree line and left it there during the construction of 155th Avenue N.W. He also stated that some cars have been moved, but it's the City that's been holding him up. Mayor Gilbertson stated that the situation on Mr. Welsh's property has been in existence for 20 years and he wants some action from him now. Kathy Welsh told Mr. Schroeder that Mr. Welsh had moved some of those nine vehicles. In fact, there is a police report and a fire report included in the packet about a car catching on fire which proves that Mr. Welsh was, in fact, working to remove those vehicles. Mr. Schroeder stated the report indicates only that Mr. Welsh was cutting something on a car. He added that one phone call from Mr. Welsh stating he intended to take care of these vehicles would have eliminated this case on the agenda tonight. Kathy Welsh stated that Mr. Welsh has been at his address for a number of years and he believes his land is his and that he is being harassed by the City because of the roadway. She added that the City is also holding money due to him for the roadway. Attorney Goodrich stated that Mr. Welsh was represented by an attorney in the condemnation proceedings and the money Mr. Welsh has coming would be turned over to his attorney. The Welsh family stated the attorney was being fired and no checks should be issued to the attorney. Motion by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Peterson to uphold staff's recommendation that Mr. Welsh be given until September 30, 1991 to have the nine vehicles removed from his property or the City Administrator will initiate abatement proceedings. Further discussion: Doug Fountain, 15255 Garnet Street N.W., Ramsey - stated Mr. Welsh must have 30 or more vehicles in violation of the City Ordinance and he should be required to remove all of those vehicles. Mr. Schroeder stated that staff's recommendation is for the nine vehicles to be removed by September 30, 1991. If that is not done, an order would be filed in court. If staff sees the removal of the nine vehicles, they would then work with Mr. Welsh on determining a reasonable time frame for the removal of the other vehicles. Mrs. Stanley Welsh asked for an extension to October 31, 1991. Mr. Schroeder informed her the ordinance says 10 days to abate the nuisance and the City has already offered 30 days. Councilmember Hardin expressed that he would prefer using the court system as opposed to entering onto the property to abate the nuisance. City Council/September 24, 1991 Page 5 of 9