The El Dorado City Council revisited Thursday an item that had previously been tabled, approving 12 abandoned properties to be added to the city’s growing condemnation list.
The proposed resolution to condemn the properties was on the council’s agenda on Feb. 22, but city officials agreed then to delay action, pending a review with Code Enforcement Officer Kirby Craig, who was unable to attend the meeting.
Craig works with other city departments, including the El Dorado Fire Department, to compile a list of properties to be condemned by the council.
On Feb. 22, council member Willie McGhee requested that the city speak with Craig to make sure the properties are vacant and beyond repair.
McGhee explained then that he wanted to avoid an issue that arose last year when the council condemned a house on the 1100 block of Ouachita Avenue while a family was still living in it.
He also said the city has received complaints and faced legal action for condemning properties that owners planned to repair and bring up to code.
Prior to the council’s vote Thursday, McGhee asked Craig if any of the properties that were on the proposed condemnation list were occupied or suitable for rehabilitation.
“It’s possible that a couple of them could be rehabbed if someone wanted to invest the money,” Craig said.
McGhee referred to a previous suggestion to form a committee made up of citizens to review proposed, city condemnation lists and determine if the properties could be purchased and rehabilitated before they are condemned and razed by the city.
Once a vacant property has been deemed a nuisance, the city attempts to notify the property owners with a certified letter that they have 30 days to bring — or make a good faith effort to bring — the property up to code.
Craig has said that property owners who intend to renovate their properties must present an improvement plan to the city.
Property owners may request additional time if they cannot complete the work within 30 days.
“I’m willing to work with you if you’ll just come up here and talk to us,” Craig has said.
If a property is razed, the city attempts to recoup the costs by billing the owner, often pursuing legal action.
City officials have said that several owners have also asked the city to demolish their properties and paid the city for the work.
Certified letters are sent to an owner’s last known address and a 30-day notice is posted on the property.
Craig and city officials said that it is often difficult to track down property owners because many live out of state and several owners are sometimes listed for one property.
If the city does not hear back from a property owner within 30 days, the property is then recommended for condemnation.
McGhee said he has spoken to several people who have shown interest in serving on a committee to review proposed condemnation lists and assess the properties.
He asked his fellow council members to see if any of their constituents would like to serve on the committee.
“I’d like for it to be all over the city in each ward,” McGhee said.
He noted that an audience member, the Rev. Eddie Yarbrough Jr., was interested in purchasing and rehabbing an abandoned property that was up for condemnation, but people “were living in the house illegally.”
“If you have squatters living in a residence with no water or electricity, you can imagine what condition it’s in,” Mayor Frank Hash said.
Properties that were condemned by the council Thursday and the reasons for removal include;
• 1223 Blackard; Ruth Williams; unsanitary and unsafe.
• 418 W. Block; Jackie Toney; obnoxious and unsafe.
• 710 Ouachita; Nile and Marzell Smith; obnoxious and unsafe.
• 826 W. Second; Sherri Sweeney; dilapidated, obnoxious and unsanitary.
• 1703 Detroit; Sean Groves; dilapidated, obnoxious and unsafe.
• 1000 E. Oak; Erice Lewis; New York, New York; dilapidated obnoxious and unsafe.
• 1208 Buchanan; Charles Jones; dilapidated, obnoxious, unsafe and unsanitary.
• 550 Cooper Drive; Kenneth and Bridgette Allen; dilapidated, obnoxious and unsafe.
• 3108 E. Main; Leonard Baugus; dilapidated and obnoxious.
• 1326 E. Burns; Janice Champion; unsafe and obnoxious.
• 1210 N. Miles; Debra Critton; dilapidated, obnoxious and unsafe.
• 403 Martin Luther King; Claudia Stevenson; dilapidated, obnoxious and unsafe.
Tia Lyons may be contacted at 870-862-6611 or tlyons@ eldoradonews.com.