The Knox Board of Public Works held a rescheduled public hearing regarding the property at 18 South Main Street during their meeting Wednesday.
Director of Building, Planning and Code Compliance Lonnie Boley stated the owner of the property had informed him they weren’t able to make last month’s public hearing to discuss the ongoing issues at 18 South Main Street. Boley said he had sent a certified letter informing the owner of the rescheduled public hearing date and did receive it. It was noted they were not present at Wednesday’s rescheduled public hearing.
In February, the board ordered the owner to provide proof of insurance to the city and make required repairs to the property. The order was set for 60 days and Boley said the owner has failed to make the required repairs, has not presented an engineering report or proof of insurance.
As previously reported, Mayor Estok told WKVI News since the owner failed to clean up the property while also not paying a $5,000 civil penalty, the city had to pay for the clean up in its entirety last year. He added with the civil penalty, the total amount owed to the city is $24,615.95. He went on to say the city moved forward with a special assessment on the property. Mayor Estok stated while the owner has been notified of the total amount owed toward the clean up, they will now also be notified this tax season.
During Wednesday’s meeting, board member Steve Dodge stated the owner has been in non compliance for some time. He made a motion to fine the owner $2,500 for not complying with the order sent in February. It was also noted the owner requested the public hearing scheduled last month where they then weren’t able to attend. The board rescheduled the public hearing to Wednesday of this week and the owner failed to appear a second time. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously by vote to fine the owner $2,500 for non compliance.
It was also announced in a previous Board of Public Works meeting, the city has a lien on the property. Mayor Estok stated it could take two to three years before the city could potentially take ownership of the property at 18 South Main Street.
