The Knox Board of Public Works discussed the property at North 18 South Main Street during their meeting Wednesday.
Director of Building, Planning and Code Compliance Lonnie Boley stated, there has been no further contact with the owner of the property concerning the unsafe building where damage occurred due to a fire in June of 2022. A fine of $2,500 was issued during April’s Board of Works meeting. Board member Steve Dodge stated the owner had been in non-compliance for some time. It was also noted the owner requested a public hearing they did not attend to be rescheduled. The board rescheduled the public hearing to which the owner failed to appear a second time. A motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously by vote to fine the owner $2,500 for non-compliance.
On Wednesday, Boley stated the owner has not paid the fine issued for non-compliance. He went on to say, between now and the next meeting, the 60 days to pay the fine will be up and the owner will then be considered willful non-compliance.
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 failed to make the required repairs, did not present 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, 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.
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 North 18 South Main Street.
