Minutes - 2006/08/28 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council August 28, 2006 Regular Meeting Page 15 • risk to the public was too great to wait to contact the owner. Councilmember Thomas stated that Staff should have made an attempt to contact the owner of the property rather than just knocking on the door. Mayor Marty asked if there was any record of contact for the homeowner. Housing/Code Enforcement Inspector Anderson stated that there is no record of occupants in the home, but there is a license for duplex rentals that has the owner's phone number and contact information. He stated that the phone number was called before the public works department removed the garbage. He stated there was no answer and he could not recall if a message was left. Mr. Osuji stated that there was no call or message. He stated that Housing/Code Enforcement Housing/Code Enforcement Inspector Anderson indicated that he did not call Mr. Osuji. Mr. Osuji stated if he was notified he would have taken care of the garbage. He stated he has a phone that he answers 24-hours and that the City should have his number on file. Councilmember Gunn asked if an inspection was done after the tenant moved out. Mr. Osuji explained that he was told the garbage was left by other parties, not by his tenant. Councilmember Flaherty stated he found it difficult to believe that someone else dumped such a • large amount of trash on his lawn. He asked if Mr. Osuji inspected the home and if the tenant got her deposit back. Mr. Osuji stated he inspected the property before the garbage was left and that he sent the deposit back to the tenant. Councilmember Flaherty asked if the garbage was on the property when he finished his inspection. Mr. Osuji stated the garbage was not there when he inspected the property. Councilmember Flaherty asked if it is possible to recoup the charges from the tenant. Mr. Osuji stated he cannot recoup any of the cost from his tenant, who insists she was not responsible for the garbage. Councilmember Flaherty asked Mr. Osuji if he believed half of the charge would be fair. Mr. Osuji replied that he believed half would be fair. Director Ericson stated that the garbage needed to be addressed immediately and Mr. Anderson worked within the code to make sure the problem was addressed. He stated Mr. Anderson was not required to make contact with the property owner due to the nature of the offense. Councilmember Thomas stated that an hour is an acceptable period of time to ensure that an attempt to contact the properly owner was made. She stated that the City should have made all attempts. She stated she believed Mr. Osuji was victimized by an abusive tenant. Councilmember Gunn stated she sees this as a problem as having outside-the-community property owners. She stated she believes it was Mr. Osuji's responsibility to keep track of the property and the tenant, especially before any deposit was returned.