LINCOLN -- Lincoln city officials have given a property owner 90 days to clean up a site on Arkansas Highway 45 or the city will take care of it.
"It needs to be cleaned up. It's not only an eyesore, it's a health hazard," said Mayor Rob Hulse during discussion about the property at the April 17 City Council meeting.
The council voted to give the cleanup order to property owner Debbie Cain.
Cain already has been found guilty of not complying with an order to clean up the property at 120 S. Highway 45 and violating a city ordinance, according to Lincoln District Court Clerk Tracey Irwin.
Irwin said Cain was found guilty in court on Feb. 28 for violation of a cleanup order for the second offense. The judge suspended $9,000 of the $10,000 fine if she cleaned up the property by March 20. The property was not cleaned up as specified, so Cain was assessed the full fine, Irwin said.
Cain is paying $50 per month toward the $10,000 fine. This is a typical payment plan, Irwin said.
Rhonda Hulse, city office manager, said cleanup orders generally tell property owners to remove all vehicles that are inoperable and not registered, to remove any garbage and clean up clutter on the property.
Lincoln City Attorney Steven Parker told City Council members that Cain has a pending sales contract on the property. He said the council could take action to try to trigger an eviction notice.
Hulse said he was tired of dealing with the property, noting he receives calls on a regular basis from people who want to know when is the city going to clean up the property.
The council's action gives Cain 90 days to clean up the property. Otherwise, the city will clean it up and consider attaching a lien to the property to recoup its cleanup costs.
Friday, Hulse said the property is filled with vehicles, tires and numerous other items.
"There's a lot of junk and debris. It just needs to be cleaned up," Hulse said. "I really wish the property owner would clean it up before we have to do it -- but it doesn't look like that will happen."
He said he understands the public's concerns about the property.
"These are valid concerns on the appearance and overall condition of the property," Hulse said. "We are concerned as well and we definitely want to get it cleaned up and keep it cleaned up."
General News on 04/26/2017