Florence City Council July 8
All city council members and Mayor Aubuchon-Metzger were present. Numbers below match the published agenda.
AGENDA POINT 5 – Oaths of office for 12 new City of Florence Firemen/EMTs and Paramedics were administered.
AGENDA POINT 6 – Discussion of Copic Paramedicine Pilot Program plan. There is a grant for approximately $5,000 that will help pay for supplies for training city staff.
AGENDA POINT 7 – Foreclosure hearing for 37 Goodridge Dr., Florence. The resident at the listed property, Burr J. Travis III, has $39,872 in fines from the city primarily for unmown grass and trash on the property. Over 25 months, City of Florence Code Enforcement has posted 102 violations for failure to mow the grass and remove piles of trash on the property. City Attorney Thomas Nienaber led a discussion/hearing stating the problems and submitting several exhibits of photos and documentation of the issue.
Evidently, the resident has been subpoenaed twice and failed to appear before Code Enforcement boards and city hearings. Despite this, the city has not filed a warrant for the resident in district court. Attorney Nienaber stated having a warrant issued is expensive and time-consuming.
Brandon Mitchel, 42 Goodridge, Florence, made a public statement before the council stating how frustrated he was at the length of time Code Enforcement had taken to pursue the issue.
It was stated the resident is inhospitable to visitors and allegedly advised a church group who volunteered to help clean up the property to leave. Attorney Nienaber reported the resident’s parents told him they had attempted commitment proceedings and other options in district court but the court found commitment is not appropriate. Code Enforcement stated they did not feel safe going on the property. Councilwoman Wingo referenced documented threats. Attorney Nienaber detailed other unsuccessful attempts including by other public agencies to rectify the situation.
During a closed door session, the city council reviewed the issue and voted 6-0 to begin foreclosure proceedings.