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City pushes for rehabilitation of historic main street building

By Thomas Nelson, tnelson@charlescitypress.com

The Charles City Council voted on a measure that would allow staff members to conduct an inspection of the property at 201 and 203 N. Main St. if concerns aren’t met.

The building is suspected of having a failing structural condition, according to council notes.

The city now has the ability to move forward with an administrative warrant that would allow staff to inspect the building.

Iowa Code 808.14 allows a court to issue an administrative search warrant to a governmental agency or body that has statutory or constitutional home rule authority for inspections to the extent necessary for the agency or body to carry out such authority.

Charles City Attorney Brad Sloter sent the owner a notice of the city’s plan to move forward with the administrative warrant that would allow the city to fully inspect the building with a structural engineer to figure out the status of the building under the city’s property maintenance code.

After the council’s agenda was posted, the owner contacted the city to address the concerns.

“We’ve been taking steps to address that situation,” said Charles City Administrator Steven Diers. “Since we published this agenda, and I’ve written this summary here recommending we move forward, we’ve had some additional developments.

“I think we might be coming into something here where we might be able to find a workable solution,” Diers said.

“Hopefully this is the start of the owner taking responsibility for the building,” said council member Michael Hammond.

“At least we have the action approved that could move forward without having to bring it forward and have to rehash it again,” said council member DeLaine Freeseman.

The city intends to keep a close eye on the project moving forward, Diers said. The council approved the ability to take action, per staff discretion.

If the owner does not voluntarily comply, the cost of the inspection and possible legal action against the owner could be up to $8,000 that the city would not necessarily be able to recoup.

Miscellaneous

• The city held a hearing on a 2018 South Cedar Terrace window replacement project to repair 80 windows. The council voted to approve the final project and grant the contract to Steege Construction of Waverly for $156,651.

• Mark Wicks, community development director, requested street closures for the farmer’s market and Party in the Park events over the summer and late spring. Party in the Park will begin June 1.

• The city approved a motion on an insurance renewal package from Bob Ingram of Sisson and Associates.

• Charles City Mayor Dean Andrews held a proclamation for National Service Recognition Day. Members of the Foster Grandparent program were present at the meeting. “We couldn’t survive in our community without a bunch of volunteers stepping forth and doing the things they do for us,” Andrews said. “We appreciate your commitment to Charles City and the people you serve.”

• The community economic profile presentation that was set for earlier in April has been rescheduled for 5:30 p.m. May 9 at the Zastrow Room in the Charles City Library.

• The next council session will be 6 p.m. April 23 in the council chambers.

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