Henryetta city council members started the process to abate 21 houses in need of removal or extensive repairs.
“We have to do what’s in the best interest of the city as a whole,” said council member Bill Goodner. He told around 15 property owners present at the Tuesday night council meeting that he and other council members have driven by the properties and, “I didn’t find one that was livable. “These houses have gone unattended for a number of years.”
One of those homeowners, Charles Putman, said he has been unable to work on his property due to health issues and had never received notices about his property.
Code enforcement officer Jody Agee said the notices had been sent to the address of the property on file with the county and the city has been maintaining the yard there for, “at least two years. There is an issue with debris, old appliances, junk and the general appearance.”
The city will mow the property then charge that amount back to the homeowner in the form of a lien to be paid when the property sells.
“All of these have outstanding bills for mowing,” pointed out council member Christy Jeffcoat. “We need reimbursement for work already done. In 90 days it is going to be mowing season again. We shouldn’t have to call and tell them (property owners) it is time to mow.”
Of the 21 properties, many of them are close to the Henryetta school. “They are in a high traffic area and are a safety hazard,” said mayor Jennifer Clason.
Council members refused to take any of the disputed properties off the list, opting instead, to allow property owners to pay any outstanding fees and show some work on the houses within a 90-day window. “We are giving you 90 days to try and do some improvements. You have known they have been like that for some years. I think that is pretty generous,” Clason added.
She said it costs from $4,000 to $5,000 to tear down every house. “If we had the money, this list would be three times as long.”
Those properties include:
503 South 8th Street;
507 South 8th Street;
111 South S 13th Street;
308 North 9th;
708 East Genevieve;
301 West Moore;
1207 West Gentry;
910 West Trudgeon;
1210 West Trudgeon;
1111 West Gentry;
1603 West Division;
1305 West Division;
318 East Trudgeon;
1211 West Broadway;
804 West Division;
1105 West Trudgeon;
1105 West Gentry;
901 West Cummings;
824 West Broadway;
1201 West Division;
205 West Clegern.