Four abandoned houses will be removed following action by the Henryetta city council Tuesday night.
The houses, located at 205 West Cummings, 1201 West Cummings, 411 State and 211 North 13th streets were said to be in such a state of disrepair they could not be rehabilitated.
That prompted an argument by one of the property owners, Harrison Brace, jr., who requested time to bring two of the properties, both located on Cummings street, back to a livable condition.
“I don’t see any way to rehab the house (205 West Cummings). I wouldn’t have any of my family members living in it.” said councilman Ronnie Duke.
Code enforcement officer Jody Agee pointed out the doors are open and windows broken out to that property and there has been no trash service there since 2015. “It is unsecured and peple are in and out all the time.”
Brace admitted there have been squatters living in the house but he claimed attempts to remove them have resulted in threats to him. He admitted he had not talked to the police department about assistance in getting rid of them.
He also claimed he had never received any notice of the abatement plans. “I sent a certified letter to the address in Okmulgee and advertised it in the newspaper,” Agee said.
Brace countered saying proper service is placing the notice in his hands. “Certified mail and legal publication is a legal service,” countered Duke who also acts as a process server in the area.
Agee said the house at 1201 West Cummings has not had city services since July, 2016. He pointed out the back door is nailed shut and people are living there illegally as well. “They are dumping their waste in the back yard,” he said.
The house at 411 State Street was said to have been abandoned over three years not while the house on North 13th, was severely damaged in a fire last spring.
Council members unanimously agreed to abate all four properties.
In other business, the council approved:

  • A request by the Henryetta Rotary Club to use the civic center for an elementary school dance March 8;
  • Approved the purchase of an ad in the Focus magazine promoting the community;
  • Waived accrued payments in lieu of taxes for $35,880.94 to the Henryetta Housing Authority;
  • Approved a maintenance agreement with the Okmulgee County Conservation District to mow the Shurden-Leist industrial park;
  • Allowed the police department to advertise for flooring bids for a remodeling project;
  • Dedicated a 30-foot easement on the 30-acre tract of land east of the town;
  • Ordered electrical service from PSO for a sanitary sewage lift station at that same area;
  • Start the advertisement process to build the list station;
  • Approved a lump sum payment from the state Municipal Retirement Fund for Cynthia Tyler who will retire later this month;
  • Voted to allow Jennifer Munholland and Interim City Manager Donna White to attend the Settlement Conference to be able to negotiate and authorize on behalf of the City of Henryetta under the direction of Steidley and Neal and Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group.