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City Council refuses owner’s extension request

Marietta City Council refused a 90-day extension request Thursday by voice resolution.

“This comes down to we either believe our people who say it’s an imminent danger or we don’t,” said Councilwoman Susan Boyer as Resolution 91, which passed during the regular business meeting of council on Nov. 7, was brought back before council Thursday.

Resolution 91 identified the dilapidated strip mall at the corner of Seventh, Putnam and Glendale Road, addressed as 615, 617 and 619 Putnam St., as an imminent danger to the city’s sewer main which runs below the property and above Goose Run.

The legislative body resolved at the Nov. 7 meeting to enter negotiations over the property for a purchase not to exceed $5,000.

The property is then slated to be torn down next year with Community Development Block Grant funds.

But on the final day given for the property owner to respond to council’s resolution, Thursday, the legislative body received a copy of an extension request.

“I request an extension of three months in which to hire a contractor and possibly an architect to address the city’s concerns regarding the ‘imminent danger’ to the sewer line,” replied Robert Taylor, of Yellow Springs, who is the current owner of the property. “The offer of $5,000 by your resolution, which singles out my property, grossly understates your appraiser’s value. Please note that I have been paying property taxes…since my purchase in September of 2015. These property taxes in aggregate are approaching $10,000, or two times the city’s offer.”

However, when each legislator read the letter penned by Taylor Thursday, the temperature of the room was not sympathetic.

“He does not like what the offer was and he doesn’t believe the sewer line is in danger,” explained City Law Director Paul Bertram, explaining the extension request.

Councilman Mike Scale said the resolution made council’s intentions clear that the city intends to pursue legal action against the property to abate the risk it poses (collapse).

By unanimous roll call vote, all seven voting members voted against any additional time for assessment, thereby authorizing Bertram to begin legal proceedings against Taylor.

In new business, the legislative body also passed Ordinances 266 and 267, unanimously concerning change orders to ongoing sewer and waterline projects on the city’s west side (costs not to exceed $26,571.16 and $14,695.90 respectively).

Council also unanimously approved the sale of two 1987 Empire generators no longer needed by the city’s wastewater department and authorized $1,200 in spends for repairs to a city bucket truck and additional clothing for the equipment maintenance department.

Janelle Patterson can be reached at jpatterson@mariettatimes.com.

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