Afton housing aims at abandoned homes

AFTON - With the Afton City Council considering more ways to support housing development within the city, several properties were under discussion as possible locations for revitalization.

Although no decision was made during last Tuesday’s meeting, the move could indicate the council is working toward fixing what many council members and Mayor Michelle Burger said was the number one problem facing Afton.

Council member Kristie Nixon presented a list of properties organized by Utility Clerk Krystal Thomas which were noted to have no utilities, most likely indicating abandoned properties within the city.

“We’ve been talking about housing in Afton, and if we have homes that are abandoned, what can we do about that?” Nixon said. “Could we clean something up and make it an empty lot so someone could build on top? Could it be renovated or refurbished?”

The mission also aims at long-standing nuisance properties, another issue the council has been looking to find solutions for. The council would primarily look at properties without utilities and no active residency for six months, as well as other signs of abandonment from a lack of upkeep.

City Clerk Kayla Lacina said declaring properties abandoned is a “laundry list.” Further action would require the input of City Attorney Meggen Weeks.

Although the process of clearing properties will involve city investment, which is unlikely to provide immediate returns, the council was willing to put in the effort.

“You’re not going to make what you’ve got put in to it, but at least you’ve got it cleaned up,” Burger said.

Lacina suggested the city could pursue clearing one or two properties per year based on the budget available.

In other Afton city council news...

Complaints by two neighbors about each other’s dogs spiraled into a whirlwind argument as both accused the other of being unable to control their pet.

Ted Alley appeared before the council to make a complaint about his neighbor, Dawn Smith, and her dog. Smith also appeared before the council last Tuesday to defend herself and accuse Alley of fabricating the severity of the complaint.

Alley said Smith’s dog was aggressive toward his dog and would bite the dog if let loose. He said this happened “about a dozen times.” Smith denied the frequency of these incidents, saying it only happened two times.

Smith would go on to accuse Alley of wishing for Smith’s dog to be put down. Alley denied this and said he only wished for a ticketing or penalty to discourage repeat events. Smith also said Alley’s dog was known locally as “Freaky Friday” and the dog would terrorize nearby walkers and children.

The squabble saw the council recommend the two keep both their dogs on chains and to call law enforcement if an incident were to happen again.

A large portion of Tuesday’s meeting was dedicated to discussion around the employee evaluation process, seen by the council as needing revision to prevent deficiencies noted during this year’s annual review. In addition, the council will solidify a process to have city employees deliver a written quarterly report.

A vacant lot on West Iowa Street was left unacquired by the city. The lot, northwest of the bridge built over the BNSF railroad, was said to potentially be acquired by the Afton Development Corporation as a spot for a small garden.