County tables decisions on nuisance issues

     Land Use Administrator Michele Lubben brought two continuing nuisances to the Jones County Board of Supervisors' attention.

   During the Sept. 13 board meeting, Lubben gave updates on 8478 Slide Rock Rd., and 24052 Ridge Rd./E-28.

   The owners on Slide Rock Road were sent an official nuisance notice on July 26, with 45 days to abate.

   "It's a dead-end portion of a subdivision," noted Lubben of the location. "The owners emailed me and feels it's abated. I have dealt with the owners before, but there is still a lot of stuff sitting around."

   Lubben works with the Sheriff's Office on nuisances. A deputy drives to the locations and reports back to Lubben, as well as documents the scene in photos.

   Prior to the 45-day notice, Lubben said the owners were given the standard 30 days in the beginning.

   "I'm not sure we can consider it abated," she said.

   "I'd like to take a look at it before we make a decision," suggested Supervisor Joe Oswald of seeing the property in-person versus in photos.

   The board voted to table a decision.

   The Ridge Road owners were granted a 15-day extension to abate, which expired on Sept. 6.

   "How many more extensions can we give them?" questioned Oswald.

   Lubben said the county could abate the nuisance, heave it cleaned up by a contractor and assess the cost to the owners.

   "Or you could take them to court," she said.

   "We've taken them to court before," Rohwedder reminded the board.

   Lubben noted that simply mowing the lawn would make a huge improvement. And with the excess vehicles sitting out, she wasn't sure if they were drivable or needing repairs.

   While Swisher suggested sending the owners a letter spelling out the specific work that needs to be done, Lubbe said, "A phone call would go a long way versus a letter. Giving them a 15-day extension didn't do much."

   Supervisor John Schlarmann offered to contact the owners.

   The board voted to also table a decision on this nuisance.