09 - Forgive a Dangerious Structure Abatement Lien & Nuisance Abatement Liense against property lcoated at 338 N.E. 8th Street

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this property and are willing for it to go up for auction. The current owners apparently do not live in Paris and have allegedly told Ms. Thomas that they will sell her the property so long as they have no expense for conducting the transaction. Ms. Thomas would like to purchase the property, extend her fence around it, but more importantly start maintaining the property both in terms of codes and taxes. The property is vacant and approximately 60' wide by 80' deep which is smaller than a typical buildable lot (a variance would be needed to build on it). It is zoned 2F (Two Family Dwelling). Pursuant to City Code 4.03.009, only the City Council can consider waiving a Structure Lien (the November 16, 2009 lien). Under City Code 7.04.011, the City Manager can consider waiving Nuisance Liens (the six remaining liens). STATUS OF ISSUE: The City Manager has developed a process he goes through for considering when to forgive principal and/or interest for Nuisance Liens. It is not perfect, but this procedure allows him to remain fairly consistent each time. Given there are so many different factors and scenarios involved with properties all over town, the City Manager attempts to adhere to two goals: 1. Protect the taxpayer dollar — resist forgiving liens whenever possible given taxpayers had expense in maintaining the property, while 2. Finding a way to get the property in to the hands of someone who will maintain — possibly develop — the property, thus alleviating the taxpayers of having to further maintain the property. Taking in to consideration both goals, the City Manager's analysis in this situation is as follows: the value of the liens and property taxes greatly exceed the value of the property and historically the current owners have clearly refused to pay taxes and maintain the property. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the current owners will continue to not pay taxes or maintain the property, thus the taxpayers will continue to have expenses. This would inevitably lead to a tax sale in which case the City will most likely not recoup enough to cover both the owed taxes and the liens. In addition, the property does not meet necessary lot size for building a home (this can be overcome if someone wished to pursue it through the process). Ms. Thomas and the current owners have worked together, using a local title company, and agreed to sell the property for a deminimus amount and Ms. Thomas will pay all transaction expenses including owed property taxes. Ms. Thomas wishes for this property to not go up for tax sale as