Realtor wants city to clarify how demolition liens are handled

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Real estate broker Keith Hackfeld wants the city to make progress on clearing up how it handles demolition liens.
He spoke during the public comment portion of Monday’s Snyder City Council meeting, and echoed questions that had come up earlier during the Building Standards Commission meeting.
Snyder Mayor Tony Wofford said during the commission meeting that he is working with private contractors to help lower demolition costs.
Council member Vernon Clay questioned the wisdom of the city taking on the demolition expense.
“All these buildings we’re demolishing, we’re putting a lien on them,” he said. “Then the city takes on the expense to maintain them. We’re taking on an added burden for property that we can’t get rid of.”
Property owners are given 30 days to demolish nuisance buildings before the city moves in and demolishes them. The city’s demolition expense is attached to the property as a lien, which must be paid before the property can be bought or sold.
According to City Manager Merle Taylor, the city has more than $700,000 in outstanding liens against property owners.
No one from the public spoke during hearings for buildings located at 1901 19th Street, 1605 College Ave. and 410 30th Street, and each was ordered demolished.
According to information from Code Enforcement Officer Dan Hicks, the house on 19th Street, which is owned by Emma Arizmendi of Snyder, is unsecured and a fire hazard. The house also has inadequate sanitation and maintenance and has faulty plumbing and wiring.
Information from the city states the property was valued at just more than $5,500 and $139 in property taxes from 2015 is due.
The property is adjacent to First Assembly of God Church and at a previous meeting, church leaders expressed an interest in acquiring the lot.
The property on College Ave. is owned by Jose Reyes of Snyder, according to information from the city, and has faulty wiring and plumbing, has not been maintained and is an unsecured fire hazard.
The property is valued at $12,376 and $309 in property taxes is due.
The property on 30th Street is owned by the estate of Gene Lloyd Cox. According to city records, it is valued at $6,252 and $1,766 in taxes, dating back to 2008, is due.
Hicks said a neighbor had made several complaints about children breaking into the house and smoking. Prosperity Bank has a lien on the property.