Falls City considers fees for vacant properties

FALLS CITY – The Falls City City Council will meet at 6 p.m. today with an agenda that includes a city recreation center and fees for vacant properties. 

The agenda also includes state rankings for energy efficiency and conservation. 

Community Medical Center is planning an Earth Day Walk-Run April 23 at Stanton Lake and the parks department is seeking a burn permit for the north water retention basin at the lake. 

A settlement agreement for property at 820 McLean Street and the appointment of Brian Poppe to the Community Redevelopment Authority are also on the agenda. 

City Administrator Anthony Nussbaum reports the Community Development Authority has registered 25 vacant properties. Building Inspector Buckminster has over 50 additional properties in the process of registering. 

Property owners that do not comply with getting the property removed in 180 days of registration, will receive first round of fees. 

The city expects to impose over $12,000 in fees, which will be reinvested in the abatement demolition program. 

Blue Rivers Area on Aging is considering moving the senior center to a new location. Blue Rivers reports high utility costs and needed improvements at the current site. 

 Falls City is seeking proposals for a recreation center. 

The city says a recreation center was identified as a need in 2022, when Falls City Public School was approved for a Communities for Kids grant to expand early childhood learning. 

A committee has suggested renovating a 9,000 square foot city-owned building at 1820 Barada St. and expand the facility to connect with nearby Prichard Auditorium, which has a 2,000 person capacity gymnasium.