AUBURN – The Auburn City Council authorized the city attorney to pursue a court order for demolition in hopes of arousing property owners to fix distressed properties.

Attorney Angelo Ligouri told the council Monday that a house at 621 Central Avenue has been on a distressed property list since 2018, but the owner Lonnie Hayes did not accomplish many noticeable improvements until this weekend.

He said the city needs a mechanism to make sure Hayes stays consistent with rehabilitation and said a court order for demolition could be that mechanism.

Ligouri: “He will be allowed to continue rehabilitation. If not, we would have authority to proceed with removal.”

The council will also seek a court order for a house at 2101 P St. County records say the 120-year-old house is owned by the deceased Juanita Lambelet.

Ligouri: “It’s unlivable, unmaintained. It’s been vacated. It’s been on the nuisance list for quite some time.”

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In other action, the council approved $46,000 for JEO to engineer the replacement of a drainage culvert that currently goes under the El Portal Restaurant.

City records say a 2023 study shows the culvert is irreparable and a culvert that goes around the restaurant is needed.
Councilwoman Katy Billings said the J Street culvert replacement qualifies for tax increment financing.

The library reports that its used book sale begins this month. Humanities Nebraska speaker Jeff Barnes will present The Queen’s Road: Nebraska’s Bumpy Ride to Statehood at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 3.

Mayor Chris Erickson proclaimed Sept. 17 to 23 as  Constitution Week and asked citizens to reaffirm the ideals of the framers of the constitution in 1787.

The city approved a $2.7 million construction contract with Graham Construction for the Westgate Third Addition housing development with work to be completed by October of 2025. The project includes $150,000 for site grading, $855,000 for concrete pavement, $440,000 for sewer and $337,000 for water service.

 A disc golf tee will be replaced.