Eupora aldermen have accepted a bid to demolish a dilapidated residential structure in the city, but with conditions.
The action came during a special-called meeting on Aug. 15. The three aldermen present accepted a bid from Ken Knight to demolish the house at 17 S. Allen St. However, the bid was accepted pending a list of conditions from property owner Joyce Hendrix, who does have an attorney, according to city officials.
Knight’s bid of $5,000 was the lower of two received to demolish the house, which is in Ward 4. The condition of the house has been the subject of two public hearings and discussion at numerous meetings since December. This culminated with aldermen adopting a related five-page resolution on June 6.
That night, the board found, determined and adjudicated that the property located at that address is in such a state of uncleanliness as to be a menace to the public health, safety and welfare of the community, and should be demolished, removed and cleaned. The motion was approved 4-0; Junior Shaw (Ward 1) was present but did not vote.
On July 5, the board voted to advertise to accept bids to demolish the house. Additionally, Avery submitted documentation of the mailings and posting at the property of a notice of demolition proceedings following the June 6 board resolution. Meeting minutes reflect that he also submitted a letter received from Hendrix on June 30 responding to the resolution.
In that letter to the mayor and board, Hendrix said she wanted to appeal the decision to demolish the house and be placed in Municipal Court.
“The letter I received several days after the hearing did not mention for me to appeal,” she wrote. “I intend to move in the house.”
She went on to say, “The last phone call with (Mayor Blake McMullan) he told me to come to the next meeting and bring my attorney.
“I will get the permit to work as needed.
“I talked to another home renter yesterday (and) he informed me he is allowed to repair his property.”
