From Trussville Tribune staff reports
PINSON –In the regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, the Pinson City Council discussed strengthening the city policy to remove blighted structures within the city limits.
City attorney Shane Black explained that while the law does provide for cities to be able to remove blighted structures, the law doesn’t necessarily protect the city from civil liability.
Black explained to council members that he was working on a policy for the city to follow in the event that they needed to remove an unsafe structure.
The policy is used in several municipalities and local governments, according to Black.
A blighted structure could include a storm damaged building, a burned building or any other neglected structure within the corporate limits of the city that city officials deem a public nuisance. The city would identify the structure and then follow a procedure to avoid civil liability.
Once the property is identified, city employees would inspect the property and give a warning notice to the property owner. Following the warning, a title search would be performed and any owners with an interest in the property would also be notified.
The city would then place advertising and post its intention to demolish the structure as a public nuisance to owners known and unknown.
Demolition would follow and the city would place a lien on the property. In the event that the property sells, the city would be paid back for its cost.