Pine Prairie Council discusses what to do with town’s condemned homes

By: HEATHER BOGARD
Lifestyles Editor

PINE PRAIRIE - The Pine Prairie Village Council, during its August 13 regular meeting, unanimously approved Keith Jackson’s request to open an electrical and plumbing business on Elm Street. The location was previously occupied by T.J.’s Tire and Service Center.
Mayor Terry Savant and the council members then discussed the issue of condemned properties throughout the village. Savant said that Building Inspector Ted Demoruelle only condemned one of the properties in question because  Demoruelle said that in his experience, judges only condemn buildings if they are deemed unsafe. Judges told him that if the building is still standing in good shape, it can be remodeled before being condemned and torn down. Savant asked Attorney Greg Vidrine about the options available to handle the issue.
The council has the option to get the property appraised and purchase the property in order to clean it up and then sell it. An ordinance would have to adopted to that effect. Vidrine noted that once a property is condemned, the owner can fix it up or tear it down. If the owner does not respond to the certified letter or ticket, the village can have the property fixed up and bill the property owner. If they don’t pay the bill, the amount can be added to their property tax.
Vidrine noted that each notification would be different for each property in violation and the more documentation available, the better, in case it goes to court. The owner will be allowed to go before the council to discuss the issues with the property and given so many days to correct the issue before the case goes further into the civil or criminal courts. Savant said that the owner will be given a chance to clean their property and if they give a time frame that is not suitable, Savant can set a time. He added that if the property owner pleads not guilty, the case will go to the district court and will be out of his hands,
The council agreed to have photos taken of the properties and send letters to the owners in violation. If a response is not received, the proper procedures will be followed.
In other business, the council:
•Approved the declaration of August 29, as “Pine Prairie Dixie Belles Day” to honor the national championship team. A parade and reception at the community center will be held in their honor on that day.
•Approved the minutes of the July 16, regular meeting.
•Approved the payment of monthly expenditures.