Goodman City Council Agrees To Hold Off On Condemning Property

The Goodman City Council agreed Tuesday night to hold off on condemning the property of Shauna Landess.

Joseph Lombardo, Landess’ son, said he is starting the roofing work soon and hopes to be done in three weeks’ time.

The plywood and the shingles have arrived for the roof, he said. He’s also fixed the fence and plans to gut the interior and make it “acceptably livable.”

Gutting and redoing the interior should take at least five to six weeks, he added.

Alderman Calvin Wilson asked Lombardo if he came by in the next two weeks, how much roofing work would be complete. Lombardo said he will be up on the roof working, unless it’s raining.

As long as the council can see progress, steps for condemnation may be delayed, Wilson said.

Alderman Roger Coe agreed, saying the council can hold off on taking action if council members can see definite improvement.

Mayor Greg Richmond said the Council “is not in the business of condemning property.”

City council members agreed to revisit the issue in 30 days.

In other business, Police Chief Curt Drake said Senior Officer John Wynn is leaving his post at Goodman. Council members agreed to advertise the position in the newspaper. Additionally, Drake will check with reserve officers and see if some officers will cover various shifts.

At the meeting, aldermen also approved Ordinance No. 2017-490 on its second reading. The ordinance adopts and enacts a new code of ordinances for the City of Goodman.

Aldermen also approved Resolution 2017-0001, for the McDonald County Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.