MUSCATINE, Iowa — Accusations, confusion and talk of demolition filled the council chambers at City Hall Thursday night during the Muscatine City Council’s regular meeting.

On the agenda for Council’s consideration was the proposed destruction of two properties that have been vacant and in disrepair.

After a debate lasting more than an hour, the Council decided both properties, 1810 Earl Ave. and 905 Oregon St., which are on a list the city dubbed the Top 10 Demolition List, will be demolished. The work will be paid for by the city, which will then add the cost to the property’s taxes.

But the buildings weren’t ordered down without a fight.

Lupe Enriquez was present for an appeal hearing to ask the Council for more time to renovate the home he owns at 1810 Earl Ave., though, city inspectors, he hasn’t sought a building permit since he bought it for $1,000 in 2006. He was issued a notice last month to abate the nuisance.

“I would like to be treated like a human being,” Enriquez, 62, told the Council. “I don’t understand the whole situation on this stuff.”

Enriquez wanted his family to remodel the home but nuisance officer  Ken Rogers said he explained to Enriquez several times that he must have licensed electricians and plumbers install the plumbing and electrical.

He said he hasn’t seen anything he’d asked Enriquez to provide him with to prove he was doing the work.

Enriquez told the Council he did not have the money to renovate it and Council members voted unanimously to have it demolished. At Large Councilman Osama Shihadeh and Marie Press, 2nd Ward, were not present.

Ownership of the triplex at 905 Oregon St. is in a sort of legal limbo because both the deed holder and mortgage company have filed bankruptcy. 

Phillip Moore, who lives in Illinois, told the Council he paid about $2,600 for the tax lien on the unpaid property taxes in June 2006.

Moore asked the Council to give him 120 days to  obtain possession of the deed and said he planned to renovate the home. He said he just found out it was up for demolition and he went to visit the property on Monday.

“I’m guilty of trespassing. Sorry,” he told the Council of going in to find out if it is structurally sound.

Rogers said that it could be rehabilitated but it would take a significant amount of time and money. Neighbors say raccoons are living inside and Rogers said the home is in very bad condition.

The Council voted unanimously to have it demolished.

City Administrator A.J. Johnson said it is never the City’s intention to simply demolish structures without attempting to work with the owner first, but when properties have been neglected so badly and the owners aren’t following the city code for extended amounts of time, the Council has to take action. Council members agreed that they would much rather see properties rehabilitated and put back on the tax roll.

A visibly upset Moore said he was confused at Johnson’s statement and didn’t believe it to be true. He asked the Council to reconsider his request. He said the City does not want to see the properties rehabilitated or Council would have allowed him to do so because he has the time and money.

The Council did not respond to his request for reconsideration and Moore noisily left council chambers.

Dan Clark, chairman of the Muscatine Historic Preservation Commission, approached the lectern to express his and the Commission’s disapproval with the name of the Top 10 Demolition List.

He said he is sensitive to the perception that some people recognize properties that are in “need of attention” as eyesores. He asked the Council to consider another name for the Top 10 Demolition List because it’s his understanding that these properties are simply in need of repair — not necessarily in need of demolition.

The name has been used by the Council in the past on a number of occasions but is not necessarily a formal name, Johnson said, though it is accurate. Also, the properties are not set for demolition until approved by Council.

Mayor Dick O’Brien told Clark that after several years of repeatedly dealing with properties it is necessary to create such a list. There is always the intent to sell, rehabilitate or allow owners to give the property away and demolition is a last resort.

Clark told the mayor he thought the houses were in need of some love and attention.

“That’s an understatement,” O’Brien said.

Bob Howard, At Large Councilman, said the Council’s goal is not to demolish structures but to beautify the city.

“It’s hard to get on this list,” Howard said.