City will take house owner to court

Decorah resident Kay Strand will be forced to appear in court to explain why she hasn't made necessary repairs to a house and garage at 701 Maple Street.

The Decorah City council voted 7-0 on Monday night to authorize City Attorney Rick Zahasky to file a simple misdemeanor charge of violation of the city's property maintenance ordinance.  The charge would carry a fine of up to $250.

Zahasky says if Strand continues to delay on making repairs to her property, the city could then file a "municipal infraction" charge against her--a charge that could carry a $500 a day fine.

City officials have been working with Strand for over two years to get repairs made at her property.  She has taken steps recently to improve her house and garage, but city officials on Monday night decided those steps were inadequate.  City council member Gary Rustad wondered why the issue had gotten this far, saying, "She could have hired a few guys to get this done."