Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, passed a Resolution approving the disposal of two City-owned properties acquired through the condemnation process. Interim City Administrator John Lund said a structure at 1200 Birch was used for firefighter training and the lot is currently vacant.

The other property at 1106 Poplar Street has a house located on it. Who ever purchases the property must agree to tear down the house and dispose of the debris in a timely manner. Mayor Dave Jones instructed Lund to establish a bond for the property because past agreements haven’t been fulfilled when it comes to removing dilapidated structures on properties sold by the City. Jones said the City had “Been burnt…[by people who get the property who promise to tear a structure down]…and two-years later it’s still standing there.” Lund said City Attorney Dave Wiederstein has given him a draft Demolition Agreement to look over and approve for future prospective buyers.

There will be a $1,000 demolition expense deposit that will be required that must be submitted with a sealed bid. Councilman Chris Jimerson said City will accept sealed bids on the properties later this month. Jimerson said the bidding process will open beginning 12-p.m. Oct. 17th and ending at 5:30-p.m. Nov. 5th.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council approved a six-month salary and benefits contract with Interim City Administrator John Lund that Councilperson Kathy Somers said was recommended by the City’s Personnel and Finance Committee.  She said it was agreed that after six-months there would be a performance evaluation, followed by another six-month contract, and then a more formal arrangement may be possible.

The Council also agreed to provide Lund with a vehicle allowance for mileage of $100 per month, since Lund uses his personal vehicle for City-related business. That figure may be renegotiated in six-months with verification of expenses and mileage. And, Mayor Dave Jones said he would refer the City’s “Mowing Ordinance” model to the Public Safety Committee. If approved, Atlantic’s ordinance would be similar to that of Creston, which the proposed model ordinance is based on.

Jones said the City Attorney has looked it over, and when approved, will require lawns to be mowed within the City of Atlantic from March 1st through Oct. 31st. Any grass during those months that grows over 12-inches tall and remains that high on the 1st and 15th of each month, will be mowed by the City and the property owner fined upwards of $150, and if the fine is not paid, the cost will be assessed to the owner’s tax bill.”