What: fire-damaged structures left as debris piles and other blight, especially on the west side.
Where it stands: residents pressed the commission on September 30, 2026. Staff said the city cannot remove a fire-damaged structure it does not own until it completes the state-required notice process, and that a couple hundred fire piles exist citywide. A multi-department look at arson is under way and remaining ARPA funds will pay for more removals, though not all in 2026.
Next: recommendations for 2027 are expected in the budget presentations; the mayor asked the commission to find a way forward on blighted structures by year end.
Details
Staff said snow fencing around piles would add cost that reduces demolitions and does not stop trespass.
The mayor's Flight Plan advisory groups are expected to bring recommendations.
Sources
YouTube auto-generated captions of the City Commission meeting of September 30, 2026.