The Carroll City Council released limited details on an agreement reached with the owners of what was deemed an abandoned property following a Jan. 25 closed session. A copy of that settlement agreement has now been made public. The situation arose when the City of Carroll filed a petition with the courts to have that property at 408 7th Street be awarded to the city in July of last year. The owners, Pamela J. Nieland and James J. Nieland, were non-responsive and the court approved a default judgment in September. Family members intervened after learning of the judgment and requested the property be returned to the original owners. In their settlement, the city has agreed to return the property with several stipulations. This includes the demolition or repair of the detached garage before July 1; repair or replacement of stairs on the east side of the building and repair or replacement of the water stop box by the same date; making the property habitable by March 1, 2022 or 14 months from the date the courts approve the agreement, whichever is later; avoid real estate tax delinquency; apply for and receive rental permits from the City of Carroll before letting any part of the property; and provide verbal status reports to Carroll City Manager, Mike Pogge-Weaver, every three months. With both parties’ signature on this agreement, the property is to be transferred back by quit claim deed from the city. If the work is not completed and the property put up for sale, owners must first get approval from the city.
