By Chris Post / Editor-in-Chief

Residents of Marshall’s Ridgecrest neighborhood are still waiting for a timeline to resolve problems with a property that has been the subject of complaints for years, while city officials say a new code enforcement proceeding is still at least a month away.

Mike Shipp returned to the Marshall City Council during its meeting Oct. 20 to express frustration with the lack of progress.

“About eight months ago when we first presented our concerns, we were asked to have patience,” Shipp said. “I think we have. I’ve asked a couple times for a timeline and I’m still waiting.”

The property, owned by Jerome Bublitz, has been the subject of repeated complaints involving building conditions, broken windows, maintenance issues and other concerns. Residents previously told the council that problems with the property have persisted for more than 15 years.

The Delta reported in September that the city was pursuing multiple enforcement options, including municipal court proceedings and a separate administrative process that could address broader health and safety concerns.

During the latest meeting, Ward 2 Councilman Jim Papreck pressed City Administrator J.D. Kehrman for a clearer timetable, saying residents have been patient while continuing to deal with the property’s condition.

“They have been very patient and I sympathize with you guys living next to that,” Papreck said. “We may go home and it might not be front of mind all the time when we’re at home, but when they go home, they’re still dealing with it.”

Kehrman said he could not predict when the property owner might comply with violations pending in municipal court. However, the city is preparing a separate case for the Board of Code Enforcement.

That proceeding will address the property’s exterior and interior conditions, structural concerns, fire safety issues and complaints from neighbors involving odors, animals and people entering or occupying the property without authorization.

Kehrman said the city is assembling cases involving at least four properties for the board to consider. He estimated it could take another month or longer before the cases are ready for a hearing.

“We’re still at least a month or so away,” Kehrman said.

The city is working with IBTS, an outside inspection and code enforcement firm, to prepare the necessary information. Kehrman said he met with an IBTS representative about the case, while the city attorney is also involved in preparing the proceedings.

The administrative process is separate from violations already pending in municipal court. Kehrman said the court controls the disposition of those cases, including any additional time a property owner may be granted to comply.

The Board of Code Enforcement, meanwhile, will consider issues involving nuisances and dangerous buildings under the city’s ordinances.

Kehrman said he will serve as the administrative hearing officer and must remain neutral while the city attorney presents the case.

Once the cases are ready, the city will schedule and publicly announce the hearing. Kehrman said he would also notify interested residents and be available to discuss the outcome and subsequent steps after the board has considered the matter.

The latest discussion follows repeated appearances by Ridgecrest residents at council meetings in September. Shipp and fellow resident Disa Farris previously questioned how long the property owner would be given to correct violations and whether condemnation could be considered.

At that time, Kehrman said the city was exploring its enforcement options but emphasized that any action must comply with state law and provide the property owner with due process.

For now, residents have a possible next step in the enforcement process, but no firm date for when the problems will be resolved.