Should Bonney Lake Spend $10,000 to Clean This Mess?

About six months ago, a house located on the corner of 190th Street East and 75th Street East in Bonney Lake burned down. Nothing was salvaged and the house became a pile of rubble—not just an eyesore but a potential danger to the community. Now, the city is considering spending $10,000 in general funds to clean it up.

The house may contain asbestos and it has become an “attractive nuisance to kids,” said Bonney Lake city councilman Jim Rackley.

While it is the property owner’s responsibility to clean up the lot, Bonney Lake is authorized to do so if the property owner fails to.

“The question is whether the lot is a sufficient eyesore and nuisance as to justify spending city funds to clean up the lot, although eventually the city would be paid back,” said City Administrator Don Morrison.

After city crews worked deconstructing the burned-out house, the property owner was given a deadline to clean up the mess. However, that deadline has passed and now the city must decide if it should spend general funds to raze the lot.

The estimate to clear the rubble is $10,000 and the city would pay all fees and costs. The money would come out of general funds, since there is no budget for code enforcement. The property owner will have a deadline to repay it—if the property owner does not pay the city back by the deadline, a lien would be placed on the lot so the city would be reimbursed when the property sells.

The decision would come after the city council decides to move forward with plans to clear the lot. After that, there would be a public hearing and hearing examiners order before the city commits to spending the money.