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Code Fines, Legal Woes Could Land Historic Property In City Hands

    A years-long code enforcement case in Umatilla could result in the city taking over ownership of a historic property.  The City of Umatilla is in negotiations with representatives of Betty Atkinson regarding just over $100,000 in code fines, with city officials offering to reduce the fines due in exchange for taking over ownership of one of the two properties embroiled in the case.
    The city began code enforcement proceedings against properties at 208 Lori Court and 195 Bulldog Lane during the 2017-18 time period.  Both properties had fallen into disrepair, descending into states of overgrowth and general neglect. At one point, the home at Lori Court acquired a hole in the roof that was going unrepaired.
    City attempts to make contact with Atkinson, listed as the owner of the properties, were unsuccessful, and over time the properties began to accrue fines due to ongoing code violations.  
    Around 2019, the city began assessing daily fines for the Lori Court property.  The Bulldog Lane case became complicated after city staff noticed that ownership of the property had changed on the deed, even though Atkinson had not agreed to sell the property.
    Around 2020, family members of Atkinson stepped in to help bring the properties into code compliance, but the fines remained in place and unpaid. In addition, time was lost fighting the fraudulent deed case, and more time was lost as family members sought legal guardianship over Atkinson.
    Early in January of this year, representatives of the Atkinson family attended a meeting of the Umatilla City Council with hopes of negotiating the situation, asking that the fees be waived.  In return, the family would allow an easement across the property along Orange Avenue, where the city had attempted to place a sidewalk years ago.  At that time, Atkinson did not agree to provide the easement, leaving that section of the street without a sidewalk, unlike most of the rest of the area.
    City officials appear to be uninterested in that deal, noting that Atkinson’s refusal at the time cost the city around $7,500 in grant funding that was set to pay for the sidewalk project.  That cost, along with legal fees and other associated costs of the cases, beyond the fines, leaves the city looking at a total outstanding ‘cost’ of around $110,000.
    Instead, the city council offered the family another solution.  While the exact details were left open to negotiation, the council presented a concept that would see the city pay around $25,000 for the Bulldog Lane property.  In addition, the fines would be waived, and the city would take into consideration the idea of placing a marker on the property in memory of Lawrence Atkinson, the longtime area citrus grower who based his firm's operations out of the location.
    While the city has not stated an intended use for the property, its location is strategic when considering potential uses.  It is across the street from Umatilla High School, and adjoins property owned by the First Baptist Church of Umatilla on the north. 
    However, it is unclear if the case will be resolved in such a manner.  The meeting discussing the proposal was held on January 7 with Atkinson legal representation stating they would take the offer as well as a report on the discussions back to the family for consideration, as of press deadline this week city officials said they had not heard back from the family regarding the proposal or of any plans to pay the fines.