Magistrate authorizes foreclosure on long-standing code-enforcement lien at 705 Grape Ave.

The special magistrate authorized the City of Saint Cloud to proceed with foreclosure on a code-enforcement lien recorded against property at 705 Grape Avenue after the city presented its file showing the lien had been recorded for more than 90 days and had accrued to $98,700.

A city representative presented the motion for authorization to foreclose, explaining the lien dates to an original order issued Dec. 29, 2022, and that fines and costs had accumulated. Magistrate Drew Smith reviewed the city’s file and said he found proper notice and that the order had been recorded for more than 90 days; he granted the city’s request to authorize foreclosure. The magistrate did not elaborate additional remedies at the hearing; his ruling authorizes the city to proceed in accordance with applicable law for foreclosure on the code-enforcement lien.

The authorization means the city may present the matter to the City Council and pursue foreclosure consistent with legal procedures and any statutory requirements; the transcript records the magistrate’s approval but does not provide further procedural steps or exact next dates. The city indicated this step is being pursued because the lien has been outstanding for several years and the property has been a recurring problem in the code-enforcement docket.