The Pella City Council decided to delay legal action against the property owner of 813.5 Washington Street at their most recent meeting.

City Administrator Mike Nardini says the city wants to see the destroyed structure to compliance in Pella City Code Chapter 145. The previous A.G. Law building was damaged beyond repair in a fire on January 15th of this year. The City of Pella has filed two separate letters to the property owner – Andrew G. Aeilts with A.G. Residential L.L.C., ordering him to have the property conform to city code. A representative with the group was at the Pella City Council meeting last week, and was ultimately granted extra time to further prepare for abatement.

Nardini says the City of Pella intends to designate what remains as a dangerous building, and is seeking a court order to abate the property and then pursue the costs from those who own it. Demolition is expected to cost $24,000 — and that can be collected through property taxes if assessed back, if the city receives a favorable ruling from a district judge.

The item is tabled until the Tuesday, November 1st regular council meeting.