Debts left over from the previous property owner may not block or delay the sale of the Hope Creek Care Center. Monday night, the East Moline city council voted to forgive two utility liens dating back to 1984.
East Moline City Administrator Doug Maxeiner says the previous owner apparently never paid for sewer and water line connections, totaling about 11,000 dollars.
"Through our research we believe based on a statute of limitations, that those liens have a life expectancy of about 10 years. They expire upon 10 years of being attached to that property. "
He and the city attorney believe the liens have expired and are not enforceable, and that's what county officials believed when the county was planning to build Hope Creek in the mid-2,000's and was researching the title. It opened in 2009.
The second reading of the lien forgiveness proposal will be held at the next city council meeting.
