On Monday night, the Austin City Council approved a process to take legal action to force a property owner in the fire-damaged North Main Street area to clean up the property.

The council members held a closed session to discuss the situation before reconvening in open session and approving the process under the city’s hazardous materials statute.

This could mean the property owner, identified as Maria Leon, or the City of Austin will pay for the cleanup. The properties in question are 107 Third Ave. N.E. and 400-406 North Main St., where a devastating fire occurred Jan. 15.