Better Property Board

BRISTOL TENNESSEE BETTER PROPERTY BOARD MEETING MINUTES Easley Municipal Annex 104 8"' Street |Bristol, TN 37620 October 27,2022 5:00 PM Members Present: StaffPresent; Pamela Offield, Chairwoman Cherith Young Randall Cook, VIce-Chairman Danielle Smith Lonnie Barrett, Secretary Kim Lester John Taylor Cari Seaton Pamela Ley Bretta Morenings CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Pamela Offield called the Bristol Tennessee Better Property Board meeting to order at 5:00 PM Thursday, October 27,2022. A roll call was performed, and a quorum was declared. APPROVAL OF MINUTES John Taylor motioned to approve minutes from the September 22, 2022 meeting. Randall Cook seconded the motion. The vote in favor was unanimous. PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS None. PUBLIC HEARING A. 310 Morris Street Visitor: Sandy Armstrong, Property Owner Kim Lester discussed repairs and improvements to the property. Pamela Offield inquired about the future use ofthe property. Ms. Armstrong stated she is reselling the home after the renovation is complete. Ms. Lester noted that an Order to Repair is not required on the property unless the Board believes it is necessary due to the new owner's exemplary history with home renovations. The Board inquired about the legalities surrounding when to issue an Order of Repair. Ms. Seaton stated the Board does not have to issue one ifthey deem it unnecessary. Randall Cook motioned to have a progress report on January 26, 2023. Lonnic Barrett seconded the motion. TTie vote in favor was unanimous. B. 2931 Broad Street, Unit 132 Visitor: Stephanie Blevins, Property Owner Bonnie Culp, Attorney/Lender's Representative Katie Kennedy, Neighbor, 2931 Broad Street, Unit 131 Deborah Jones, Neighbor, 2931 Broad Street, Unit 133 Bill Haga, President HOA Better Property Board Minutes October 27,2022 Page 1 of4 Stephanie Blevins,the property owner, discussed struggles with her health, and the steps she is taking to clean and repair the property, including assistance from local and state governments. Additionally,she met with a contractor, Richard Wilson,for estimates to repair the property. Ms. Blevins stated she plans to clean and repair the home after being denied coverage by her insurance company,so she could move back and reside there. Ms. OfTield asked about the condition of the home prior to her admission to the hospital. She stated the home was not as bad prior. Katie Kennedy, Ms. Blevins' neighbor,stated she called Animal Control approximately two years ago complaining ofammonia odors. Animal Control confirmed the smell was urine and attempted to contact Ms. Blevins but was unsuccessful. Ms. Kennedy stated the smell waxed and waned over the years but progressively worsened and has caused her to have health issues. Deborah Jones, Ms. Blevins' neighbor, stated urine, fecal and deceased animal odors began permeating her apartment approximately 6-8 months ago. She pleaded with the Board to remove the cats so the odors would stop. Ms. Offield inquired about procedures taken to remove the felines. Ms. Lester discussed Animal Control's removal process to date and noted most of the cats were diagnosed with feline leukemia and euthanized. Ms. Blevins meets Animal Control at the property to entice the remaining felines out of the unit with food. She stated they are feral and not spayed/neutered. She noted she saw five cats the last time she entered the home and expressed interest in sedating the remaining felines so they could be removed from the home and tested for leukemia. Ms. Lester stated mass sedation was not permitted due to the possibility ofaccidental inhumane euthanization as a result ofa lack of control over the administration ofthe sedatives. Danielle Smith, City Attorney, confirmed this. The Board inquired about Ms. Blevins' safety while cleaning the home. Ms. Lester noted there are no mandates requiring Ms. Blevins to utilize safety gear while cleaning her home and confirmed Ms. Blevins was aware ofthe potential hazards of not utilizing proper equipment. Ms.Jones and Ms. Kennedy expressed concerns over odors coming from the dumpster and inquired about daily removal. Ms. Lester stated the terms ofservice would be discussed with the company providing the dumpster. Ms. Blevins stated she would sign a release clearing the City ofany liability, so she eould move forward with cleaning the property. She stated her contractor would handle decontamination and repairs. Bill Haga asked the City to expedite the cleaning process as it is negatively impacting their community. Ms. Offield stated the Board could order cleaning and repairs by a certain time but cannot dictate how property owners carry out the orders. Ms. Lester anticipates the clean-up process occurring in several phases. John Taylor motioned to issue an order to repair in 90 days due to unsanitary strueture, unsafe conditions, health and sanitation violations, etc., and to have a progress report at the December 1, 2022 meeting. Randall Cook seconded the motion. The vote in favor was unanimous. C. 1709 Anderson Street Kim Lester discussed the property conditions and stated each property owner,as well as the owner's brother, were notified and had no interest in the property. The extent ofthe fire damage exceeded 50% of the property's value. Randall Cook motioned to issue an order to demolish the structure due to unsafe structure, unsafe conditions, fire damage, etc. Lonnie Barrett seconded the motion, The vote in favor was unanimous, Better Property Board Minutes Page 2 of4 October 27.2022 D. 6045OldJonesboroRoad Kim Lester presented an overview ofthe property and stated the owner was not responsive to her requests to clean and repair it. The Board inquired about its right to issue an order to demolish an accessory structure. Danielle Smith stated the Board was within its right to issue the order to demolish the structure. Randall Cook motioned to issue an order to demolish the deck and install railings due to unsafe conditions, etc. John Taylor seconded the motion. The vote in favor was unanimous. TRASH AND DEBRIS None. OLD BUSINESS None. PROGRESS REPORTS A. 515'A Queen Street Public: William Purtell, Attorney/Lender's Representative Kim Lester presented imagery and stated the property is still secure. She noted some of the garbage and vehicles were removed from the property. William Purtell stated initially Freedom Mortgage was working with MUD but due to their bid process parameters, initiated their own bidding process. He inquired about the extent the City would enforce the Order to Repair. The Board informed Mr. Purtell ifthe bids exceed the property's value, the mortgage holder could request an order to demolish the property. Pamela Ley motioned to extend the Order to Repair until Januaiy 26,2023, to give the mortgage holder time to complete the bid process and assess the percentage ofdamage due to unsafe structure, unfit for occupancy,junk in the yard, etc. Randall Cook seconded the motion. The vote in favor was unanimous. B. 902 Windsor Avenue Kim Lester stated the property owner was not in attendance and has a meeting scheduled with Upon Grace Home Repair for exterior home repairs on Monday 10/31/22. Ms. Ofileld inquired about taking the owner to court to expedite the repairs process since they have been ongoing for years. Ms. Lester said she would cite the property owner in municipal court, and noted the permit expired since there have been no inspections. Randall Cook motioned to issue a progress report at the December 1, 2022 meeting due to a lack of progress. John Taylor seconded the motion. The vote in favor was unanimous. C. 1300 Anderson Street Kim Lester stated the property was cleared,seeded, and strawed since last month's meeting. John Taylor motioned to close the file due to the completion of work. Pamela Ley seconded the motion. The vote in favor was unanimous. D. 514 Queen Street Kim Lester stated the bird's nest was removed and the soffit repaired. Better Property Board Minutes Page 3 of4 October 27,2022 John Taylor motioned to close the file due to the completion of work. Pamela Ley seconded the motion. The vote in favor was unanimous. E. FUTURE PROGRESS REPORTS 1. 1105 Broad Street 12/1/22 2. 813 Leona Street 12/1/22 3. 1215 5th Street 1/26/23 4. 102 E Cedar Street 1/26/23 5. 2089 King College Road TBD Litigation F. ADJOURNMENT With no other matters to present to the board, Chairwoman Pamela Offield adjourned the meeting at 6:08 PM. pvvoA{>\ \ Pamela Offteld, Chaip^man Better Property Board Minutes Page 4 of4 October 27,2022