Hearing Authority

LAFAYETTE HEARING AUTHORITY March 10, 2015 The Lafayette Hearing Authority met on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. in the City Council Chambers of Lafayette City Hall. Present were: Gary Henriott and Cindy Murray. Absent: Ron Shriner Jacque Chosnek, 1st Deputy Attorney, was also present. Mr. Henriott called the meeting to order. MINUTES Mrs. Murray moved for approval of the January 13, 2015 minutes. Mr. Henriott seconded. Motion Carried. OLD BUSINESS Update-3029 Yorktown Leslie Wagers, Attorney for Manley Deas & Kochalski, stated that her client Saline Finance has made significant effort in trying to determine what it can do with the property but have not come to a conclusive decision as of today. Mrs. Wagers stated that they obtained a bid and then submitted to HUD. HUD denied the repairs. Mrs. Wagers explained to the Board that HUD denied the bid because the repairs that were specified in the bid are not the repairs/regulations that HUD requires for compliance. Also, because the property is not in foreclosure there is no imminent push to getting the repairs done. Mrs. Wagers asked the Board for any additional time be granted. Mr. Henriott stated that the Board would be happy to continue this until the next week on May 12, 2015. Mrs. Murray moved to continue this until next meeting. Mr. Henriott seconded. Motion Carried. Continuation of Hearing regarding 617 New York Street Scott Dieterle, Engineering, stated that there is a demolition permit for the property. Currently the interior plaster is being removed after that takes place a structural engineer will do an evaluation and then recommendation for the property. A building permit can be applied for after the structural engineer has completed the evaluation and given a scope of work. Mr. Dieterle stated that they are continuing to demolish parts of the house. Mr. Dieterle stated that they are currently behind on the timeline for getting the required work done. The order for demolition by the City Engineer was set in April 2014 but was never affirmed by the Lafayette Hearing Authority. NEW BUSINESS Order to Comply and Notice to Appear at Demolition Hearing-1412 Morton Street Mr. Dieterle stated that this property is owned by the Wiper Corporation and was acquired at tax sale a year ago. Vinnie Gupta, Wiper Corporation, hired a contractor whom met Mr. Dieterle several times on site. A plan, a timetable and scope of work was established and a building permit was acquired. Mr. Dieterle stated that the contractor do not meet the timeframe, January 15, 2015, that was agreed upon. The contractor call Mr. Dieterle two days before the timeframe expired and quit the project and told Mr. Dieterle to just tear it down. Mr. Dieterle recommended demolition of the property and described the pictures of the property that he has on file on the property. Discussion ensued regarding who is the current owner of the property. Mrs. Murray moved to affirm the order for demolition. Mr. Henriott seconded. Motion Carried. Order to Comply and Notice to Appear at Demolition Hearing-1704 Wabash Avenue Mr. Dieterle stated that this house has been vacant since 2010. Mr. Dieterle has not had any contact with the property owners Henry & Linda Warthan until this past Friday. Mrs. Warthan told Mr. Dieterle that Chase Bank owns the property and Chase Bank had kicked the Warthans out three years ago and they have nothing to do with the property. Mr. Dieterle stated that the roof is sagging in many areas, rotting wood through, foundation cracking, broken windows and missing doors. Mr. Henriott moved to affirm the order for demolition. Mrs. Murray seconded. Motion Carried. Updates 1201 Brown Street- Mr. Dieterle has a meeting with the owner tomorrow on site and come up with a game plan and timetable. Due to medical issues the owner has not been able to do the work but things are better and the owner is on able to do the work himself. 1909 Greenbush-Mr. Dieterle stated that Eagle Management currently owns the property. There was a house fire recently and the owners are going to demolish the property on their own. There is not a timetable set in place yet for this property. Devon Plaza-Mayor Roswarski stated that he has been working work the owner who promised the mayor that he would have the building demolished by January 2015 and /or sell the liquor license. That has not happened yet. Mayor Roswarski recommended starting the formal process to get the property demolished through the Hearing Authority. Requests from the Board Mr. Henriott requested that Mr. Dieterle develop a few lists/spreadsheet that include the properties that have been ordered for demolition but not being demolished yet and what is current for each of those properties. Mrs. Murray requested a list/spreadsheet of the order of those properties being demolished. Mr. Henriott asked about if a ‘check list’ is being followed when a property come on the radar. Mrs. Chosnek stated that the legal office has a check list that they use when properties are sent over to them by the Engineering office. Mr. Henriott requested a meeting in April with Mr. Dieterle to review what is out there before the next Hearing Authority meeting in May. UNSAFE STRUCTURES REPORT March 10, 2015 1412 Morton St Property owner: Wiper Corporation Initial contact: August 21, 2014 HOUSE Shingles are deteriorated East side of roof has too many layers of shingles on it Exposed roof sheathing is rotted in areas Fascia and soffit missing or deteriorated in areas Several windows have rotted wood Exposed plywood deteriorated Foundation starting to deteriorate Holes in siding thru-out Interior ceiling starting to collapse or water stained in areas Upstairs room addition has been added and will need a structural engineer to inspect it Mechanicals in basement will need professionally inspected Last contact: February 27, 2015 Taxes Current: Yes Recommendation: Demolition 1704 Wabash Ave Property owner: Henry & Linda Warthan Initial contact: None HOUSE Shingles are deteriorated Soffit and fascia are rotted thru-out Gutters falling in areas Exterior wood siding rotting thru-out Exterior doors deteriorating or missing Several windows broken or missing Foundation starting to deteriorate in areas Stone walls starting to deteriorate in areas Last contact: No contact since original letter Taxes Current: No- $5,614.19 Recommendation: Demolition Time: 9:55 a.m. Gary Henriott s/s President Pro-Tem Minutes prepared by Mindy Miller, 1st Deputy Clerk A digital audio recording of this meeting is available in the Lafayette City Clerk’s Office.