Hearing Authority

LAFAYETTE HEARING AUTHORITY May 12, 2015 The Lafayette Hearing Authority met on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. in the City Council Chambers of Lafayette City Hall. Present were: Ron Shriner and Cindy Murray. Absent: Gary Henriott Jacque Chosnek, 1st Deputy Attorney, was also present. Mr. Shriner called the meeting to order. MINUTES Mrs. Murray moved for approval of the March 10, 2015 minutes. Mr. Shriner seconded. Motion Carried. OLD BUSINESS Continuation of Hearing regarding 617 New York Street Mark Gick, Engineering Office, stated that the owner has acquired permits for the reconstruction/remodel work but no inspections have been done yet by the Engineering Office. Mrs. Murray moved to continue this item. Mr. Shriner seconded. Motion Carried. 3029 Yorktown Update Leslie Wagers, Attorney for Manley, Deas & Kochalski, stated that HUD is the investor on the mortgage and it is not yet in foreclosure. Mrs. Wagers stated that HUD had denied the previous bids so Saline Finance is in the process of obtaining new bids and have requested an expedited bid updated for HUD to see if they can get a new bid through HUD. The new bids will cover everything in the Hearing Authority’s initial order for repair. Mrs. Wagers requested additional time for Saline Finance to obtain a bidder for HUD. Mrs. Wagers would have an update at the next meeting on July 14, 2015. NEW BUSINESS Order to Comply and Notice to Appear at Demolition Hearing-608 4th Street Mrs. Chosnek requested continuing this item due to the legal department not obtaining service on the property owners. The continuation will give Mrs. Chosnek time to publish notice and get proper service on it. Mrs. Murray moved to continue. Mr. Shriner seconded. Motion Carried. Order to Comply and Notice to Appear at Demolition Hearing-822 S. 11th Street Mr. Gick stated that the carport has collapsed and is barely hanging on along with rotting wood. Mr. Gick stated that his main concern is the safety of the neighbors and owner and need to be torn down. Mrs. Chosnek stated that this property went through Sheriff’s sale last March and is currently owned by Federal National Mortgage Corporation. A service notice was sent to the owner about the hearing today. Mrs. Chosnek stated that the carport demolition can be done in-house and a lot quicker than bidding it out. A ten (10) day notice will be sent to the property owner regarding the work, if the order is affirmed. Mrs. Murray move to affirm the order for demolition. Mr. Shriner seconded. Motion Carried. Order to Comply and Notice to Appear at Demolition Hearing-1007 Pontiac Avenue Mr. Gick stated that the exterior wood is rotted and missing, wood siding is rotted, exposed structural wood that is rotted, the foundation is starting to deteriorate and the garage door is unable to close completely. The owner of the property is John Bond and initial contact was on April 22, 2015 and the last contact was on April 24, 2015. Mr. Gick stated that Mr. Bond is hiring a structural engineer to evaluate the property. Mr. Bond would like to keep the structure depending on the outcome of what the structural engineer finds outs. John Bond, Owner, stated that he met with Scott Dieterle regarding the condition of the garage. Mr. Bond stated that he has lived at this residence for 25 years and has hired a contractor who is with him at the meeting today. Mr. Bond stated that way the garage is constructed it made it hard for him to maintain. Mr. Bond requested more time to work with the contractor and to acquire a structural engineer and survey. Mr. Bond stated that the garage is sealed off with the exception of the garage door. Mark Ward, 1005 Pontiac (next door neighbor), stated that he has five children that play in their back yard which is directly beside the garage in question. Mr. Ward’s main concern is the safety of this children and the over structural integrity of the garage. Mr. Ward would like to see the garage boarded up until repairs or demolition is done to keep his children safe. Sara Rawlings, 922 S. 9th Street (behind the garage), showed the Board a few pictures of the garage from her property. Mrs. Rawlings is very concerned with the amount of wild animals that frequent the garage due to the access with the garage door partially up. Mrs. Rawlings stated that she has seen several different types of animals go to and from Mr. Bond’s property. She fears for the safety of her dogs and the quality of her garden. Shelly Hicks, 808 Central (behind the garage), stated that the back of the garage is currently boarded up but looks like it could fall down at any moment. Mrs. Hicks is also concerned with the wild animals and the safety of her dog. She would like to see the garage look better because it is an eyesore to the neighborhood. Mr. Shriner agreed with the recommendation to affirm demolition and give Mr. Bond time to hire a structural engineer and decide to repair or demolish the garage. Mrs. Murray asked Mr. Bond to secure the garage door and work with the Engineering Office to expedite the process due to the safety concerns. Mr. Shriner stated that this is clearly a safety issue, a health issue, and an ascetic issue that needs to be addressed and taken care of soon. Mrs. Chosnek stated that there is a form of agreement that Mr. Bond could sign if there is an actual construction plan and timeline that stated that the Engineering Department will not act on the order of demolition provided that Mr. Bond does the work as stated in the plan. Mr. Gick stated that the Engineering Office will expect an structural engineer’s report and timeline by Mr. Bond for the next meeting. Mrs. Murray moved to affirm the order for demolition. Mr. Shriner seconded. Motion Carried. UNSAFE STRUCTURES REPORT May 12, 2015 608 S 4th St P Property owner: Sam Mitchell & Luana Bowen Initial contact: None HOUSE Shingles are deteriorated Soffit and fascia rotted or missing thru-out Exterior wood siding starting to deteriorate or is missing in areas Exterior wood trim deteriorating Foundation starting to collapse in areas No siding or sheathing on back of house Exposed interior wood starting to deteriorate Last contact: None Taxes Current: No- $718 Recommendation: Demolition 822 S 11th St Property owner: Craig & Amy Mullens Initial contact: None CARPORT Carport roof has collapsed and posed an immediate threat to the neighborhood All structural wood and post is rotting This must be removed and made safe immediately Last contact: None Taxes Current: No- $1,728.74 Recommendation: Demolition 1007 Pontiac AveC Property owner: John Bond Initial contact: April 22, 2015 GARAGE Exterior wood trim rotted, falling off or missing Wood siding rotted, falling off or missing Exposed structural wood rotting from exposure to weather Foundation starting to deteriorate from exposure to weather Garage door unable to close Last contact: April 24, 2015 Taxes Current: No- $625.20 Recommendation: Owner is hiring a structural engineer to evaluate the garage. Owner will either repair or demolish garage depending on what structural engineer’s report says. Recommend tabling until next meeting. Time: 10:05 a.m. Ron Shriner s/s President Minutes prepared by Mindy Miller, 1st Deputy Clerk A digital audio recording of this meeting is available in the Lafayette City Clerk’s Office.