Hearing Authority

LAFAYETTE HEARING AUTHORITY July 21, 2015 The Lafayette Hearing Authority met on Tuesday, July 21, 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 May 12, 2015 minutes. Mr. Shriner seconded. Motion Carried. Mrs. Murray moved for approval of the July 14, 2015 minutes. Mr. Shriner seconded. Motion Carried. OLD BUSINESS 3029 Yorktown Update J.P. Shafer, Attorney for Ball Eggleston on behalf of Manley, Deas & Kochalski, stated that Saline Finance has requested an inspection of the property however the inspector was not able to get to the property before today’s meeting but is scheduled to come on July 24, 2015. Mr. Shafer requested additional time. Mrs. Chosnek stated that enforcement of the demolition order has been held off of as the mortgage company continues to investigate it and decide what they need to do. Continuation of Hearing regarding 617 New York Street Scott Dieterle, Engineering Office, stated that there is some progress being made but it has been a slow process. The owner and her son are currently doing the work with little outside help. Mr. Dieterle stated that the majority of the inside of the house has been gutted. Mr. Dieterle stated that he is ok with the progress that has been made and recommended continuing this until the next meeting. Mrs. Chosnek stated that the demolition order on this house expires in March 2016. If the demolition order expires then there will be a need to start the process over again if there is no work being done on the house. Mrs. Murray moved to continue. Mr. Shriner seconded. Motion Carried. Continuation of Hearing regarding 608 4th Street Mr. Dieterle stated has not made contact with the owners to date. Mrs. Chosnek stated that they have not been able to get service on the owners at the last meeting and the last mailing address was not good. Mrs. Chosnek stated that they had to publish notice of today’s meeting and the last day of publication was May 15, 2015 so the notice has been published. Mr. Dieterle stated that there are major foundation issues and eroding. Mr. Dieterle stated that the owners applied for a building permit three (3) years ago to do a room addition. Mr. Dieterle recommended affirming the demolition. Mrs. Chosnek stated that the Permission to Advertise for the house will be on the Board of Works Agenda for next week. Mrs. Murray moved to affirm the order for demolition. Mr. Shriner seconded. Motion Carried. NEW BUSINESS Order to Comply and Notice to Appear at demolition Hearing-628 S. 26th Street Mr. Dieterle stated that this is for a garage and a carriage house. The garage has broken windows, roof damage, holes in the roof in one area and lack of maintenance for several years. Mr. Dieterle recommended affirming the order for demolition on both the garage and carriage house. Mr. Dieterle would like to have the order for demolition in place and then work with the owner for a timetable for fixing both of the structures. Andrew Switzer, Arkor Architecture Engineers, stated that the owner, Mark Kemble, would like to fix up the structures. Mr. Switzer state that there is roof deck damage and holes in the roof but the main structure/frame can be saved. Mr. Switzer stated that he would be involved in the process of getting the structures fixed up. The intention of the garage will be maintained as a storage building and the carriage house will be put back to a rental or residence for Mr. Kemble. Overall, Mr. Kemble has not been in a position to repair them and now he is in position to do that. Mr. Dieterle stated that Mr. Kemble needs to board up the last second story window. Mayor Roswarski stated that there needs to be a definite timeline put in place for the repair of these structures. Mrs. Murray moved to affirm the order for demolition. Mr. Shriner seconded. Motion Carried. UPDATES 1007 Pontiac Avenue Mr. Dieterle stated that the owner, Mr. Bond, didn’t know whether he was going to save the garage or tear it down. Mr. Dieterle spoke with Mr. Bond prior to the meeting and Mr. Bond decided to tear down the garage. Mr. Bond and Mr. Dieterle will be coming up with a timetable for the demolition. One (1) month seems to be a reasonable time to have the garage demolished by the owner, if not the city will demolish the garage. The neighbor stated that there is also a problem with poison ivy on the property and a tree growing behind the garage that is growing into her wires along with maple trees growing in Mr. Bond’s gutters. Mr. Dieterle stated that he would inform the Code Enforcement Officer about the property. 1909 Greenbush Street Mr. Dieterle stated this house is owned by Lyle Rupp and recently had a fire. Mr. Rupp finally found a demolition company to demolish the house. The house will be torn down and rebuilt. LEGAL COUNSEL Mrs. Chosnek stated that there is new legislation that was adopted this year by the State Legislature with regard to abandon and vacant housing. The legislation allows a city to identify vacant and abandon housing and can set it up for a different tax sale process. Tippecanoe County receives a list of the abandon properties that are behind on property taxes, a separate tax sale can take place and purchaser can receive the deed that day. The new process will eliminate 15-18 months off the current/old process. Mrs. Chosnek stated that the Hearing Authority will be involved in the new process. Mrs. Chosnek will be bringing to the Hearing Authority a list at the next meeting of those abandon properties because under the statute, the Hearing Authority can be the governing body that makes that determination that the properties are in fact vacant or abandon to start the process. PUBLIC COMMENT ADJOURNMENT UNSAFE STRUCTURES REPORT July 21, 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 628 S 26th St Property owner: Mark Kemble Initial contact: June 4, 2015 2 GARAGES Shingles are deteriorated or missing Roof sheathing is rotted or missing in areas Soffit and fascia rotted thru-out Wood siding deteriorated thru-out Windows missing or broken thru-out Exterior doors deteriorated Foundation is deteriorated Both garages need to be demolished Last contact: June 10, 2015 Taxes Current: No- $928 Recommendation: Demolition Time: 9:53 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.