Dangerous Buildings, Board of Review

BOARD OF REVIEW - DANGEROUS BUILDINGS MINUTES WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2012 Committee members present: Alderwoman Sofee Noblick, James Quarto, Richard Caron and Andrew Zeeman Committee members not present: Gary Schnip, VACANCY. Others present: James Troeger, Building Official; Joe East; Alderman H. Tucker Braddock, Jr., Leland Loose, Dave and Karen Willis of 134 Prospect Street. 1. Call to Order: Sofee Noblick called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m. 2. Determination of a Quorum: It was determined that a quorum was present. 3. Acceptance of Minutes from August 22, 2012. Upon motion by Jim Quarto, seconded by Richard Caron, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes as amended. 4. Communications: None. 5. Blight updates/concerns: a. 17 West Town Street – Jim Troeger has received a reply to the letter he sent. The owner stated he is going to make repairs. He has set up scaffolding and Jim reminded him he needed a permit and to get Historic permissions. The owner states he was told there was no requirement on the shakes and that he is waiting for a reply about the windows. The work has stopped while waiting for the reply on the historic requirements. The fines have been stopped for now. Jim will continue checking in with the owner. b. 145 Wightman Avenue – Nothing is being done thus far. Fines are continuing. Jim Troeger will talk with Corporation Counsel if the fines get much higher. c. 105 Stonington Road (Garage) – Jim Troeger has spoken with Elise Moore from the Maintenance Company for the owner (bank). They are researching the demolition of the shed and awaiting price quotes and the okay from the bank. d. 24 Harland Place – The tarp has been removed and the end of the building has been painted. e. 26 Sherman Street – The yard has been cleaned but the building is still blighted. They still say they can’t afford the demolition costs. Jim Troeger will stay on this. Watch List: f. Oak Street – Fire – Turning over to the Blighted Buildings Committee. Mail sent to 5-7 Oak Street is coming back. The City may have to clean the property. 11 Oak Street has pulled their permit. A $100 citation went on. They’re working on it so for now they’re okay. g. 556 East Main Street – The owner has been calling Jim Troeger weekly. They are waiting for the contractor. The building has been boarded and the Chimney has been contracted to be demolished. A special contractor is required due to the height of the chimney. Jim Troeger is giving them time since they are trying. The garage roof has been closed off. Board of Review – Dangerous Buildings 09/26/2012 Minutes Page 2 h. 77 Chestnut Street – And 105 Chestnut Street – The City hired Jim Olsen to take down. The City is going for matching funding from the State. (Art Form is included in this money, as is 631 W. Main and 26 Shipping. i. Mt. Pleasant Street – Permit has been posted. j. 492 N. Main Street – This has been referred to Ed Martin. There is no news yet. Jim Troeger will continue working on getting an update on this. k. 33-35 Spaulding – A blight letter has been sent by Ed Martin on this property. l. Property behind Sturtevant – Unsure of the status. Richard Caron states he walked it. The parking lot was very bad but otherwise it seemed okay. The Committee is planning to check out the property. m. Prentice Street Shed – It is small and insignificant. Jim Troeger will look into this. n. Asylum Street – George ordered them to repair the leaking roof. Going to recommend they try going through their insurance company for a new roof. Or perhaps their bank will offer assistance. A letter is going out. o. Baltic Street – Same information as n) above. 6. Public Comments: 130 Prospect Street Neighbors – Dave and Karen Willis of 134 Prospect Street: Since the 2007 fire the property has been abandoned. It affects their property in many ways. There are rodents and cats living on the property which is overgrown. There is broken glass. The building has been broken into. The top windows are still broken and are not boarded. They constantly have to look at the major mess. The lawn was not taken care of at all this summer. Sofee Noblick offers an update from Aimee Wickless, Corporation Counsel. They are having trouble locating the property owner. They will have to do a tax sale. People will bid on the property and the owner will have 6 months to redeem themselves after the sale. They can’t foreclose without the owners’ social security number. Leland Loose asks who would be responsible for the care of the property during those six months that it is in limbo. Andrew Zeeman states that during those six months no one really. Jim Quarto asks if the City can cite, fine, or blight lien the property. Alderwoman Sofee Noblick states that the ordinance addresses multi family. Joe East states that Legal Notice consists of sending a registered letter, handing it to the owner, or posting the property. Why not post the property? The committee wants to look over the landlord registration ordinance. Board of Review – Dangerous Buildings 09/26/2012 Minutes Page 3 Alderman H. Tucker Braddock Jr. believes the Brownfield definition is “underperforming or owner un-identified”. Perhaps there is a statute that lets the City take action. For the next meeting the committee wants to have the Street Card for 130 Prospect Street. Andrew Zeeman of River Avenue He had a C.O. issued 1/3/2007. He is hoping to refinance but he needs the City to record the release since his 5 year contract has ended. Jim Troeger motions that the Committee ask that the City Attorney to file the Release of Contract to officially release Andrew Zeeman from this perceived obligation, seconded by Jim Quarto. The motion passed unanimously with Andrew Zeeman abstaining. 7. Other: Andrew Zeeman brings up 60 School Street. Jim Troeger states that work is being done. Sofee Noblick brings up 23 Washington Street – the roof is broken. This is historic. Sofee Noblick also brings up 631 West Main Street – Maybe an RFP would be a good idea. Best would be if the abutting property owner took it and removed the curb cut and legally adjoined it the property next to it. Short of that maybe it should be given over to the NCDC and get it back on the tax rolls. Sofee Noblick also brings up the Gas Station on 32 (next to the car dealership) that collapsed. Jim Troeger states he will talk to Ed Martin and see what is up with this property. Sofee Noblick also brings up chunks of land on Washington Street. There are 4 lots – 47, 49, 51, and 53 – that should be put together for an RFP as one. 8. Next meeting – the next regularly scheduled meeting is Wednesday, October 24, 2012. 9. Adjournment: Jim Quarto motioned to adjourn, seconded by Andrew Zeeman, and the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 6:45 p.m. Respectfully Submitted By: Christine Averna