Dangerous Buildings, Board of Review

BOARD OF REVIEW - DANGEROUS BUILDINGS MINUTES WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 23, 2013 5:30 p.m. Committee members present: Alderwoman Sofee Noblick, Joe East, Andrew Zeeman, Richard Caron, and Building Official Jim Troeger, Committee members not present: Gary Schnip, James Quarto Others Present: Alderman H. Tucker Braddock Jr., Jim Heist 1. Call to Order: Alderwoman Sofee Noblick called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m. 2. Determination of a Quorum: It was determined that a quorum is present. 3. Acceptance of Minutes. Upon motion by Andrew Zeeman, seconded by Joe East, the Board voted unanimously to approve the September 25, 2013 minutes. 4. Communications: None. 5. Blight updates/concerns: a. 556 East Main Street – The City cleared the sidewalk so it is passable. The owner painted that piece of fencing. The owner is waiting for financing Alderwoman Sofee Noblick asks if we have him demo it what will we have him do with the drop off there. Jim Troeger replies that he would have to leave a wall up with something holding it up. It would be safe per City Code. With no walkway there (within 5’) it’s Code safe. It is a big drop off. Andrew Zeeman states it’s more than a 4’ drop. Shouldn’t it need a fence since they disturbed it? Jim Troeger replies that it is not something someone will just fall into. He believes it’s 42” hi grade. It’s secured and locked up. The fence keeps people out. b. 34-36 McKinley – Jim Troeger states the gas was cut (by Public Works). They don’t want to do it anymore. The owner walked away from the property and the Bank hasn’t taken it over yet. Nothing has changed. Joe East mentions that there are banks re-habbing properties they took so they can sell them for better prices. Watch List: c. 24 Harland Place – Jim Troeger states an electric permit has been issued. Rough wiring is done. Sam has guys cleaning the place out. The owners intent is to clean it out. Work is on-going. Board of Review – Dangerous Buildings 10/23/2013 Minutes Page 2 d. Mt. Pleasant Street – Jim Troeger states that he speaks with them monthly. The owners cut the sidewalk junk down and they had a survey done. They got prices for abatement (roof, floor tile, and window asbestos) of $20,000. He has no money. He’s unsure if he’ll be able to do anything. We have to enforce this. Jim Troeger states the buildings are secured and cleaned up but it does look shabby though. Andrew Zeeman wants the owner to make it presentable. Jim Troeger will tell them to fix it up to be neat. e. 496 N. Main Street – Jim Troeger states this has been cleaned up. This can be removed from the watch list. f. Baltic Street – Tarp. g. 17 West Town Street – Jim Troeger states he visited the property today. The owner wasn’t there. They have a permit. The owner went in the attic and built knee walls that are bearing over the floor span of the room below (not on any load-bearing walls). It wasn’t continued below for structure/load bearing. Jim Troeger will talk to him tomorrow. The owners plan is to put a new roof on it. He is keeping the property clean. h. 167 Broadway (Barn) – Jim Troeger states the owner ha someone who was going to look at the materials to take so demo can be done. He cancelled last minute. Jim Troeger will continue to monitor the situation. The building is secure and closed. It isn’t visible from the street. i. 274 Prospect Street – Tarp – The tarp is still there. Jim Troeger states that it is sealed up. j. 107-109 Baltic Street (red one) – There’s a hole in the roof. The owner got an estimate for the survey price. She doesn’t know what to do. She may sell it as is. She is maintaining the grass and keeping it neat. k. Otrobando – The barn is part taken down. It’s pretty clean. No longer a dangerous bldg. l. 14 or 16 Fountain Street – Is actually 16. The owner states he is working with senior outreach. The owner lives in this property. The roof leaks. He is willing to go to senior housing but he has no money other than his social security check. Jim Troeger will have Lee Ann Gomes call him now that we have his phone number. m. 191 Broad Street – Actually 195. Treadway garage behind it. Bank of America owns. They’re not doing anything thus far. Jim Troeger will keep trying to get them to do something. n. Ed Belli on School Street – There has been no progress. The owner stated end of November the outside will be done. o. 196 Broad – Actually 152. It has been cleaned up. Board of Review – Dangerous Buildings 10/23/2013 Minutes Page 3 p. 500 North Main Street – Remove from the list. q. Sidewalk in front of 88 Fifth Street – Maintenance is not doing the sidewalk – they’re skipping it. Jim Troeger has been trying to catch them. He will check to see if they’re being fined. r. 117 Broad Street – Jim Troeger states that Ed stated it is vacant and secured. s. 8 West Town Street – The owner was sent a letter explaining the ordinance that explains it is his responsibility (drop off/fencing). There is a safety issue there. t. 7-9 Oak Street – The owner had demo there and had it graded. It has grown up to weeds now. Per Jim Troeger Ed stated it is on the City mow list. The upper owner is interested in the property. u. Sanctuary of Love – Mr. Tong was invited to the meeting but couldn’t come. The owner stated he has it maintained. Jim Troeger wants it cleaned up. The owner is going to paint the place and mow. v. 117 Broad Street – Ed Martin states the garage is down. Stairs access is closed. Will check exterior of building. 6. Public Comments: None. 7. Other: a. RFP for 105 Chestnut – Sofee Noblick states that nothing has changed as of yet. b. RFP for 9 - 9 ½ Fountain – Sofee Noblick states that a new Committee has been formed to deal with this property. It involves several other properties as well. Sofee has asked Pete Davis to ask Donna Ralston to reduce the assessed value. Sofee handed out a GIS map with all the properties involved hi-lighted. c. Sofee Noblick brings up the Blight Prioritizing. Attorney Driscoll wants us to clarify our ordinance before doing that. She is setting up a meeting to get this done. Sofee will find out from Attorney Driscoll which ordinance they need to work on. d. Andrew Zeeman brings up 11 Grove Street. They had to do the alternate work practices because it is currently unsafe to work at. They are in process so this should be happening soon. 8. Next meeting – the next regularly scheduled meeting is Wednesday, December 18, 2013. 9. Adjournment: Upon motion of Rich Caron, seconded by Joe East, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 6:23 p.m. Respectfully Submitted By: Christine Averna