Dangerous Buildings, Board of Review

BOARD OF REVIEW - DANGEROUS BUILDINGS MINUTES WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2014 6:00 p.m. Committee members present: Gary Schnip, Alderwoman Sofee Noblick, Joe East, and Andrew Zeeman, James M. Quarto Committee members absent: Richard A. Caron Sr. Others Present: James Troeger, Building Official; Jim Heist 1. Call to Order: Jim Quarto called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. Determination of a Quorum: It was determined that a quorum is present. 3. Acceptance of Minutes. Upon a motion of Jim Quarto, seconded by Andrew Zeeman, it was unanimously voted to approve the minutes of January 22, 2014. 4. Communications: None. 5. Blight updates/concerns: a. 556 East Main Street – Jim Troeger states this property is still the same. Watch List: b. 24 Harland Place – Jim Troeger states the owner started working in there again. They’re working slow but working. c. Mt. Pleasant Street behind Old Tymes – Jim Troeger stated he sent a letter to Rodney Green with the ordinance verbatim and State contact information. Rodney Green replied that he couldn’t make the meeting. The floor tile is the only stuff that has to be done by a licensed professional. He is hoping to start soon. d. 107 Baltic Street (Red house) – Jim Troeger states there is no change. e. Baltic Street Tarp – Jim Troeger states there is no change. f. 17 West Town Street – Jim Troeger states that they have stopped working and fines have started. They have been sent a citation update. $8,000 is already recorded and up at $22,000 now. The owner broke his foot and hasn’t been able to work. Jim Troeger asked him to the work done. The owner promised the roof, exterior siding, and windows will be done by May 1, 2014. Joe East asked if it is in a Historic District. Jim Troeger replied that it is and that that’s what gave him a big time extension. He was given a pass by Gideon. The owner has been cleared to do the roof. g. Broadway Barn – Jim Troeger received a letter from Sharon Normile. She couldn’t make the meeting. The committee wants something done by April 23, 2014. h. 274 Prospect Street – Tarp – Jim Troeger states the tarp is still there. Board of Review – Dangerous Buildings 2/26/2014 Minutes Page 2 i. 16 Fountain Street – Jim Troeger states that Ed Martin sent a property maintenance letter. The owner was given 20 days to comply (that would be 3/15). Citations will start at that point if nothing is done. The owner is changing his mind about moving. j. 117 Broad Street – Jim Troeger states it is secure. Ed Martin has a call in to the owner. The walks are getting shoveled. It appears they’re working it. k. 195 Broad Street – Vacant/Bank owned – Jim Troeger states it is secure and the yard is cleaner. There is a half a tarp on the roof. l. 152 Broad Street – Jim Troeger states it has been sold. The new owner Joy Wang has an electrician working and plans to re-side it. m. Ed Belli on School Street – Jim Troeger states the owner state he’s working on it. The side is a little cleaner. The owner is waiting on the weather. n. The corner of Spaulding and Broad – Done. o. 11 Grove Street – Jim Troeger states the owner agrees the front wall has to get pushed in. The owner plans a 6’ fence. 6. Public Comments: Gregg Grippo, 209 Boswell – Corner of Hickory. Across from Max Convenience Store. The side is very blighted. If it’s not graffiti it’s the black paint the owner has been using to cover the graffiti. The wall is an eyesore. I have called Ed Martin many times. It has been 2 years now. I also spoke with H. Tucker Braddock Jr. who recommended getting a petition. I am an artist but I can’t afford the supplies and my time to do something with this. I feel the 45% drop in my assessment is due to this property. The building department has no graffiti laws. It is very ugly and declines neighborhood values. It was very hard to find out what committee handles this issue. Ed Martin has done nothing and said he can’t do anything since graffiti is not in our Codes. 7. Other: a. RFP for 105 Chestnut and 631 West Main St– Sofee Noblick states that two new committees have been created. A committee for 105 Chestnut and a committee for 631 West Main. On 631 West Main the building is now down. There has been some interest in 631 West Main St from commercial abutters on either side, Little Caesars, Allstate and Enterprise. We want to reduce the curb cuts on on West Main so we may reduce the cost and insist on that. b. Prioritizing the Blight Lien Ordinance – Jim Troeger states that initially they were told to be generic. Now we’re breaking down the exterior versus interior. We will work in graffiti and tarps. Sofee Noblick agrees there is a need to have some tarp wording. Gary Schnip agrees and believes there should at least be a limit on the length of time a tarp can be on. Board of Review – Dangerous Buildings 2/26/2014 Minutes Page 3 Joe East adds that now they’re working with the original codes and ordinances and adding some specifics. Sofee Noblick states they will be meeting again on March 28th about the blight definitions and li en teeth. c. 8 West Town Street – Robert Allen was given 30 days on January 16th. $50 citation so far. d. Jim Troeger states that demolitions are ongoing: 1. 23 Washington Street 2. 53 Washington Street, 3rd week of March should be down 3. 26 Shipping Street has been awarded. No word yet but it came in way under budget. e. 241 Broadway – Mr. Hamar –The house was cold. He doesn’t look good. Jim Troeger is going to send outreach over. The deck on front, the overhang. The owner asked for time, he is waiting for warmer weather. 8. Next meeting – the next regularly scheduled meeting is Wednesday, March 26, 2014 The committee has chosen to cancel the March meeting so the next regularly scheduled meeting will be April 23, 2014 at 5:00 pm. 9. Adjournment: Upon motion of Sofee Noblick, seconded by James Quarto, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 6:07 p.m. Respectfully Submitted By: Christine Averna