Dangerous Buildings, Board of Review

BOARD OF REVIEW - DANGEROUS BUILDINGS MINUTES WEDNESDAY MAY 28, 2014 6:00 p.m. Committee members present: Gary Schnip, Alderwoman Sofee Noblick, Joe East, Andrew Zeeman, Richard A. Caron Sr. Committee members absent: James M. Quarto Others Present: James Troeger, Building Official; Jim Heist 1. Call to Order: Gary Schnip 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 Sofee Noblick, seconded by Richard Caron, it was unanimously voted to approve the minutes of April 23, 2014. 4. Communications: None. 5. Blight updates/concerns: a. 556 East Main Street – Jim Troeger states that he will send a maintenance letter. b. Broadway Barn – Jim Troeger states the owner communicates weekly. She sent a note that will do something in 2 weeks. Jim will keep an eye on it. Sofee Noblick motioned to move the agenda item 7a up to be discussed now, seconded by Joe East. It was unanimously decided to discuss item 7a of the agenda now. There was a meeting today. Many issues (tarped, burned, water damaged properties) are in the new blight lien ordinance draft. Many issues are being addressed. The new ordinance will put our blight liens ahead of even banks. Jim Troeger stated they tried to define blight. Things visible from the street. Our enforcement and violations will gain teeth. Under the new ordinance they will receive violation notification that gives them time to comply. They can appeal. Citations start next. There would be no more extensions. Then the only appeal is to a hearing officer. Gary Schnip asks when they should have this in front of the Council. Sofee replies they are planning on August. Watch List: c. Mt. Pleasant Street behind Old Tymes – Jim Troeger stated that Rodney got his abatement done. He just has to keep moving forward. d. 107-109 Baltic Street (Red house) – Jim Troeger states there is no change. e. Baltic Street Tarp – Jim Troeger states there is no change. Board of Review – Dangerous Buildings 5/28/2014 Minutes Page 2 f. 17 West Town Street – Jim Troeger states the fined continue. H. Tucker Braddock asks who the new hearing officer is. Gary Schnip replies Mark Block. Tucker Braddock mentions that the owner is in a corner. He needs an alternative. Jim Troeger states the owner had been looking into alternatives. There are not many options. Joe East states the citations are going to negate his equity even further than his mortgage. Tucker Braddock asks if anyone has ever seen the systems they use on mountainsides. Gary Schnip states he has. He also mentions there are new ones out there. Tucker Braddock believes that if the owner doesn’t know how to get out he’ll never get anywhere. Gary Schnip mentions that the committee has had the owner here at meetings. The committee has suggested many things. Uncas Health has even given suggestions. The owner always makes excuses why he can’t go those routes. Jim Troeger adds that the new ordinance might make it that the City can’t remove the liens or citations. Do we want to be that stiff? Our goal is to get the maintenance done. Sofee Noblick reminds them that now is the time to get clauses for things like that into the new blight lien ordinance. Make sure that you have your strict items as well as your ability to work with those who perform. g. 274 Prospect Street – Tarp – Jim Troeger states the tarp is gone but it’s not repaired. h. 16 Fountain Street – Jim Troeger states that the man passed away. The brother is on his second dumpster. They’re going slow but working on it. Jim Heist adds that the garage is down. i. 117 Broad Street – Jim Troeger states that Ed Martin said the grass is cut. j. 195 Broad Street – Richard Caron states it is still vacant. Jim Troeger states that Ed Martin said the bank is getting roof prices. The grass is still not cut and there is trash in the yard. The property looks awful. k. 152 Broad Street – This can be removed from the list. l. Ed Belli on School Street – Jim Troeger states the windows and siding haven’t happened yet. Joe East adds he hasn’t seen a lot of progress. Gary Schnip states he will talk to the owner tomorrow morning. m. 11 Grove Street – Jim Troeger states the owner called him. The owner stated he is going to get the contractor back and then call Jim. They still haven’t called. We want this made level and safe and a retaining fence on top of the wall. Andrew Zeeman states he believes the property was donated to a Church in New Haven (the Sword of the Spirit Ministries out of Woodbridge CT – 26 Amity Rd). Richard Caron states they have to use it or the state will come down on them. They have to pay taxes. 6. Public Comments: 7. Other: a. Reprioritizing the Blight Lien Ordinance – discussed before the watch list above. Board of Review – Dangerous Buildings 5/28/2014 Minutes Page 3 Other Continued: b. Sofee Noblick brings up 60 Sixth street in Greenville. The paint is chipped and peeling and it has broken glass. c. Gary Schnip brings up 191-193 Broad Street – it may have a tarp. d. Sofee Noblick motioned, seconded by Andrew Zeeman, to amend the meeting schedule for future meetings. The motion passed unanimously. 8. Next meeting – the next regularly scheduled meeting is Wednesday, June 25, 2014 9. Adjournment: Upon motion of Sofee Noblick, seconded by, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 6:45 p.m. Respectfully Submitted By: Christine Averna  BOARD OF REVIEW – DANGEROUS BUILDINGS 2014 ANNUAL MEETING SCHEDULE AMENDED AT THE MAY 28, 2014 MEETING FOR ALL FUTURE MEETINGS STARTING WITH THE JUNE 2014 MEETING. The monthly meetings for the Board of Review, Dangerous Buildings Committee will be held in the Planning and Neighborhood Services Basement Conference Room at 23 Union Street at 5:00 p.m. on the dates listed below: February 26, 2014 March 26, 2014 April 23, 2014 May 28, 2014 June 25, 2014 July 23, 2014 August 27, 2014 September 24, 2014 October 22, 2014 November – NO MEETING December 17, 2014 (third Wednesday of December (Combined November-December meeting)