Legislative Hearings

15 West Kellogg Blvd. City of Saint Paul Saint Paul, MN 55102 Minutes - Final Legislative Hearings Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer Mai Vang, Hearing Coordinator Jean Birkholz, Hearing Secretary legislativehearings@ci.stpaul.mn.us 651-266-8585 Tuesday, October 6, 2015 9:00 AM Room 330 City Hall & Court House 9:00 a.m. Hearings Special Tax Assessments 1 RLH TA 15-484 Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for Property at 1412 ARCADE STREET (Assessment Roll under 1408 ARCADE STREET) (File No. J1601P, Assessment No. 168400). Sponsors: Bostrom Delete; waiver on file. (No hearing necessary) Referred to the City Council due back on 1/6/2016 2 RLH TA 15-487 Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for Property at 475 BEAUMONT STREET (File No. J1602A, Assessment No. 168501). Sponsors: Brendmoen Approve. Referred to the City Council due back on 1/6/2016 3 RLH TA 15-462 Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for Property at 1170 BEECH STREET (File No. J1601A, Assessment No. 168500). Sponsors: Finney No show; approve. Referred to the City Council due back on 1/6/2016 4 RLH TA 15-485 Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for Property at 923 BURR STREET (File No. J1601B, Assessment No. 168100). Sponsors: Brendmoen This was a fire damaged house. Requested fire report for St Paul Fire Dept. Result was that the board up was requested by DSI and not seeing a fire at that location. Staff searched periods during March 1 thru September 28, 2015. City of Saint Paul Page 1 Legislative Hearings Minutes - Final October 6, 2015 Referred to the City Council due back on 1/6/2016 5 RLH TA 15-483 Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for Property at 870 CASE AVENUE (File No. J1601A, Assessment No. 168500). Sponsors: Bostrom Approve. Referred to the City Council due back on 1/6/2016 6 RLH TA 15-502 Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for Property at 2076 CASE AVENUE (File No. J1602A, Assessment No. 168501). Sponsors: Bostrom Approve. Referred to the City Council due back on 1/6/2016 7 RLH TA 15-486 Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for Property at 915 DAYTON AVENUE (File No. J1602G, Assessment No. 168701). Sponsors: Thao Delete; inspector failed to send the order to provide proof of trash hauling service. (No hearing necessary) Referred to the City Council due back on 1/6/2016 8 SR 15-112 Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for Property at 844 FULLER AVENUE (J1512A, Assessment No. 158527) Sponsors: Thao Delete because the video didn't show the after clean-up. Will prepare a resolution amending the resolution adopted on September 16. Received and Filed 9 RLH TA 15-474 Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for Property at 1515 HAGUE AVENUE (File No. VB1511A, Assessment No. 158833). Sponsors: Thao Delete; vacant building fee was paid. (No hearing necessary) Referred to the City Council due back on 10/21/2015 10 RLH TA 15-488 Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for Property at 752 JESSIE STREET (File No. J1602A, Assessment No. 168501). Sponsors: Brendmoen 10/6/15: Approve; no show. Laid Over to the Legislative Hearings due back on 10/20/2015 City of Saint Paul Page 2 Legislative Hearings Minutes - Final October 6, 2015 11 RLH TA 15-504 Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for Property at 565 LAWSON AVENUE WEST (File No. J1602A, Assessment No. 168501). Sponsors: Brendmoen Approve. Referred to the City Council due back on 1/6/2016 12 RLH TA 15-489 Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for Property at 88 MAGNOLIA AVENUE WEST (File No. J1602A, Assessment No. 168501). Sponsors: Brendmoen Approve. Referred to the City Council due back on 1/6/2016 13 RLH TA 15-490 Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for Property at 974 MINNEHAHA AVENUE EAST (File No. J1602A, Assessment No. 168501). Sponsors: Finney Reduce assessment from $476.00 to $326.00 (decrease by $150) Referred to the City Council due back on 1/6/2016 14 RLH TA 15-491 Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for Property at 1044 MINNEHAHA AVENUE EAST (File No. J1602A, Assessment No. 168501). Sponsors: Finney Approve and spread over 3 years. Referred to the City Council due back on 1/6/2016 15 RLH TA 15-501 Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for Property at 1103 PAYNE AVENUE (File No. J1601P, Assessment No. 168400). Sponsors: Bostrom Delete; graffiti was on a dumpster in which the owner's dumpster company would be doing the removal. (No hearing necessary) Referred to the City Council due back on 1/6/2016 16 RLH TA 15-492 Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for Property at 1855 PORTLAND AVENUE (File No. J1602A, Assessment No. 168501). Sponsors: Stark City of Saint Paul Page 3 Legislative Hearings Minutes - Final October 6, 2015 Approve. Referred to the City Council due back on 1/6/2016 17 RLH TA 15-478 Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for Property at 1657 REANEY AVENUE EAST (File No. J1601A, Assessment No. 168500). Sponsors: Finney Reduce from $488 to $338. Referred to the City Council due back on 1/6/2016 18 RLH TA 15-482 Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for Property at 401 SEVENTH STREET WEST (File No. J1601P, Assessment No. 168400). Sponsors: Thune Delete; waiver on file. (No hearing necessary) Referred to the City Council due back on 1/6/2016 19 RLH TA 15-505 Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for Property at 333 SHERBURNE AVENUE (File No. J1602A, Assessment No. 168501). Sponsors: Thao Obsa Negassa, tax owner, appeared. Inspector Paula Seeley: -Summary Abatement Order sent Jul 20; compliance Jul 27; re-checked Jul 27 -work done on Jul 29 for a cost of $288 + $160 service charge = $448 -Remove all materials from the fire pit including ashes underneath the pile of refuse and rubbish -sent to State of MN; Obsa Negassa, 2707 28th St E, Mpls; Occupant -no returned mail -have photos; no Video Mr. Negassa: -it's in the state of forfeiture; he bought it on auction -this land is right behind a church; the church people are maintaining the lot; sometimes they have a bon fire in the fire pit; they used some construction debris as fuel -as soon as he got the letter, he went out the cleaned it up; the inspector was on site and Mr. Negassa asked him how far did he want this to be cleaned up and why can't they have a bon fire there? The Inspector told him that there needs to be something around the fire pit; so, he ordered some bricks and thought that it would be OK; unfortunately, it was not OK All viewed the photos taken Jul 27 on Ms. Seeley's computer and Mr. Negassa's photos Ms. Moermond: -she would like to see the VIDEO to double check what documentation they have City of Saint Paul Page 4 Legislative Hearings Minutes - Final October 6, 2015 Mr. Negassa: -he called the inspector right on the spot trying to figure out how far he needed to clean up; if he had told me to scoop everything up and get rid of it, he would have done so; he was there with a trailer and truck Ms. Moermond: -will Lay this Over for 2 weeks to Oct 20 LH to see what was going on; you can come back in 2 weeks or she can email you to tell you what she saw or you can go to DSI office to view the VIDEO -also, the church didn't have an open burning permit; that pit would not have been allowed under permit -let's see what the VIDEO shows first -still seeing a messy situation -maybe there's confusion as to what qualified as "brick" Ms. Seeley: -Sean Westenhofer was the fire inspector Ms. Moermond: -maybe Mr. Westenhofer could send an email explaining what he saw and what he intended to communicate Mr. Negassa: -the issue was not open burning; he was cited for construction debris Ms. Seeley: -inspector's notes: "Observed an individual dropping material and rubbish on top of an illegal fire pit on a vacant lot." He sent Correction Orders for vehicles parked on grass. "No attempt by owner to remove wood or other materials from the fire pit on a vacant lot." Ms. Moermond: -she is looking at an Order for clean-up -needs to see the VIDEO in 2 weeks; Mr. Negassa needs to have the opportunity to see the VIDEO at DSI Office if it's too difficult to come back here -will ask the inspector to send an email about the conversation he had on the phone with Mr. Negassa re: how much to clean-up Mr. Negassa: -he has a couple of lots in that area; people are always dumping mattresses; he must have moved 20 mattresses already -asked what recourse he has about the dumping; does he need to continue to remove everyone else's stuff; they dump it right on the blvd -also, every time someone moves from across the street, they put their stuff on his lot ( ____ Western, a single-family house) Inspector Joe Yannarelly: -you're a victim of illegal dumping but you are still ultimately responsible for the maintenance of your property -cameras might help; signage Ms. Seeley: -you might be able to get a variance; talk to Steve Ubl, building official Layover to see video. Laid Over to the Legislative Hearings due back on 10/20/2015 City of Saint Paul Page 5 Legislative Hearings Minutes - Final October 6, 2015 20 RLH TA 15-479 Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for Property at 685 SNELLING AVENUE NORTH (File No. J1601P, Assessment No. 168400). Sponsors: Stark Approve; no show. (Rescheduled 2x) Per Paula Seeley, waiver on file since 2008. Delete the assessment. Referred to the City Council due back on 1/6/2016 21 RLH TA 15-493 Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for Property at 290 STINSON STREET (File No. J1602A, Assessment No. 168501). Sponsors: Thao Approve. Referred to the City Council due back on 1/6/2016 22 RLH TA 15-458 Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for Property at 560 STRYKER AVENUE (File No. J1601A, Assessment No. 168500). Sponsors: Thune Approve. (PO rescheduled 2x- called to cancel her appeal) Referred to the City Council due back on 1/6/2016 23 RLH TA 15-466 Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for Property at 1220 SYLVAN STREET (File No. J1601E, Assessment No. 168300). Sponsors: Brendmoen Reduce from $155 to $75. Referred to the City Council due back on 1/6/2016 24 RLH TA 15-454 Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for Property at 1395 THOMAS AVENUE (File No. J1601A, Assessment No. 168500). Sponsors: Stark Approve; no show. Referred to the City Council due back on 1/6/2016 25 RLH TA 15-494 Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for Property at 281 TOPPING STREET (File No. J1602A, Assessment No. 168501). Sponsors: Thao Approve; no show. City of Saint Paul Page 6 Legislative Hearings Minutes - Final October 6, 2015 Referred to the City Council due back on 1/6/2016 26 RLH TA 15-495 Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for Property at 364 YORK AVENUE (File No. J1602A, Assessment No. 168501). Sponsors: Brendmoen Approve; no show. Referred to the City Council due back on 1/6/2016 Staff Reports 27 RLH TA 15-481 Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for Property at 668 FOURTH STREET EAST (File No. J1508E, Assessment No. 158310). (Legislative hearing October 6) Sponsors: Finney STAFF REPORT ONLY: File was reviewed and Ms. Moermond stated that owner/property management co. made good faith effort by providing two additional containers to the apartment buildings. Therefore, Ms. Moermond recommends reducing the assessment from $155 to $75. Referred to the City Council due back on 10/7/2015 (public hearing continued to January 6, 2016) 28 RLH TA 15-461 Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for Property at 668 FOURTH STREET EAST (File No. J1601E, Assessment No. 168300). Sponsors: Finney Ms. Moermond stated that even though the property management co. added two additional containers, the issue of garbage has not been resolved. Therefore, she recommends approval of the assessment. Referred to the City Council due back on 1/6/2016 29 RLH TA 15-480 Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for Property at 668 FOURTH STREET EAST (File No. J1507E1, Assessment No. 158313). Sponsors: Finney Delete; it was a pre-authorized work order and we can't do an EC and a work order at the same time. Referred to the City Council due back on 10/21/2015 Special Tax Assessments - ROLLS 30 RLH AR 15-75 Ratifying Demolition services from July 2015. (File No. J1601C, Assessment No. 162000) City of Saint Paul Page 7 Legislative Hearings Minutes - Final October 6, 2015 Sponsors: Stark Referred to the City Council due back on 1/6/2016 31 RLH AR 15-76 Ratifying Demolition services from July 2015. (File No. J1602C, Assessment No. 162001) Sponsors: Stark Referred to the City Council due back on 1/6/2016 32 RLH AR 15-77 Ratifying Property Clean Up services from July 2 to 30, 2015. (File No. J1602A, Assessment No. 168501) Sponsors: Stark Referred to the City Council due back on 1/6/2016 33 RLH AR 15-78 Ratifying Trash Hauling services from July 8 to 29, 2015. (File No. J1602G, Assessment No. 168701) Sponsors: Stark Referred to the City Council due back on 1/6/2016 11:00 a.m. Hearings Summary Abatement Orders (NONE) Correction Orders (NONE) 11:30 a.m. Hearings Orders To Vacate, Condemnations and Revocations 34 RLH VO 15-54 Appeal of Lorna Rosebrock to a Notice of Condemnation as Unfit for Human Habitation and Order to Vacate plus Summary Abatement Order at 2079 MARGARET STREET. Sponsors: Finney Earl Weckman, owner Lorna Rosebrock's son, appeared. Inspector Paula Seeley: -Inspectors Lisa Martin and Ed Smith went out and wrote up a Correction Notice -don't see any permits yet for the furnace venting and a fuel burning equipment test; we need those -the utilities are back on so, we had to take off the Condemnation Mai Vang: -there's new Orders with photos attached City of Saint Paul Page 8 Legislative Hearings Minutes - Final October 6, 2015 Mr. Weckman: -we have about half of the Corrections done -mom has a guy coming out to check the furnace on Thu -smoke detectors are up; the release valve on hot water heater; basement bathroom door is on now; the dead bolts on the front door; cleaned out the storage room in basement; screens are on the windows; his brother work on the shed in the back where the siding was deteriorating -can't tell when they'll be done; mom wants to ask for an extension Ms. Moermond: -she needs to know what kind of extension you are looking for - how long you need for doing what; then, she can decided how much of an extension to grant Ms. Seeley: -the only issue she sees is that there are too many people living in the house because there's only 2 legal bedrooms -the furnace-venting; water problem in the basement Mr. Weckman: -the water problem was because the upstairs shower was leaking so water came down; she has a licensed contractor coming out on Thu -there was a statute change regarding basement ceiling height in Jan - 6'4" can be used as bedrooms; the inspector said that there's only 2 bedrooms upstairs that have ceilings high enough that can be used -only my mom and brother are living at the house right now; but they would like to be able to use the bedrooms in the basement - they grew up in that house and those bedrooms were used -there are large windows in those basement bedrooms Ms. Moermond: -she knows that they decreased it for the basement but not to 6'4"; she thinks they decreased it to 6'8"; she'd be happy to look at that citation -has Inspector Smith looked this up? Mr. Weckman: -brought up some paperwork; (Ms. Moermond: this is for homes built before 1960 and for basement bedrooms that would have been in existence before 1960; it's an older house but that doesn't mean those bedrooms existed then) Fire Inspector A. J. Neis: -we've got the proposal; doesn't know if it's yet been adopted but it sounds like it's going to be Ms. Moermond: -she doesn't have verification that it's the new code; she knows that the new code hasn't yet been adopted because she doesn't have one on her desk; there's a lot of discussion that happens at the state level before they get there; the discussions have been going on for about 2 1/2 years; that paperwork looks like it was put out by the rental company -right now, the Order says it has to be 7 feet high (old code); if it's decreased, she'd be happy to look at it -does the inspector have measurements on the ceiling ht? Ms. Seeley: -no -I was looking at sq. footage; the house is 775 sq.ft. City of Saint Paul Page 9 Legislative Hearings Minutes - Final October 6, 2015 Ms. Moermond: -does that include living space in the basement? Ms. Seeley: -doesn't know Ms. Moermond: -let's talk about the Orders dated Sep 28, 2015 -smoke detectors - DONE -venting on water heater/dryer/release valve, furnace test - contractor coming out Thu -back deck - we started working on some of the boards; there's still a couple left that need to be replaced -items that need to be done by Oct 20, 2015: #2, #3, #4, #6 -top priorities -rest of the items need to be done by Nov 20, 2015 Grant extension until October 20, 2015 for Items 2, 3, 4 and 6; grant remaining items until November 20 for compliance. Referred to the City Council due back on 10/21/2015 35 RLH VO 15-56 Appeal of Lisa Hollingsworth, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, on behalf of David Lauver, to a Notice of Condemnation as Unfit for Human Habitation and Order to Vacate at 798 SEVENTH STREET EAST. Sponsors: Finney Grant the apeal. Owner was able to find his fuel safety test report and provided to inspector Thomas. Inspector Thomas has now approved the Certificate of Occupancy for the entire building and there are no outstanding orders. Based on Supervisor Neis's finding, units 1 and 2 for the excessive accumulation of materials, he is satisfied with the amount that tenants have removed and he lifted the condemnation order, not requiring them to remove any more belongings at this time. Referred to the City Council due back on 10/21/2015 36 RLH VO 15-55 Appeal of Maypop Sales & Services to a Revocation of Fire Certificate of Occupancy and Order to Vacate at 2554 COMO AVENUE BLDG C. Sponsors: Stark Deny the appeal; no show. Referred to the City Council due back on 10/21/2015 37 RLH FCO Appeal of Bill & Jennifer Wall to a Fire Certificate of Occupancy 15-196 Correction Notice at 794 CASE AVENUE Sponsors: Bostrom Ms. Moermond: -concerned here about the "fixed" window and ventilation Fire Inspector A. J. Neis: City of Saint Paul Page 10 Legislative Hearings Minutes - Final October 6, 2015 -Inspector Thomas has had trouble gaining access -our challenge: owner has now hired Renters Warehouse; Inspector Thomas has contacted them and tried to set up an appointment for either today or tomorrow but that wasn't going to be enough time for them (responsible party changes) -the code specifically requires that light and ventilation for habitable rooms; it's sometimes possible to seal some openable windows as long as there are other windows in the area that will open -he hasn't been to this property to make an assessment Ms. Moermond: -we anticipated that the inspector would have been able to get out there, and based on his verification, could tidy up the language in the existing Order Mr. Neis: -believes that a new Order was sent at Ms. Moermond's request to amend the Order to be more clear - dated Sep 21 Ms. Moermond: -is reading the new Order dated Sep 21 -the Order says: All habitable rooms shall have an aggregate glazing area of not less than 8% of the floor area of such rooms. He writes the Order based on that; she doesn't know what the shortfall is and how he would determine whether or not the goal is met; this is not quite complete yet Mr. Neis: -referred to another letter dated Sep 30 but he can't open it in the computer -he doesn't know the size of the rooms and can't make those determinations without more info Ms. Moermond: -we gave a Dec 1 deadline except for the windows, which we were going to talk about today but can't without specific measurements -let's give windows a deadline of Dec 1, too; inspector will need to follow-up with a report to our office with the measurements Grant extension for the painting in Item 2 until December 1 as recommended in the Sept 16 hearing; forthcoming on the fixed window issue (need to see September 30 order). Referred to the City Council due back on 10/21/2015 1:30 p.m. Hearings Fire Certificates of Occupancy 38 RLH FCO Appeal of Viridiana Escobar to a Correction Notice - Re-Inspection 15-265 Complaint at 1033 LOEB STREET. Sponsors: Brendmoen Grant a variance in the north bedroom's dimensions of 90 sq ft during the current tenancy as long as nothing is blocking the egress window. Referred to the City Council due back on 11/4/2015 City of Saint Paul Page 11 Legislative Hearings Minutes - Final October 6, 2015 39 RLH FCO Appeal of Bill Wengler to a Re-Inspection Fire Certificate of 15-252 Occupancy with Deficiencies at 857 GRAND AVENUE. Sponsors: Thune Bill Wengler, East Mall Association, owner, appeared. Fire Inspector A. J. Neis: -Fire Certificate of Occupancy Correction Notice by Fire Inspector Kris Skow-FIske -there are 10 remaining code violations on the list, 9 of which are being appealed -the list of Orders predominantly pertains to some sprinkler heads identified in her inspection; there's corrosion, some near the restroom that were painted, in Juut Salon, there were some box lights; on 2nd floor in the register area, there's a partition that now interferes with the full coverage of the sprinkler system; the partition needs to be moved or taken out or additional coverage will need to be provided; -other item appealed: in the liquor room, extension cords were previously called out, which was complied with by installing new receptacles; however, there was no permit for that work; inspector wants to see invoice and permit Ms. Moermond: -it hasn't been very long since the last inspection; what happened between then and now that sprinkler heads are a concern? -is seeing a lot of sprinkler head issues in the Feb 10, 2015 inspection Mr. Neis: -believes that this has been going on for quite some time -items #7 & #8 were new modifications made by the tenants -he can't speak to the corrosion of the sprinkler heads Ms. Moermond: -is curious, was the Certificate granted with all the sprinkler heads going on; (Mr. Neis: the Certificate was not approved) -seeing a Feb 10 Orders for the first inspection; re-inspection scheduled for Apr 3; now, we have a Sep 15 re-inspection Mr. Neis: -in Feb inspection, those corroded heads in the dishwasher area were identified in #4 -item #14 liquor room, remove extension cord; the receptacle was put in but without a permit -item #15 also identified the corroded sprinkler head in the liquor room -this was previously appealed in regards to the patio bar - that was approved and granted from that last hearing -these items were not: #27 Juut Salon- painted head near restroom; box lights; as well as the register -these items were noted on the Feb inspection, as well; total 38 code violations; now, there's 10 Ms. Moermond: -did the re-inspection occur in Apr or Mar? Mr. Neis: -since that hearing, there was one inspection done in Feb; photos taken Mar 30; appointment ltrs sent Jun 2 and jun 23; a lot had been stayed pending the appeals from before --- hence the delay Mr. Wengler: -he has a problem with the dates; it was inspected in Dec 2014, not in Feb 2015; the City of Saint Paul Page 12 Legislative Hearings Minutes - Final October 6, 2015 next time she came out for re-inspection was on Jul 29, not Sep 15 - so, these dates are all wrong; when she came out in Dec 2014, she said that she would sent out the Orders but they didn't get the list until Feb 2015 Ms. Moermond: -we will get that squared away -now, we have a rather specific list with sprinkler heads that appears to have been carried on for a while Mr. Wengler: -2nd list - he had Viking Sprinkler come in Aug 21 and said that the fire inspector went thru with my maintenance guy, Justin, and she noted 3 sprinkler heads that were corroded but when they got the list, there were 5 on the list; he had Viking come out to replace corroded sprinkler heads in the kitchen; he replaced 12 sprinkler heads in the kitchen; the inspector came thru and looked up and said, "These sprinkler heads are corroded." How can they be corroded when they're brand new? It cost me $1200. Ms. Moermond: -let's get some additional information on that; (kitchen area) -where are the ones in the Juut Salon? - DONE under permit by Viking Sprinkler Mr. Wengler: -we went thru the kitchen this morning; could find only 11 sprinkler heads; maybe there was one replaced in Jun Mr. Neis: -according to the file, a permit was pulled by Viking on Jul 15, 2015 for replacement of head in the kitchen, 12? Relocated head in storage closet by Juut Salon; this has yet to be inspected by Supervisor Angie Weise and her engineering staff to verify that the work has been completed; the permit doesn't talk about the box light; can't speak to the box light, the register area; work was done Jul 21 and they sent the bill Jul 27 Ms. Moermond: -then, 2 1/2 weeks later the inspector comes thru and says that these things need to be taken care of and you are saying that the work had already been done; the permit hasn't been closed; no one has been out to re-inspect it yet -as soon as the inspection occurs, the file will be closed Mr. Neis: -we'll close the file on any of those items -it's possible that Viking also did take care of the box light and the register area -Ms. Weise will go out to inspect at 1 pm, Mon, Oct 12 to final that permit and make sure that everything's taken care of -they abated the problem of extension cord by installing a new receptacle but it was installed without the required electrical permit and inspection Mr. Wengler: -the wall in the liquor room is 4 inches thick and on the outside of the liquor room is a receptacle; they cut a hole in the wall, took that receptacle, turned it around and put it in the liquor room; they didn't do any wiring; they just turned the receptacle around Mr. Neis: -Supervisor Weise can also look at that -has a copy of the report of the fire alarm system been submitted to Ms. Weise's Office? City of Saint Paul Page 13 Legislative Hearings Minutes - Final October 6, 2015 Mr. Wengler: -when he talked to the company, they said that whenever they do an inspection, they send those reports to the city -he can get copies; he did not receive a report -he will call and ask them to send a report to him and also to the city Ms. Moermond: -will Lay this Over to Oct 20 LH Laid Over to the Legislative Hearings due back on 10/20/2015 40 RLH FCO Appeal of Penelope A. Brown to a Fire Certificate of Occupancy 15-231 Correction Notice at 1391 HAZELWOOD STREET. Sponsors: Bostrom Penelope Brown and her daughter, Jennifer Brown, Hazelwood Street Properties LLC, owner, appeared. Fire Inspector A. J. Neis: -Fire Certificate of Occupancy Correction re-inspection conducted by Efrayn Franquiz -appealed: emergency lighting in the building; understands that there are emergency lighting in the building; however, there are 3 locations where there is not emergency lighting Ms. Brown: -brought some pictures to show that emergency lighting is probably not necessary in that it's grandfathered-in; they have outdoor lights and lights behind it; it'd be a hardship to tear out walls Ms. Moermond, Mr. Neis and Ms. Weise looked at Ms. Brown's photos; Jennifer described the photos (scanned; will mail back) Ms. Weise: -there's a fire door that separates one half of the corridor from the other half and one half of the corridor does have emergency lighting and when that fire door closes, there is not emergency lighting on the other half -the code addresses where you have to have emergency lighting; and in this type of case, there's never been a time when you approved emergency lighting in one half of the building and not the other half Ms. Brown: -it's 1/3 of the building; the fire door shuts off 2/3 of the hallway with lights Ms. Jennifer Brown: -the building has been there since 1963 and they have owned it for 15-16 years, and this is the first time this has ever been brought up -a fire would have to be so big right there in order to shut that door; there would be adequate time for people to get out -they have fire alarms systems and everything is up to code Ms. Moermond: -she can see circumstances where you couldn't find your way out on this side of the building; in a lot of cases it would be OK because of all the outside lighting but in cases where the street lights go out as well as the lights in the building (thunder storms, emergencies); there may not be enough illumination to get someone out of City of Saint Paul Page 14 Legislative Hearings Minutes - Final October 6, 2015 the building -knows that this will be an added expense for a relatively small building; will give you plenty of time to deal with it Ms. Weise: -asked if that fire door is even required? If it's not required, then it can be removed and you don't have the emergency lighting issue; she can check on that Ms. Moermond: -the door's coming off is a minimal expense compared to the installation of new emergency lighting -is inclined to require to have it illuminated; she wants to find out whether or not you are required to have the fire door at all; if you are required to have it, there's no question that the lights have to go in; she can grant a longer deadline; if you are not required to have it, then, you are in the decision-making position about how you want to move forward -will grant until Jan 1, 2016 to come into compliance -we will get that information for you and not do anything yet Mr. Neis: -they will get someone else to take a look Ms. Moermond: -will Lay this Over for 2 weeks to give Fire a chance to take another look Inspector will have a second look at the fire door. Laid Over to the Legislative Hearings due back on 10/20/2015 41 RLH FCO Appeal of Bill Huepenbecker, on behalf of RiverCentre, to a Fire 15-257 Inspection Correction Notice at 150 KELLOGG BOULEVARD WEST. Sponsors: Thune Grant the appeal on the southeast stairwell with conditions below: 1) allow stairwell to be discontinued, blocked and structurally sound; 2) move the standpipe to the north side of the ramp and put valve hose into the exterior under permit and need to be labeled; 3) exit signs above the stairs for the fenced part need to be removed Referred to the City Council due back on 11/4/2015 42 RLH FCO Appeal of Matthew E. Ballenthin to a Fire Inspection Correction Notice 15-218 at 1725 MONTANA AVENUE EAST. Sponsors: Bostrom Grant an extension until November 1, 2016 to come into compliance with the garage as long as it's structurally sound. Referred to the City Council due back on 11/4/2015 43 RLH FCO Appeal of Ron Staeheli to a Fire Certificate of Occupancy Correction 15-261 Notice - Complaint Inspection at 633 PALACE AVENUE. Sponsors: Thune City of Saint Paul Page 15 Legislative Hearings Minutes - Final October 6, 2015 Recommendation is forthcoming. Referred to the City Council due back on 11/4/2015 2:30 p.m. Hearings Vacant Building Registrations 44 RLH VBR 15-74 Appeal of Michael Zamarripa to a Vacant Building Registration Requirement at 53 ELIZABETH STREET EAST. Sponsors: Thune Deny the appeal. Referred to the City Council due back on 11/4/2015 45 RLH VBR 15-75 Appeal of Houa Yang to a Vacant Building Registration Requirement at 1126 ALBEMARLE STREET. Sponsors: Brendmoen Deny the appeal and let the VB fee goes into assessment. If owner is done with the repairs by January 1, 2016, will recommend that the VB fee gets deleted. Referred to the City Council due back on 11/4/2015 46 RLH VBR 15-84 Appeal of Laurie Larson to a Vacant Building Registration Fee Warning Letter Requirement at 204 FRONT AVENUE. Sponsors: Thao Deny the appeal and let the VB fee goes into assessment. Referred to the City Council due back on 11/4/2015 47 RLH VBR 15-85 Appeal of MinneStPopolis XI LLC to a Vacant Building Registration Fee at 1131 PAYNE AVENUE. Sponsors: Bostrom Deny the appeal and let the VB fee goes into assessment. Referred to the City Council due back on 11/4/2015 48 RLH VBR 15-79 Appeal of Philip Black to a Vacant Building Registration Requirement at 619 SIMS AVENUE. Sponsors: Bostrom Waive the VB fee for 45 days to get Fire C of O reinstated. Referred to the City Council due back on 11/4/2015 City of Saint Paul Page 16 Legislative Hearings Minutes - Final October 6, 2015 49 RLH VBR 15-77 Appeal of Kim Mai to a Vacant Building Registration Requirement at 1604 WILSON AVENUE. Sponsors: Finney Inspectors Neis and Brown to go out to property on October 7 at 1pm to inspect the property to determine whether property is in compliance. If found in compliance, owner if out of the VB Program. If not, pending the severity of the violations, an immediate vacate or a vacate date of no later than October 12 will be enforced. Referred to the City Council due back on 11/4/2015 City of Saint Paul Page 17