10/11/2017 MINUTES - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Alarid asked Robert Talley Code Enforcement identifies the structures or how he "marks " it? Robert stated that he puts an orange sticker on the house. Commissioner Alarid said what is that called, an orange sticker and not a red tag? Robert said that Commissioner Alarid may call it a red tag, but that is not what it's called. Commissioner Alarid asked what the orange sticker does, and Robert said it identifies the structure as substandard. Commissioner Alarid asked if he puts an orange tag on the house, does he pull the power on the house. Robert said it depends on the condition and if there are active hazards, like if the house has burned, it is out of his control because the fire department has already cut the power due to fire. Commissioner Alarid asked if *it is just someone ' opinion or a code that identifies a substandard property, and where are the standards for identifying something as substandard? Robert said there is an ordinance dedicated to the substandard properties. Commissioner Steely asked when in the process is the owner contacted? Robert stated that before the BSC meeting can take place the city sends out a certified letter to the owner letting them know they are in violation and puts a public notice in the paper. After the meeting when the orders are placed, the owner gets a copy of the notice, and the decision is also listed in the newspaper Commissioner Alarid asked whose name is in the newspaper. Robert said whoever the appraisal district lists as the owner of the property. Robert told the commission that if the owner wants to try to repair, they are given some time to do so, but in 90% of the structures that are taken to BSC no owner shows up. Most of the houses are vacant, abandon, have back taxes and nobody cares. Commissioner Steely had some questions on some properties in particular, but because they are not on the agenda they cannot be discussed So he rephrased his question and asked, if there is house that was on the agenda for demolition for BSC, and and it were to come off the list to be considered for demolition, what are some of the reasons that it might be removed from the list? Stephanie Harris told the commission that if the owner wants to demolish it on their own it would come off. Commissioner Hider recommended that the verbiage change on the agenda so as to reflect the commission is to only determine the historic significance. Commissioner Dux asked the commission to review the Building Standards ordinances, and to keep in mind the only thing that is for the commission to decide is historic value. Discussion on the Belford apartments: Commissioner Alarid led the discussion for the Belford, and the city says the property owners owe $1, 000, 000 in fines; and the property owner is asking too much to sell the building, it is difficult to find a buyer, and to give the owner more time to find a buyer and he felt selling it will never happen. Commissioner Alarid further explained the normal process throughout the country that other cities follow on a building like the Belford, that has been abandon, or has excess fines, is a foreclosure process where the city takes ownership and files a Request for Proposals (RFP). He said there were all kinds of methods for renovating and that is what he had on his sheet. The City forecloses, puts out the expected requirements on the properties as an RFP, then someone will come along and want to buy it. The City could then sell the building for a million dollars (or any other amount agreed on), the sale could be done on a dead of trust, with conditions, and time frames for restoration completion and project financing allowing time for the developer/buyer to arrange tax credit financing.