03/20/2017 MINUTESMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION
MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017
3:30 P.M.
1. Johnny Norris called the Building and Standards Commission Meeting to order at
3:30 P.M.
Roll was called.
A. The following members were present:
Sally McEwin
Johnny Norris
Ben Vaughan
Joseph Scott
Ken Kohls
B. Staff present:
Robert Talley
Larry Wright
Stephanie Harris
Debra Burge
C. Others present:
2. Approval of minutes from previous meetings. (February 20, 2017)
Q. #6; Takings Claim, is that correct?
A. Yes, it is the illegal taking of property.
Ben Vaughan recommended approving the minutes, seconded by Joseph Scott.
Motion carried unanimously. 5 -0
3. Public Hearing to consider presentations by City of Paris Code Inspectors and
owner(s) and/or lien holder(s) of the below properties who have been given notice of
a violation of Article III of Chapter 7 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Paris,
Paris, Texas, entitled "Substandard and Dangerous Buildings and Structures:"
A. 515 NE 16th; Hick's 1" Addition Block 4, Lot 17
Owner: Roger Edwards Properties LLC, 50 W Oak St., Paris TX 75460
Robert Talley stated owner signed for certified letter, but no contact from them.
Property burned about 3 months ago. Total burn -out. Unsecure.
Robert Talley's recommendation: Declare nuisance; demo within 30 days,
or city has right to do so.
Motion was made by Johnny Norris, seconded by Joseph Scott to accept
Robert's amended recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. 5 -0
B. 737 NW 14th; Colonial Addition Block 7, Lot 11 -12 -13
Owner: Nelda Melton Smith, 737 14th NW, Paris TX 75460
Robert Talley stated property came before BSC 6 -7 months ago. Owner said
wanted to repair, started pulling permits, started repairs, but nothing recently and
permit has now expired. Have not heard from owners. Unsecure.
Robert Talley's recommendation: Declare nuisance; demo within 30 days,
or city has right to do so.
Commission questions.
Q — Have we initiated contact?
A — Yes; cannot reach them. Owner told us she does not have a working
number. Son was going to be doing repairs. Put orange sticker on property,
published in paper, letter returned because no one living at this address. Only
address we have for owner.
Q — How old is permit?
A — Been expired for about a month.
Q — Do owners live locally?
A — Yes, but this is the only mailing address we have. Neighbors are calling
about this property every week.
Q — Is it in the dry?
A — Yes; but unsecure on South side.
Q — What are our options?
A — At the least, put secure order.
Q — Is there a way to know if the owner is receiving mail?
A — No.
Motion was made by Johnny Norris to place 10 -day secure order, or the city
has the right to do so. Seconded by Joseph Scott.
Motion carried unanimously. 5 -0
C. 1232 W Cherry; City Block 84, Lot 8
Owner: Wade Turner, 1232 W Cherry, Paris TX 75460
Robert Talley stated called in by owners. 2 cases worked on this property by
Code Enforcement. Broken windows, foundation damage and rot, unsecure,
exterior missing and rotting wood. Rubbish inside house. Feces on floor inside
house. Dead birds inside. Evidence inside of leak in roof.
Robert Talley's recommendation: Declare nuisance; demo within 30 days,
or city has right to do so.
Commission questions.
Q — Do we ever declare property to be a public health hazard?
A — By declaring it a nuisance.
Motion was made by Joseph Scott, seconded by Sally McEwin to accept
Robert Talley's recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. 5 -0
D. 1214 W Kaufman; City Block 128, Lot 11
Owner: Clarkie Miller, c/o Felicia Murphy, 806 19' NW, Paris TX 75460
Robert Talley stated been before BSC in the past. Demoed main structure, but
not shed. Evidence people have broken into the shed and stealing sheet metal.
Also evidence someone is trying to live in it. Unsecure. Roof collapsing.
Owner is deceased. Spoke with relatives; they will not be doing anything with
it.
Robert Talley's recommendation: Declare nuisance, demo within 30 days,
or city has right to do so.
Motion was made by Joseph Scott, seconded by Sally McEwin to accept
Robert Talley's recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. 5 -0
E. 634 NW 13th; City Block 84, Lot 15 -A
Owner: Christopher Dell Gray, 456 14th NW, Paris TX 75460
Robert Talley stated this property has been before BSC in the past for a carport
behind the property. Put demo orders on carport. House was OK at that point.
Received call about front porch, and someone going in the back. No contact
with owner this time or last time. Front porch has collapsed, water damage
under front window. Missing and deteriorated wood. Unsecure. Evidence of
birds nesting in wall inside. Hole in roof and floor. Foundation damage.
Evidence of fire damage in roof. Evidence of stripping for wiring.
Robert Talley's recommendation: Declare nuisance, demo within 30 days,
or city has right to do so.
Commission questions.
Q — When a house is demoed, what happens to the concrete slab or steps?
A — We leave it to the contractor. Leaving the slab or steps is not a violation.
If abatement crew is having difficulty mowing around it, we'll break it up with a
Bobcat. Having the contractor do it is a budget issue due to the cost.
Motion was made by Joseph Scott, seconded by Sally McEwin to accept
Robert Talley's recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. 5 -0
F. 127 NW 24th; Wortham & Carlton Addition Block 3, Lot 10
Owner: Carla & Chester Norris, 127 24th NW, Paris TX 75460
Robert Talley stated no one living in the house. House does have electricity
with an active meter. Neighbors have called in numerous times. Deterioration
along front, carport has collapsed. Underpinning starting to bow out; foundation
sinking. Tree damage to roof. Hole in roof.
Robert Talley's recommendation: Declare nuisance, demo within 30 days,
or city has right to do so.
Motion was made by Joseph Scott, seconded by Sally McEwin to accept
Robert Talley's recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. 5 -0
4. Code Enforcement update.
No demos last month. We've spent half our budget year -to -date.
Sally, Joseph, Ben terms are ending and are eligible to serve again.
5. Future agenda items.
6. Adjournment.
Motion was made by Joseph Scott, seconded by Sally McEwin to adjourn the
meeting at 4:20 pm. Motion carried unanimously. 5 -0
APPROVED THIS 17th DAY OF APRIL, 2017.
Chair an