01/22/2014 MINUTESMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2014
3:00 P.M.
1. Don Wilson called the Building and Standards Commission Meeting to order at 3:00
P.M.
Roll was called.
A. The following members were present:
Don Wilson
Johnny Norris
Zac Saffle
Jon McFadden
Wendell Moore
Sally McEwin
B. Staff present:
Robert Talley
Nicki Brown
Stephanie Harris
Dale Maberry
C. Others present:
Sue Lancaster — City Council
Bonita Minor — Property owner
2. Approval of minutes from previous meetings. (December 16, 2013)
Motion was made by Johnny Norris and seconded by Wendell Moore to approve the
minutes for the December 16, 2013 meeting.
Motion carried unanimously. 6 -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. 1652 S. Main; Subdivision of Block 170B, Block A, Lot 20
Owner: Jacob Hildreth PO Box 381 Paris, TX 75461
Taxes owed: $13875.28
No contact has been made with the owner. Robert Talley stated that the roof has
two holes in it, the house is sinking into the ground, the roof is buckling, it's
unsecure with broken windows, and there is missing and deteriorated wood.
Robert Talley's recommendation: 30 days to demolish if not the City has the
right to demolish and apply a $1000 per day civil penalty.
Motion was made by Johnny Norris, seconded by Zac Saffle to accept Robert
Talley's recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. 6 -0
B. 625 SW 3rd; City Block 149, Lot 21
Owner: Jeffery L & Joann Moore 3620 FR 195 Paris, TX 75462 -3030
Taxes owed: $12532.19
No contact has been made with the owner. Robert Talley said the roof is
deteriorating and coming apart, the structure is unsecure with missing windows,
there are at least 9 windows that are open, the inside ceiling tiles are falling, the
roof is leaking, there's a hole in the roof of the carport, and the foundation is
deteriorating.
Robert Talley's recommendation: 30 days to demolish if not the City has the
right to demolish and apply a $1000 per day civil penalty.
Motion was made by Wendell Moore, seconded by Sally McEwin to accept
Robert Talley's recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. 6 -0
Discussion: Johnny Norris asked: How does the City let owners get that far behind in Taxes?
Robert Talley explained that the Tax Attorney is the one who handles this and the he has been
working with him when he sees properties that have back taxes.
C. 1144 SW 5"'; Locust Hill Addition Block 3, Lot 3 -B
Owner: Mrs. Ruby Lee Francis 2514 Grasmere St. Garland, TX 75040 -3320
No taxes owed.
No contact has been made with the owner. Robert Talley said that he has received
several phone calls on this property. A former City employee told him that kids
were playing in the house. The property is unsecure, has deteriorating wood, holes
in the eaves, boards are breaking, the inside is missing the ceiling tiles, there's
water damage, the foundation has damage, and the shed in the back has a
collapsed roof.
Discussion: Don Wilson asked if the City could board up the doors and windows
from the inside so onlookers wouldn't know. Robert said he could do that. The
city can file a lien on the property for boarding it up. Don stated that civil
penalties need to be started. If the lady doesn't want the property maybe she will
donate it to the city. Johnny Norris asked if this property would qualify for the
partial loan program. Stephanie Harris (Assistant City Attorney) stated that she
agrees this property is not beyond repair. Stephanie told BSC that a notice for
repair and secure should be sent to the property owner.
Robert Talley's recommendation: Order property owner to secure within 14
days, if not the City will secure.
Motion was made by Johnny Norris, seconded Jon McFadden to accept
Robert Talley's recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. 6 -0
Sally McEwin asked Robert Talley what sources he has to find the property owners? Robert
stated that he has a couple of tracking programs on his computer, the Paris Police Department
helps him and he can use the resources at the Appraisal District.
D. 1006 NW 13th; Fuller - Dohoney Addition Block J, Lot PT of 3 & PT of 4
Owner: Bonita Elaine Minor & Larry McCuin & Kenneth McCuin & Bob Wayne
McCuin 1019 NW 7th Paris, TX 75460
Present: Bonita Minor 1019 NW 7`h Paris, TX 75460
Taxes owed: $11042.83
Robert Talley stated the property is unsecure with broken windows, has
deteriorating and rotting of the foundation, missing and deteriorating wood,
sinking into the ground, siding popping off, and the carport wall is busted open.
Mrs. Minor stated that the property belonged to her father which passed away
about 10 years ago. The fathers will was not probated but he left the property to
his son Kenneth McCuin. Mrs. Minor explained that her brothers are scattered in
different states and do not want the property. She agrees the property needs to be
demolished but would like time to get items out of the house. Robert Talley
explained that she has several months to remove what she needs.
Robert Talley's recommendation: 30 days to demolish if not the City has the
right to demolish and apply a $1000 per day civil penalty.
Motion was made by Johnny Norris, seconded by Zac Saffle to accept Robert
Talley's recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. 6 -0
E. 325 E Sherman; City Block 141, Lot 14
Owner: Herman McCray 325 E Sherman Paris, TX 75460
Taxes owed: $189.57 Robert Talley explained that taxes have not been paid on
this property since 2007 and the reason the figure was so low is that the tax rate is
only about $12 -$20 per year.
Robert Talley stated that there is deterioration on the porch, the trim is pulling
loose, the structure is sinking, the foundation has damage, it is missing and has
deteriorating siding, siding is sloping out due to the house sinking, the structure is
unsecure with open windows, and there is damage inside the house also.
Robert Talley's recommendation: 30 days to demolish if not the City has the
right to demolish and apply a $1000 per day civil penalty.
Discussion: Don Wilson asked how this property was brought to BSC because
looking at the front of the structure it seems to be a sound structure. Robert Talley
explained while inspecting a structure at 335 E Sherman he saw the back of 325
and decided to investigate.
Motion was made by Sally McEwin, seconded by Wendell Moore to accept
Robert Talley's recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. 6 -0
F. 534 E Sherman; City Block 144, Lot 4
Owner: Mattie Wortham 2101 Wimberly St. Longview, TX 75601 -3643
No contact with the owner.
Taxes owed $80.38. Robert Talley explained that there have been no taxes paid
since 2007 and the tax rate per year is on $4.20 since 2007. That's why the
amount owed is so low.
Robert Talley stated that he talked to the mailman about this property and the
mailman said that the owner passed away about 10 years ago. He also stated that
the neighbor's son was living in the house until someone reported him and the
Paris Police Department told him to stay out of the house.
Robert Talley stated that the structure is unsecure with broken windows and
doors, the foundation is damaged, the house is leaning to the east, it has
deteriorating and missing wood and siding, a tree fell on the house and the house
has roof damage.
Robert Talley's recommendation: 30 days to demolish if not the City has the
right to demolish and apply a $1000 per day civil penalty.
Motion was made by Johnny Norris, seconded by Jon McFadden to accept
Robert Talley's recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. 6 -0
G. 560 W Washington; City Block 161, Lot 5
Owner: Ron & Doreen Ruthart 165 SE 491h Paris, TX 75462
Taxes owed: $353.96
Robert Talley has spoken to Ron Ruthart and he stated that the property was
deeded to him. He said he has been fixing up several properties. Robert told Mr.
Ruthart he could give him 90 days if he would fix the hole in the roof and secure
the property.
Robert Talley's recommendation: 90 days to repair the structure.
Motion was made by Wendell Moore, seconded by Johnny Norris to accept
Robert Talley's recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. 6 -0
H. 724 Cedar; Gibbons Park Addition Block 6, Lot 4
Owner: Darro D & Cindy L Brunson 9100 Teasley Ln. #IOC Denton, TX 76210
Taxes owed: $191.54
Robert Talley stated that he has had no contact recently with the owner but did
talk to them in 2011. In 2011 they said they were going to fix the property up but
have done nothing. Robert stated the property has deterioration of the foundation
and wood, the foundation is damaged, there is a black tarp covering a hole in the
roof, and trees are growing in the foundation.
Robert Talley's recommendation: 30 days to demolish if not the City has the
right to demolish and apply a $1000 per day civil penalty.
Motion was made by Zac Saffle, seconded by Sally McEwin to accept
Robert Talley's recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. 6 -0
4. Code Enforcement update.
(1.) Robert Talley stated that he originally had 11 structures to bring to the
Building and Standard Commission but three people came in and signed a right of
entry on the property.
(2.) Robert Talley stated that 134 SW 1St sold. The civil penalties were
negotiated by Stephan Harris (Assistant City Attorney) and the total paid was
around $4570.
(3.) Robert Talley stated that next month he would be bringing structure back
to BSC that were ordered to repair in 90 days. The 90 days would be up.
(4.) Stephanie Harris talked about civil penalties and that the order and penalty
will follow the property. Going forward with this you have to file a lawsuit so her
and Robert will be keeping an eye on the penalties so they can file judgments
when the penalties are getting higher.
5. Adjournment
Motion was made by Johnny Norris, seconded by Jon McFadden to adjourn
the meeting at 3:56pm. Motion carried unanimously. 6 -0
APPROVED THIS 17th DAY OF MARCH 2014.
Chairman