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02/17/2014 MINUTESMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2014 3:00 P.M. 1. Johnny Norris called the Building and Standards Commission Meeting to order at 3:08 P.M. Roll was called. A. The following members were present: Johnny Norris Zac Saffle Wendell Moore Sally McEwin B. Staff present: Robert Talley Audra Lane Stephanie Harris C. Others present: Mike Ricks — Property owner Charles Rudd — Property owner Carl Harcrow — Citizen 2. Motion was made by Sally McEwin and seconded by Zac Saffle to nominate Johnny Norris as acting chairman for this meeting. 3. Review of minutes from previous meetings. (January 22, 2014) 4. Robert Talley stated that the agendas placed in the packet stated the date for the meeting was Wednesday, February 17, 2014. The agenda posted at the City Hall Annex and the one published in the paper had the correct day on them which is Monday, February 17, 2014. 5. 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 ": Request was made by Robert Talley to move to item 3. G., 3200 Clarksville, City Block 311, Lot Pt 2 G. 3200 Clarksville, City Block 311, Lot Pt 2 Owner: AMR LLC A Nevada Limited Liability Co. 3420 Audubon Rd. Paris, TX 75460 No back taxes owed Robert Talley stated that this was a trailer park and there were three trailers that were the main concern. The first trailer is unsecure with busted out windows and missing doors, it has missing and deteriorated wood, part of the floor is missing and some of the flooring is rotted. The second trailer is unsecure with busted out windows and missing doors, insulation is falling out of the bottom of it, and it shows signs of deterioration. The third trailer has siding missing, insulation sticking out, and has scrap written on the side of it, has missing and deteriorated wood. Mr. Talley stated that he has received several complaints about these trailers as they can be seen from the Trail de Paris. Robert Talley's recommendation: 30 days to demolish or remove if not the City has the right to demolish and apply a $1000 per day civil penalty. Michael Ricks, owner of the trailers and property was present at the meeting. He stated that the first trailer was being rebuilt and as of today it is no longer on the property. He stated that he has been having problems with a couple of renters who are involved in drugs and there was a police report filed today. The second trailer is missing a door and he said he has replaced the windows but is having a problem with people breaking them out. He stated that the floors were secure and that the insulation coming out of the bottom is from when the trailer was moved. He has a glass company coming out sometime soon and replacing the windows. Mr. Ricks stated that the third trailer has been vandalized. Someone broke into it and stole all the copper out of it. He stated that the floors are good, ceilings are good and the only damage besides the wall where they tore out the copper is from weather damage from the missing door. There has been an insurance claim filed on the trailer and Mr. Ricks is just waiting to see if the insurance company will replace or repair it. Mr. Norris asked Mr. Ricks how much time he needed and Mr. Ricks stated that the last insurance claim he filed took two months. Mr. Norris also stated that the biggest concern is that the property is not secure. Mr. Ricks stated that squatters took the doors off of the trailers and he will get everything boarded up this week. He also stated that the problem people have been arrested so he can now evict them. He plans to slowly get rid of all renters and just have trailer owners in the park as they cause less problems. He also stated that he has a guy cleaning them up and as soon as possible he will have trailers one and two moved into different spots to get them away from the Trail and the third trailer will be taken care of as soon as he hears from the insurance company. Mr. Norris asked if 90 days was enough time to get them moved and secure and Mr. Ricks stated that it was. Motion was made by Sally McEwin, seconded by Wendell Moore to give Mr. Ricks 90 days to secure and relocate the trailers. Motion carried unanimously. 4 -0 A. 440 NW 13th; Gorham Addition, Block 1, Lot 4 Owner: Charles Rudd II, PO Box 1461, Paris, TX 75461 Taxes owed: $531.18 Robert Talley stated that this property came before BSC in July and October of 2013 and the owner was given 90 days to show significant repair. Mr. Talley stated that a small portion of the porch has been repaired and some of the house has been painted. The house is still unsecure, nothing has been done to the back of the structure which was the main concern as it is falling away from the rest of the house and there is a large gap. There is still a hole in the roof as well. 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. Charles Rudd was present at the meeting. He stated that as of today every window that was unsecure has been covered with plastic and the doors have been boarded up using plywood with screws. He has all the wood to finish the porch secure in the house. The bad weather has caused delayed and the workers he hired have had vehicle trouble. He has also experienced trouble with his vehicle and that has caused him delays in coming to Paris. He also stated that the gap between the house and the added on portion has been boarded up. He is making $800 to $1200 per week but he still only has so much money he can spend per month on the house. Johnny Norris asked when the last time this structure came before BSC and Mr. Talley stated it was in Oct or Nov of 2013 and that his 90 days was up. Zac Saffle asked what the original BSC order was and Mr. Talley stated 90 days to repair and the only thing that has been done is a small section of the porch. Mr. Talley also stated that the last time the structure came before the BSC Mr. Rudd said the first thing he would do is level the foundation and that has not been done. Mr. Rudd stated that he only needed time and good weather. He believes that since the weather has started improving he could level the house in two days. Mr. Norris asked what he planned on doing with the house and Mr. Rudd stated the he planned on living in it whenever he was in Paris. Zac Saffle asked what the total amount of time Mr. Talley has been working this house and Mr. Talley stated that it has been two years since he contacted Mr. Rudd about the condition of the house. Wendell Moore asked what the condition of the roof was and Mr. Rudd stated that other than a couple of small places that needed repair the roof was in good condition. Mr. Rudd stated that he had to have some rights to keep his house. Stephanie Harris stated that there is no homestead exemption on the property and since it is not occupied Mr. Rudd's statement holds no bearing on these proceedings. Mr. Rudd stated that he tried to get a homestead exemption on the property but had to wait until next year. Johnny Norris informed Mr. Rudd that if the commission gave him another 90 days and there was not significant repairs then it would most likely be given an order for demolition. Mr. Norris told Mr. Rudd he hated to see him spend the money and then the house be torn down. Motion was made by Wendell Moore, seconded by Sally McEwin to give Mr. Rudd 60 days to repair. Motion carried unanimously. 4 -0 B. 1730 W Walker; Colonial Addition Block 1, Lot 4 Owner: Charles Rudd II, PO Box 1461, Paris, TX 75461 Taxes owed: $941.39 Robert Talley stated that this house just like the previous one has been before BSC in October 2013, and again has been working with Mr. Rudd for 2 years on getting the structure either repaired or demolished. Mr. Talley stated that Mr. Rudd told the commission that he would dedicated $500 a month on this property and nothing has been done. Windows are still broken, the house is full of wood so it poses a fire hazard. Nothing has been done to the back of the house, there is deterioration and rot along the foundation, it is unsecure and missing portions of the floor and the roof is leaking. 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. Charles Rudd stated that he has been spending all of his money and time on the house on NW 13th. He stated that this house has been vandalized six or seven times. They stripped the wires and busted out the windows. He stated that he was the one who tore the sheetrock down because he is going to eventually replace it. He also stated that the ceiling has 2x6's and 2x8's that's how structurally sound the structure is. He plans to gut it and remodel it he just needs time. He stated that he secured the house today with plywood using screws instead of nails to stop people from coming in. He asked for 90 days and he will put windows in it. He said that he has aluminum windows at the back of the property but when the City of Paris came and cleaned up the lot they hauled them off. Robert Talley that the abatement crew has had to clean the property several times and the windows Mr. Rudd was talking about had no glass in them and the frames were bent. Johnny Norris expressed concern about Mr. Rudd being able to repair both structures at the same time. Mr. Rudd again stated that he was making $800 to $1200 a week and he just needed time to make repairs. Sally McEwin was concerned about all of the lumber that is piled in the house as a possible fire hazard. Mr. Rudd stated that if the commission would give him 60 days he would get the wood in some sort of order, that it was good lumber. Robert Talley stated that there was no order to the pile of wood, that it just looked like a large pile of rubbish. Johnny Norris asked what the original order was and Mr. Talley stated it was for demolition but that Mr. Rudd said he never received the letters so it was brought back before BSC and he was given 90 days. Mr. Talley also stated that everything Mr. Rudd has said today he said in the previous meeting and nothing was done. Wendell Moore asked what the original recommendation was and Mr. Talley stated 30 days to demolish. Motion was made by Wendell Moore, seconded Zac Saffle to accept Robert Talley's recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. 4 -0 Mr. Rudd asked if he needed to hire an attorney and Stephanie Harris stated that he could call her office tomorrow and she would be glad to discuss it with him like she has done in the past. C. 1144 SW 5th; Locust Hill, Block 3, Lot 3 -B Owner: Ruby Lee Francis, 2514 Grasmere St Garland, TX 75040 -3320 No Back Taxes owed. Robert Talley stated the property was brought before BSC in the past for demolition and the commission asked for a repair order instead. However, there has been no contact with the property owner. Mr. Talley stated that there is deteriorated wood, a leak in the roof and water damage on the eves and interior of the house. It is unsecure and the wires have been stripped out of the walls, there is some foundation damage and a tree has fallen and nicked the house. The City abatement crew will go and secure the house. Robert Talley's recommendation: 90 days to repair. Motion was made by Johnny Norris, seconded by Zac Saffle to accept Robert Talley's recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. 4 -0 D. 522 SE 9t "; City of Paris, Block 113, Lot 9 Owner: Charles Cranston, 5415 SW 23`d St Topeka, KS 66614 No Back Taxes owed. Robert Talley stated that he has had no contact with the property owner but that Nicki Brown, Code Enforcement Officer for East Paris has spoken to him in the past. The house is in great shape, the problem is the shed in the back. The owner told Mrs. Brown that he would repair one of the sheds and demolish the other one in June of 2013 but nothing has been done. The roof is collapsing, tree has fallen on one of the sheds, the doors are open and the support is bent. Robert Talley's recommendation: 30 days to demolish both sheds if not the City has the right to demolish and apply a $1000 per day civil penalty. Discussion: Sally McEwin asked if there were two shed's and Mr. Talley stated that there was a metal shed as well. Wendell Moore asked if there would be a problem with the order to demolish both sheds since the letter only listed one shed in backyard. Stephanie Harris stated that just to be on the safe side make sure the order only states the one shed and bring the metal shed back before BSC next month. Motion was made by Sally McEwin, seconded by Wendell Moore to accept Robert Talley's recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. 4 -0 E. 1217 W Shiloh; City Block 84, Lot 23 Owner: Jacob & Mary McCullough and Stephanie Bells, 320 SW 29t" Paris, TX 75460 Taxes owed $2268.15. Robert Talley stated that he spoke with who he assumes was Stephanie Bells, though she said her name was Stephanie Williams. There is deterioration along the soffets, siding is coming off, the bottom siding has been pulled off but that was so the foundation could be checked. Sliding glass door has been secured with a board from the inside. Mr. Talley stated that he was going to ask for a repair order as someone has secured all the windows and doors and he spoke with the lady making the repairs and she asked for 90 days. There is an unsecure shed in the back but Mr. Talley is unsure of the owner's plans for that at this time. Robert Talley's recommendation: 90 days to repair. Motion was made by Zac Saffle, seconded by Wendell Moore to accept Robert Talley's recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. 4 -0 F. 1460 NE 10th; East Park Addition, Block P, Lot 7 Owner: Samuel R Green, 1605 NE 17th Paris, TX 75460 No Back Taxes owed. Robert Talley has not spoken with the owner since the structure burnt. He had spoken with him in the past due to the fact that he was running a club out of the house. The south side of the rear portion of the house is what caught on fire but there is damage from the fire throughout the entire house. Fire Marshal Dale Maberry said that the house was a total burn out. There are broken windows, it is unsecure and there is black peeling paint from the fire damage. Robert Talley's recommendation: 30 days to demolish the shed 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. 4 -0 4. Code Enforcement update. (1.) Robert Talley stated that the spread sheet is only completed or incomplete structures. There are no repair cases on it. Mrs. McEwin stated that it looked wonderful. (2.) Robert Talley stated that 714 Graham St. which is known in the area as Uncle Jesse's house, which was destroyed in a fire has been completely cleaned UP. (3.) Robert Talley stated that of the $400,000.00 Code Enforcement was given by the City Council to tear down dilapidated structures there is approximately $78,000 left. Once the City hit the $250,000.00 mark we started to receive a 10% discount from Sanitation Solutions so we now pay $26.10 per ton verse $29.00 per ton. Johnny Norris asked if the City Council was satisfied and Mr. Talley stated that he believed so. There was some discussion about making sure demolition was placed back on the budget next year once the allocated funds ran out. 5. Adjournment Motion was made by Wendell Moore, seconded by Zac Saffle to adjourn the meeting at 4:18pm. Motion carried unanimously. 4 -0 APPROVED THIS 17th DAY OF MARCH 2014. Ch an