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08/17/2015 MINUTESMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2015 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 Matthew Allen Charles Richards Ken Kohls B. Staff present: Robert Talley Audra Lane Dale Maberry Stephanie Harris C. Others present: Benny Plata — City Council Member Mr. and Mrs. Jack Ritchey — property owner 2. Approval of minutes from previous meetings. (July 21, 2015) Motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes for July 21, 2015 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 ": B. 1213 SE 12th, City of Paris, Block 164 -A, Lot Pt of 2 Owner: CH Ritchey 1288 FR 2648 Powderly, TX 75473 No Back Taxes Owed Mr. and Mrs. Jack Ritchey were present Robert Talley stated that there is missing and deteriorated wood at the front of the house. The south side wall is separating from the house due to foundation damage. The roof is leaking and the house is unsecure. There is a shed in the back yard that also has foundation damage with the wall separating. 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. Jack Ritchey got up and spoke. He stated that the house was his father's house. Mr. Ritchey stated that he has four people looking at the house and depending on the outcome of the meeting he might want to fix the house up or demolish the house and purchase the property. Johnny Norris asked Mr. Ritchey what his plans are for the house. Mr. Ritchey stated that he was ok with demolishing the house but he asked for 90 days to get it completed. Mr. Norris asked that he secures it immediately. Motion was made by Ben Vaughan, seconded by Charles Richards to give 90 days to demolish. Motion carried unanimously. 6 -0 A. 152 NW 19th, City of Paris, Block 197, Lot 3 Owner: Elwood F Jones Family Trust 1992 4777 CR 31100 Sumner, TX 75486 No Back Taxes Owed Robert Talley spoke with the Jones Family in the past. They agree that the structure needs to be demolished and they asked for more time because the property has been tied up with insurance. Mr. Talley stated that a contractor had called and stated he would most likely be coming in and getting a demolition permit. Mr. Talley stated that there is extensive fire damage throughout the house. 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 Ben Vaughan, seconded by Charles Richards to accept Robert Talley's recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. 6 -0 C. 1447 E Polk, Willis Addition, Block A, Lot 10A Owner: Patsy J Tibbs 3445 Reno Dr Paris, TX 75462 Back Taxes Owed: $10,205.44 Ken Kohls asked how do the taxes get to be over $10,000? Robert Talley stated that he does not know how the appraisal district decides when to foreclose on a property for back taxes. Johnny Norris explained that Tracy Pounders, who is the new tax attorney for the city, came in and spoke with the commission and that he was going to try and go after people who owe back taxes. Robert Talley stated the front of the structure has a broken window; the house is sinking due to foundation damage. There is fire damage on the inside and there are 2x6's throughout the house being used to brace the ceiling up. There are holes in 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. Johnny Norris expressed concern of getting the structure secure due to the fact that there are 2x6's being used to hold up the ceiling. Motion was made by Charles Richards, seconded by Sally McEwin to accept Robert Talley's recommendation of demolition in 30 days and secure within 10 days. Motion carried unanimously. 6 -0 D. 2622 E Price, City of Paris, Block 222 -B, Lot 14 Owner: Elmer Skidmore C/O Bob Skidmore PO Box 44 Sulphur Springs, TX 75482 Back Taxes Owed: $0 Robert Talley stated that he spoke with Bob Skidmore who agrees that the structure does need to be demolished. Mr. Skidmore is going to call and get bids. Mr. Talley showed photographs of the carport collapsing; the north side has deteriorated and rotted wood along the foundation. The house has settled and there are cracks in the ceiling. Inside the structure also shows signs of foundation damage with the walls separating and buckling. Mr. Talley stated that Mr. Skidmore has demolished a house in Paris before so there's no reason to believe that he won't follow through with demolishing this house. 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 Sally McEwin, seconded by Ben Vaughan to accept Robert Talley's recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. 6 -0 E. 3035 Lamar Ave, Hayes Heights, Block 1, Lot 3, Owner: Glenn A Smallwood 2585 Simpson Paris, TX 75460 No Back Taxes Owed Robert Talley has spoken with both Mr. Smallwood and his son. Mr. Smallwood stated that the east side of the house is full of honey bees and that it would be easier to get rid of them when the weather cooled off. Mr. Talley stated that Mr. Smallwood's son is leaning towards demolishing the structure. It has been on the market for 6 years and he thinks it won't sell due to the condition of the house. Mr. Talley stated that there is deterioration along the roof line, broken windows, holes in the ceiling, and missing sheetrock. The east side decking/siding is missing. There is an outbuilding that was added on to the back of the house that has trees growing into it. Robert Talley's recommendation: 90 days to repair and if not the structure will come back to the Commission. Ben Vaughan asked if the repair would only be to the problems pointed out in the photographs. Mr. Talley stated that they would have to pull a permit and at that time they would be told what problems needed to be addressed. The main point of getting it repaired is to get it in the dry. Matthew Allen stated that he was under the impression that bee keepers would come and extract the bees at no cost to the owner. He wondered if the size of the honey comb was the issue. Mr. Talley stated that he had tried to get in touch with a bee keeper but has yet to hear back from them. He is just going on what the owner told him. Motion was made by Matthew Allen, seconded by Johnny Norris to accept Robert Talley's recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. 6 -0 4. Code Enforcement Update Seven structures were presented to BSC and four were demolished in the month of July Johnny Norris asked about the property on 6t' and Austin. Robert Talley stated that he would go look at it. Dale Maberry stated that they had cleaned up the outside of the property; he didn't think it was rented at this time or that it would ever be rented. However the owners had done what they were asked to do. Ken Kohls asked about the status of the building at the fertilizer plant. Mr. Talley stated that it has been demolished. Charles Richards asked about the difference in the amount charged for a civil penalty and a criminal penalty. Stephanie Harris stated that a civil penalty is for not following an order from the commission, a criminal penalty is a health and safety violation so it carries a higher fee. Sally McEwin asked for a ballpark figure on the number of house left to be demolished. Mr. Talley stated that he believes it is around 50. Ken Kohls asked what Mr. Talley thought the cost of the demolition of item 3B would cost since the city is charged $44 per ton. Mr. Talley stated that the house and the shed would probably cost around $2000.00. Matthew Allen asked Mr. Talley if in his experience it would be cheaper for the owner to let the city demolish the house. Mr. Talley stated that with the discounts the city is receiving right now that it would be cheaper. Mr. Norris asked if the other members wanted to continue to receive the full packets. Mr. Vaughan stated that for himself, he didn't need it. Mr. Kohl's asked Mrs. Harris about her statement at last month's meeting in regards to going and viewing the properties on the BSC agenda. Mrs. Harris explained that in her opinion it would be best to not go view the properties before the meeting. The commission acts as a quasi-judicial board and they need to be objective and not have set opinions before the property comes before the commission. Mr. Kohl's stated that he saw no need in getting the appraisal district sheets or the pictures if that was the case. It was decided that Mr. Talley would only put the agenda, the code enforcement update and every 3 months the code enforcement spreadsheet in the packets. Sally McEwin asked Mr. Talley if he felt the actions of this group helped him in his job. Mr. Talley stated that yes it did. Dale Maberry spoke in regards to the back taxes owed only a certain percentage went to the city. The local school districts, Paris Junior College received a percentage as well. He believes it's only about 30% that goes to the city. 5. Adjournment Motion was made by Matthew Allen, seconded by Sally McEwin to adjourn the meeting at 4:20pm. APPROVED THIS 21St DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2015. (2"1, -, Y":: �, irman