CC_Minutes_2010_0412 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday, Apri112, 2010 Page 13 12. Business Items (Action Items) a. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing Abatement of City Code Violations at 2433 Simpson Street Permit Coordinator Munson reviewed the request for abatement as detailed in the RCA dated April 12, 2010; providing a visual update on the property as of today of this single-family, detached home at 2433 Simpson Street. Mr. Munson further provided a history of previous City Council action in autho- rizing staff to proceed with a Ramsey County court citation; however, noted that with the change in City Attorneys earlier this year, their legal advice had changed, thus bringing forth this amended action request, again seeking correction through an abatement process. Mr. Munson assured Councilmembers that this was not a change in the City's enforcement method, but a process to avoid additional delays and ongoing citizen complaints. Mr. Munson advised that the homeowner was present to speak tonight; however, various notices and correspondence with the homeowner had not brought forth compliance, with only a limited amount of sid- ing applied to-date, and without completion since 2003. Mr. Munson summarized the proposed abatement and estimated costs, consisting of purchasing siding/soffit materials ($6,000); labor to install siding/soffits ($10,000); installation of permanent electrical service ($2,500); and completion of chimney beyond the roof line ($3,000) for an estimated total of $21,500. City Attorney Bell Beckman clarified their proposed recommendation to staff on this issue; cited similar code violations currently pending before Ramsey County; and outlined the power of the City Council to enforce violations in criminal court in order to remedy these situations. Ms. Bell Beckman cautioned on the viability of a court order issued to clean up property, and without compliance, there was no solution in the end. Ms. Bell Beckman recommended that staff be authorized to obtain a property report and involvement from the mortgage company to deter- mine the value of the home and the dollar benefit to the property in remedying this situation, at a cost of approximately $75. Staff recommended that the Community Development Department be authorized to abate the unresolved City Code violations as detailed. Discussion included the reason for this delay based on changing of City Attorneys in January of 2010; and how to prioritize accomplishing compliance before another summer was over. Homeowner Tamara Davis Ms. Davis advised that she had sent a letter to all the City Council regarding her family's health and financial situations; however, she noted that she had received