Condemnation Committee Meeting Minutes




DATE: Wednesday, March 19, 2008
TIME: 2:00 p.m. (2:14 p.m.)
PLACE: City Hall Council Chambers

PRESENT:
Aldermen Jerry Mizell, William Carrell, David Daugherty, Nathan Anderson, Charles Barfield, Robert Midnight, Richard Corzine Sr. and David McManus, Mayor Billy McDaniel, City Clerk Brenda Westbrooks, Attorney Rick Abell and Abatement Officer David Koch.

ROLL CALL
Mizell Present
Carrell Present
Daugherty Present
Anderson Present

Moved by Alderman Nathan Anderson and Second by Alderman David Daugherty to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on November 28, 2007 as presented: MOTION CARRIED
Mizell Yea
Carrell Yea
Daugherty Yea
Anderson Yea





Update on Vehicle List
At each meeting everyone is provided with an updated copy of vehicle, abatement and demolition lists and Officer Koch passed out those updated list again today.

Abatement Property List

(1605 Filmore)
Alderman Nathan Anderson said that he receives numerous complaints on this property. He said there is a tarp on the roof that has been there for at least 16 months and that the neighbors are tired of picking up pieces of her roof out of their yards.
Rick Abell said that we can send her an order for repairs but it must be proved unsafe before a demolition can be done.
Everyone thought the property wasn’t in that bad of shape but that she does need to get the roof repaired and that the neighbors would be happy if she would get it fixed and cleanup.
The consensus was to have a letter sent to the owner stating that she has to make the needed repairs.

(801 Catherine Street)
This property belongs to Frank Trieglaff and he is a repeat offender. He has been abated, in court and fined. Now he is collecting again and the property looks terrible.
They said he is in violation of the City’s zoning ordinance.
Mr. Abell said he would file a civil action on this one.







Condemned Properties
(819 Pearl Street)
This property belongs to Mr. Elmer Pullen and his time deadline for making repairs was up in November so he has had even longer than agreed upon to make the needed repairs.

Mr. Abell said that they filed on this one but the judge gave him an extension of 90 days so he now has until May 29, 2008 for his next hearing date. He said that Josh Stratemeyer handled it since he was out of town in Washington DC.

(600 East 3rd Street)
Steve Castleman owns this property and he was sent a letter from Rick Abell on February 4, 2008 requesting an inspection of the building but has not heard back.
Mr. Abell said that we just need to go ahead and file on this one and made a note to do so.

(30 James Drive)
Mr. Abell said that Nova Star Mortgage took this property back over from his secretary sometime ago but now they claim they do not own it. Mr. Abell said that Green Tree bought it then did foreclosure before selling it to Nova Star and Mr. Abell is searching for the notices on this so he can file on it.
The house is in such bad shape now that it has to be demolished.
Officer Koch said that the letter he sent them was signed for so Mr. Abell said he would go ahead and file then.



(300 Ferry Street)
Mr. Abell said that this is the old Bank Building on lower Ferry Street that Steve Castleman owns. He sent him a letter on February 4, 2008 requesting inspection of the building but has heard nothing back from him.
Alderman David McManus said the building is to the point that it is dangerous and needs to come down.
Mr. Abell said he would go ahead and file on this one as well and then we will receive an order for inspection from the courts.



(310 Park Street)
Mr. Abell sent the owners Eric & Brenda Skees a letter on March 5, 2008 requesting that they appear before the Council and provide a plan for restoration as well as a time frame. If they don’t do so Mr. Abell said he would follow through with an appropriate letter addressing the matter.
It was suggested that someone needs to be appointed to inspect and report back to the Committee making sure the needed repairs are being done. Mr. Abell that Brian Giltner, Penny Emery, Kathy Bernard, or Tim Kerley could do the inspections.
Alderman Jerry Mizell said he would talk with Penny Emery first.




(1900 North Avenue)
This property belongs to a couple by the name of Copley and they are in violation of City ordinance. Officer Koch has abated them for property trash and for having domesticated animals within the City Limits. They were visited on February 22, 2008 and told the rabbits had to be removed and given a copy of the City Ordinance. Mrs. Copley had already been given a ticket to appear in Court on March 20, 2008.
Mr. Copy said the rabbits would be gone in a couple of weeks. David Daugherty said that he told him they were gone.
Mr. Abell said that he and Officer Koch would go to Court tomorrow since that is the date Mrs. Copy is to appear and report back.


(1901 Simmons)
Alderman Mizell said that the garage, carport and house are all falling in and the resident has moved to an apartment so the house is now vacant.
Mr. Abell said that he would send a 15 day notice then file if there is no response.

Other Business

(304 West 9th Street)
This property belongs to Clem Riley and on September 21, 2007 the Judge gave him 6 months to bring the house up to compliance. His time will be up on April 4, 2008 so now it is time to discuss the next step.
Rick Abell said that he would call Tim Kerley to go back and do an inspection before the 4th and see what all has really been done. Then we will see what happens on the 4th. Mr. Abell said he would try to get the judge to go down and walk through it.

Incentive Package Update
Everyone was presented with a list of demolition reimbursements paid by the City and they are as follows:
2006- $27,814.68
2007- $42,660.14
2008- $10,479.50
TOTAL $70,954.32

Massac Theater Update
On February 6, 2008 Attorney Richard Kruger went for oral arguments in Mt. Vernon, IL on this case. He said he felt it went well for the City and we are now waiting on the Judge’s decision.

Moved by Alderman William Carrell and Second by Alderman Nathan Anderson to adjourn: MOTION CARRIED – TIME: 3:13 P.M.
Mizell Yea
Carrell Yea
Daugherty Yea
Anderson Yea