HomeMy Public PortalAbout07-19-1990 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY OF THE
CITY OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, JULY 19, 1990
1 The Board of Public Works and Safety of the City of Richmond, Indiana, met in regular session July 19, 1990 at
2 the hour of 9:00 A.M. in the Municipal Building in said City. Ms. Hauptstueck presided with Ms. McFarland and
3 Mr. Smith in attendance. Absent: None. Media in attendance: WHON, WKBV and Palladium Item. The
4 following business was had to-wit:
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6 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JULY 5,1990
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8 Ms. Sarah Braxton requested the minutes of July 5, 1990, page 3, line 15 reflect the May Monthly report was
9 submitted not the June Monthly Report.
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11 Ms. McFarland moVed to correct the minutes of July 5, 1990 as requested and approve the corrected minutes,
12 seconded by Mr.Smith and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
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14 APPROVAL OF CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT
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16 Ms. McFarland moved to approve claims in the amount of 2,625,966.35, seconded by Mr. Smith and on
17 unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
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19 TABLED ITEMS
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21 Noise Problem at South 6th and H Streets
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23 Ms. Braxton reported to the Board that Mr. Dooley had met last Thursday with one of the neighbors and the
24 President and Plant Manager of Colorbox. She said that Colorbox was aware of the problem and felt it was an
25 air handling system used in connection with the recycling of cardboard. Ms. Braxton indicated Colorbox would
26 be correcting the problem within four to five weeks and the neighbors were pleased with the outcome.
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28 PUBLIC REQUESTS AND COMMENT
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30 Children Playing Signs on Meadowbrook Lane
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32 Sgt. Kolentus reported to the Board he had received a request from the residents of Meadowbrook Lane in
33 Meadowpark to erect Children Playing signs. He said there are 10 to 12 children under 11 years of age on this
34 street and do use the street for play. He said the street is a large circular drive and they could probably use the
35 signs. Sgt. Kolentus recommended to the Board they approve the request.
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37 Ms. McFarland moved to approve the placement of Children Playing signs on Meadowbrook Lane, seconded by
38 Mr. Smith and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
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40 Residential Handicapped Parking Requests
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42 402 North 19th Street-Renewal
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44 Sgt. Kolentus informed the Board the renewal request at 402 North 19th Street still meets all the guidelines and
45 he recommended approval.
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47 Mr. Smith moved to approve the residential handicapped parking request at 402 North 19th Street, seconded by
48 Ms. McFarland and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
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50 DEPARTMENT REQUESTS AND COMMENTS
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52 PLANNING, PERMITS AND INSPECTION
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54 Weights and Measures Annual Report
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56 The Board received the Annual Report of the Weights and Measures Division of Planning, Permits and
57 Inspection. The report showed a total of 2,509 inspections.
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59 There being no questions, Ms. McFarland moved to accept and file the Annual Report of the Weights and
60 Measures Division,seconded by Mr. Smith and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
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62 Update on Unsafe Premises at 220 South 9th Street
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64 Ms. Braxton gave the Board a background on the premises at 220 South 9th Street from the original Order being
65 issued on October 31, 1989 through the current time. She told the Board that no repairs have started on the
Board of Works Minutes Cont'd
July 19, 1990
Page 2
1 property and the Planning Department does not intent to demolish the structure. She said a majority of the
2 structures involved in unsafe orders end up being repaired and this structure is sound and they will continue to
3 look for someone to rehabilitate the structure. She said the building is secured and is not a hazard or an
4 eyesore in the neighborhood.
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6 PURCHASING DEPARTMENT
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8 Set Bid Date for Fire.Planning and Police Department Vehicles
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10 Ms. Planck requested the Board to set August 9, 1990 at 9:00 am to receive bids for 2 vehicles for the Fire
11 Department,2 vehicles for the Police Department and 1 vehicle for Planning. The funding for the equipment is in
12 place through the Mayor's Capital Equipment Fund.
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14 Ms. McFarland moved to set August 9, 1990 at 9:00 AM as the date and time to receive bids for the vehicles as
15 requested,seconded by Mr. Smith and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
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17 TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
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19 Discounted Rate for Use of Double Decker Bus for Huddleston House
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21 The Board was informed that Ms.Joanna Taft of Huddleston House had reserved the double decker bus for July
22 26, 1990 and has a confirmation letter from Virginia Baker for a "non-profit" rate of $150.00 for five hours use.
23 The rate will cover expenses and Ms. Terri Quinter, Acting Operations Supervisor of Rose View, recommended
24 approval of the rate.
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26 Mr. Smith moved to approve the discount rate of $150.00 for use of the double decker bus by the Huddleston
27 House on July 26, 1990,seconded by Ms. McFarland and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
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29 RECESS AND RECONVENE OF BOARD FOR 9:30 AM UNSAFE BUILDING HEARING
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31 UNSAFE BUILDING HEARING-1100 NORTH 19TH STREET
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33 Ms. Hauptstueck opened an Unsafe Building Hearing on premises located at 1100 North 19th Street. The order
34 issued on the property was to Mrs. Virgie Jones, daughter of Mrs. Lela Chowning, deceased. The order was to
35 wreck and remove the unsafe premises including an unsafe accessory building and remove all litter and debris
36 within thirty days of receipt of the order.
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38 The Proof of Notification to Mrs. Jones was presented in the form of a return receipt certified mail. Ms.
39 McFarland moved to accept and file Proof of Notification, seconded by Mr. Smith and on unanimous voice vote
40 the motion was carried.
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42 The Clerk administered the oath to give testimony to Mr. and Mrs.Jones and Ms.Sarah Braxton.
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44 Ms. Braxton informed the Board that the property was virtually destroyed by a fire on June 18, 1990. She said
45 on June 21, 1990 an inspection was done showing extensive damage structurally and the buildings needed to
46 be wrecked and removed.
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48 Ms. Braxton told the Board a title search showed the only persons with a property interest were Mr. and Mrs.
49 Jones of Richmond, Kentucky who had paid taxes on the property, but held no ownership. She said Mrs.Jones
50 was the daughter of Mrs. Lela Chowning and step daughter of Mr. William Chowning, both deceased without a
51 will.
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53 Ms. Braxton shared photographs of the property with the Board.
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55 Ms.Jones informed the Board that Mrs. Jones had no ownership in the property. She said her mother had died
56 in 1974 and her step father in 1983 and there had been no will. Mrs. Jones was told a niece bought the
57 property, but they are not even aware of her name. She was also told by an attorney told her if she paid the
58 back taxes, he would prepare a deed to the property in her name. Ms. Braxton told the Board since the Jones'
59 were the only persons the City was able to locate with an interest in the property, she felt they needed to work
60 with the Jones'to have the structures removed.
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62 Ms. Braxton recommended to the Board they affirm the Order as presented. She added that if there were
63 another fire, it could damage adjacent property.
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65 Ms. Hauptstueck asked Ms. Braxton if she had spoken with Mr. Metzger, City Attorney, about the ownership of
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Board of Works Minutes Cont'd
July 19, 1990
Page 3
1 this property and Ms. Braxton said she had not, but had checked with State law since there was nothing
2 recorded.
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4 Ms. McFarland asked if the City wants this property demolished would the Jones'be taking it down.
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6 Ms. Braxton said that was the Jones'decision.
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8 Mrs.Jones informed the Board they will make a decision on the demolition according to the cost. She said they
9 are not able to afford 3,000.00 to for the demolition and Ms. Braxton added that it would be 3,000.00 at the most.
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11 Mr. Smith questioned if the Jones' were not on any deed to the property, would they be legally responsible for
12 the property.
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14 Ms. Braxton said the Jones'paid the taxes and therefore had a substantial interest in the property.
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16 Ms. Hauptstueck clarified that if the Jones'were unable to pay for demolition,the City would demolish and place
17 a lien against the property and that State law indicated the Jones'are the responsible party.
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19 Ms. Braxton indicated that was correct.
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21 Ms. McFarland ask who mentioned the niece purchasing the property and Ms. Braxton said she had received
22 that information from Mrs.Jones.
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24 Mrs.Jones shared with the Board that she did not know the whereabouts of this niece.
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26 Mr.Jones said that Mr. Chowning did not want to make a will and died without one.
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28 Ms. Hauptstueck said she was concerned about the City tearing down the structure and placing a lien against
29 the property.
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31 Ms. Braxton said no lien would be placed against the property until they go back through the process of
32 determining ownership.
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34 Ms. Hauptstueck expressed her concerns that if the Jones' paid to demolish the structures they would not be
35 reimbursed.
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37 The Board requested Mr. Metzger's attendance to clarify the ownership questions.
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39 Ms. Braxton explained the situation to Mr. Metzger and that she felt they were the responsible party since they
40 are paying the taxes.
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42 Mr. Metzger asked if the Jones'had ownership and Mrs.Jones stated they did not.
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44 Mr. Metzger asked if there addressed was used in the Unsafe Order because they were paying the taxes and
45 Mrs. Jones said that was correct and they were told by an attorney if they pay the taxes he would prepare a
46 deed for them.
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48 Mr. Metzger clarified with Mrs.Jones the dates of deaths of her mother and step father.
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50 Ms. McFarland told Mr. Metzger the structure needed to be demolished and ask Mr. Metzger if the Jones'were
51 legally responsible for the demolition because they had paid taxes.
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53 Mr. Metzger said they were not responsible if they had no ownership and only chose to pay the taxes. He said
54 an attorney needs to clear up this matter and if they have no ownership there is no responsibility and if the City
55 demolishes the property,the lien will be places against the property, not the Jones'.
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57 Ms. Hauptstueck asked if the City could demolish the structure and then determine ownership and Mr. Metzger
58 felt the Board could take the Jones' names off the order to not make them the responsible party and demolish
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the structure placing a lien against the property. He said this type of property would probably go for tax sale
eventually.
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62 Ms. McFarland moved to modify the Order issued on the unsafe premises at 1100 North 19th Street to remove
63 the names of Mr. and Mrs. Jones from the order and having no legal responsibility, and order the wreck and
64 removal of the unsafe premises and an accessory building and removal of all litter, trash, rubbish and debris
65 from said premises at 1100 North 19th Street within thirty days of the issue of the order with the costs to be
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Board of Works
July 19, 1990
Page 4
1 assessed as a lien against the property, seconded by Mr. Smith and on unanimous voice vote the motion was
2 carried.
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4 ADJOURNMENT
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6 There being no further business,on a motion duly made,seconded and passed the meeting was adjourned.
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12 Carrie N. Hauptstueck, President
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19 ATTEST:
20 Mary Merchanthouse, City Clerk
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