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HomeMy Public PortalAbout07-14-1988 /37' BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, JULY 14, 1988 1 The Board of Public Works and Safety of the City of Richmond, Indiana, met in regular session July 14, 1988 at 2 the hour of 9:00 A.M.in the Municipal Building in said City. Mr. Barden presided with Mr. Brown and Mr.Willis in 3 attendance. Absent:None. The following business was had to wit: 4 5 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JULY 7. 1988 6 7 Mr.Willis moved to approve the minutes of the previous meetings as prepared,seconded by Mr. Brown and 8 on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. 9 10 APPROVAL OF CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT 11 12 Mr. Willis moved to approve claims in the amount of 1,426,613.74 for payment, seconded by Mr. Brown and on 13 unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. 14 15 PUBLIC REQUESTS AND COMMENTS 16 17 Mr.Willis informed the public and media that the Sanitary District had been receiving many calls about sewer bills 18 and adjustments on sprinkling. Mr. Willis stated that the present adjustment method will be changed to allow for 19 fairness and they will be notifying the public about any changes. 20 21 DEPARTMENT REQUESTS AND COMMENTS 22 23 FIRE DEPARTMENT 24 25 Retirement of Lt. Ron Purcell 26 27 Fire Chief Don Trotter, requested the Board to approve the retirement of Lt. Ron Purcell. He said Lt. Purcell had 28 served over twenty years with the Department beginning employment in 1968. Chief Trotter asked that the 29 retirement be effective July 9, 1988 and expressed his gratitude for Lt. Purcell's service to the City. 30 31 Mr. Brown moved to approve the retirement of Lt. Ron Purcell, effective July 9, 1988, seconded by Mr.Willis and 32 on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. 33 34 The Board expressed their thanks to Lt. Purcell and wished him the best in the future. 35 36 Promotion of Richard Longer to Probationary Engineer 37 38 Chief Trotter requested the Board to approve the promotion of Richard Longer to the probationary rank of 39 Engineer, effective July 7, 1988, pursuant to the Professional Negotiation Agreement. 40 41 Mr.Willis moved to approve the promotion of Richard Longer to the probationary rank of Engineer, effective July 42 7, 1988,seconded by Mr. Brown and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. 43 44 The Board conveyed their congratulations to Mr. Longer. 45 46 June Monthly Report 47 48 The June Monthly Report of the Richmond Fire Department showed a total of 128 runs at an estimated loss of 49 21,483. Chief Trotter told the Board there had been excessive trash and brush fires many caused by fireworks 50 and cigarettes. Chief Trotter also reminded the public that open burning is illegal. 51 52 Mr.Willis moved to accept and file the June Monthly Report of the Richmond Fire Department, seconded by Mr. 53 Brown and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. 54 55 POLICE DEPARTMENT 56 57 Retirement of Major Stephen Sanford 58 59 Police Chief Joseph Nimitz presented the Board the following request: 60 61 Attached find a copy of the letter of retirement of Major Steve Sanford, effective July 16, 1988. 62 63 I recommend acceptance of Major Sanford's retirement as he has exceeded the minimum 20 years of 64 service for retirement. 65 140 Board of Works Minutes Cont'd July 14, 1988 Page 2 1 Major Sanford has served the City of Richmond for twenty one years and three months, having been 2 hired on April 3, 1967. 3 /s/ Joseph A. Nimitz 4 Chief of Police 5 6 Chief Nimitz told the Board that the retirement had been approved by the Police Pension Board. 7 8 Chief Nimitz wished Major Sanford well in the future and commented that he had served the Department will and 9 had worked from the rank of Patrolman to Major making law enforcement a career, not only a job. 10 11 Mr. Willis moved to accept the retirement of Major Stephen Sanford, effective July 16, 1988 , seconded by Mr. 12 Brown and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. 13 14 The Board added their thanks for the service to the community and best wishes in the future. 15 16 Appointment of Probationary Patrolman David Rourke 17 18 Chief Nimitz requested the following: 19 20 The following applicant for the position of Probationary Police Officer with the Richmond Police 21 Department is recommended for hiring. 22 23 David Brian Rourke, Age:24 24 310 South Morton Avenue 25 Centerville, Indiana 26 27 This applicant has successfully completed written examinations, background investigation, physical 28 qualifications and has been accepted by the Police Pension Board. 29 30 This applicant has been approved by the Police Merit Commission. 31 32 It is requested that the above named individual enter police service with the Richmond Police 33 Department effective July 18, 1988. 34 35 /s/Joseph A. Nimitz 36 Chief of Police 37 38 Chief Nimitz explained that since the Merit Commission Meeting was on July 19, 1988,they would be approving 39 the hiring date of July 18, 1988. 40 41 Mr. Brown moved to approve the appointment of David Rourke as Probationary Patrolman, effective July 18, 42 1988, contingent on the approval of the Police Merit Commission, seconded by Mr. Willis and on unanimous 43 voice vote the motion was carried. 44 45 The Clerk administered the Oath of Office to Mr. Rourke and the Board extended their best wishes and 46 congratulations. 47 48 PLANNING, PERMITS AND INSPECTION 49 50 404 South 4th - Status Report on Completion on Repairs 51 52 Mr. Dennis Bronston reported to the Board that this was an accessory building belonging to Mr. Fry. He said the 53 roof had been removed and Mr. Fry had indicated a new one would be put on. Mr. Bronston said no repairs have 54 yet been accomplished and he would contact Mr. Fry to notify him the order on repair was up and if the repairs 55 were not completed, demolition would occur. 56 57 326 North 10th - Repair Schedule and Surety Bond 58 59 Mr. Bronston informed the Board the new owner of the property, Mr. Mathew Stegall was present to make a report 60 to the Board. 61 62 Mr. Matt Stegall,2252 Walnut Lane, informed the Board that work had started on the outside of the property with 63 removal of debris and trees that were posing a threat to the structure. He said the interior of the structure had 64 been cleaned of all debris 65 /,// Board of Works Minutes Cont'd July 14, 1988 Page 3 1 Mr. Stegall presented the Board repair quotes from McKurdy Construction for structural repairs to the building to 2 3 start in September. He also presented quotes for the heating plant and electrical work. Mr. Stegall said that he was currently working with Benner&Sons for a firm quote on the plumbing. 4 5 Mr.Stegall informed the Board he felt the most urgent matter was getting exterior structural work started to enable 6 the structure to be sound and secured for interior work. He said he anticipated the work continuing through the 7 winter and then to be ready for finishing touches with plaster repair and dry wall. 8 9 Mr.Stegall told the Board the estimated cost of repairs was within what he was anticipating spending. 10 11 Mr. Willis commented that the community owes Mr. Stegall a debt of gratitude and felt the Board should make a 12 firm commitment to assist in keeping the rest of the neighborhood in good repair. 13 14 Mr. Barden said there was a noticeable improvement already. 15 16 Mr. Stegall stated that he felt much of the work could be completed within three to four months after starting in 17 September. 18 19 Mr. Bronston reminded the Board that the structure would still be considered unsafe until heating, wiring and 20 plumbing systems were completed to code. He said he could see the Board committing to a one year time for 21 completion of repairs to be completed. Mr. Bronston commented favorable on Mr. Stegall's thoroughness in 22 attempting to rehab the property. 23 24 Mr.Stegall informed the Board that he could commit to a one year completion date. 25 26 Mr.Willis said he was willing to allow one year for completion of the major structural repairs and systems with the 27 rest to be completed within an additional six months allowing a total of eighteen months. 28 29 Mr. Barden requested a regular status report on the property. 30 31 Mr. Bronston reminded the Board they would also need a 10,500.00 surety posted as a bond or letter of credit. 32 33 Mr. Stegall said he already had the loan for repairs approved by Peoples and would place the money in a 34 construction loan account. He said he would get that commitment for the Board. 35 36 Mr.Willis moved to modify the wreck and remove order on an Unsafe Premises located at 326 North 10th Street 37 to allow twelve months for structural and systems repairs to be completed, an additional six months to complete 38 other repairs for occupancy with the posting of surety on completion of repairs in the amount of 10,500.00 and 39 repairs to begin by September 30, 1988, seconded by Mr. Brown and on unanimous voice vote the motion was 40 carried. 41 42 CONTINUATION OF UNSAFE BUILDING HEARINGS 43 44 The Clerk administered the oath to give testimony to Mr. Dennis Bronston and Mr. Charles Tate,witnesses in the 45 continued hearings. 46 47 1029 Sheridan Street 48 49 Mr. Barden opened the continued hearing on unsafe premises located at 1029 Sheridan Street. 50 51 Mr. Bronston informed the Board the owner, Mr. Charles Tate, had been previously properly notified and the 52 hearing had been continued by the Board to this date from June 2, 1988. 53 54 The hearing was continued to allow Mr.Tate to present a compliance schedule on repairs and to post surety with 55 the Board. 56 57 Mr. Bronston stated that he, Mr. Curtis Hedgecock and Mr.Tate had inspected the property earlier this week and 58 found there had been only some minor repairs completed in the past two years from a previous repair order. He 59 said there had been no improvement to any of the systems and he would recommend to the Board the structure 60 be demolished since he did not consider it feasible to make repairs. He added the property remains a blighting 61 influence on the neighborhood. 62 63 Mr. Charles Tate, 904 South 11th, Richmond told the Board that he had repaired the front of the building and the 64 roof. He said the upstairs had been occupied just prior to 1986 and the downstairs had been vacant. 65 r V J Board of Works Minutes Cont'd July 14, 1988 Page 4 1 Mr. Tate presented the Board a quote for electrical repairs from Price Electric and a quote for plumbing with the 2 construction to be completed by his son-in-law. 3 4 Mr. Tate indicated he had sold one of his properties in Richmond and hoped to close the sale within fifteen to 5 twenty days allowing him funds to repair this structure. He said he could afford the repairs per the estimates,but 6 felt they were high estimates. 7 8 Mr.Tate requested the Board to allow six months for repairs to be completed. He said he would like to complete 9 the upstairs to allow renters to be there and then complete the downstairs. 10 11 Mr. Bronston looked over the proposed repair quotes and notified the Board he had no problems with the 12 electrical proposal. 13 14 Mr. Tate informed the Board that if he could not get the repairs completed within six months, then he would 15 remove the structure. 16 17 Mr.Willis stated the Board also wanted fiscal surety posted along with the time commitment. 18 19 Mr. Barden said he would be willing to allow six months for completion with the posting of a surety bond or letter of 20 credit to guarantee performance and suggested the Board allow the six months to bring the structure to code 21 with the posting of surety in the amount of 5,000.00 within thirty days. 22 23 Mr.Willis moved to modify the Order on property located at 1026 Sheridan Street for wreck and remove or repair 24 to all City Building and Housing Codes within six months from July 14, 1988 and a 5,000.00 surety in the form of a 25 bond or letter of credit to be posted within thirty days, seconded by Mr. Brown and on unanimous voice vote the 26 motion was carried. 27 28 901 South 11th Street 29 30 Mr. Barden opened a continued hearing on unsafe property located at 901 South 11th Street. 31 32 Mr. Bronston informed the Board the hearing had been properly continued from June 2, 1988 and the owner of 33 the property, Charles Tate, was in attendance. Mr. Bronston said he has inspected the premises and interior 34 repairs have started and have been in progress for the last four to five years. He told the Board if repairs were 35 completed on this property within six months, he would be willing to rescind the wreck and remove order. 36 37 Mr. Charles Tate informed the Board that the wiring in the structure had been redone and he would repairs the 38 windows and porch. He said he disagreed with Mr. Bronston that he needed to replumb the whole house. 39 40 Mr. Bronston informed the Board that the plumbing was not to code. 41 42 Mr.Willis said the Board was not here to negotiate,but to get the structure to code or tear it down. He said he fell 43 that 901 South 11th was a more feasible structure for Mr.Tate to repair rather than 1026 Sheridan Street and that 44 possibly Mr.Tate did not need six months. 45 46 Mr.Tate said he could start repairs within thirty days. 47 48 Mr. Barden recommended the Board allow three months for repairs with the posting of surety in the amount of 49 1,000.00 within thirty days. 50 51 Mr. Brown moved to modify the Order on unsafe premises located at 901 South 11th Street to wreck and remove 52 or repair to all City Building and Housing Codes within three months from July 14, 1988 with surety in the amount 53 of 1,000.00 to be posted within thirty days, seconded by Mr. Willis and on unanimous voice vote the motion was 54 carried. 55 56 Mr.Willis commented that the Board expected a total 6,000.00 surety commitment in hand to insure the repairs or 57 they would remove both structures belonging to Mr.Tate. 58 59 92 North West I Street 60 61 Mr. Barden opened a continuation of an Unsafe Building Hearing on property located at 92 N.W. I Street. 62 63 Mr. Bronston informed the Board that he had met with Mr.Allen, owner of record of both 90 and 92 N.W. I Street. 64 He said they have discovered that the house numbers had been interchanged on the properties causing 65 problems with proper notification. Mr. Bronston said he had told Mr.Allen to present a written commitment to the • Board of Works Minutes Cont'd July 14, 1988 Page 5 1 Board to clean up and repair both properties and to have the commitment within thirty days, he would not issue a 2 new order, but consider this a written commitment of repairs. He said if not commitment is received within thirty 3 days, he will issue new orders on both properties on the correct house numbers. 4 5 Mr. Bronston added that he had been able to make an inspection of both properties. 6 7 The Board took no further action on 92 N.W. I Street. 8 9 402 North 14th Street 10 11 Mr. Barden opened a continuation of an Unsafe Building Hearing on property located at 402 North 14th Street. 12 13 Mr. Bronston informed the Board the hearing was properly continued from June 2, 1988 for an inspection warrant 14 to be issued. Mr. Bronston stated that the Fire Department and Planning had inspected the property which had 15 been fire damaged in October of 1987. 16 17 Mr. Bronston shared photographs of the interior of the structure with the Board and informed them that attempts 18 have been made to secure the property, but it is not secured at all times. He said it was his opinion that it was not 19 feasible to repair the property. 20 21 Mr. Barden said he would consider this property a public safety hazard. 22 23 Mr. Willis inquired about the owners and Mr. Bronston said the owners are Harold and Sandra Bright and he has 24 made numerous unsuccessful attempts to contact them. 25 26 Mr.Willis moved to cause the unsafe premises at 402 North 14th Street to be immediately wrecked and remove 27 as a public safety hazard,seconded by Mr. Brown and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. 28 29 ADJOURNMENT 30 31 There being no further business,on a motion duly made,seconded and passed the meeting was adjourned. 32 33 34 35 Kenneth E. Barden, President 36 37 38 39 ATTEST: 40 Mary Merchanthouse,City Clerk 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65