HomeMy Public PortalAbout06-02-1988 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY OF THE
CITY OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, JUNE 2, 1988
1 The Board of Public Works and Safety of the City of Richmond, Indiana, met in regular session June 2, 1988 at
2 the hour of 9:00 A.M. in the Municipal Building in saidd City. Mr. Brown presided with Mr.Willis in attendance.
3 Absent: Mr. Barden. The following business was had to-wit:
4
5 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MAY 26. 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 1,343,701.42 for payment, seconded by Mr. Brown and on
13 unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
14
15 TABLED ITEMS
16
17 Curb Cut Request - 1435 NW 5th Street
18
19 Mr. Bronston informed the Board that Planning,Traffic and Mr. John Barnhizer of the Engineer's Office had met
20 with the petitioner(Farm Bureau Coop)and had made a workable agreement. He presented the Board a new site
21 plan and recommended approval of the curb cut request.
22
23 Mr.Willis asked about the islands on the site plan and if they were to be added or cut out of existing property and
24 was informed that the curb cut was being shifted to the north 16 feet and the north/south island was already
25 - existing.
26
27 Mr. Willis moved to approve the curb cut as presented by the Wayne County Farm Bureau Cooperative,
28 seconded by Mr. Brown and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
29
30 PUBLIC REQUESTS AND COMMENTS
31
32 Temporary Closing of North Traffic Lane of NW L Street - Trinity Baptist Church
33
34 Rev. Ed Mitchell, 632 South 14th Street, requested permission from the Board for the-temporary closing of the
35 north traffic lane of NW L Street along the property lines of Trinity Baptist Church on June 12, 1988 between
36 12:15 PM and 12:45 PM to allow for additional parking for a.note burning service. He saidd in the past the
37 residents in the area have allowed them to use yards, but it is messy and does cause damage to the yards that
38 they must repair.
39
40 Captain Williams stated that the area was flat and straight and if they kept to one side and provided personnel to
41 direct any on coming traffic he did not have problems with the request.
42
43 Mr.Willis asked if they could provide a temporary solution with a pipe laid in to provide access across the ditch and
44 Rev. Mitchell saidd there are crops on the property and they preferred not to do damage to the crops.
45
46 Captain Williams saidd the Traffic Division could assist and provide slow cones and Rev. Mitchell saidd they would
47 provide flagmen to direct and control any traffic.
48
49 Mr.Willis moved to approve the temporary closing of the north traffic lane of NW L Street along the Trinity Baptist
50 property on June 12, 1988 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM conditioned upon traffic control personnel, seconded by
51 Mr. Brown and n unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
52
53 Greenwood Apartment Curb Cut Request
54
55 Mr. Dennis Bronston informed the Board that he had received a site plan from Greenwood Apartments for a curb
56 cut at the dean end of South 15th Street. He saidd the Board had previously voted to approve the curb cut, but
57 he felt it should be brought to their attention since there was 50 ft. of uninproved right of way leading to the curb
58 cut that would need to be approved to City standards. He saidd the street was only 16 ft. and felt there would
59 need to be some relief on the width requirements of the curb cut. Mr. Bronston saidd he had talked with some of
60 the residents of the area and there were some concerns with parking.
61
62 Mr.Willis saidd they would not be allowed to park on a 16 ft.pavement.
63
64 Mr.Bronston did add that both properties involved have driveways.
65
Board of Works Minutes Cont'd
June 2, 1988
Page 2
1 Mr. Mark Sharits of Greenwood Apartments saidd they would be willing to do whatever the Board says to get the
2 street opened for buses and fire safety.
3
4 Mr. Willis moved to approve the curb cut request for Greenwood Apartments as presented, seconded by Mr.
5 Brown and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
6
7 447 South 7th - Status Report on Unsafe Building
8
9 Mr. Bronston reported that in a hearing on December 3, 1987,the Board had allowed six months for repair of the
10 property to code. He saidd he has not seen any actual improvements, but the building remains secured. He
11 recommended the Board issue a new order for demolition since there has been no good faith effort made to
12 repair the structure.
13
14 Mr. Ronald Helton, 1114 Green Street,owner of record, informed the Board that he had agreed in December to
15 repair the property, but has had a lot of sickness and been working a lot of hours. He saidd he met with
16 contractors, but cannot get them together to get the repairs done. He also informed the Board that
17 Neighborhood Preservations Services have agreed to purchase the property.
18
19 Mr. Bronston shared photographs of the structure with the Board.
20
21 Mr. Willis asked if anything had been done and Mr. Bronston saidd that no permits have been issued and no
22 contractors have been engaged.
23
24 Mr. Willis asked Mr. Helton if he was selling to persons who would make immediate repairs and Mr. Helton
25 indicated that was right.
26
27 Ms. Gertrude Ward, representing Neighborhood Preservations Services, told the Board the structure was an
28 important part of Old Richmond and she realized that Mr. Helton had problems in getting the repairs done. She
29 saidd they have agreed to buy the property on contract and would request the Board to extend the time for
30 repairs and would like as much time as the Board could allow.
31
32 Mr.Willis saidd they were not going to drag out the time. He asked for an estimate of cost and how long it will take
33 to make the repairs.
34
35 Ms.Ward saidd she would talk with contractors and bring a repair schedule next week.
36
37 Mr.Willis saidd he wanted it firmly in writing.
38
39 Mr. Brown recommended it be placed on the agenda in two weeks.
40
41 Mr. Bronston saidd it was a major problem and they were getting numerous complaints since it was located on a
42 thoroughfare and close to a church.
43
44 Ms.Ward saidd she would like to see it repaired and usable within one year.
45
46 Mr.Willis moved to table the status report on 447 South 7th Street to June 16, 1988,seconded by Mr. Brown and
47 on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
48
49 DEPARTMENT REQUESTS AND COMMENTS
50
51 FIRE DEPARTMENT
52
53 Permission to Burn Structure for Training
54
55 Chief Trotter informed the Board that the Indiana American Water Company had given a structure located on
56 Middleboro Pike to the Fire Department for burning. He saidd they have filed their applocation with the Indiana Air
57 Pollution Control Board and would like to set tentative dates for burning of June 13, 14, and 15th, 1988 if al
58 applocations are approved.
59
60 Mr.Willis commented on no hydrants in the area and Chief Trotter saidd they would e shuttling the water.
61
62 Mr. Brown asked about clean up and Chief Trotter saidd the Water Works will clean up the property. Chief Trotter
63 also added that they will be able to pull all equipment off the roadway and not cause any traffic problems.
64
65 Mr.Willis moved to approve the burning of a structure on Middleboro Pike for training for the Richmond Fire
Board of Works Minutes Cont'd
June 2, 1988
Page 3
1 Department contingent upon all approvals by the State on the dates tentatively set, seconded by Mr. Brown and
2 on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
3
4 POLICE DEPARTMENT - TRAFFIC DIVISION
5
6 Seat Belt Use
7
8 Sgt. Smith reported that through a program with Hoosiers for Safety Belts, between now and July 1, 1988 the
9 Richmond Police Department would be stopping motorists and advise them to wear their belts if they are not. Ii
10 they are wearing their belts,they will be given a key chain designed like a safety belt.
11
12 Sgt. Smith saidd that persons stopped for other violations and not wearing safety belts will be cited for thal
13 violation also.
14
15 UNSAFE BUILDING HEARINGS
16
17 1029 Sheridan Street
18
19 Mr. Brown opened an Unsafe Building Hearing on property located at 1029 Sheridan Street, belonging to
20 Charles H. Tate, pursuant to an Order issued on May 10, 1988 to wreck and remove unsafe building within thirty
21 days of receipt of order.
22
23 The Board examined the Proof of Pub location and found it to be in order. Mr.Willis moved to accept and file the
24 Proof of Publocation,seconded by Mr. Brown and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
25
26 The Clerk administered the Oath to give testimony to Mr. Dennis Bronston.
27
28 Mr. Bronston informed the Board this property had been the subject of an unsafe hearing on July 24, 1986 for
29 the repair of the property. He saidd Mr.Tate had subcontracted with Hadley Construction and minor repairs were
30 started. He saidd repairs were never completed and the property remains unsafe.
31
32 Mr. Brown requested other interested parties to speak.
33
34 The Clerk administered the Oath to give testimony to Mr.Charles Tate.
35
36 Mr.Tate saidd he had started work in 1986, but he lives in Ohio and suffered a heart attack and was unable to
37 complete the work. He said he did invest 1,500.00 in repairs to the front of the structure. Mr. Tate saidd he was
38 also short of money and is now selling some properties to allow him to fix up the remainder of properties he owns.
39 Mr Tate saidd he keeps his property taxes paid and feels he deserve more time for the repairs. Mr.Tate saidd he
40 felt he deserved more credit than the Board was giving him and added the property is also being vandalized.
41
42 Mr. Willis commented the Board had been very patient due to the age of Mr.Tate's mother and that if properties
43 remain vacant they will continue to be vandalized. Mr. Willis saidd that absentee owners are a problem in the
44 community and a lot of properties need more repairs than they are worth.
45
46 Mr.Tate saidd he owns the property free and clear and would like to see it repaired rather than torn down.
47
48 Mr. Brown saidd he felt two years was more than kind and asked Mr.Tate if he would be doing the work himself.
49
50 Mr.Tate saidd he would be doing some of the work as soon as he can sell one of the properties and get the funds
51 to do the repairs.
52
53 Mr. Willis asked if Mr. Tate realized the cost to bring the property to code and Mr. Tate saidd he felt it would be
54 done pretty simply except for plumbing.
55
56 Mr. Willis reminded Mr. Tate that the Board was originally told it would he converted to three units and Mr.Tate
57 saidd he would be keeping it two units.
58
59 Mr.Willis asked how soon the property could be occupied and Mr.Tate saidd he could start work as soon as he
60 closed the deal on the sale of the other property. He saidd he could get the upstairs ready for occupancy rather
61 quickly and then work on the downstairs. He saidd the upstairs could be occupied within three to four months.
62
63 Mr.Willis requested Mr.Tate be back to the Board in two weeks to present a repair schedule and a letter of credit
64 or bond to be posted on the repairs. He saidd then the Board might be willing to look at an extension of 90 to 12C
65 days.
Board of Works Minutes Cont'd
June 2, 1988
Page 4
1 Mr. Bronston sad he would like Mr. Tate to meet the inspectors at the property in order to see exactly wha
2 needed to be done.
3
4 Mr.Tate explained to the Board that he was in bankruptcy and felt he was protected on that property. He saidd hE
5 probably could not get conventional financing and wanted to be on a pay as go basis.
6
7 Mr.Willis saidd the Board would not accept that and wanted finances in writing to assure the Board the repairs wit
8 be made. He saidd Mr.Tate should be prepared to state an exact cost of repairs and present a letter of credit o
9 bond. Mr.Willis did say he was willing to allow the repairs to be split into two parts.
10
11 Mr.Tate questioned the pay as go basis again and Mr.Willis saidd that would not be acceptable, especially since
12 the Board had allowed two years for repairs. He saidd if the repairs cannot be made and financial responsibilities
13 met,then the property should be torn down.
14
15 Mr. Brown said he was in agreement with Mr.Willis and if Mr.Tate does not comply,the building will be wreckec
16 and removed.
17
18 Mr. Willis commented that he did not feel Federal Bankruptcy Court would usurp the authority of the Board tc
19 protect the safety of the citizens of Richmond.
20
21 Mr. Willis moved to continue the Unsafe Building Hearing on property located at 1029 Sheridan Street to JunE
22 16, 1988 at 9:30 AM for submission of compliance schedule and financial assurance that repairs would bE
23 completed,seconded by Mr. Brown and n unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
24
25 1101 South I (901 South 11th)
26
27 Mr. Brown opened the Unsafe Building Hearing on property located at 1101 South I or 901 South 11th
28 belonging to Mr. Charles Tate, pursuant to an Order issued on May 10, 1988 to wreck and remove the dwellinc
29 and accessory building within thirty days of receipt of the Order.
30
31 Mr.Willis moved to accept and file the Proof of Publocation and returned receipt certified mail, seconded by Mr
32 Brown and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
33
34 Mr. Bronston, still being under oath, informed the Board that the property was the subject of a fire and had been
35 vacant for five years that he was aware of. He saidd the electrical system had been improved, but interior repairs
36 have not been completed.
37
38 Mr.Tate,still being under oath,told the Board that he had made lots of repairs to this property.
39
40 Mr. Bronston requested that the City inspectors be allowed entry to make an interior inspection since there does
41 appear to be problems with the building.
42
43 Mr.Willis commented that they need to get vacant structure occupied for public safety reasons.
44
45 Mr.Tate saidd he did do the electrical repairs and some interior work. He saidd he really needs more time with this
46 property and Sheridan Street also.
47
48 Mr.Willis commented that it seemed Mr.Tate was too strung out with the number of unsafe buildings. He saidd
49 was not fair to keep dragging this out.
50
51 Mr. Brown saidd he felt Mr. Tate should be beck to the Board in two weeks with repair schedules and financia
52 compliance.
53
54 Mr. Bronston asked Mr.Tate exactly how long it had been vacant and Mr.Tate saidd he was not certain.
55
56 Mr. Willis saidd Mr. Tate needed to determine the needs to get the property to code, get the estimates or
57 Sheridan Street and determine if one is more of a priority.
58
59 Mr.Tate saidd he would repair both properties within six months or tear the Sheridan Street property down.
60
61 Mr. Willis asked how long it would take to get finances and repairs put together for both properties in order that
62 repairs could be completed within six months. After discussion, the Board decided that one month should be
63 alotted for information on both properties.
64
65 Mr.Willis moved to strike the motion on the continued hearing on 1029 Sheridan Street and to continue 1029
Board of Works Minutes Cont'd
June 2, 1988
Page 5
1 Sheridan Street and 901 South 11th to July 14, 1988 at 9:30 AM for repair schedules, exact cost of repairs and
2 financial assurances to be presented, seconded by Mr. Brown and on unanimous voice vote the motion was
3 carried.
4
5 92 NW I Street
6
7 Mr. Brown opened an Unsafe Building Hearing on property located at 92 NW I belonging to Stephen W.Allen and
8 Shirley A. Staup, pursuant to an order issued on May 17, 1988 to repair unsafe building with repairs to begin
9 within thirty days and be completed within ninety days or unsafe building wrecked and removed within thirty days.
10
11 Mr. Willis moved to accept the Proof of Publocation, seconded by Mr. Brown and on unanimous voice vote the
12 motion was carried.
13
14 Mr. Bronston, still being under oath, informed the Board the dwelling had been vacant a number of years and
15 many complaints are received. He saidd it is now secured, but needs all new mechanical systems and interior
16 repairs. He saidd the weeds are now becoming a problem. Mr. Bronston saidd he has tried to initiate repairs in
17 the past and was unsuccessful.
18
19 The Clerk administered the oath to give testimony to Jennifer Frye, 88 NW I Street. Ms. Fry informed the Board
20 there are two homes side by side both owned by the same party and both needing repair. She saidd all the
21 neighbors are in agreement about the condition of the properties and no one would want to live in them.
22
23 Mr. Bronston recommended to the Board that the Order be affirmed and the attorney file for an inspection warrant
24 through the courts in order that they can enter the premises. He saidd if he had been able to get an interior
25 inspection done, he probably would have recommended remove)of the premises.
26
27 To allow for interior inspection, Mr. Willis moved to continue the unsafe hearing on property located at 92 NW I
28 Street to July 14, 1988 at 9:30 AM, seconded by Mr. Brown and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
29
30 402 North 14th Street
31
32 Mr. Brown opened an unsafe building hearing on property located at 402 North 14th Street, belonging to Harold
33 and Sandra Bright pursuant to an order to wreck and remove unsafe building.
34
35 Mr. Willis moved to accept and file the Proof of Publocation, seconded by Mr. Brown and on unanimous voice
36 vote the motion was carried.
37
38 Mr. Bronston, still being under oath, informed the Board had he had not personally able to contact the owners of
39 this property, but it had been fire damaged on October 2, 1987. He saidd the property is secured ad has been
40 released from investigation. He saidd the house is gutted and has structural damage. He added it was not
41 insured at the time of the fire.
42
43 Mr. Bronston told the Board he would like to file for a order for an interior inspection and photographs and would
44 like to continue the hearing to June 16, 1988.
45
46 Mr. Willis moved to continue the Unsafe Hearing on property located at 402 North 14th to June 16, 1988 at 9:30
47 AM,seconded by Mr. Brown and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
48
49 739 South 5th Street
50
51 Mr. Brown opened an unsafe building hearing on property located at 739 South 5th Street on property
52 belonging to Emora Fulz, pursuant to an order issued on May 23, 1988 to wreck and remove accessory building
53 and wreck and remove dwelling.
54
55 Mr. Willis moved to accept and file the Proof of Publication and return receipt certified mail, seconded by Mr.
56 Brown and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
57
58 Mr. Bronston,still being under oath, informed the Board this was the subject of a prior unsafe building hearing this
59 year and the Board requested at that time for a wreck and remove order to be issued. He saidd no attempts have
60 been for repair since that time.
61
62 Mr. Willis moved to affirm the wreck and remove order issued on property located at 739 South 5th Street,
63 seconded by Mr.Brown and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
64
65
w n irwnuunur
/7
Board of Works Minutes Cont'd
June 2, 1988
Page 6
1
2 There being no further business,on a motion duly made,seconded and passed the meeting was adjourned.
3
4
5
6
7
8 John Brown, Vice President
9
10
11
12 ATTEST:
13 Mary Merchanthouse,City Clerk
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
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