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Public Safety Committee Minutes H �;
May 6, 1985 ///
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Mayor's Conference Room 'is �'� ;'
4:00 p.m. /
Members present: Chairperson Penaluna, Lichty.
Also present: Mayor Bowers, Klinger and Getty.
Jim Curran, Building Official, reiterated the committee's action of
April 8, 1985 in regard to the problem of securing abandon, vacant
and open structures. He reported that since that time, his staff has
developed a flow chart indicating the process by which deteriorated
buildings would be processed. This includes all steps from receipt
of the complaint and investigation by the Building Department through
demolition of the structure and final inspection by the Building
Department.
Discussion was heard on the time frame that is required for legal
action concerning abandoned and dilapidated structures. It was
suggested that the Police Department be notified when a structure is
being boarded up to help in policing the area. Mr. Curran also
presented a letter that would be sent to neighbors within the area
that is being boarded up alerting them to the situation. It is hoped
that they will assist in patrolling the area and report any
suspicious activity to the Building Department.
Mr. Curran also distributed a listing of properties that he feels
needs the immediate attention of the City Attorney. Although
approximately 60 other structures are in need of the same repair,
this list is felt to be priority and that funding should be found for
the boarding up of these structures. Councilperson Lichty reiterated
her point of not tearing down buildings when property owners are well
able to afford this expense.
Jim Lindsey, Community Development Director, indicated that he had
approached Black Hawk County about several of the structures that
they now own. He suggested that the City be authorized to include
them in the next demolition program so that lower bids could be
obtained. He also offered staff assistance in developing and
completing the paper work for this action. No response has been
received.
The Committee instructed the Building Official to proceed with the
complaint procedure as outlined in the flaw chart dated April, 1985.
With no further business before the Committee, the meeting was
adjourned.
Larry P. Burger,
City Clerk/Auditor
ti
Public Safety Committee
April 8, 1985
Mayor's Conference Room
4:00 p.m.
Members present: Lichty.
Also present: Wright, Seeber, Klinger and Mayor Bowers.
Jim Curran, Building Official, brought to the Committee's attention
the problem of securing abandoned vacant and open structures.
Securing a structure is a particular problem when the owner refuses
or when an owner cannot be located. The City has taken the position
that in these cases, it becomes the City's responsibility to protect
the safety and welfare of its citizens.
Vacant structures also are sometimes used for criminal purposes and
become the site of fires. Mr. Curran presented a list of nine (9)
structures that suffered fire damages between February 1 , 1984 and
February 28, 1985.
Discussion was heard on the length of time that it takes for property
to fall into the hands of the County when an owner fails to pay the
property taxes. The process can take up to four (4) years, during
which time the vacant and abandoned structure becomes a bigger
nuisance. A case in point is the Ellis Hotel (E. 5th and Sycamore)
and the recently demolished Tafayette Bldg. , (E. 4th and Lafayette
Streets). The City may issue an order that the property owner
demolish a dilapidated structure, but in many such cases, the owner
refuses and the judge then orders the City to demolition it. If
money is available, the City could tear it down and assess the cost
against the property; however, the City must have the money
"up-front" and risks the possibility of ever "recouping" its costs.
In light of the complexity of the situation, the staff was directed
to draw up a preliminary proposal that addresses these issues and
others and bring it back to the Committee for review and
recommendation.
With no further business before the Committee, the meeting
adjourned.
Larry P. Burger
City Clerk/Auditor
i
Safety Committee Minutes
February 7, 1985
4:30 p.m.
Large Conference Room
Members present: Chairperson Burt, Jack Kaus, Captain Mike Beener,
Mark Graham, Captain Jim Cain, Michelle Temeyer. Also present:
Councilpersons Wright and Lichty.
Minutes of the September 20, 1984 meeting were approved.
Combining the Mayor's Safety Committee with the Safety Committee of
the Council was discussed. The reason for this combination was to
allow the Mayor's Safety Committee to study and make recommendations
to the Council Safety Committee should the occasion arise. No item
has been referred from the Council Safety Committee to the Mayor's
Safety Committee at this time.
Considerable discussion was heard on snow removal from City streets.
Of particular concern to the Committee was parked cars and the
ability of the Street Department to remove snow from the streets.
Captain Beener reported that cars are ticketed if.they are not
removed within 48 hours. To date, 30 to 50 cars have been towed from
City streets.
Parking an the parking was discussed. Of particular concern were
areas with limited off-street parking. It was recommended that the
City should come up with a policy statement to either allow parking
on the parking or provide alternative parking arrangements for area
with little off street parking.
Mark Graham introduced himself as a staff member of the City
Engineer's Department in the capacity of Civil Engineer. He will
represent the City Engineer's Office on the Safety Committee in the
future.
Chairperson Burt asked to be sent a list of all those homes which
were included in last year's demolition program, as well as a list of
those homes to be included in the 1985 demolition program.
With no further busines before the committee, the meeting was
adjourned.
Michelle Temeyer
Deputy Clerk/Auditor