01-1318Council File # o � — \� l3'
Green Sheet # �0 � G�
Referred To
Presented By
RESOLUTION
CITY OF SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA
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Committee: Date
1 WHEREAS, Citizen Service Office, Division of Code Enforcement has requested the City Council
2 to hold public hearings to consider the advisability and necessity of ordering the repair or wrecking and
3 removal of a two-story, wood frame duplex and the detached, oversized, one-stall, wood frame garage
4 located on property hereinafter referred to as the "Subject Property" and commonly known as 1840 Ames
5 Avenue. This property is legally described as follows, to wit:
Lot 15, Block 1, Hazel Park Div. 2
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WHEREAS, based upon the records in the Ramsey County Recorder's Office and information
obtained by Division of Code Enforcement on or before July 13, 2001, the following are the now known
interested or responsible parties for the Subj ect Property: Mortgage Elecironic Registrarion as nominee
for Household Finance Corp., HFS Wholesale Mortgage, 636 Grand Regency Blvd., Brandon, FL 33510,
Attn: Sarah Willyard; Sandy B. Roberts & Kimberly Roberts, 1840 Ames Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55119;
Sandy B. Roberts, 1163 Hague Avenue (down), St. Paul, MN 55104
WHEREAS, Division of Code Enforcement has served in accordance with the provisions of
Chapter 45 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code an order identified as an "Order to Abate Nuisance
Building(s)" dated September 27, 2001; and
WHEREAS, this order informed the then lrnown interested or responsible parties that the structure
located on the Subject Property is a nuisance building(s) pursuant to Chapter 45; and
WHEREAS, this order informed the interested or responsible parties that they must repair or
demolish the structure located on the Subject Property by October 29, 2001; and
WHEREAS, the enforcement officer has posted a placazd on the Subject Property declaring this
building(s) to constitute a nuisance condition; subject to demolition; and
WfIEREAS, this nuisance condition has not been corrected and Division of Code Enforcement
requested that the City Clerk schedule public hearings befare the Legislative Hearing Officer of the City
Council and the Saint Paul City Council; and
WFIEREAS, the interested and responsible parties have been served notice in accordance with the
provisions of Chapter 45 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code, of the time, date, place and purpose of the
public hearings; and
o �-l�\Y
1 WHEREAS, a hearing was held before the Legislative Hearing Officer of the Saint Paul City
2 Council on Tuesday, December 4, 2001 to hear testimony and evidence, and after receiving testunony and
3 evidence, made the recommendation to approve the request to order the interested or responsible parties to
4 make the Subject Property safe and not detrimental to the public peace, health, safety and welfare and
5 remove its blighting influence on the community by rehabilitating this structure in accordance with all
6 applicable codes and ordinances, or in the alternarive by demolishing and removing the shucture in
7 accordance with all applicable codes and ordinances. The rehabilitation or demolition of the shucture to be
8 completed within fifteen (15) days after the date of the Council Hearing; and
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Wf�REAS, a hearing was held before the Saint Paul City Council on Wednesday, December 19,
2001 and the testimony and evidence including the action taken by the Legislative Hearing Officer was
considered by the Council; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that based upon the testimony and evidence presented at the above referenced
public hearings, the Saint Paul City Council hereby adopts the following Findings and Order conceming
the Subject Property at 1840 Ames Avenue:
1. That the Subject Property comprises a nuisance condition as defined in Saint Paul
Legislative Code, Chapter 45.
2. That the costs of demolition and removal of this building(s) is estnnated to exceed three
thousand dollars ($3,000.00).
3. That there now exists and has existed multiple Housing or Building code violations at the
Subject Property.
4. That an Order to Abate Nuisance Building(s) was sent to the then lrnown responsible parties
to correct the deficiencies or to demolish and remove the building(s).
5. That the deficiencies causing this nuisance condition have not been corrected.
6. That Division of Code Enforcement has posted a placard on the Subject Property which
declares it to be a nuisance condition subject to demolition.
7. That this building has been routinely monitored by the Citizen Service Offices, Division of
Code Enforcement, Vacant/Nuisance Buildings.
8. That the known interested parties and owners are as previously stated in this resolution and
that the notification requirements of Chapter 45 haue been fulfilled.
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The Saint Paul City Council hereby makes the following order:
The above referenced interested or responsible parties shall make the Subject Property safe and not
detrimental to the public peace, health, safety and welfare and remove its blighting influence on the
community by rehabilitating this structure and correcting all deficiencies as prescribed in the above
referenced Order to Abate Nuisance Building(s) in accordance with all applicable codes and
ordinances, or in the alternative by demolishing and removing the structure in accordance with all
applicable codes and ordinances. The rehabilitation or demolition and removal of the structure
must be completed within fifteen (15) days after the date of the Council Hearing.
O�-13�d'
1 2. If the above corrective action is not completed within this period of time the Citizen Service Office,
2 Division of Code Enforcement is hereby authorized to take whatever steps are necessary to
3 demolish and remove this structure, fill the site and chazge the costs incurred against the Subject
4 Property pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 45 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code.
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3. In the event the building is to be demolished and removed by the City of Saint Paul, all personal
property or fixtures of any kind which interfere with the demolition and removal shall be removed
from the property by the responsible parties by the end of tlus tune period. If all personal property
is not removed, it shall be considered to be abandoned and the City of Saint Paul shall remove and
dispose of such property as provided by law.
4. It is further ordered, that a copy of this resolurion be mailed to the owners and interested parties in
accordance with Chapter 45 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code.
AdoptedbyCouncil: Date ��, �� a
Adoption Certified by Council Secretary
Requested by Department of:
Citizen Service Office; Code Enforcement
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Form Approved by City Attomey
By. '� „__� � �� By: �/�� �.. .
Approved by Mayor: Date � L''/ ��/
Approved by Mayor for Submission to Council
By. ��� J�� � By ,Q�../
Division of Code Enforcement
266-8439
;R AGENQA BY (DA7EJ
December 19, 2001
TOTAL # OF SIGNATURE
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ivo9ior GREEN $HEET
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No 102�63
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City Council to pass this resolution which will order the owner(s) to remove or repair the referenced building(s). If
the owner fails to comply with the resolution, the Citizen Service Office, Division of Gode Enforcement is ordered
to remove the building. The subject properiy is located at 1840 Ames Avenue.
_ ��'�����``� P'z;�s4cr
PLANNING COMMISSION
CIB CAMMITTEE
CNIL SERVICE COMMISSION
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Has Mis Pe����m ever vrorked under a contrad for this depaRmeM7
YES NO
F�s mis Pe��rm eva been a cih' emWuYce9
YES NO
ooes this o��rm v�s a s�an rot iwrmelbo�sed M�Y curteM cttY �WM'�7
YES NO
Is this persoMrm a tarpMetl vendoR , ,
YEu NO
This building(s) is a nuisance building{s) as defined in Chapter 45 and a vacant building as defined in Chapter 43 of
the Saint Paul Legislative Code. The owners, interested parties and responsible parties laiown to the Enforcement
Officer were givem an order to repair or remove the building at 1840 Ames Avenue by October29, 2001, and have
The City will eliminate a nuisance.
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CI�Y ��TO�NEY
)ISADVANTAGES IFAPPROVEO
The City will spend funds to wreck and remove this building(s). These costs will be assessed to the property,
'' I A nuisance condition will remain unabated in the City. This building(s) will continue to blight the community.
OFTwwsacrwNS $$�OOO - $lO,OOO
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INFORMATION (EXPWNJ
COST/REVRIUE BUDGETED (CIRCLE ON� � VES J NO
ACTIVITYNUMBER ��JFi�
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CTTY OF SAiNT PAUL
Norm Co(eman, Mayor
CITIZEN SERV[CE OFFICE
Fred Owusu, City C[erk
DNISION OF PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT Q�, r�� 1 y
�4fichael R. Morehead, Program Manager
Nuisance Building Cade Enforcement
I S W. Ke![ogg Blvd. Rm. 190 Tel: 651-266-8440
SaintPaul,MN55102 Far.657-266-8426
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November 9, 2001
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
Council President and
Members of the City Council
Citizen Service Office, Vacant/Nuisance Buildings Enforcement Division has requested the City
Council schedule public hearings to consider a resolution ordering the repair or removal of the
nuisance building(s) located at:
1840 Ames Avenue
The City Council has scheduled the date of these hearings as follows:
Legislative Hearing - Tuesday, December 4, 2001
City Council Hearing - Wednesday, December 19, 2001
The owners and responsible parties of record are:
Name and Last Known Address
Mortgage Electronic Registration as
nominee for Household Finance Corp.
HFS Wholesale Mortgage
636 Grand Regency Blvd.
Brandon, FL 33510
Attn: Sarah Willyard
Sandy B. Roberts & Kimberly Roberts
1840 Ames Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55119
Sandy B. Roberts
1163 Hague Avenue (down)
St. Paul, MN 55104
Interest
_ Fea Owner
Right of Statutory Redemption
Right of Stahxtory Redemption
1840 Ames Avenue
November 9, 2001
Page 2
The legal description of this properiy is:
Lot 15, Block 1, Hazel Park Div. 2.
01-\'1 \�'
Division of Code Enforcement has declared this building(s) to constitute a"nuisance" as defined
by Legislative Code, Chapter 45. Division of Code Enforcement has issued an order to the then
known responsible parties to eliminate this nuisance condition by conecting the deficiencies or
by razing and removing this building(s).
Inasmuch as this Order to Abate has not been complied with the nuisance condition remains
unabated, the community continues to suffer the blighting influence of this property. It is the
recommendation of the Division of Code Enforcement that the City Council pass a resolution
ordering the responsible parties to either repair, or demolish and remove this building in a timely
manner, and failing that, authorize the Division of Code Enforcement to proceed to demolition
and removal, and to assess the costs incurred against the real estate as a special assessment to be
collected in the same manner as taaces.
Sincerely,
�teve �a��er
Steve Magner
Vacant Buildings Supervisor
Division of Code Enforcement
Citizen Service Office
SM:mI
cc: Frank Berg, Building Inspection and Design --
Meghan Riley, City Attomeys Office
Nancy Anderson, Assistant Secretary to the Council
Laurie Kaplan, PED-Housing Division
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a�-���Y
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Date: December 4, 2001
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Place: Room 330 City Hall
15 West Kellogg Boulevazd
LEGISLATIVE HEARING
Gerry Strathman
Legislative Hearing Officer
Resolution ordering the owner to remove or repair the properry at 2281 Priscilla Street. If
the owner fails to comply with the order, Code Enforcement is ordered to remove the
building.
Legislative Hearing Officer recommends granting the owner six months to complete the
rehabilitation of the properry on condition that the following is done by noon of
December 19, 2001: 1) pay the vacant building fee, 2) get a code compliance inspection,
and 2) post the $2,000 bond
.j[ 2. Resolution ordering the owner to remove or repair the properry at 1840 Ames Avenue. If
�� the owner fails to comply with the order, Code Enforcement is ordered to remove the
building.
Legislative Hearing O�cer recommends approval.
3. Appeal of Stumnary Abatement Order for 407 Ba, Street.
Legislative Hearing Officer recommends laying over to the December 18, 2001, Property
Code Enforcement meeting.
0
MINiJTES OF Tf� LEGISLATIVE HEARING
Tuesday, December 4, 2001 � 1�\�\8'
Room 330 Courthouse
Gerry Strathman, Legislative Hearing Officer
The meeting was called to order at 10:01 a.m.
STAFF PRESENT: Steve Magner, Code Enforcement
Resolution ordering the owner to remove or repair the property at 2281 Priscilla Street. If the
owner fails to comply with the order, Code Enforcement is ordered to remove the building.
The following appeazed: Meredith MacKenzie Smith, owner; Tom Farnsworth, 2289 Priscilla
Street.
Steve Magner reported this properry was condemned on September 2000 and has been vacant since
October 2000. One sunmiary abatement has been issued to remove debris from the alley, yazd, and
boulevard. On September 13, 2001, an inspecfion of the building was conducted, a list of
deficiencies which constitute a nuisance condition was developed, and photographs were taken.
The properry remains in a condition which comprises a nuisance as defined by the legislative code.
The vacant building fees aze due. Real estate taxes aze paid. Tasation has placed an estimated
market value of $26,300 on the land and $89,100 on the building. A code compliance inspection
has not been applied for, and a bond has not been posted. The estimated cost to repair this structure
is $70,000; estimated cost to demolish, $8,000 to $9,000.
The properry has been owned by Ms. Smith for a long fime, stated Mr. Magner. Approximately 12
years ago, the City went through the same process with this property. At that time, Ms. Smith soid
the property to an investor/rehabilitator, who completely rehabilitated the property. With the right
of first refusal, the properry was sold back to Ms. Smith. She has a tendency of not being in place
very long with the properry due to her job. The property has once again gone back to lack of
maintenance and has a lazge accumulation, which resulted in the condemnafion. She has not been
cooperative in allowing the inspectors access. Since this is the second time around with the same
owner, the City needs to look at creative ways of solving this problem this time.
Gerry Strathman stated the value Taxation has placed on the building is high. Mr. Magner
responded they do not have a realisfic view of the property. It could bring a high mazket value in
this neighborhood. This is a property that has value and it can be rehabilitated.
Mr. Strathxnan asked is it a public nuisance because of the state of disrepair. Mr. Magner responded
it is still condemned and the conditions that constitute the condemnation are still in place. Some of
the original plumbing and heating items probably won't need to be addressed because they were
done about 12 years ago. The problem is the condition of the house and lack of maintenance.
Mr. Strathman stated they do not know that because there has not been a code compliance
inspection. Mr. Magner concuned.
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PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT NOTES OF DECEMBER 4, 2001 Page 2
Ms. Smith stated she hired someone to do the outside work. He fixed the mortar around the
foundation, repaired the porch. She ordered a new storm door. She wants to move back in the
property. She has two friends who will retire in four yeazs, and they thought about living there.
Between the three of them, they could handle the property nicely.
Mr. Farnsworth stated he owns the properry on both side of this property; therefore, he has a strong
interest in what happens at tlris property. Ms. Smith's business is in home health caze, which is why
she is not at the property often. Basically, he has not had a neighbor for 20 years. The exterior of
the properry has fallen into disrepair. The City cleans the property once or twice a yeaz. A man
across the street does a nice job of cleaning up the yazd. That does not address the sanitary issues if
she does stay at the property when there is no water, electricity, heat. The inside of the property has
filled up with debris. The City cleaned it out previously. Mr. Farnsworth is unsure of the inside
condirion, but there may be problems with water lines bursting. If the owner wants to sell the
property, he would like to buy it from her. He would like to make sure that they stay on good
enough terms.
Ms. Smith stated this issue was suppose to be over on October 15. She will be teaching soon and
won't be away from the house except for a day or two. Mr. Magner responded the house is
condemned and she cannot stay in the house. The reason for the original condemnation is lack of
utilities and burst water lines. No one has gotten in the property to evaluate what needs to be done.
The fust thing she needs to do is some cleaning.
Mr. Strathman stated this is beyond the point of informally taking caze of the property. There is an
order that is going to the City Council on Aecember 19. If they approve it, she will be given 15 days
to repair the building or the City will remove it. If nothing happens, there may be an empty lot with
an assessment against it for the cost of the demolition. If she wants to save the building she will
have to do three things: 1) pay the $200 vacant building fee, 2) get a code compliance inspection, 3)
post a$2,000 bond to insure the properry will be rehabilitated within 6 months. If she does these
things, the City Council will probably grant her six months to rehabilitate the property.
Ms. Smith asked can she keep people from dumping on the property and pazking their cazs. Mr.
Strathman responded it is the owner's responsibility to keep the property clean.
Ms. Smith asked can she have the neighbor's caz towed. Mr. Strathman responded she can call the
police department and tell them there is an abandoned vehicle on the properry. Mr. Magner added
that she should request a manager's tow. Then, it is her responsibility to get it towed once it is
tagged. Most towing companies will take it to the Impound Lot at no charge because they get
reimbursed there.
Gerry Strathxnan recommended granting the owner six months to complete the rehabilitation of the
properry on condition that the following is done by noon of December 19, 2001: 1) pay the vacant
building fee, 2) get a code compliance inspection, and 2) post the $2,000 bond
o�-�'��Y
PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT NOTES OF DECEMBER 4, 2001 Page 3
U/ Resolution ordering the owner to remove or repair the property at 1840 Ames Avenue. If the
��� owner fails to comply with the order, Code Enforcement is ordered to remove the building.
Steve Magner reported this properry has been vacant since Mazch 20, 2001. The current property
owner is Mortgage Electronic Registration as a nominee for Household Finance Corporation. There
have been 12 summary abatement notices issued to remove refuse, secure dwelling, and cut tall
grass. The building was secured against trespass. On September 19, 2001, an inspection of the
building was conducted, a list of deficiencies which constitute a nuisance condition was developed,
and photographs were taken. This property remains in a condition which comprises a nuisance as
defined by the legislative code. The vacant building fees aze due. The real estate taYes aze paid.
TaYation has placed an estimated mazket value of $10,000 on the land and $48,700 on the building.
A code inspection has not been applied for. A bond has not been posted. Estimated cost to repair is
$50,000 to $55,000; estimated cost to demolish, $8,000 to $10,000.
The block club is concerned with the condition of this property, stated Mr. Magner. This is a nice
neighborhood, and this property is decreasing the value of other properties.
Gerry Stratlunan stated the photographs do not show the properry in very bad shape. He asked why
the mortgage company is not coming forward. Mr. Magner responded most of the properties in this
neighborhood are single family, owner occupied. This particulaz properry is a duplex that is not
owner occupied. It has suffered from a lack of basic maintenance. There is not one major problem.
It is run down.
Gerry Strathman recommended approval of the resolution. There is no information from the
mortgage company nor anyone else about taking responsibility for this properry.
Appeal of Summary Abatement Order for 407 Bay Street.
(The appellant requested this matter be laid over because he is working on the order.)
Gerry Strathman recommended laying over this matter to the December 18, 2001, Property Code
Enforcement meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 1037 a.m.
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