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98-415Council FIle # 8= /,s Green Sheet # 60787 RESOLUTtON CITY OF SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA Presented Referred To Committee DaTe �/ 1 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Saint Paul hereby certifies and approves the May 5, 1998 2 decision of the I,egislative Hearing Officer: 3 PropertkAp en aled 4 1511 Rose Avenue East (Laid over from 4-7-98) 5 Decision: Laid over to the July 21 Legislafive Hearing. Aogellant Therese Erickson 6 860 Vandalia Street (L,aid over from 47-98) 7 Appeal withdrawn. Gourmet Awazd Foods 8 340 Cedar Street John Rupp for Capital Ciry Ventures 9 Decision: Owner has until November 5, 1998 to get the property ready for construction and until December 31, 1998 10 to install the sprinkler system. 11 613-615 Elfelt Street 12 Decision: Appeal denied. Jackie Dunlap and Dessamona Moore 13 451 Fairview Avenue North Adam Ahmed for IQRA, Inc. 14 Decision: Appeal denied. The vacate date is exiended to May 15, 1998. 15 100 Geor¢e Street East 3ohn Peltzer l6 Decision: Laid over to the June 2 L.egislative Hearing. The vacate date is extended to June 15, 1998. ' 7 725 Marshall Avenue #3 8 Decision: Laid over to the 7une 2 Le�sla6ve Hearing. Kim6erly Farr 9 1544 Goodrich Avenue 0 Appeal withdrawn. Aelene Lee 1 Note: The appeal was withdrawn for 213 East Fourth Street, The Home Company, LLC. 1 9� �rr 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Yeas Na s Absent Blakey i/ Coleman � Harris � Benanav � Reiter f Bostrom � Lantry i/� Q � � Adopted by Conncil: Date Adoption 'fied by ) By: Approved by Mayor: � � � Requested by Depattment of: � Form Approved by City Attorney L� Approved by Mayor for Submission to Council � 2 Council Offices Dan Bostrom, 266-8660 May 13 Public Hearing TOTAL �B OF SIGNATURE PAGES o:��u-�r__r._u:a 9�'-�l�s No 60787 � enrca.e.. ❑ UlYATiOpEY ❑ CllYp.iltli ❑ wuxu��a�sqrt. � quecw.asaw�octc ❑ WYdtIORAiLiT.IM� ❑ (CLP ALL LOCATIONS FOR SIGNATURE) Approving the decision of the Legislative Hearing Officer on Propexty Code Enforcement Appeals for the May 5, 1998 meeting on the following addresses: 1511 Rose Avenue East, 860 Vandalia Street, 340 Cedar Street, 613-615 Elfelt StreeY, 451 Fairview Avenue North, 100 George Street East, 725 Marshall Avenue �13, 1544 Goodrich Avenue. PIANNING COMMISSION GB CAMMIITEE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION Has Mie peisoMirtn rrer woMed under a caNact fa tliis tlepa�merM1') vES n�o Hes Mia careoMrm evu hem a dlY emDbfree? vES NO Dcesthie persoNfi�fn P� a s1uN not notmalty�fOSSessetl 4Y anY curteM dlY emP�oYee4 YES NO Is ihit pnsoNfi�m a targetetl ventloR YES NO TOTAL AMOUNT OF TRANSACTION S FUNDIN6 SOURCE 9a 1 GREEN SHEET CO37/REVENUEBUDGEfED(GRCLEON� ACTNITYNUMBER YES NO lNaNCUV. tNFORMA'nON (EZVWN) �� `�8' Y `�t� MINUTES OF T'HE PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT MEETING May 5, 1998 Room 330, Ciry Hall Gerry Stratiunan, I.e�slative Hearing O�cer STAFF PRESENT: Frank Berg; Pat �sh, Fire Prevention; Dennis Senty, Code Enforcement; Steve Zaccazd, Fire Prevention Gerty Strathman called the meeting to order at 129 p.m. Note: All addresses aze laid over to the May 13 Ciry Council meeting. 340 Cedar Street John Rupp for Capital City Ventures, appeared and stated he received orders to add a sprinkler system to the basement. I-Ie also received a notice a yeaz ago. In that letter, there was no date when the project had to be done_ Mr. Rupp intends to add a sprinkler to the basement plus 1/4 of the Fourth F1oor. This will be completed in twelve months or maybe nine months. Steve Zaccard reported John Rupp was asked to sprinkle the basement and the Fourth Floor. There was a fue in one of those basements about a month ago and the basement was not sprinkled. The office gave Mr. Rupp an additiona160 days. Gerry Strathman asked what was the urgency. Steve Zaccard responded a reasonable time is 60 days regazdless of the remodeling. These aze windowiess azeas that aze particu]arly dangerous for firefighting. Mr. Strathman asked about the fire. Mr. Zaccard stated it was an azson. John Rupp stated he was not notified that it was an azson. John Itupp said the basement has not been sprinkled for 80 years. If he complied with the order, the sprinkler system would be installed and then torn out in a few months because of the remodeling. He wants to add the sprinkler system but have it consistent with the remodeling. Geiry Strathman stated the fire marshal feels 60 days is sufficient and asked what stands between today and the completion of the project. Mr. Rupp says there are two basements. One basement w311 be a banquet room. The plans have to be submitted and architects aze working on it. The sprinkler system will be designed differently when the plans aze done. Also, Fioors 11, 12, and 13 will be sprinkled. Gerry Strathman asked if six months seems reasonabie prior to instailation. Steve Zaccazd responded having it completed six months from now would be reasonable. If there aze some obstacles, John Rupp should come back with an explanation and request more time. Geiry Strathman gave the owner until November 5, 1998 to get the properiy ready for construction and until December 31, 1998 to compiete the installation of a sprinkler system. 1544 Goodrich Avenue Appeal canceled by the owner. °I�'-` PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT MINUTES OF 5-5-98 Page 2 1511 Rose Avenue East (Laid over from 4-7-98) Pat Fsh stated the owner would like an extension of 60 days. Gerry Strathman laid over to the 3uly 21 Legislafive Hearing. 613-615 Elfelf Street 7ackie Dunlap, Dessamona Moore, and Perry deStefano, attomey for both, appeazed. Mr. deStefano stated this is a condemnation appeal for a side by side duplex. There was a tenant remedies action. The order from the }udge is that the tenants no longer have to pay the rent. Instead, they can use the rent money to make the repairs. At $500 a month apiece, they have $1,000 a month to work on the building. Mr. deStefano went over the items in the deficiency ]ist. The items that were not taken care of were as follows: Item 4- The windows/doors still needs screen, Item 5- One broken storm window needs to be replaced, Item 13 - a few defective light fixtures need to be repiaced, Item 14 - 615 Elfelt still needs a lever-handied gas shut-off fixed, Ttem 15 - the bathroom is under construcfion, Item 16 - the faucets are still defective in the bathroom, Item 23 - the ownership posting is missing because the owner is in prison. (Note: Item 24, sanitation issues, was not addressed.) Petry deStefano stated the condition of the home is no longer in a condemnabie state. He requests a six month extension to finish the regairs. Mark Kaisersatt stated if the building has been repaired as described, he would have no problem ]ifting the condemnafion. However, it did not take six months to do the work done so far. He prefened one month on ihe remaining interior items and sixty to ninery days on the other items. Gerry Strathman suggested the inspector be allowed to look at the property before May 13. Perry deStefano stated he could arrange that. Mr. Strathman stated the inspector will probably lift the condemnation order and then there wi11 be nothing to appeal. If the condemnation is not lifted, then Mr. Strathman's office should be notified. Gerry Strathman denied the appeal. 451 Fairview Avenue North Adam Ahmed, owner, appeared and stated he purchased the property i'lz years ago. The next block is tom down because there is a property development going on in that area. Mr. Ahmed stated all of a sudden, the Fire Department is on his case. He worked with Pat Fish in good faith. The first order was on March 5. He had a warning of a six page list to do certain things. Most items were done. Ali items appeazed again on the April 141ist. He got an evacuation plan, made copies for everyone. It has become a pazt of the lease, however evacuation plan appeared again on the April 141ist. At that time, the building was condemned. The boiler was done, but appeazed on the April 14 list again. Ms. Fish was faxed a fire form. The holes in the room were done. Mr. Ahmed feels there �g-yt5 PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT MINUTES OF 5-5-98 Page 3 may be some sort of discrimination here. Either there is a bias or something he does not understand. He has not been in tfiis business before, but his intentions aze clean. Adam Ahmed feels there may be a private agenda with the new development versus the clientele in his building. The City planning people asked if he wanted to sell his building. Some people, he has their names, asked him why he does not sell his building to a developer. This building does not have the best reputation, therefore he has hired off dury police officers to guazd it. The last owner had the building for nineteen yeazs. There ate a lot of people who aze looking for low income housing. ' Pat Fish repbrted she put togethet a brief outline since May 1996 when the previous owner had sold it. Ms. Fish stated she does not have a hidden agenda. She has nothing to do with the planning department. The complaints from tenants have to be responded to. Ms. Fish took over this address from the fire inspector because it was very time consuming for him. A new inspectar was assigned to this area. Ms. Fish did a certificate of occupancy inspection and revoked the certificate in March. A lawn mower was stored under the stairs. Four rimes when the bualding was inspected, the lawn mower was not removed. The condirion of hallways has not improved. The windows need work. The progress is slow. The building merits the action being taken here. Adam Ahmed stated he called someone about the boiler and did not understand there is a difference between a city license and a state license hut the boiler company was in the yeilow pages. Another company was tured. The previous owner said he would drain the gas and store the lawn mower under the stairs 1n the winter. Mr. Ahmed intends to build a shed outside for the storage of lawn mowers. It is not his intention to have dirry hallways, but there aze 18 units and kids. There are approximately seventy windows. It is a big project. He can do two windows at a time. Gerry Strathman stated there aze a]ot of serious matters here: wiring, holes, broken fire door in laundry room, overcrowding in one unit. Adam Ahmed responded the people in Apaztment iQ6 aze out. The most serious comments, said Mr. Strathman, is under Item 41 that says the violations on the previous certificate of occupancy inspection were not corrected and the quality of work is minimai. Mr. Ahmed said he does not agree. Gerry 5trattiman asked the last time Pat Fish was at the property. Ms. Fish responded April 9. She did not go back because the appeai was filed. The following people appeared to speak against Adam Ahmed's appeal: Brian Slawik, 1951 University Avenue; Christine Yanchaz, 1573 Selby Avenue 311, Merriam Park Community Council; Gerald Striegel, 400 Beacon Avenue; Anthony Segale, 426 N. Fairview. Christine Yanchar read letters against Adam Ahmed's appeal from the following: I.aura and David Madzo, 1880 Feronia; Linda and Nikolai Alenov, 1896 Feronia, Craig and Elsie Fohrenkamm, 442 N. Dewey. �1 �' - y �S PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT MINtJTES OF 5-5-98 Page 4 Pat Rife, Police Department Force Unit, appeared and stated she has worked with Adam Ahmed on how to screen tenants. He was informed there were several people on his list that had criminal histories. When he was quesuoned about these tenants, he said he was soft hearted and gave them another chance. He was told that if someone has stayed in the building for two weeks fime, he would need to screen them. Some of the calls for police service come from people visiring. Police calls have increased to this address. Adam Ahmed stated he did provide Pat Rife with a list and a few had a criminal background. That will not happen again. He plans to clean up the building. Mr. Ahmed does not believe what is said here. He will give those with a record 30 days to move. Gerry Strathman denied the appeal and amended the vacate date to May 15, 1998. In the April 14 order, there were more than 4Q vialations, some serious. Most have been cited previously and not corrected. The orders are proper, legal and appropriate that this building be condemned as unfit to inhabit. Pat Fish will visit the property on May 15 to see if the building is brought up to code or vacated. The owner can take as much time as he wants to repair the building, but it has to be brought up to code or vacated by May 15. 100 George Street East John Peltzer, owner, appeared and stated he was appealing the notice of condemnation and order to vacate. He is not azguing the violations are true, but they do not seem so bad that people have to vacate. It is not imminently dangerous. Mr. Peltzer is trying to get it repaired, but is having difficulty finding someone to do it. He has met with about 25-30 contractors at the building and only a couple have expressed interest. The basement is coilapsing because of the wetness. The house was built in approximately 1909. The porch is made of stone instead of wood. On the down hill, the ground have been sliding over the years. A Mr. Hughes was one of the people that tried to do something. He told Mr. Peltzer last fa11 that nothing could be done until spring when the frost was over. John Peltzer stated he got a letter in February and was toid he had to do something. Mr. Peltzer talked to Chuck Votel who suggested a Ray be called from RC Construction. Ray planned to take the whole ttiing down instead of jacking it. It is heavy stone and a stone mason needs to be hired. Dennis Senty reported this file was started in 3uly 1997. The orders were reissued in August. Extensions were granted. In February, John Feltzer made arrangements to have the work completed Aprii i. Mr. Senty was notified of that extension. The work is not professional. The property was condemned. If work was started, substantially completed, and safety issues were addressed, then there would be no prob]em with an extension. Gerry Strathman asked what is the likelihood it will fall and is the bracing effective. Dennis Senty responded a professional told him the bracing could be trusted for two weeks, but it has been up longer than that. If it was properiy shored, it could be done to a point that it would no longer be a hazazd while the work was ongoing. Crerry Strathman asked would the shoring be done this week. 3ohn Peltzer responded that is what he was told. No one knows precisely what can be done. He reached Mr. Hughes this morning who �S -L-11S PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT MINUTES OF 5-5-98 Page 5 said he could not appeaz. Mr. Peltzer stated that Mr. Hughes agread to be tape recorded so that his words could be heazd at this meeting. John Peltzer played tcvo tapes of Mr. Hughes. Gerry Strathman was concerned about tenants moving on short no6ce and concerned that this is going on for a yeaz now. Gerry Strathman laid over this matter ta the 7une 2 Legislative Hearing and extended the vacate date to 7une 15. If this problem is fixed by June 2, then there is no need for John Peltzer to come back and the Fire Department will"lift the vacate order. 725 Marshall Avenue #3 Kimberly Farr, appeilant, appeazed and stated she would like an extension. Pat �sh stated she has no problem wiih that. Kimberly Farr stated the building is up for sale and the City is buying it for autistic adults. If the building is not sold by June 1, the owner is going to remodel the building himself. If the City closes by then, the owner will let the City remodel it. Gerry Strathman laid over to the June 2 Legislative Hearing. 860 Vandalia Streef (Iaid over from 4-7-98) Appeal withdrawn. Note: The appeal was withdrawn for 213 East Fourth Street, The Home Company, LLC. The meeting was adjoumed at 3:30 p.m. Council FIle # 8= /,s Green Sheet # 60787 RESOLUTtON CITY OF SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA Presented Referred To Committee DaTe �/ 1 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Saint Paul hereby certifies and approves the May 5, 1998 2 decision of the I,egislative Hearing Officer: 3 PropertkAp en aled 4 1511 Rose Avenue East (Laid over from 4-7-98) 5 Decision: Laid over to the July 21 Legislafive Hearing. Aogellant Therese Erickson 6 860 Vandalia Street (L,aid over from 47-98) 7 Appeal withdrawn. Gourmet Awazd Foods 8 340 Cedar Street John Rupp for Capital Ciry Ventures 9 Decision: Owner has until November 5, 1998 to get the property ready for construction and until December 31, 1998 10 to install the sprinkler system. 11 613-615 Elfelt Street 12 Decision: Appeal denied. Jackie Dunlap and Dessamona Moore 13 451 Fairview Avenue North Adam Ahmed for IQRA, Inc. 14 Decision: Appeal denied. The vacate date is exiended to May 15, 1998. 15 100 Geor¢e Street East 3ohn Peltzer l6 Decision: Laid over to the June 2 L.egislative Hearing. The vacate date is extended to June 15, 1998. ' 7 725 Marshall Avenue #3 8 Decision: Laid over to the 7une 2 Le�sla6ve Hearing. Kim6erly Farr 9 1544 Goodrich Avenue 0 Appeal withdrawn. Aelene Lee 1 Note: The appeal was withdrawn for 213 East Fourth Street, The Home Company, LLC. 1 9� �rr 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Yeas Na s Absent Blakey i/ Coleman � Harris � Benanav � Reiter f Bostrom � Lantry i/� Q � � Adopted by Conncil: Date Adoption 'fied by ) By: Approved by Mayor: � � � Requested by Depattment of: � Form Approved by City Attorney L� Approved by Mayor for Submission to Council � 2 Council Offices Dan Bostrom, 266-8660 May 13 Public Hearing TOTAL �B OF SIGNATURE PAGES o:��u-�r__r._u:a 9�'-�l�s No 60787 � enrca.e.. ❑ UlYATiOpEY ❑ CllYp.iltli ❑ wuxu��a�sqrt. � quecw.asaw�octc ❑ WYdtIORAiLiT.IM� ❑ (CLP ALL LOCATIONS FOR SIGNATURE) Approving the decision of the Legislative Hearing Officer on Propexty Code Enforcement Appeals for the May 5, 1998 meeting on the following addresses: 1511 Rose Avenue East, 860 Vandalia Street, 340 Cedar Street, 613-615 Elfelt StreeY, 451 Fairview Avenue North, 100 George Street East, 725 Marshall Avenue �13, 1544 Goodrich Avenue. PIANNING COMMISSION GB CAMMIITEE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION Has Mie peisoMirtn rrer woMed under a caNact fa tliis tlepa�merM1') vES n�o Hes Mia careoMrm evu hem a dlY emDbfree? vES NO Dcesthie persoNfi�fn P� a s1uN not notmalty�fOSSessetl 4Y anY curteM dlY emP�oYee4 YES NO Is ihit pnsoNfi�m a targetetl ventloR YES NO TOTAL AMOUNT OF TRANSACTION S FUNDIN6 SOURCE 9a 1 GREEN SHEET CO37/REVENUEBUDGEfED(GRCLEON� ACTNITYNUMBER YES NO lNaNCUV. tNFORMA'nON (EZVWN) �� `�8' Y `�t� MINUTES OF T'HE PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT MEETING May 5, 1998 Room 330, Ciry Hall Gerry Stratiunan, I.e�slative Hearing O�cer STAFF PRESENT: Frank Berg; Pat �sh, Fire Prevention; Dennis Senty, Code Enforcement; Steve Zaccazd, Fire Prevention Gerty Strathman called the meeting to order at 129 p.m. Note: All addresses aze laid over to the May 13 Ciry Council meeting. 340 Cedar Street John Rupp for Capital City Ventures, appeared and stated he received orders to add a sprinkler system to the basement. I-Ie also received a notice a yeaz ago. In that letter, there was no date when the project had to be done_ Mr. Rupp intends to add a sprinkler to the basement plus 1/4 of the Fourth F1oor. This will be completed in twelve months or maybe nine months. Steve Zaccard reported John Rupp was asked to sprinkle the basement and the Fourth Floor. There was a fue in one of those basements about a month ago and the basement was not sprinkled. The office gave Mr. Rupp an additiona160 days. Gerry Strathman asked what was the urgency. Steve Zaccard responded a reasonable time is 60 days regazdless of the remodeling. These aze windowiess azeas that aze particu]arly dangerous for firefighting. Mr. Strathman asked about the fire. Mr. Zaccard stated it was an azson. John Rupp stated he was not notified that it was an azson. John Itupp said the basement has not been sprinkled for 80 years. If he complied with the order, the sprinkler system would be installed and then torn out in a few months because of the remodeling. He wants to add the sprinkler system but have it consistent with the remodeling. Geiry Strathman stated the fire marshal feels 60 days is sufficient and asked what stands between today and the completion of the project. Mr. Rupp says there are two basements. One basement w311 be a banquet room. The plans have to be submitted and architects aze working on it. The sprinkler system will be designed differently when the plans aze done. Also, Fioors 11, 12, and 13 will be sprinkled. Gerry Strathman asked if six months seems reasonabie prior to instailation. Steve Zaccazd responded having it completed six months from now would be reasonable. If there aze some obstacles, John Rupp should come back with an explanation and request more time. Geiry Strathman gave the owner until November 5, 1998 to get the properiy ready for construction and until December 31, 1998 to compiete the installation of a sprinkler system. 1544 Goodrich Avenue Appeal canceled by the owner. °I�'-` PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT MINUTES OF 5-5-98 Page 2 1511 Rose Avenue East (Laid over from 4-7-98) Pat Fsh stated the owner would like an extension of 60 days. Gerry Strathman laid over to the 3uly 21 Legislafive Hearing. 613-615 Elfelf Street 7ackie Dunlap, Dessamona Moore, and Perry deStefano, attomey for both, appeazed. Mr. deStefano stated this is a condemnation appeal for a side by side duplex. There was a tenant remedies action. The order from the }udge is that the tenants no longer have to pay the rent. Instead, they can use the rent money to make the repairs. At $500 a month apiece, they have $1,000 a month to work on the building. Mr. deStefano went over the items in the deficiency ]ist. The items that were not taken care of were as follows: Item 4- The windows/doors still needs screen, Item 5- One broken storm window needs to be replaced, Item 13 - a few defective light fixtures need to be repiaced, Item 14 - 615 Elfelt still needs a lever-handied gas shut-off fixed, Ttem 15 - the bathroom is under construcfion, Item 16 - the faucets are still defective in the bathroom, Item 23 - the ownership posting is missing because the owner is in prison. (Note: Item 24, sanitation issues, was not addressed.) Petry deStefano stated the condition of the home is no longer in a condemnabie state. He requests a six month extension to finish the regairs. Mark Kaisersatt stated if the building has been repaired as described, he would have no problem ]ifting the condemnafion. However, it did not take six months to do the work done so far. He prefened one month on ihe remaining interior items and sixty to ninery days on the other items. Gerry Strathman suggested the inspector be allowed to look at the property before May 13. Perry deStefano stated he could arrange that. Mr. Strathman stated the inspector will probably lift the condemnation order and then there wi11 be nothing to appeal. If the condemnation is not lifted, then Mr. Strathman's office should be notified. Gerry Strathman denied the appeal. 451 Fairview Avenue North Adam Ahmed, owner, appeared and stated he purchased the property i'lz years ago. The next block is tom down because there is a property development going on in that area. Mr. Ahmed stated all of a sudden, the Fire Department is on his case. He worked with Pat Fish in good faith. The first order was on March 5. He had a warning of a six page list to do certain things. Most items were done. Ali items appeazed again on the April 141ist. He got an evacuation plan, made copies for everyone. It has become a pazt of the lease, however evacuation plan appeared again on the April 141ist. At that time, the building was condemned. The boiler was done, but appeazed on the April 14 list again. Ms. Fish was faxed a fire form. The holes in the room were done. Mr. Ahmed feels there �g-yt5 PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT MINUTES OF 5-5-98 Page 3 may be some sort of discrimination here. Either there is a bias or something he does not understand. He has not been in tfiis business before, but his intentions aze clean. Adam Ahmed feels there may be a private agenda with the new development versus the clientele in his building. The City planning people asked if he wanted to sell his building. Some people, he has their names, asked him why he does not sell his building to a developer. This building does not have the best reputation, therefore he has hired off dury police officers to guazd it. The last owner had the building for nineteen yeazs. There ate a lot of people who aze looking for low income housing. ' Pat Fish repbrted she put togethet a brief outline since May 1996 when the previous owner had sold it. Ms. Fish stated she does not have a hidden agenda. She has nothing to do with the planning department. The complaints from tenants have to be responded to. Ms. Fish took over this address from the fire inspector because it was very time consuming for him. A new inspectar was assigned to this area. Ms. Fish did a certificate of occupancy inspection and revoked the certificate in March. A lawn mower was stored under the stairs. Four rimes when the bualding was inspected, the lawn mower was not removed. The condirion of hallways has not improved. The windows need work. The progress is slow. The building merits the action being taken here. Adam Ahmed stated he called someone about the boiler and did not understand there is a difference between a city license and a state license hut the boiler company was in the yeilow pages. Another company was tured. The previous owner said he would drain the gas and store the lawn mower under the stairs 1n the winter. Mr. Ahmed intends to build a shed outside for the storage of lawn mowers. It is not his intention to have dirry hallways, but there aze 18 units and kids. There are approximately seventy windows. It is a big project. He can do two windows at a time. Gerry Strathman stated there aze a]ot of serious matters here: wiring, holes, broken fire door in laundry room, overcrowding in one unit. Adam Ahmed responded the people in Apaztment iQ6 aze out. The most serious comments, said Mr. Strathman, is under Item 41 that says the violations on the previous certificate of occupancy inspection were not corrected and the quality of work is minimai. Mr. Ahmed said he does not agree. Gerry 5trattiman asked the last time Pat Fish was at the property. Ms. Fish responded April 9. She did not go back because the appeai was filed. The following people appeared to speak against Adam Ahmed's appeal: Brian Slawik, 1951 University Avenue; Christine Yanchaz, 1573 Selby Avenue 311, Merriam Park Community Council; Gerald Striegel, 400 Beacon Avenue; Anthony Segale, 426 N. Fairview. Christine Yanchar read letters against Adam Ahmed's appeal from the following: I.aura and David Madzo, 1880 Feronia; Linda and Nikolai Alenov, 1896 Feronia, Craig and Elsie Fohrenkamm, 442 N. Dewey. �1 �' - y �S PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT MINtJTES OF 5-5-98 Page 4 Pat Rife, Police Department Force Unit, appeared and stated she has worked with Adam Ahmed on how to screen tenants. He was informed there were several people on his list that had criminal histories. When he was quesuoned about these tenants, he said he was soft hearted and gave them another chance. He was told that if someone has stayed in the building for two weeks fime, he would need to screen them. Some of the calls for police service come from people visiring. Police calls have increased to this address. Adam Ahmed stated he did provide Pat Rife with a list and a few had a criminal background. That will not happen again. He plans to clean up the building. Mr. Ahmed does not believe what is said here. He will give those with a record 30 days to move. Gerry Strathman denied the appeal and amended the vacate date to May 15, 1998. In the April 14 order, there were more than 4Q vialations, some serious. Most have been cited previously and not corrected. The orders are proper, legal and appropriate that this building be condemned as unfit to inhabit. Pat Fish will visit the property on May 15 to see if the building is brought up to code or vacated. The owner can take as much time as he wants to repair the building, but it has to be brought up to code or vacated by May 15. 100 George Street East John Peltzer, owner, appeared and stated he was appealing the notice of condemnation and order to vacate. He is not azguing the violations are true, but they do not seem so bad that people have to vacate. It is not imminently dangerous. Mr. Peltzer is trying to get it repaired, but is having difficulty finding someone to do it. He has met with about 25-30 contractors at the building and only a couple have expressed interest. The basement is coilapsing because of the wetness. The house was built in approximately 1909. The porch is made of stone instead of wood. On the down hill, the ground have been sliding over the years. A Mr. Hughes was one of the people that tried to do something. He told Mr. Peltzer last fa11 that nothing could be done until spring when the frost was over. John Peltzer stated he got a letter in February and was toid he had to do something. Mr. Peltzer talked to Chuck Votel who suggested a Ray be called from RC Construction. Ray planned to take the whole ttiing down instead of jacking it. It is heavy stone and a stone mason needs to be hired. Dennis Senty reported this file was started in 3uly 1997. The orders were reissued in August. Extensions were granted. In February, John Feltzer made arrangements to have the work completed Aprii i. Mr. Senty was notified of that extension. The work is not professional. The property was condemned. If work was started, substantially completed, and safety issues were addressed, then there would be no prob]em with an extension. Gerry Strathman asked what is the likelihood it will fall and is the bracing effective. Dennis Senty responded a professional told him the bracing could be trusted for two weeks, but it has been up longer than that. If it was properiy shored, it could be done to a point that it would no longer be a hazazd while the work was ongoing. Crerry Strathman asked would the shoring be done this week. 3ohn Peltzer responded that is what he was told. No one knows precisely what can be done. He reached Mr. Hughes this morning who �S -L-11S PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT MINUTES OF 5-5-98 Page 5 said he could not appeaz. Mr. Peltzer stated that Mr. Hughes agread to be tape recorded so that his words could be heazd at this meeting. John Peltzer played tcvo tapes of Mr. Hughes. Gerry Strathman was concerned about tenants moving on short no6ce and concerned that this is going on for a yeaz now. Gerry Strathman laid over this matter ta the 7une 2 Legislative Hearing and extended the vacate date to 7une 15. If this problem is fixed by June 2, then there is no need for John Peltzer to come back and the Fire Department will"lift the vacate order. 725 Marshall Avenue #3 Kimberly Farr, appeilant, appeazed and stated she would like an extension. Pat �sh stated she has no problem wiih that. Kimberly Farr stated the building is up for sale and the City is buying it for autistic adults. If the building is not sold by June 1, the owner is going to remodel the building himself. If the City closes by then, the owner will let the City remodel it. Gerry Strathman laid over to the June 2 Legislative Hearing. 860 Vandalia Streef (Iaid over from 4-7-98) Appeal withdrawn. Note: The appeal was withdrawn for 213 East Fourth Street, The Home Company, LLC. The meeting was adjoumed at 3:30 p.m. Council FIle # 8= /,s Green Sheet # 60787 RESOLUTtON CITY OF SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA Presented Referred To Committee DaTe �/ 1 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Saint Paul hereby certifies and approves the May 5, 1998 2 decision of the I,egislative Hearing Officer: 3 PropertkAp en aled 4 1511 Rose Avenue East (Laid over from 4-7-98) 5 Decision: Laid over to the July 21 Legislafive Hearing. Aogellant Therese Erickson 6 860 Vandalia Street (L,aid over from 47-98) 7 Appeal withdrawn. Gourmet Awazd Foods 8 340 Cedar Street John Rupp for Capital Ciry Ventures 9 Decision: Owner has until November 5, 1998 to get the property ready for construction and until December 31, 1998 10 to install the sprinkler system. 11 613-615 Elfelt Street 12 Decision: Appeal denied. Jackie Dunlap and Dessamona Moore 13 451 Fairview Avenue North Adam Ahmed for IQRA, Inc. 14 Decision: Appeal denied. The vacate date is exiended to May 15, 1998. 15 100 Geor¢e Street East 3ohn Peltzer l6 Decision: Laid over to the June 2 L.egislative Hearing. The vacate date is extended to June 15, 1998. ' 7 725 Marshall Avenue #3 8 Decision: Laid over to the 7une 2 Le�sla6ve Hearing. Kim6erly Farr 9 1544 Goodrich Avenue 0 Appeal withdrawn. Aelene Lee 1 Note: The appeal was withdrawn for 213 East Fourth Street, The Home Company, LLC. 1 9� �rr 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Yeas Na s Absent Blakey i/ Coleman � Harris � Benanav � Reiter f Bostrom � Lantry i/� Q � � Adopted by Conncil: Date Adoption 'fied by ) By: Approved by Mayor: � � � Requested by Depattment of: � Form Approved by City Attorney L� Approved by Mayor for Submission to Council � 2 Council Offices Dan Bostrom, 266-8660 May 13 Public Hearing TOTAL �B OF SIGNATURE PAGES o:��u-�r__r._u:a 9�'-�l�s No 60787 � enrca.e.. ❑ UlYATiOpEY ❑ CllYp.iltli ❑ wuxu��a�sqrt. � quecw.asaw�octc ❑ WYdtIORAiLiT.IM� ❑ (CLP ALL LOCATIONS FOR SIGNATURE) Approving the decision of the Legislative Hearing Officer on Propexty Code Enforcement Appeals for the May 5, 1998 meeting on the following addresses: 1511 Rose Avenue East, 860 Vandalia Street, 340 Cedar Street, 613-615 Elfelt StreeY, 451 Fairview Avenue North, 100 George Street East, 725 Marshall Avenue �13, 1544 Goodrich Avenue. PIANNING COMMISSION GB CAMMIITEE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION Has Mie peisoMirtn rrer woMed under a caNact fa tliis tlepa�merM1') vES n�o Hes Mia careoMrm evu hem a dlY emDbfree? vES NO Dcesthie persoNfi�fn P� a s1uN not notmalty�fOSSessetl 4Y anY curteM dlY emP�oYee4 YES NO Is ihit pnsoNfi�m a targetetl ventloR YES NO TOTAL AMOUNT OF TRANSACTION S FUNDIN6 SOURCE 9a 1 GREEN SHEET CO37/REVENUEBUDGEfED(GRCLEON� ACTNITYNUMBER YES NO lNaNCUV. tNFORMA'nON (EZVWN) �� `�8' Y `�t� MINUTES OF T'HE PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT MEETING May 5, 1998 Room 330, Ciry Hall Gerry Stratiunan, I.e�slative Hearing O�cer STAFF PRESENT: Frank Berg; Pat �sh, Fire Prevention; Dennis Senty, Code Enforcement; Steve Zaccazd, Fire Prevention Gerty Strathman called the meeting to order at 129 p.m. Note: All addresses aze laid over to the May 13 Ciry Council meeting. 340 Cedar Street John Rupp for Capital City Ventures, appeared and stated he received orders to add a sprinkler system to the basement. I-Ie also received a notice a yeaz ago. In that letter, there was no date when the project had to be done_ Mr. Rupp intends to add a sprinkler to the basement plus 1/4 of the Fourth F1oor. This will be completed in twelve months or maybe nine months. Steve Zaccard reported John Rupp was asked to sprinkle the basement and the Fourth Floor. There was a fue in one of those basements about a month ago and the basement was not sprinkled. The office gave Mr. Rupp an additiona160 days. Gerry Strathman asked what was the urgency. Steve Zaccard responded a reasonable time is 60 days regazdless of the remodeling. These aze windowiess azeas that aze particu]arly dangerous for firefighting. Mr. Strathman asked about the fire. Mr. Zaccard stated it was an azson. John Rupp stated he was not notified that it was an azson. John Itupp said the basement has not been sprinkled for 80 years. If he complied with the order, the sprinkler system would be installed and then torn out in a few months because of the remodeling. He wants to add the sprinkler system but have it consistent with the remodeling. Geiry Strathman stated the fire marshal feels 60 days is sufficient and asked what stands between today and the completion of the project. Mr. Rupp says there are two basements. One basement w311 be a banquet room. The plans have to be submitted and architects aze working on it. The sprinkler system will be designed differently when the plans aze done. Also, Fioors 11, 12, and 13 will be sprinkled. Gerry Strathman asked if six months seems reasonabie prior to instailation. Steve Zaccazd responded having it completed six months from now would be reasonable. If there aze some obstacles, John Rupp should come back with an explanation and request more time. Geiry Strathman gave the owner until November 5, 1998 to get the properiy ready for construction and until December 31, 1998 to compiete the installation of a sprinkler system. 1544 Goodrich Avenue Appeal canceled by the owner. °I�'-` PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT MINUTES OF 5-5-98 Page 2 1511 Rose Avenue East (Laid over from 4-7-98) Pat Fsh stated the owner would like an extension of 60 days. Gerry Strathman laid over to the 3uly 21 Legislafive Hearing. 613-615 Elfelf Street 7ackie Dunlap, Dessamona Moore, and Perry deStefano, attomey for both, appeazed. Mr. deStefano stated this is a condemnation appeal for a side by side duplex. There was a tenant remedies action. The order from the }udge is that the tenants no longer have to pay the rent. Instead, they can use the rent money to make the repairs. At $500 a month apiece, they have $1,000 a month to work on the building. Mr. deStefano went over the items in the deficiency ]ist. The items that were not taken care of were as follows: Item 4- The windows/doors still needs screen, Item 5- One broken storm window needs to be replaced, Item 13 - a few defective light fixtures need to be repiaced, Item 14 - 615 Elfelt still needs a lever-handied gas shut-off fixed, Ttem 15 - the bathroom is under construcfion, Item 16 - the faucets are still defective in the bathroom, Item 23 - the ownership posting is missing because the owner is in prison. (Note: Item 24, sanitation issues, was not addressed.) Petry deStefano stated the condition of the home is no longer in a condemnabie state. He requests a six month extension to finish the regairs. Mark Kaisersatt stated if the building has been repaired as described, he would have no problem ]ifting the condemnafion. However, it did not take six months to do the work done so far. He prefened one month on ihe remaining interior items and sixty to ninery days on the other items. Gerry Strathman suggested the inspector be allowed to look at the property before May 13. Perry deStefano stated he could arrange that. Mr. Strathman stated the inspector will probably lift the condemnation order and then there wi11 be nothing to appeal. If the condemnation is not lifted, then Mr. Strathman's office should be notified. Gerry Strathman denied the appeal. 451 Fairview Avenue North Adam Ahmed, owner, appeared and stated he purchased the property i'lz years ago. The next block is tom down because there is a property development going on in that area. Mr. Ahmed stated all of a sudden, the Fire Department is on his case. He worked with Pat Fish in good faith. The first order was on March 5. He had a warning of a six page list to do certain things. Most items were done. Ali items appeazed again on the April 141ist. He got an evacuation plan, made copies for everyone. It has become a pazt of the lease, however evacuation plan appeared again on the April 141ist. At that time, the building was condemned. The boiler was done, but appeazed on the April 14 list again. Ms. Fish was faxed a fire form. The holes in the room were done. Mr. Ahmed feels there �g-yt5 PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT MINUTES OF 5-5-98 Page 3 may be some sort of discrimination here. Either there is a bias or something he does not understand. He has not been in tfiis business before, but his intentions aze clean. Adam Ahmed feels there may be a private agenda with the new development versus the clientele in his building. The City planning people asked if he wanted to sell his building. Some people, he has their names, asked him why he does not sell his building to a developer. This building does not have the best reputation, therefore he has hired off dury police officers to guazd it. The last owner had the building for nineteen yeazs. There ate a lot of people who aze looking for low income housing. ' Pat Fish repbrted she put togethet a brief outline since May 1996 when the previous owner had sold it. Ms. Fish stated she does not have a hidden agenda. She has nothing to do with the planning department. The complaints from tenants have to be responded to. Ms. Fish took over this address from the fire inspector because it was very time consuming for him. A new inspectar was assigned to this area. Ms. Fish did a certificate of occupancy inspection and revoked the certificate in March. A lawn mower was stored under the stairs. Four rimes when the bualding was inspected, the lawn mower was not removed. The condirion of hallways has not improved. The windows need work. The progress is slow. The building merits the action being taken here. Adam Ahmed stated he called someone about the boiler and did not understand there is a difference between a city license and a state license hut the boiler company was in the yeilow pages. Another company was tured. The previous owner said he would drain the gas and store the lawn mower under the stairs 1n the winter. Mr. Ahmed intends to build a shed outside for the storage of lawn mowers. It is not his intention to have dirry hallways, but there aze 18 units and kids. There are approximately seventy windows. It is a big project. He can do two windows at a time. Gerry Strathman stated there aze a]ot of serious matters here: wiring, holes, broken fire door in laundry room, overcrowding in one unit. Adam Ahmed responded the people in Apaztment iQ6 aze out. The most serious comments, said Mr. Strathman, is under Item 41 that says the violations on the previous certificate of occupancy inspection were not corrected and the quality of work is minimai. Mr. Ahmed said he does not agree. Gerry 5trattiman asked the last time Pat Fish was at the property. Ms. Fish responded April 9. She did not go back because the appeai was filed. The following people appeared to speak against Adam Ahmed's appeal: Brian Slawik, 1951 University Avenue; Christine Yanchaz, 1573 Selby Avenue 311, Merriam Park Community Council; Gerald Striegel, 400 Beacon Avenue; Anthony Segale, 426 N. Fairview. Christine Yanchar read letters against Adam Ahmed's appeal from the following: I.aura and David Madzo, 1880 Feronia; Linda and Nikolai Alenov, 1896 Feronia, Craig and Elsie Fohrenkamm, 442 N. Dewey. �1 �' - y �S PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT MINtJTES OF 5-5-98 Page 4 Pat Rife, Police Department Force Unit, appeared and stated she has worked with Adam Ahmed on how to screen tenants. He was informed there were several people on his list that had criminal histories. When he was quesuoned about these tenants, he said he was soft hearted and gave them another chance. He was told that if someone has stayed in the building for two weeks fime, he would need to screen them. Some of the calls for police service come from people visiring. Police calls have increased to this address. Adam Ahmed stated he did provide Pat Rife with a list and a few had a criminal background. That will not happen again. He plans to clean up the building. Mr. Ahmed does not believe what is said here. He will give those with a record 30 days to move. Gerry Strathman denied the appeal and amended the vacate date to May 15, 1998. In the April 14 order, there were more than 4Q vialations, some serious. Most have been cited previously and not corrected. The orders are proper, legal and appropriate that this building be condemned as unfit to inhabit. Pat Fish will visit the property on May 15 to see if the building is brought up to code or vacated. The owner can take as much time as he wants to repair the building, but it has to be brought up to code or vacated by May 15. 100 George Street East John Peltzer, owner, appeared and stated he was appealing the notice of condemnation and order to vacate. He is not azguing the violations are true, but they do not seem so bad that people have to vacate. It is not imminently dangerous. Mr. Peltzer is trying to get it repaired, but is having difficulty finding someone to do it. He has met with about 25-30 contractors at the building and only a couple have expressed interest. The basement is coilapsing because of the wetness. The house was built in approximately 1909. The porch is made of stone instead of wood. On the down hill, the ground have been sliding over the years. A Mr. Hughes was one of the people that tried to do something. He told Mr. Peltzer last fa11 that nothing could be done until spring when the frost was over. John Peltzer stated he got a letter in February and was toid he had to do something. Mr. Peltzer talked to Chuck Votel who suggested a Ray be called from RC Construction. Ray planned to take the whole ttiing down instead of jacking it. It is heavy stone and a stone mason needs to be hired. Dennis Senty reported this file was started in 3uly 1997. The orders were reissued in August. Extensions were granted. In February, John Feltzer made arrangements to have the work completed Aprii i. Mr. Senty was notified of that extension. The work is not professional. The property was condemned. If work was started, substantially completed, and safety issues were addressed, then there would be no prob]em with an extension. Gerry Strathman asked what is the likelihood it will fall and is the bracing effective. Dennis Senty responded a professional told him the bracing could be trusted for two weeks, but it has been up longer than that. If it was properiy shored, it could be done to a point that it would no longer be a hazazd while the work was ongoing. Crerry Strathman asked would the shoring be done this week. 3ohn Peltzer responded that is what he was told. No one knows precisely what can be done. He reached Mr. Hughes this morning who �S -L-11S PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT MINUTES OF 5-5-98 Page 5 said he could not appeaz. Mr. Peltzer stated that Mr. Hughes agread to be tape recorded so that his words could be heazd at this meeting. John Peltzer played tcvo tapes of Mr. Hughes. Gerry Strathman was concerned about tenants moving on short no6ce and concerned that this is going on for a yeaz now. Gerry Strathman laid over this matter ta the 7une 2 Legislative Hearing and extended the vacate date to 7une 15. If this problem is fixed by June 2, then there is no need for John Peltzer to come back and the Fire Department will"lift the vacate order. 725 Marshall Avenue #3 Kimberly Farr, appeilant, appeazed and stated she would like an extension. Pat �sh stated she has no problem wiih that. Kimberly Farr stated the building is up for sale and the City is buying it for autistic adults. If the building is not sold by June 1, the owner is going to remodel the building himself. If the City closes by then, the owner will let the City remodel it. Gerry Strathman laid over to the June 2 Legislative Hearing. 860 Vandalia Streef (Iaid over from 4-7-98) Appeal withdrawn. Note: The appeal was withdrawn for 213 East Fourth Street, The Home Company, LLC. The meeting was adjoumed at 3:30 p.m.