12-16-09 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL DF.C)?MB)?R 16, 2009 voluntary arrangement with the property owner. That would allow the cost of the work to be spread onto property taxes for longer than one year. Montour asked if any progress had been made by the property owner since the Building Official sent the notice this past April. T•he City Administrator reported that no progress has been made. I-Iowever, the property owner called just today to request an inspection at 4:00 p.m. The Building Official had another commitment and could not make the inspection. Keis asked about the expiration of building permits. The City Administrator noted that there is a provision in the Code that allows a building permit to remain active as long as there is continuing progress. The City Attorney reported that the City's Building Official takes a cooperative approach in working with property owners, and the Building Official has discretion on the Length of time the building permit is valid for. With this situation, the building addition is considered unsafe, and the property owners are occupying it without a Certificate of Occupancy. McGraw noted that the floor is considered a part of the support structure of the addition, and asked the risk of allowing additional time on the Order of Abatement while this situation exists. The City Attorney noted that once the Order of Abatement is approved, it will be f led in Court. If the property owner does not make the corrections by January 15`", the Court will issue an order within a week or so. The Attorney noted that in addition to the lack of concrete floor, which is part of the support system of the structure, there are also the issues of the wood burning stove and the egress window. The City Administrator noted that the City will attempt to work cooperatively with the property owner on the corrections. If the City has the work done on a cooperative basis, the cost can be assessed for a period of five years. If the work is Court-ordered, the Statute calls for the cost to be assessed for a period of one year. McGraw noted that this provides incentive for the property owner to work cooperatively with the City. McGraw noted the finaircial impact to the property owner and the difficulty is getting work done at the end of the year. He noted, however, that this is a life safety situation. Keis felt that the entire Council was in favor of proceeding with the Order of Abatement. The only issue for him was the timeline. McGraw noted that if the City orders the abatement as proposed, this does not mean that the City cannot work with the property owner if he agrees to work with the City. Blesener stated that he was comfortable with the 30 days as proposed. The City Administrator indicated that he would discuss the voluntary resolution of the matter with the property owner. 18