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-2- <br />May 27, 1975 <br />Mrs. Larson asked how this was handled before in 1965 when the tornado hit <br />Fridley. Someone told her they had money then to help clean up. Attorney <br />Meyers said this was because they did have federal aid for the disaster. This <br />is a different situation because the damage at the park was incurred on <br />private property. <br />Attorney Meyers said he doesn't hold much hope for funds coming in frcm anywhere <br />due to the localized nature of the disaster. Indications already received are <br />that the funding would be limited. Insurance companies are responsible for <br />clean up but they have a limit on what they are responsible for. Some of the <br />people barely have enough coming to cover the chattel mortgage. Attorney Meyers <br />said that Mayor Johnson had been at a meeting at the park and mentioned if <br />people were in a position to take a new mobile home, they would be better off <br />doing this if it could be done. Unfortunately it can't be done in all cases. <br />Attorney Meyers said in 1965 the City demolished and cleaned out the damaged houses, <br />and picked up demolition costs and were reimbursed through federal aid. The park <br />being all private property does create a different aspect from the 1965 disaster. <br />Mr. Johnson said they appreciate all the help the City can give. He said he never <br />saw anybody take over the way they did here. The National Guard, Civil Defense, <br />Salvation Army, etc. He thinks most insurance companies are with them and <br />are trying to do their best. There are a few that present problens because <br />they will not make a decision as to what can be done to clear up the damage. <br />He said they are pressing like mad to get the park cleaned up and settled. <br />Councilman Hodges said the only thing the City can do is if there are insurance <br />companies that are lagging their feet, have the State insurance commissioner <br />step in. Mr. Johnson said it would be helpful if someone from the State could <br />come in and make determinations as to what is unsafe for habitation. Attorney <br />Meyers said the City has a duty to go in and take police power if it is a <br />public health and nuisance problem. Mrs. Larson said in 1965 they went right into <br />Fridley and pulled the trailers out and now in the Mounds View Mobile Home <br />park the people have no choice but to wait until the insurance companies <br />get them to do something. The adjusters did have until last week to come in <br />and they did not show up to see the people and adjust their claims. If they <br />don't come this week, we can give a list of these parties that are still <br />waiting and the City knocked the houses down. The message to get across to <br />the insurance companies should be that if something isn't done by Friday, the <br />City will have to do something about it. Mr. Johnson said they told the <br />insurance companies that last week but they said if that is the case they want <br />a chance to tell the City their side. <br />Mrs. Larson said the salvage companies that are working in the park are cleaning <br />up here and there and don't really get much accomplished'in the way of getting_ <br />the debris cleaned up. If they would work in a joint effort they could get the <br />debris cleaned up much faster. <br />Attorney Meyers said if the City is forced to take police action and doesn't have <br />any place to look for reimbursement, we may be forced to look at the park for <br />some kind of assessment. <br />Mrs. Larson asked if there was any chance the state could red tag the homes that <br />are unsafe to live in. There is one trailer that the repairmen looked inside <br />and said they would not touch. <br />Walter Skiba, Building Inspector, said the park should contact him in that case. <br />Mr. William D. Clark, resident of the park, said it appears to him that if tir. <br />Johnson owns the park, couldn't he ask for someone to come in and remove tie <br />damaged trailers. <br />Attorney Meyers said it would help if the City_ were invited in. <br />Acting Mayor Hodges said all the work done by City maintenance etc., is cc, ting <br />tax dollars. <br />Administrator Achen commented on the number of hours worked by Citizen's Band <br />United, National Guard, Salvation Army, Red Cross and others. <br />