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May 27, 1975
Mrs. Larson asked how this was handled before in 1965 when the tornado hit
Fridley. Someone told her they had money then to help clean up. Attorney
Meyers said this was because they did have federal aid for the disaster. This
is a different situation because the damage at the park was incurred on
private property.
Attorney Meyers said he doesn't hold much hope for funds coming in from anywhere
due to the localized nature of the disaster. Indications already received are
that the funding would be limited. Insurance companies are responsible for
clean up but they have a limit on what they are responsible for. Some of the
people barely have enough coming to cover the chattel mortgage. Attorney Meyers
said that Mayor Johnson had been at a meeting at the park and mentioned if
people were in a position to take a new mobile home, they would be better off
doing this if it could be done. Unfortunately it can't be done in all cases.
Attorney Meyers said in 1965 the City demolished and cleaned out the damaged houses,
and picked up demolition costs and were reimbursed through federal aid. The park
being all private property does create a different aspect from the 1965 disaster.
Mr. Johnson said they appreciate all the help the City can give. He said he re ver
saw anybody take over the way they did here. The National Guard, Civil Defense,
Salvation Army, etc. He thinks most insurance companies are with them and
are trying to do their best. There are a few that present problems because
they will not make a decision as to what can be done to clear up the damage.
He said they are pressing like mad to get the park cleaned up and settled.
Councilman Hodges said the only thing the City can do is if there are insurance
companies that are lagging their feet, have the State insurance commissioner
step in. Mr. Johnson said it would be helpful if someone from the State could
come in and make determinations as to what is unsafe for habitation. Attorney
Meyers said the City has a duty to go in and take police power if it is a
public health and nuisance problem. Mrs. Larson said in 1965 they went right into
Fridley and pulled the trailers out and now in the Mounds View Mobile Home
park the people have no choice but to wait until the insurance companies
get them to do something. The adjusters did have until last week to come in
and they did not show up to see the people and adjust their claims. If they
don't come this week, we can give a list of these parties that are still
waiting and the City knocked the houses down. The message to get across to
the insurance companies should be that if something isn't done by Friday, the
City will have to do something about it. Mr. Johnson said they told the
insurance companies that last week but they said if that is the case they want
a chance to tell the City their side.
Mrs. Larson said the salvage companies that are working in the park are cleaning
up here and there and don't really get much accomplished' in. the way of getting..
the debris cleaned up. If they would work in a joint effort they could get the
debris cleaned up much faster.
Attorney Meyers said if the City is forced to take police action and doesn't have
any place to look for reimbursement, we may be forced to look at the park for
some kind of assessment.
Mrs. Larson asked if there was any chance the state could red tag the homes that
are unsafe to live in. There is one trailer that the repairmen looked inside
and said they would not touch.
Walter Skiba, Building Inspector, said the park should contact him in that case.
Mr. William D. Clark, resident of the park, said it appears to him that if Mr.
Johnson owns the park, couldn't he ask for someone to come in and remove de
damaged trailers.
Attorney Meyers said it would help if the City were invited in.
Acting Mayor Hodges said all the work done by City maintenance etc., is costing
tax dollars.
Administrator Achen commented on the number of hours worked by Citizen's Band
United, National Guard, Salvation Army, Red Cross and others.