SUMMARY OF MINUTES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT/HOUSING/GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 4:00 P.M., TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 2006 COMMITTEE ROOM ROOM 239, CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Council Member Nelson L. Malloy, Jr., Chair Council Member Dan Besse, Vice Chair (in at 4:13 p.m.) Council Member Evelyn A. Terry (in at 4:10 p.m.) Council Member Molly Leight Chair Malloy called the meeting to order at 4:06 p.m. and stated that without objection, the Committee would first consider the Consent Agenda. Staff requested to pull Items C-2(a), (b), (h) and (j) for discussion. Council Member Leight made a motion for approval of the balance of the Consent Agenda. The motion was duly seconded by Council Member Malloy and was unanimously carried. CONSENT AGENDA 2. CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS RELATING TO SUBSTANDARD STRUCTURES: PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 10, ARTICLE V, SECTION 10-203(f)(1) OF THE CITY CODE: [Repairs less than 50% of value of structure one year] c. E. V. Ferrell, Jr. 1710 Grant Avenue d. Charles Ross 808 Morsinie Street PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 10, ARTICLE V, SECTION 10-203(f)(2) OF THE CITY CODE: [Repairs more than 50% of value of structure six months] e. Central Carolina Bank 2426 N. Liberty Street f. Central Carolina Bank 2420 N. Liberty Street PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 10, ARTICLE V, SECTION 10-203(f)(2) OF THE CITY CODE: [Repairs more than 50% of value of structure one year] g. Thomas and Daisy Hinton 1501 E. 25 th Street
CD/H/GG COMMITTEE MINUTES June 13, 2006 Page 2 ORDINANCE ORDERING THE HOUSING SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO REMOVE OR DEMOLITION STRUCTURE UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION AND OTHERWISE, TO EFFECTUATE THE PURPOSE OF CHAPTER 10, ARTICLE V OF THE CITY CODE: [Repairs more than 65% of value of structure] i. Richard Miller 929 E. 22 nd Street PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 10, ARTICLE V, SECTION 10-203(f)(1) OF THE CITY CODE: [Repairs less than 50% of value of structure six months] Property Owner Address a. Jerry and Jeanette Gilmore 2606 Ansonia Street Mr. Bruce Bailiff, Code Enforcement Program Supervisor, presented the staff report. Ms. Donna Gilmore, 5521 Legare Drive, requested a continuance to allow time to bring the property up to Code. (Council Member Terry entered the meeting at 4:10 p.m.) In response to Chair Malloy, Ms. Gilmore stated that 90 days should be a sufficient amount of time to complete the work. Mr. Ritchie Brooks, Housing Services Director, noted that this house had been in disrepair for many years. He suggested that if the Committee votes to allow additional time for repairs, that the motion include a Voluntary Demolition Agreement (VDA) and require that all unfit and minor violations be repaired, regardless of whether or not they are included in the staff report. (Council Member Besse entered the meeting at 4:13 p.m.) Mr. Brooks explained that additional violations may be present since the last inspection completed by staff and indicated that a new list of violations could be provided to the owners. In response to Ms. Gilmore, he stated that at various times over the years, the property had been unsecured and inspectors were unable to gain entry. Council Member Leight made a motion to adopt the order with a VDA at 120 days, requiring that all repairs be completed. The motion was duly seconded by Council Member Terry and unanimously carried. Mr. Brooks noted that he would arrange for an inspector to meet the owners at the property to identify all needed repairs. b. Donna Patrice Gilmore 1712 N. Liberty Street Mr. Bailiff presented the staff report.
CD/H/GG COMMITTEE MINUTES June 13, 2006 Page 3 Ms. Gilmore indicated that she had an estimate for repairs at $850 and requested an additional 30 days to complete repairs. Mr. Bailiff explained that a recent inspection indicated the violations were all on the exterior of the home. Mr. Brooks noted that initial inspections of the property were made in 1994 and recommended that a VDA be signed for this case as well, requiring all repairs be complete. He pointed out that it would be beneficial for the property to be completely repaired considering redevelopment projects ongoing in the neighborhood. Mr. Derwick Paige, Assistant City Manager, answered Council Member Terry s question, stating that the Liberty Street Community Development Corporation (CDC) does not have any interest in this property for redevelopment purposes. In response to Council Member Terry, Mr. Brooks noted that if the Committee decides to adopt the staff recommendation without a VDA, there may be additional needed repairs that are not included in the report. Council Member Besse pointed out that the VDA is voluntary and the City Council could not require it to be signed. Council Member Leight made a motion to adopt the order with a VDA at 120 days, requiring that all repairs are completed. The motion was duly seconded by Council Member Terry and unanimously carried. ORDINANCE ORDERING THE HOUSING SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO REMOVE OR DEMOLITION STRUCTURE UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION AND OTHERWISE, TO EFFECTUATE THE PURPOSE OF CHAPTER 10, ARTICLE V OF THE CITY CODE: [Repairs more than 65% of value of structure] h. Jerry Ray Helms 2000 Leight Street Mr. Bailiff presented the staff report. Ms. Nancy Byrum, 1836 Flatrock Street, spoke on behalf of the Waughtown Preservation and Revitalization Coalition and the Flatrock Community Association. She explained that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has a lien on several of Mr. Helms properties, including this one and indicated that the Rural Initiative Project, Inc. (RIPI) is prepared to purchase and restore this house to be sold to a new homeowner. Ms. Byrum noted that Mr. Helms had expressed interest in rebuilding on the lot a house to be used as rental property, and the Community Association would prefer to have only homeowners in the area. She also pointed out that the proposed Waughtown connector to the Greenway may end up in this area. Council Member Leight inquired about how many houses along Leight Street are part of the Leight Street Mill Village. Ms. Byrum explained that one house is complete and is going to be purchased by a family, and five other properties and a vacant lot are under control of RIPI at this time. She indicated that RIPI is in
CD/H/GG COMMITTEE MINUTES June 13, 2006 Page 4 the process of determining what needs to be done to have the IRS lien removed and purchase the home. Council Member Terry pointed out that although the property had been in disrepair for many years, there is a considerable amount of community involvement with preservation efforts. Mr. Brooks explained that initial inspection of the property was done in 2002 and when brought to the Committee last year, Historic Preservation requested to have it pulled for efforts to save the property. Council Member Terry noted that sale of the property may assist Mr. Helms with his financial situation and suggested allowing time to receive clarification of options in writing from all involved parties. In response to Council Member Besse, Ms. Byrum stated that Mr. Helms has indicated a desire to sell the property to RIPI. Council Member Terry made a motion to delay action on the item for 60 days to allow detailed information to be brought to the Committee regarding options for RIPI to purchase the property. The motion was duly seconded by Council Member Besse, with the understanding that RIPI be informed of the urgency of obtaining the information. Ms. Michelle McCullough, Planning Department, explained that if RIPI could purchase the property, it would be listed on the National Historic Register and various tax credits, etc. would be available to the property owner. However, she indicated that staff was unable to reach any milestones in rehabilitating the property in the last year and noted that with the IRS lien on the property and the amount of money that Mr. Helms owes the IRS, it is difficult to obtain control and support for the property. Council Member Besse questioned if the property could be sold, subject to the lien or if the IRS would accept the sales price and remove the amount from the lien. Ms. McCullough indicated that although she is not familiar with IRS rules, she was informed by representatives for RIPI that the house could not be sold with the IRS lien on the property. In response to Council Member Besse, she noted that although the house is not an exceptionally significant structure, it is a contributing element to the neighborhood character. In response to Chair Malloy s question, Ms. Candace Dobson, Housing Services Department, explained that the City would have to petition the IRS for permission to demolish the property. The motion to delay action on the item for 60 days was unanimously carried. Council Member Besse requested staff inform RIPI that immediate action is needed in determining the options for the property. Mr. Paige noted that, although no consideration was given, special legislation had been sought by staff last year for the City to gain authority to condemn and acquire property. He noted that the request would be made again with the new delegation.
CD/H/GG COMMITTEE MINUTES June 13, 2006 Page 5 Council Member Terry inquired as to what options citizens have in obtaining assistance to purchase these types of properties. Mr. Brooks indicated that the City has an agreement with RIPI to provide construction financing and RIPI has an agreement with the Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) to provide acquisition funds. j. CCRIC LLC 100 Powers Road Mr. Bailiff presented the staff report. Ms. Lynn Culbertson, spoke on behalf of the residents in the neighborhood and noted that the building is an eyesore and that they support demolition. Mr. Brooks explained that the owner had applied for Rehabilitation Assistance with the City but the cost of repairs exceeds the program maximum. He indicated that the owner then asked the Fire Department to use the building for a practice burn and the Fire Department contacted Housing Services staff to inform them of the request. Mr. Brooks noted that there are issues with underground tanks and part of the land on which the structure sits is owned by someone else. Ms. Culbertson stated that Mr. E. V. Ferrell owns the other three buildings that had been part of the complex and that they are occupied but also in bad shape. In response to Council Member Besse, Mr. Brooks indicated that he had been in communication with the current owner, CCRIC, LLC. Council Member Besse made a motion to adopt staff s recommendation. The motion was duly seconded by Council Member Terry and unanimously carried. Chair Malloy suggested Ms. Culbertson speak with staff about the condition of the other buildings in the complex. EXTRA ITEMS Chair Malloy asked staff to investigate approximately four houses on Rundell Street that have peeling paint and have been boarded up. He also requested an inspection be done of the car wash on Northwest Boulevard. Mr. Brooks indicated that if the business is operable, the only inspections conducted by City staff are for Housing, Fire and Zoning Code violations. He noted that building inspectors have accompanied housing inspectors in the past, although it is not a routine practice. Council Member Terry inquired about the coordination of all departments to address Code violations. Mr. Brooks explained that Operation Impact has been an effective tool and currently involves Housing Services, Buildings Inspections, Business Licensing, and the Forsyth County Health Department.
CD/H/GG COMMITTEE MINUTES June 13, 2006 Page 6 In response to Council Member Besse s question, Mr. Paige stated that to be considered a blighted property and be able to exercise eminent domain, property must be in a certified redevelopment area and 65% of the present structures must have some level of blight. Council Member Leight inquired if legislative approval is needed to enable building inspections to investigate commercial properties for violations. Mr. Lee Garrity, Assistant City Manager, explained that although staff has the authority to make inspections, the City/County Inspections Department has resource issues and typically views their customer as new construction developers and builders. The Committee Members requested staff to investigate options for gaining control of Code violations with commercial properties. Chair Malloy noted that there is a salvage business at Northwest Boulevard and Rundell Street with issues that need to be addressed by Building Inspections. He also inquired about the status of the service station at Northwest Boulevard and Trade Street. Mr. Brooks explained that since the property had been repaired to standards and properly boarded up years ago, there is not much recourse beyond what has been done. Mr. Paige explained that Building Inspections has the authority to classify a property as blighted and order demolition on the property, but has been unwilling to do so in the past. GENERAL AGENDA 1. DISCUSSION REGARDING TERM LIMITS FOR VARIOUS BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. Mr. Paige explained that a lack of term limits for the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority and Transportation Advisory Committee is due to their regional nature and the fact that the other regions do not impose term limits on appointees. The Firemen s Relief Fund Board of Trustees had a difficult time locating members and term limits had been eliminated to ease maintaining a full board. He explained that the City Council had decided years ago to eliminate term limits for the Winston- Salem Transit Authority (WSTA) Board to enable someone to remain an appointee. In response to Council Member Leight, Mr. Paige indicated that an alternative to establishing term limits would be to vote against undesirable recommended appointees. Council Member Besse expressed his concern with imposing term limits and noted that the reappointment process should take care of any issues. Council Member Leight noted that term limits can be a tool for shifting undesirable appointees off of a board, but also could result in losing superior appointees. She expressed her desire to leave the terms as they are and thanked staff for their report.
CD/H/GG COMMITTEE MINUTES June 13, 2006 Page 7 ADJOURNMENT: 5:23 p.m.