Title
Appeal of Faye Sparks to a Fire Inspection Correction Notice at 374 CHEROKEE AVENUE.
Purpose of Appeal
To whom it may concern:
I am an "accidental" landlord, who purchased this house in 2004 as a place for my elderly dad and brother to live in. (I live in a condo one block away.) My father passed away shortly after I purchased it and because I had bought at the peak of the market and the housing bubble burst - I ended up having to rent this house out.
It is not a "garbage house". I put in a great deal of hard work myself and can't really afford to do anything else with it. My rent is $1600 a month and my payment (with ever-rising taxes and insurance costs) is $1590.00.
I am enclosing a photo of this house. I am surprised and dismayed at the long list of mandated improvements and required "tests" - "hire a contractor to come inspect fireplace chimney" when the fireplace is not used and has not been used (as part of lease agreement)??
I could literally be forced to spend thousands of dollars, which does not seem fair. I work for the Senate Commerce Committee and have worked for the Senate for 25 years - I know there are dangerous and unsafe rental units throughout the city. Mine is not dangerous or unsafe. I have been involved in the building code issue here at the Capitol - I understand the lawsuit that the city lost by imposing code and building rules more strict than the state building code. I do not believe it is necessary for me to spend the thousands of dollars that this could cost me. When the house was inspected several years ago, it passed with "flying colors" and didn't necessitate another inspection annually - all of a sudden, this house has numerous infractions?
Please help me understand who is helped by this?
Faye Spraks
Date of Order(s)
June 24, 2014
Inspector/Key Staff
Sean Westenhofer
Body
WHEREAS, in the matter of Appeal of Faye Sparks to a Fire Inspection Correction Notice at 374 CHEROKEE AVENUE, the Legislative Hearing Officer has reviewed the appeal and considered the testimony of City staff and the appellant; and
WHEREAS, the Legislative Hearing Officer recommends that the City Council grant an extension until September 1, 2014 for compliance; Now, Therefore, Be It
RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council hereby accepts and adopts the Legislative Hearing Officer's recommendation in this matter.