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File #: RLH FCO 19-53    Version: 1
Type: Resolution LH Fire C of O OR Correction Order Status: Archived
In control: Legislative Hearings
Final action: 5/14/2019
Title: Appeal of Daniel J. Sullivan, Kenneth Doyle, and Kenneth Ekblad to a Fire Inspection Correction Notice at 705 SUMMIT AVENUE.
Sponsors: Dai Thao
Ward: Fire C of O Letter, Ward - 1
Attachments: 1. 705 Summit Ave.appeal.5-9-19, 2. 705 Summit Ave.photos #1.4-25-19, 3. 705 Summit Ave.photos #2.4-25-19, 4. 705 Summit Ave.photos 4-25-19 Part 1 of 2, 5. 705 Summit Ave.photos 4-25-19 Part 2 of 2, 6. 705 Summit Ave.Sullivan-Naylor emails.5-9-19.pdf, 7. 705 Summit Ave.Roessle Email.5-11-19, 8. 705 Summit Ave.Neighbor's Photos.5-14-19.pdf, 9. 705 Summit Ave.Bistodeau-Roessle Email.5-21-19, 10. 705 Summit Ave.Revocation Notice.7-24-17.pdf, 11. 705 Summit Ave.Revocation Notice.8-31-17.pdf, 12. 705 Summit Ave.Roessle email.5-26-19.pdf
Related files: RLH FCO 11-421, RLH VBR 17-52, RLH VBR 17-60

Title

Appeal of Daniel J. Sullivan, Kenneth Doyle, and Kenneth Ekblad to a Fire Inspection Correction Notice at 705 SUMMIT AVENUE.

 

Date/Time of 1st LH:  May 14, 2019 at 1:30

Purpose of Appeal:  Extension - nature of some work is time consuming.

Date of Order(s) Under Appeal:  April 30, 2019

Inspector/Key Staff:  Efrayn Franquiz

Legislative Hearing Staff Comments: 

 

Body

WHEREAS, in the matter of Appeal of Daniel J. Sullivan, Kenneth Doyle, and Kenneth Ekblad to a Fire Inspection Correction Notice at 705 SUMMIT 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 [recommendation]; Now, Therefore, Be It

 

RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council hereby accepts and adopts the Legislative Hearing Officer's recommendation in this matter.

 

 

 

Date NameDistrictOpinionCommentAction
5/14/2019 12:43 AMJustin Windschitl Against I live next door to this property and have sought to be patient and hopeful for change. However, the continued deterioration of the property, lack of concern by the owner of the dangers posed, and overall inaction from the city for YEARS causes significant concern. The wall of my home is approximately 15 feet from 705 Summit. Given the poor condition of the property - including significant hazardous conditions and fact that a fire has occurred in the past - I am very concerned that my property will be significantly damaged if a similar event occurs in the future. Further, the extent of the neglect in 705 Summit is horrifying, but it hasn't happened overnight. The city has been far too lenient in granting appeals and allowing the owner to bend the rules. How is this property deemed fit for tenant occupancy? What has to happen before the city chooses not to turn a blind eye to the dangers posed? Please do not grant this appeal and hold the owner accountable.
5/13/2019 7:34 PMLori Brostrom Against It's time for this to stop! The photos are appalling--and look virtually identical to those from 2017, calling into question how comprehensive/accurate the last inspection was. Nobody should live in such squalor, although it's notable that Doyle's own unit (#1) is absent. Doyle clearly has no intention of meeting his obligations and it's time to hold him accountable. He should be required to either hire enough QUALIFIED contractors to complete the necessary work--and in a competent manner--in the time given, or be required to vacate the units which are in such deplorable condition. The City does an enormous disservice to the tenants, the neighbors and all law-abiding citizens when it continues to allow this scofflaw to keep playing the system.
5/13/2019 5:11 PMMichael Hartoonian Against Living in community is a team sport. When an individual player commits flagrant foul after flagrant foul, the officials' responsibility is to eject that player from the game, or the game is destroyed. As one bad player can destroy a game, one irresponsible citizen can destroy a community. City officials are not irrelevant here, they, in fact, are the officials. Democratic laws and ordinances are built on ethics - on doing what is right. In light of the overwhelming evidence regarding Doyle's irresponsible behavior, simply do the right thing and reject his appeal.
5/13/2019 4:47 PMPatricia Thornton Against Granting Mr Doyle an extension in this matter amounts to negligence in your oversight duties. Mr Doyle plays the city like a violin and has routinely been granted serial extensions. He is a habitual offender who callously disregards the safety of his tenants as well as the neighbors. As a concrete example, I had a young employee who in 2017 moved from Bemidji to start training for her dream job at Delta. She thought she had also found her dream apartment in a historic home on Summit Ave. Within 6 months, she moved out due to frightening health and safety concerns at 705 Summit and the suspicious conduct of the other nefarious tenants. Doyle's appeal indicates these repairs take time. Of course they do! Duh! But, they are THE SAME issues that my young employee cited in 2017, TWO YEARS ago. Doyle has had time. As neighbors, we feel unsafe by the comings and goings of drug dealers, convicted felons, and other hostile tenants and visitors to the house. Please deny this appeal.
5/12/2019 8:52 PMKelly Convery Against I strongly recommend that city DOES NOT grant Mr. Doyle an extension to resolve the multitude of safety issues at 705 Summit. Mr. Doyle has a decades long history of negligent behavior. He has absolutely no concern for the safety and quality if life of his tenants or surrounding neighbors. Despite it's long history as what DSI representatives describe as a problem property, the city has allowed Mr. Doyle to continue to operate, granting him concession after concession, and allowing him to continually skit the law. It's time to hold Mr. Doyle accountable for maintaining 705 Summit so it does not continue to negatively impact the tenants of 705 and families neighboring the property. Mr. Doyle has proven time and time again that he doesn't care who his continued negligence affects. He will not provide his tenants with adequate accommodations unless he is forced to. Here is an opportunity to force Mr. Doyle to clean up his act. I suggest you hold him accountable to the correction order.
5/11/2019 8:56 PMMichael Roessle Against I strongly urge the City to deny the appeal of the Fire Inspection Correction Notice at 705 Summit Avenue. The owner of this property has been a habitual offender, who clearly has no regard the law, the safety of his tenants, the safety of the neighborhood or the responsibility that comes with ownership and maintenance of a historic C*** Gilbert home, which has become a stark embarr***ment to the city and state. This is the time for action rather than leniency. This is the time for the City to put the safety and lives of the tenants and neighborhood above protecting the wallet of a habitual bad-actor. Do not allow the owner to, yet again, stall, obfuscate, misdirect and continue to treat life and safety, as well as the city officials, as a joke. Unequivocally deny the appeal. Demand compliance in the generous timeframe that was provided and remove the ability to continue to prey upon and profit from the vulnerable if full compliance is not met.