15 West Kellogg Blvd.

Saint Paul, MN 55102

City of Saint Paul

Minutes - Final

Legislative Hearings

Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer

Mai Vang, Hearing Coordinator

Joanna Zimny, Executive Assistant

legislativehearings@ci.stpaul.mn.us

651-266-8585

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

9:00 AM

Room 330 City Hall & Court House/Remote

9:00 a.m. Hearings

Special Tax Assessments

RLH TA 22-127

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1069

BEECH STREET. (File No. VB2208, Assessment No. 228807) (Public

hearing continued to June 22, 2022)

Prince

Sponsors:

Continue PH to June 22, 2022. If Fire C of O is reinstated reduce assessment from

$2,284 to $1,142.

Nancy Cleveland, owner, appeared via phone

Moermond: we’re following up on the Vacant Building fee for 1069 Beech. We talked

about a couple of things we needed follow up on. I heard an appeal way back at which

time I gave a 90 day waiver if the Fire Certificate of Occupancy was reinstated. That

went to November 18, 2021. The emails your forwarded from you to the Department all

followed that date. November 21 and December 6. That was after the extension

expired. I did however find a couple technicalities. One is the person he was trying to

reach was out on leave and nothing was set up to direct you to talk to someone else.

That doesn’t mean the deadline wasn’t blown, it was, but there wasn’t forwarding

information. The other thing that happened is that the Vacant Building waiver was

incorrectly put into the system. The official documents state the waiver was through

November 18, but the clerical person entered it as December 6.

Cleveland: that’s what I have.

Moermond: and that isn’t a correct date and never was.

Cleveland: so I had 2 dates, which makes sense.

Moermond: not sure how you got that second date. In any event, it was a miss.

Because we have these two things happening I’d like to give you a chance to get that

Certificate of Occupancy reinstated but I want you to do so quickly. We’re already 8

months in. If you can get your Certificate of Occupancy reinstated by June 21 I’ll cut it

in half. That’s basically crediting the 4 month time period.

Cleveland: we can do that. Ms. Moermond, do I call DSI’s general number or do I keep

going to Inspector Thomas?

Moermond: I believe he is still your inspector, but we can include his supervisor’s

information as well, as well as the general DSI number. Ok so you have until June 21

to get that Certificate of Occupancy in place, otherwise it will be the full fee.

Referred to the City Council due back on 5/18/2022

RLH TA 22-94

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1015

CHURCHILL STREET. (File No. J2206B1, Assessment No. 228113)

Brendmoen

Sponsors:

Approve the assessment and make payable over 5 years.

No one appeared

Moermond: this is a $772 assessment for boarding. We have no phone number to

reach out to. We had this scheduled 2 weeks ago. We sent an email after that hearing

asking for a number or any additional follow up. I’m going to go with the

recommendation from two weeks ago which is to approve and make it payable over 5

years.

Referred to the City Council due back on 5/4/2022

RLH TA 22-91

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 59 KING

STREET EAST. (File No. J2207B, Assessment No. 228106)

Noecker

Sponsors:

Approve the assessment.

Alisher Musinov, property representative, appeared via phone

[Moermond gives background of appeals process]

Staff report by Supervisor Joe Yannarelly: November 11, 2021 upon initial inspection

by Mr. Dornfeld who was opening up a Vacant Building file. He sent a Summary

Abatement Order to Alisher Deshad properties for securing. Reinspected November 16

it was not done and Mr. Dornfeld sent an order to have the building secured. Total

proposed assessment of $285.

Moermond: so people were getting in at night.

Yannarelly: it looks like it was just boarding an opening smaller than 4x8 and one door.

Musinov: it was vacant by mistake. It was never vacant. There was a renter from the

previous owner. I got them out. It was a mess. Trash everywhere. I tried my best to

clean it up. Someone from the City called me right after I bought it about the garbage

in the yard. I was doing everything right. I was painting and dry walling to get it ready. I

think I spoke with Nathan who said they can’t remove the Vacant Building registration

on the property, it was just vacant for no reason. I don’t know why I have this

assessment. There were maybe people who tried to get in. I spoke with the neighbors;

they had some issues with people in the neighborhood. I just bought the wrong

property in the wrong location. It is a shame that I’m in a vacancy and I have to pay

this fee and get a Code Compliance Inspection Report. It is just so much.

Moermond: so we have this incident back in November with the orders issued to

secure the garage.

Musinov: I did secure the house and replaced and secured windows. It has been

secured since November.

Moermond: and this was November 16. Are you saying you did the work?

Musinov: yes.

Yannarelly: no permits pulled, evidence of demolition with no permit. We’ve had a stop

work order by Mike Palm for possible illegal work. A Code Compliance Inspection was

applied for April 4.

Moermond: I’m hearing a detailed description of what they contractor did, and then

subsequently you were taking care of it. Is that right?

Musinov: back in November there was someone from the City who said he was

securing the windows and door. He said someone tried to send me a letter but I never

saw anything. He showed me the letter. I said it was ok, but the next door I put on new

door and lock and new windows right after that.

Moermond: its good you took care of it. The City did spend the money getting it

secured November 16. The City did the work to do that. You are appealing that cost

they want to assess why?

Musinov: because I was trying to keep it up as much as I could so I could keep the

people out. I was doing my best to keep it clean with no problems. That’s why I don’t

think it is right I have to pay for it. I didn’t buy it and leave it alone. I was doing as

much as I could.

Moermond: it was open and the City did have to send a crew. It does look like there

was a complaint the beginning of November about a broken window and people going

in. You didn’t do anything about it at that time. It eventually got routed to the Vacant

Building program. They sent you an order November 11 saying to secure it. Since that

time there have been 2 other orders the City has issued. There was illegal occupation

and litter throughout the yard. That’s not good. The City did go out and do the service,

there was notice provided. It was a critical situation with people going inside. That’s the

kind of situation that creates fires. I’m going to recommend the Council approve this

assessment. You can submit additional information to the Council and they may look

at it differently. Your original Council Public Hearing date was April 6. We’ll put this in

front of Council again May 4. We’ll send a follow up email confirming that.

Referred to the City Council due back on 5/4/2022

RLH TA 22-138

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 871

SNELLING AVENUE NORTH. (File No. J2208B, Assessment No.

228107)

Jalali

Sponsors:

Approve the assessment.

Frank Crowley, owner, appeared via phone

[Moermond gives background of appeals process]

Staff report by Supervisor Joe Yannarelly: on December 13 at 5:20 am the St. Paul

Police Department in responding to a situation at the property, ended up using the City

contractor to secure the building for a cost of $547. The police report was submitted

as well.

Moermond: it looks like a disorderly complaint was called in pretty early in the morning

at 4:27 am. Do you have that report Mr. Crowley?

Crowley: I don’t have it.

Mai Vang: we sent it via US mail

Crowley: I guess I never got that then. I have checks that haven’t come. I called the

post office last winter and the reply was “we just can’t get people to work”. It has

slightly improved, but I still get other people’s mail, I’m sure other people get mine.

Moermond: well, let me summarize, and we can mail another one to you. December 13

at 4:27 St. Paul Police Department received a call and a former tenant had returned

and was in apt 1. Officers found 4 adults and 2 juveniles. They found a dangerous

situation, including juveniles locked in a room with no furniture. So a bunch of people

in a no trespassing unit, with small children. They also found copper wire that was piled

in there. A tenant who said he was doing work for the landlord. Tenant confirmed the

no trespassing was from the Ramsey County sheriff’s office and was for Unit 1. This

officer describes burn marks under the space heaters, ceiling partially removed,

dismantled stove, filthy. Girlfriend and her 2 children were there, appeared to be under

influence of meth. Because of the trespass order the police could vacate. Culkay

called Frank, and officer spoke with you, who confirmed he was evicted for

nonpayment of rent. They vacated and photographed the scene. It was noted there was

no food except for a gallon of milk and old coleslaw. I don’t know if they involved social

services. I’m getting out of this that there was disorderly conduct in a unit you said

people couldn’t be in but you may have changed your mind?

Crowley: he was going to do repairs he said. It is so bad inside. They wrote on the

walls with crayons, the guy owed me about $20,000 in rent. He wouldn’t even hold rent.

He was a criminal. I originally rented because I thought I was doing a good deed. He

had just got out of a halfway house, had a baby out of the way. Everyone deserves a

second chance. I didn’t check his criminal record, which was stupid. It is a mile long. I

found a letter from Xcel Energy and he owes about $3,000. He put his girlfriend’s name

and some $2,000 owed to Menards. They were actually criminals, no question about it.

They destroyed the place. He was a professional liar. It took 2 clips to secure with the

stars so you can’t get in. must have cost about $2 a piece for four screws into the

hardwood in the doors. I thought how much can they charge for a boarding and that is

all they did? I got beat up bad enough without getting any rent.

Moermond: well there is a $250 emergency call out fee, and then $60 for each door,

and then $50 for labor. A vast majority is someone coming out on an emergency

basis.

Crowley: I thought the police put the clips on there. Anyone could do that.

Moermond: they aren’t contractors.

Crowley: I guess it sounds like a good way to make money.

Moermond: it is an emergency call out fee. Like asking a plumber to come out in the

middle of the night. Regular business hours are a different matter. Given the

seriousness of the activity and that police needed to close it down, and fast, and you

had not done that already. I can only imagine how scary it was for the neighbors. Why

should the taxpayers at large be responsible for this instead of you as the property

owner?

Crowley: I’m old and I’m stupid. I’m 84 years old.

Moermond: may I suggest you find some help.

Crowley: anyways.

Moermond: I do wish you well and I hope you find a way to manage this moving forward.

Is anyone living there now?

Crowley: in one of the units. There is one lady who is gone in the military with her stuff

there. I’m trying to fix up the lower unit. I’m so tired of renting. I should just sell it.

Moermond: well, you need to figure out something.

Crowley: I thought the police did that. The tenants hadn’t shoveled the sidewalk a few

years ago, but they had taken a picture of it not shoveled. But overnight they got more

snow. Then they went out to shovel the snow, probably 2 inches and charged me a

huge sum for that. I had actually shoveled. I just figured the City tried to rip you off. I

get beat up every which way. I know I’m old stupid. I’ll just get out of here I guess.

Moermond: we’ll mail you that police report and the invoice we have from the boarding

company. I can’t help an old snow issue, sounds like you did appeal at the time.

Crowley: they didn’t believe me. Then I saw the little clips. I thought oh boy. I’m afraid

of this guy. He’s threatened me.

Moermond: sounds like you need legal help.

Referred to the City Council due back on 5/18/2022

RLH TA 22-148

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 398

TOTEM ROAD. (File No. VB2208, Assessment No. 228807)

Prince

Sponsors:

Reduce assessment from $2,284 to $2,127.

No one appeared

Moermond: there is a request from the assessment office to remove the service

charge. Payment was received before it should have been processed. $2,284 down to

$2,127.

Referred to the City Council due back on 5/18/2022

SR 22-63

Review Request of Rhoda Wellner to a Ratifying of the Appealed Special

Tax Assessment for property at 1428 THOMAS AVENUE adopted by

Council on March 23, 2022 under AR 22-19. (File No. J2214A,

Assessment No. 228513)

Jalali

Sponsors:

Reduce assessment from $360 to $100.

Rhoda Wellner, owner, appeared via phone

Moermond: we are looking at an assessment that was already ratified but we are

looking at it again. I did review the photos.

[Moermond gives background of appeals process]

Staff report by Supervisor Joe Yannarelly: November 2, 2021 a Summary Abatement

Order was issued to cut trim and remove overhanging vegetation obstructing the alley.

Compliance date of November 9. Rechecked and found in noncompliance. Parks did

an abatement November 10 for a total proposed assessment of $360.

Moermond: Ms. Wellner, after the fact you asked this be looked at again. Tell me what

your thinking was?

Wellner: I was going through an extremely bad time with depression back then, so I

hadn’t been checking my mail. I didn’t even pull it out of my mailbox until the 10th. I

went out that weekend and didn’t see any evidence someone did the work, so I spent

Sunday November 12th clearing out the area. Pulled the vine off the fence, removed

everything from the ground. It is still clear now since it has been winter. I didn’t see any

indication anyone had been out. I can understand from the video it looks like they just

removed a few inches of leaves. I have pictures from before I started working on the

12th and I cant see any difference from my picture and your before picture. On Monday

I talked to Inspector McCullough and told him what I’d done. He told me he would take

the assessment off and if I got more mail to call him. The record hadn’t been updated

that the City had come out. He also stated if he was the initial inspector he wouldn’t

have even written it up.

Moermond: he was the initial inspector on the November 2 orders.

Wellner: interesting.

Moermond: the first photo I have is from November 9th. The photo does look like what

was described in the orders. It is evident if you are looking down the alley the

overgrowth does extend a few feet into the alley. I did look at the video Parks. Some

work had been done by you.

Wellner: I didn’t do any work until the 12th.

Moermond: so you did work after the crew was out there?

Wellner: I have Parkinson’s and two knees that need to be replaced. It took me many

hours. I understand the point of the order. They went out on the 10th and I found no

indication anything had been done. If I knew you’d been out and I was going to have to

pay $350 I wouldn’t have busted my butt on the 12th clearing everything out. I just find

it discouraging.

Moermond: I agree the crew didn’t do a good job. They did a minimal amount. It is

unfortunate they did that. Compliance is the ultimate goal. I have a couple concerns.

You did blow the deadline for appealing the order, blew the deadline on appealing the

assessment itself. That was six weeks.

Wellner: when was the appeal notification?

Moermond: the tax assessment that went out had information about appealing this

pending tax assessment.

Wellner: I’m not trying to get out of anything, but I talked to Inspector McCullough and

he said he was going to remove it.

Moermond: I’m going to recommend this gets reduced. The City sent a crew, the City

did a bad job. That is absolutely true. You did your best after the deadline. Not great

there either. I’ll recommend it is reduced to $100.

Received and Filed

10:00 a.m. Hearings

Special Tax Assessments

RLH TA 22-88

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 608

CASE AVENUE. (File No. CRT2206A, Assessment No. 228208)

Jalali

Sponsors:

Approve the assessment.

Tried calling at 10:27 am: mailbox full.

Moermond: recommend approval of this assessment.

Referred to the City Council due back on 5/4/2022

RLH TA 22-143

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 802

CASE AVENUE. (File No. J2219A, Assessment No. 228519)

Yang

Sponsors:

Reduce assessment from $542 to $271.

Kao Sheng Vang, owner, appeared via phone

[Moermond gives background of appeals process]

Staff report by Supervisor Lisa Martin: January 12, 2022 a Summary Abatement Order

was issued to occupant as well as owner at 802 Case Avenue to remove and properly

dispose of the tires from the rear yard. Compliance of January 24, not in compliance,

so a work order was sent. Total proposed assessment of $542. No mail returned.

Video shows tires picked up from rear yard and back alley. Some history here for

garbage and overflowing recycling, all abated by owner.

Vang: looking at the pictures where the tires were. That area was really clean before

they came out. The video doesn’t show tires in that area. They went into my personal

property and took tires I store right behind my house. That is two or three car lengths

away from the area that was to be abated. They have no reason to go into that area, it

is my personal area behind that deck.

Moermond: it does say the rear yard in the orders.

Vang: I talked to Willie the day the tires went missing. I was worried someone stole

them. He said he couldn’t do anything until the next day and said the City took multiple

tires. I asked why they didn’t just leave because the area in the pictures were cleaned.

There is no reason to dig anywhere else on my personal property. The tires are hidden.

It isn’t the location where I was cited.

Moermond: I’m reviewing the video again. I think it still meets that definition. I think the

relocated tires still meet the description in the orders.

Vang: the tires in the back are my personal tires, they aren’t the same one in the

pictures. They got moved to where the van was so they could be picked up by the

trash person the next day.

Moermond: I think they still meet the definition of being in the rear yard based on the

video.

Vang: but what about the photos? That’s the area he wanted to be cleaned. That’s the

rear yard. I can’t store personal items in the back yard?

Moermond: some things are ok to store outside and some aren’t.

Vang: I just got those tires for a few days because they are snow tires. I talked to

Inspector Williams who confirmed all he was concerned about were the tires by the

fence. I told him I also cleaned up the garbage and branches with the tires. We

cleaned that already. He said just the tires needed to be removed from the fence.

Moermond: Ms. Martin?

Martin: the Summary Abatement Order is clear to remove and dispose of all the tires.

There is just one photo on a Summary Abatement Order and it states it may not show

all areas that need to be abated. You cannot store vehicle parts.

Vang: those tires were just taken off a few days before because it was snowing. It was

just temporary. It isn’t near the street where it is an issue. You can’t see it driving by. It

is even behind the little deck in the video. It isn’t in public view.

Moermond: are there any notes about communication with the owner?

Vang: it is going to cost a lot to try and replace. Mr. Williams said he couldn’t do

anything or order them to bring them back. He said the next thing to do is to contest.

That’s what he was helping me through.

Moermond: so if you disagree with the charge appeal it. Got it.

Martin: there is a note January 25 upon reinspection the tires remained. There have

been no replies from property owner or resident. Photos attached. Work was done.

Tires removed and file was closed.

Vang: 24th.

Martin: January 25 was correct.

Moermond: and a note about still no communication as of 7:19 am.

Vang: I called him when I noticed in the early afternoon since I wasn’t sure who took

them. In case I needed to make a police report.

Moermond: you moved them to the rear yard.

Vang: I moved them to the dumpsters, from the area he wanted cleaned. I talked to

him about it. He said anything else is out of the picture. Those were his words.

Martin: we can only fit one photo on the Summary Abatement Order and it may not

show all areas. We don’t allow exterior storage of items like car parts.

Vang: these are tires but were my personal tires with rims still on there. The ones on

the wall were moved before pickup. You can see clearly from the video.

Moermond: so they moved from one part of the yard to another part.

Vang: right next to the dumpster and I had a person coming to pick it up. If I didn’t

clean the area in the picture, I would understand. That was properly stored in the yard.

Moermond: it isn’t properly stored. That isn’t’ acceptable exterior storage. You are

looking at the photo showing tires by the fence not where they were moved to. You

believe because it is your personal property it shouldn’t have been taken, but that isn’t

how it works. It is still a violation. Some things can’t be stored outside. The letter

informed you of this. You did take some action. The question is whether that was a

good faith action and if it was should it have an effect on the amount of the

assessment. I think you misunderstood what was expected. There isn’t a great history

here. I will reduce this by half for a good faith effort. That brings you to $271 from the

$542. You are welcome to appeal to the Council further.

Vang: what about the tires the City took? That’s out of my pocket? For the City taking

it?

Moermond: you can file a claim but it isn’t something I can deal with here.

Vang: Mr. Williams' exact words were just the exact area of the picture.

Moermond: and you talked to him after the cleanup.

Vang: I just got back from a funeral that weekend, I just saw it was that day. I cleaned

up the evening of the 24 so it was done.

Moermond: if you want to add anything to the record you are more than welcome to talk

to the Council. If you think the City should reimburse you for the cost of the tires you

need to file a claim against the City. Those forms are online.

Referred to the City Council due back on 6/8/2022

RLH TA 22-125

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1003

EDMUND AVENUE. (File No. J2219A, Assessment No. 228519)

Thao

Sponsors:

Delete the assessment.

No one appeared

Moermond: delete this because no Summary Abatement Order was sent to the order.

So recommended.

Referred to the City Council due back on 6/8/2022

RLH TA 22-128

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 179

FAIRVIEW AVENUE SOUTH. (File No. J2219A, Assessment No.

228519)

Tolbert

Sponsors:

Approve the assessment.

Colleen Wasescha, owner, appeared via phone

[Moermond gives background of appeals process]

Staff report by Supervisor Lisa Martin: January 13, 2022 we issued orders to remove

snow and ice from the public sidewalk. The photos are attached. It was definitely

thick. We have had previous complaints for not shoveling at that property. January 18

was the compliance date. Work was done by the City January 19. Total proposed

assessment of $322. No mail returned.

Wasescha: I did get your videos and paperwork. I’m a 61 year old widow. Lived here for

28 years. The first snow of the winter my snowblower was broken. I took it to Miriam

Park for repair. I used my neighbor’s snow thrower. I shoveled and so did my son. Clair

also helps. We have shoveled through the year. The repairs took longer due to Covid,

otherwise we would have had mine. It is better. The sidewalks are grossly uneven. It

doesn’t make for clean shoveling since it buckles. Who do I contact about getting my

sidewalk repaired? I’m on the alley and at the end, the alley plow comes through and

just before it hits Fairview it puts two to three foot piles to breakthrough to get to the

sidewalk. I did purchase hundreds of dollars of grit and salt from Ace. I disperse that

regularly. I’m under treatment for cancer which does cause reduced arm strength. I

also do shift work so I don’t get home until after 9:30 pm so I have to shovel

in-between my shift work.

Moermond: so you’re saying you borrowed the neighbor’s blower, you did it, your

relatives did it, the plow leaves a pile. And I see a video with compacted ice that

doesn’t look like it was touched. I struggle to find out any good faith effort was made. I

can see the other sidewalks near you have been taken care of.

Wasescha: you are correct. Fairview is a main thoroughfare so we try to get out before

it compacts. Due to my shift work I simply can’t get out there immediately like most

people can. I do work 40 to 60 hours a week. I get out when I can. When people pass

through it does create the worst scenario. It gets trampled down.

Moermond: I have a letter, a sidewalk that hadn’t been touched by the owner, and the

City crew did the work. This is an assessment associated with that work.

Wasescha: I got a notice it was $155. Then I got a second notice it was $320. You

mentioned earlier $160. It is kind of all over the place.

Moermond: the letter says it is $160 minimum, and indicates fees added for a special

assessment, which this is. So you have $160 for that half-hour minimum, then fees

bringing you up to $322.

Wasescha: I didn’t know about those fees.

Moermond: yes, they charge for every paper clip involved in bringing this as a special

assessment. I’m left with the crew being dispatched and having done the work. I need

to balance whether this is your responsibility or the responsibly of the taxpayers at

large. Looking at when the snow fell and how long it was there before the crew showed

up was quite a few days. I can’t come up with how the taxpayers should be paying for

your front walk being shoveled. The Council may look at it differently. I’m going to

recommend approval.

Wasescha: who can I contact about the sidewalk?

Moermond: that would be Public Works. [gives number] and the sidewalk website has

a form online too.

Referred to the City Council due back on 6/8/2022

RLH TA 22-147

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1597

HAZELWOOD STREET. (File No. J2208E, Assessment No. 228307)

(Public hearing continued to October 12, 2022)

Yang

Sponsors:

Continue PH to October 12, 2022. If no same or similar violations, delete the

assessment.

Jeffrey Nowicki, owner, appeared via phone

[Moermond gives background of appeals process]

Staff report by Supervisor Lisa Martin: October 22, 2021 a Summary Abatement Order

was issued to occupant and owner at this address to remove and dispose of the

furniture and cardboard from front yard. Compliance of October 29. Furniture was still

by the door. Work order was sent for 11/10 and it came back done by owner. This is a

PAEC. There is a history at the property. January 29, 2019 snow walk complaint,

closed due to new snowfall. May 2, 2019 a vehicle complaint, unfounded. May 30 2019

tall grass and weeds, no work order sent. May 29 , 2020 tall grass and weeds, resulted

in a PAEC. February 3, 2021 snow walk complaint, no work order. This is a total

assessment of $157.

Moermond: and this is a charge for the work crew being deployed. Not done on

deadline so it was dispatched and found done.

Nowicki: early 2019 I lost my job due to [medical reasons].

Moermond: we just have a couple instances in the past and they are ones we see

commonly. Are you at the house commonly to see things?

Nowicki: no, I have moved back into my parents. I could no longer go through my mail

due to medical reasons.

Moermond: You are taking steps so this doesn’t happen in the future and getting help

to manage those notifications. Is your housing stable?

Nowicki: yes. I am trying to get it rented so we will have the rental agreement to take

care of those things and will have a property management company manage it.

Moermond: I am going to ask the Council to continue this for six months and if you

have no other problems this be deleted. I’ll look at this again October 12. If there is

nothing it is gone.

Nowicki: I should be able to get that rented in the next couple months. Is there

anything special I need to do if I am not the homesteader?

Moermond: the property management company should be able to guide you. You need

a Fire Certificate of Occupancy for non-owner occupied properties. You can get that

form online.

Martin: we could email him the Certificate of Occupancy information to share.

Moermond: we’ll do that so you have that background.

Nowicki: thank you so much.

Referred to the City Council due back on 6/8/2022

RLH TA 22-108

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 792

ROSE AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2219A, Assessment No. 228519)

Yang

Sponsors:

Delete the assessment.

Ricardo Gonzales, owner, appeared via phone

Moermond: one of these has to do with snow removal and one with cleaning up items in

the yard. I’m going to tackle the snow removal one first.

Staff report by Supervisor Lisa Martin: this was issued to remove snow and ice from

sidewalk, full width, including the sidewalk ramp. No returned mail. This is a Category

2 Vacant Building opened February 19, 2020. Condemnation from January 31, 2020.

16 Summary Abatement Order have been sent between June 1 2020 and February 11,

2022 which resulted in 10 work orders for garbage, snow and ice, and tall grass and

weeds, as well as securing.

[Moermond gives background of appeals process]

Moermond: we had orders mailed telling you January 5 to shovel. It was checked on

the 13th and the 18th a crew went out to do it. I looked at the snowfall charts and the

video. Tell me why you are appealing?

Gonzalez: half the time all those things are because of squatters messing up my

property. I called 54 times in a year. I’m disabled with Parkinson’s. I can barely walk. I

have no mail; they took the mailbox. I have no way of finding out. I got so many

assessments from appeals. I can’t even walk. I had restraining orders on the squatters

and they never took them to jail. Then the City cleans it up and I didn’t even do it.

Moermond: well, the squatters didn’t make it snow. Let’s be clear on that. You moved

out? You had tenants move in? What happened?

Gonzalez: I had so many police calls about squatters they told me they were going to

board it up. I was trying to fix it but I had violations. I’m on disability with a fixed

income. I couldn’t pay for the violations. I called the cops and they never took them to

jail. I had a restraining over. Ever since the George Floyd thing they say they can’t do

anything. I’m not even going to make any money when I sell because of the

assessments on the house. They just boarded the garage again. It isn’t even my fault.

It’s the squatters. They don’t even do anything about the squatters.

Moermond: this first issue is snowfall and the walk not being shoveled. Why wasn’t the

walk shoveled?

Gonzalez: I don’t live there and it is boarded up.

Moermond: people still need to walk the sidewalk. If you’re disabled, you had someone

else doing it before?

Gonzalez: the school next door did it.

Moermond: so someone did you a favor before. You can appreciate people need to

walk down sidewalks safely.

Gonzalez: before I got sick I never had problems, but now I am homeless and

disabled. All this stuff keeps happening. I had the house 14 years and never had

problems until these squatters came around. I just can’t do it anymore. I’m not going to

make anything when I sell it. I called him and told him what happened. I called the

police. No one did anything. I got a restraining order. I did everything I could. If they

would have taken him to jail I wouldn’t have had to do all this.

Moermond: well let’s focus on shoveling. You weren’t doing it. There was snow the day

of the orders and snow that fell the day the crew arrived . It is hard for me to tell how

much snow was there when the crew went out. My guess is you never shoveled but I

am going to give you credit and I’ll recommend this is deleted since there was new

snowfall. So the potential you did it.

Referred to the City Council due back on 6/8/2022

RLH TA 22-109

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 792

ROSE AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2218A, Assessment No. 228518)

Yang

Sponsors:

Approve the assessment.

Ricardo Gonzales, owner, appeared via phone

Moermond: the second assessment is about cleaning up the yard. A bunch of things.

Staff report by Supervisor Lisa Martin: this was issued December 28, 2021 to remove

and store improperly stored or accumulated refuse which may include: garbage,

rubbish, loose and scattered litter, discarded furniture, appliances, vehicle parts, scrap

wood and metal, recycling materials, household items, building materials or rubble,

tires, brush, etc., from entire property including yard, boulevard, alley, and driveway. No

returned mail. We’ve already heard the history. Total proposed assessment of $506.

Moermond: about this cleanup, anything you want on the record?

Gonzalez: it is the same problem. they go in. Why would I mess up my own property?

I’m not the police I can’t do anything. Then the police don’t do anything. They won’t

arrest them. They told me to get a restraining order, and then nothing happened. The

people trying to buy my property backed out because they destroyed the sheetrock. I

can’t even defend myself. Then they charge me. Who would bring junk to their own

yard? It isn’t me doing it

Moermond: as a property owner you are responsible for it. if someone dump junk in my

yard I’m responsible. How is your situation different?

Gonzalez: they keep coming back. I can’t keep up. I called the police. People collect

stuff and bring it to my yard. 50 some calls to the cops.

Moermond: this is exterior maintenance. Not someone inside my house.

Gonzalez: they were outside my house with tents. I’d kick them out of the house and

they’d go in the garage. Then the City boarded the garage, it happened like 5 times.

What can I do when I call the cops and they don’t do anything? That’s a crime. I’m a

victim of a crime. Now with all the assessments I can’t even make any money on it.

Moermond: this has been a horrible experience for the neighbors. I sure wouldn’t want

to be this neighbor.

Gonzalez: that’s why I’m trying to sell. I can’t keep up with the squatters.

Moermond: it has been in the Vacant Building program 5 years.

Gonzalez: I’ve ordered 5 dumpsters. I have cleaned it up so many times. I tried to fix it

up and the City put a stop on it and then they tore it out again. I’m 60 years old. I’m

trying to sell and I’m going to walk away with nothing. I feel sorry for whoever buys it.

They will have the same problem.

Moermond: and I have to bring it back to junk being through the yard. You are saying

you can’t do the work. sometimes you did it. My sales price has been going down due

to assessments. I am sympathetic. This is a private matter between you and the

squatters. I don’t know that story. I do know the exterior was not occupied, it was just

household items and junk in the yard and it wasn’t taken care of by you or someone for

you. Do the general taxpayers have to pay for that? Or are you responsible as an

owner?

Gonzalez: do you know how many times that I’ve been charged for this?

Moermond: I can see it is a lot and that tells me that you aren’t in charge of the

situation. You are responsible for the property. You own it. It has been a continual

problem for the neighbors. It continues to violate local codes. I can’t say that’s the

taxpayers at large are responsible. It wasn’t cleaned up by you or anyone else. It was

cleaned up by the City. This is a charge for that. Going after the squatters is up to you.

I’m going to recommend approval of this assessment. You can definitely talk to

Council about it and receive a different outcome.

Gonzalez: I’m screwed no matter what. My responsibility is to call the police and no

one does anything.

Moermond: I’m not fact checking what happens with you and the police. I’m just

looking at this assessment today.

Gonzalez: I’ll just eat it like I always do. I have no other choice. No one is going to

help me. When I sell the properly it will be paid off.

Moermond: I do wish you well.

Referred to the City Council due back on 6/8/2022

RLH TA 22-150

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1707

ROSE AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2219A, Assessment No. 228519)

Yang

Sponsors:

Reduce assessment from $450 to $225 and continue PH to October 18, 2022. If no

same or similar violations, delete entire assessment.

Besha Gutama, owner, appeared via phone

[Moermond gives background of appeals process]

Staff report by Supervisor Lisa Martin: it appears January 6, 2022 a Summary

Abatement Order was issued to occupant and owner at this address to remove and

dispose of a trash bag by the alley. Compliance date of January 17. We reinspected

January 20. Work was done January 26, 2022 for a total proposed assessment of

$450. Some graffiti history, and a garbage order with no work order.

Moermond: why are you appealing?

Gutama: the graffiti I work on cleaning it up. I hope that is not the reason.

Moermond: this is about a bag of trash by your cans that didn’t get picked up.

Gutama: the garbage was there and I was trying to figure out, I have a back problem,

it snowed. I was trying to get it off the ground and couldn’t because the snow got there

before I did. It took me longer to get the garbage bag out because of those back

problems. I’m sorry, it wasn’t meant to be there. I don’t know what to do at this point.

Moermond: it was a simple item.

Gutama: it was heavy and with the snow it was almost frozen. I tried to pick it up. I live

by myself. I was trying to pick it up but it was stuck to the ground. I couldn’t figure it

out on time.

Moermond: I’m looking at last year in 2021, there were 3 issues. Two times with graffiti.

Did you fill out a graffiti waiver form with the City?

Gutama: I did clean the graffiti by myself. I thought this notice was for that. I did go to

City Hall and submit the waiver. I’m in the process of changing the siding, it is taking

longer for the contractor to do the job.

Moermond: you had 3 issues, 2 were graffiti, you got that waiver form in which is good.

The other issue with garbage didn’t result in a work order. I’d like to see no issues in

2022. Graffiti you have a waiver, so no problem. Garbage, mowing the lawn, shoveling

snow, will be counted as violations. This was a small cleanup, I’ll cut it in half to $225.

If you have no other violations by October 18 I’ll recommend the rest is deleted. I’d like

you to have no problems moving forward.

Gutama: yes ma’am, thank you.

Referred to the City Council due back on 6/8/2022

RLH TA 22-151

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1491

UNIVERSITY AVENUE WEST. (File No. J2206P, Assessment No.

228405)

Jalali

Sponsors:

Delete the assessment (waiver on file).

No one appeared

Moermond: delete, waiver is on file.

Referred to the City Council due back on 5/18/2022

RLH TA 22-140

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 427

WHITALL STREET. (File No. J2207E1, Assessment No. 228315)

Brendmoen

Sponsors:

Approve the assessment.

Thomas Wybierala, owner, appeared via phone

Cherie Ventrelli, o/b/o Wybierala, appeared via phone

[Moermond gives background of appeals process]

Staff report by Supervisor Lisa Martin: Summary Abatement Order was issued

September 29, 2021 to owner and occupant at this address. Specifically to obtain a

building permit or store the box trailer on the property. Compliance Date was October

13. Reinspected October 13 and was still in noncompliance. An Excessive

Consumption fee was sent for a total assessment of $157. This property has an

extensive history.

Moermond: the orders were from September 29, and the Excessive Consumption was

dated October 13.

Cherie Ventrelli: at this point basically all the fees come from the inspection. From

your time. We have contacted an attorney about this so I have no further information at

this time. Ok thank you. [hangs up]

Moermond: I recommend approval of this assessment.

Referred to the City Council due back on 5/18/2022

RLH TA 22-157

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1492

PORTLAND AVENUE. (File No. J2219A, Assessment No. 228519)

Thao

Sponsors:

Layover to LH Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at 10 am. PW staff to follow up with hauler

about communication with PO on bulky item pickup.

Clyde Cutting, owner, appeared via phone

Andrea Cutting, sister of owner, appeared via phone

[Moermond gives background of appeals process]

Staff report by Supervisor Lisa Martin: January 20, 2022 a Summary Abatement Order

was issued to Rick Stevenson in Rochester, occupant, and Clyde and Andrea Cutting

in unit 2. Specifically to remove the fridge from the boulevard. Date of orders January

20, 2022, compliance date of January 25, rechecked January 27 and work was done

by Parks January 27. There is a video showing the removal by the City. Total proposed

assessment of $452.

Moermond: why are you appealing?

Clyde Cutting: I have notes of what happened. I put this on the boulevard on January

14, notified Waste Management of one of our 2 annual large item pick up with trash

the following week. We have no say in our trash service. We properly disposed of it

because we informed our contracted service assigned by the City. We expected them

to fulfill that contract and remove the item. They didn’t pick it up January 17. I got

back in touch with them later that week. I’m not sure if that was before or after the

letter arrived. I thought maybe it was like Minneapolis where they come back a

different day, so I wasn’t immediately concerned. We got the Summary Abatement

Order. We bought the property from Stevenson in July of last year; we did get the

letters. It listed the name of Inspector McCullough. I left a message, which he

returned. I explained Waste Management hadn’t picked it up and continued to inform

them it needed to be picked up. That was Friday the 21. I was hopeful on the 24 it

would be. So the morning on the 25 I called Waste Management again. At some point

they also didn’t pick up recycling in a timely fashion. They were suffering multi-day

delays is what they said.

Moermond: and Waste Management doesn’t pick up recycling. That’s Eureka.

Clyde Cutting: yes, I contacted Eureka after asking Waste Management about it. That

confirmed those staffing shortages weren’t related to the fridge pickup. Tuesday,

January 25 I talked to Waste Management who confirmed they’d have a truck out

Wednesday January 26. I told that to inspector McCullough via text to his mobile

phone. He replied and said he would put an OTE in for the fridge. Wednesday evening

the 26 it was still there. Waste Management wasn’t responsive that late, so I called the

morning of the 27th. They said they would send a truck out. Then they emailed saying

they showed up to get the fridge and it was not there. So in between those times the

fridge was picked up by the City. I did everything possible according to the hauling

contract to get it picked up.

Moermond: Andrea anything to add?

Andrea cutting: I was aware of the action Clyde took and can confirm that is how it

went.

Moermond: we’re going to reach out to Waste Management on this one and get their

internal records. We need some accountability on this. I’m going to lay this over for

four weeks and we can discuss again Tuesday May 17. I do want to have Waste

Management talked to and find out where things are at. They do have a contract and

I’d like to hear from Public Works on this one.

Clyde Cutting: that is appropriate. I want them held accountable.

Moermond: we’ll talk again May 24 and continue this conversation.

Laid Over to the Legislative Hearings due back on 5/17/2022

Special Tax Assessments-ROLLS

RLH AR 22-39

RLH AR 22-40

RLH AR 22-41

Ratifying the assessments for Property Clean Up services during January

13 to 14, 2022. (File No. J2218A, Assessment No. 228518)

Brendmoen

Sponsors:

Referred to the City Council due back on 6/8/2022

Ratifying the assessments for Property Clean Up services during January

11 to 31, 2022. (File No. J2219A, Assessment No. 228519)

Brendmoen

Sponsors:

Referred to the City Council due back on 6/8/2022

Ratifying the assessments for Equipment and Labor for Clean Up

services during November to December 2021. (File No. J2220A,

Assessment No. 228521)

Brendmoen

Sponsors:

Referred to the City Council due back on 6/8/2022

RLH AR 22-42

Ratifying the assessments for Sewer Repair in Right of Way during

November 2021 at 647 Thomas Ave. (File No. J2221A, Assessment No.

228522)

Brendmoen

Sponsors:

Referred to the City Council due back on 6/8/2022

11:00 a.m. Hearings

Summary & Vehicle Abatement Orders

RLH SAO 22-8

Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 1059

BURGESS STREET in Council File RLH SAO 22-6. (Public Hearing

continued to April 27, 2022)

Thao

Sponsors:

Continue PH to Wednesday April 27, 2022.

Karla Holmlund, owner, appeared via phone

Moermond: we’re calling about the state of affairs at the back of the property. The

Council Granted you an extension to April 15 to do the cleanup.

Holmlund: we’ve been working steadily. Our initial people quick. We were trying to

meet the deadline even though we haven’t had a deadline or email or anything. It was

just assumed.

Staff report by Supervisor Lisa Martin: The original Summary Abatement Order was

issued February 8, 2022 for the contents and debris and tarps in the backyard. We

gave to April 1 and Council extended that to April 15. An inspector went out this

morning and as of 10 am there is still a large amount of exterior storage. We have

tarps, coolers, totes, wood. A structure over a vehicle. Those are not approved. It

needs to be removed.

Holmlund: yes, it will be.

Moermond: you’re in a place now with a deadline, the City would finish cleaning it up if

you aren’t done. There are charges associated with that.

Holmlund: we’ve had some complications. We’ve removed so much. As of right now I

have someone taking the donations in the bins. We’ve hauled so much. This is stuff in

the driveway mostly. Do we have to get rid of the brush in the yard?

Moermond: the brush?

Holmlund: our original team had an injury and quit. We got a lot done with them.

Cleaned and cleaned and then they quit. We had a hard time replacing them. I’m not

making excuses; I’m just saying what happened. They can’t come until Thursday to

take the donate stuff. I have chronic pain I’m just waking up. Curious about the brush.

Moermond: I would say the brush would be included; it does mention brush as a

general item. I need to make a finding on the nuisance condition. My finding has to be

no you haven’t. I think we all agree on that. The next question is where you go from

here. The Council has authorized DSI to act as soon as they vote. You need to ask

the Council to give you more time. I personally know this has been going on since

February.

Holmlund: we have worked so hard. And we are so sick. We are too old to have this

stuff, I got away from us. I need to have sales. I’ve hired everyone I can. I have made

the hugest effort. It is ironic because our son works with the State. He has a new baby

with heart surgery. I’m just telling you we don’t intend to keep it. We want it gone. I’ve

spent a lot of money hiring people, it just went “kapooey”. The pandemic didn’t help.

Stuff got wet and I have to rewash it. We have someone picking up the wood. I have

people who want some of it. I just need to do the last organizational get. The thrift

store can’t come until next Monday to get the rest of it. I’m trying so hard. I don’t want it

to end up with a fiasco. I just wanted it done, my poor husband is just in pain.

Moermond: so a few days will get the job done?

Holmlund: yes, it will.

Moermond: my concern is it won’t get done and we’ll be in the same place next week.

I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt. I’ll ask the Council to give you one more

week. They will look at it next Wednesday. It needs to be done when the inspector

shows up first thing next Tuesday morning.

Martin: we’ll have an inspector out there.

Moermond: so you have an extension to get the thrift store people out there Monday.

Holmlund: if I have questions about the last of it can someone ask those to. Who can

I call?

Moermond: what kind of questions?

Holmlund: we have garbage haulers involved but we ended up with a bunch of bins and

I have no clue how to get rid of those. They don’t have lids. It isn’t easy to get rid of

them.

Moermond: you talked to your hauler?

Holmlund: yes. They want bags.

Moermond: Ms. Martin, any comments?

Martin: no, sometimes the donation places may take them.

Holmlund: they don’t have lids so they are kind of useless. What about old

electronics?

Moermond: there are resources but you have to figure that out.

Mai Vang: Washington environmental takes them for free.

Moermond: an email was sent Thursday March 10 with the information on the

extension. Any other questions?

Holmlund: that is it.

Referred to the City Council due back on 4/20/2022

1:00 p.m. Hearings

Vacant Building Registrations

RLH VBR

22-22

Appeal of Norma Anderson to a Vacant Building Registration Notice and

Summary Abatement Order at 1425 SEVENTH STREET EAST.

Yang

Sponsors:

Grant the appeal and release the property from the VB building, conditioned on the

nuisance fence being abated by July 1, 2022.

Norma Anderson, owner, appeared via phone

Lisa Anderson, daughter, appeared via phone

[Moermond gives background of appeals process]

Staff report by Supervisor Matt Dornfeld: DSI received a neighborhood complaint on

March 16, 2022 stating there was an abandoned vehicle in the front yard with a trailer

and some loose litter, and a couple of broken windows, one of which was boarded.

That was inspected by Inspector Kedrowski and he confirmed the complaint. Orders

were issued and we did get compliance on the vehicles and trailers, which are gone.

Yard is in compliance. Mr. Kedrowski felt it was vacant both times he was there.

Possibly abandoned so it was transferred to the Vacant Building department. House

has not been condemned. Inspector writes it appears vacant with a couple broken

windows and yard is now in compliance. I did speak to the property owner and advised

her to file this appeal. She mentioned a length health history recently which caused

some of this and are working towards moving back on a full-time basis.

Moermond: why are you appealing?

Norma Anderson: what happened is a year ago I ended up in the hospital, then moved

in with my son. Then had back surgery July 2 and then because Covid I had to wait

until February 22 for hip surgery. Now I’m recovering from that. I’ve been making all

payments on the house, even the phone line still. Recovering it has been hard for me.

Now I’m at my daughter's and I’m doing a lot better. I hope to take care of a lot of

things he mentioned. I had another Summary Abatement Order on the cement cover in

the front, we have hired someone to do that. I also will have the trash company do it if

he doesn’t.

Lisa Anderson: with Greiner Companies there is a lot of construction across the street.

Assuming that was part of the construction there was a concrete blanket left from that.

I spoke with the contractor and it sounded like Greiner was sending someone out

today to get that off the boulevard.

Moermond: I don’t need health details, when do anticipate moving back in?

Norma Anderson: we’re working hard with the therapist, hopefully within the month.

Lisa Anderson: three to six months. She needs to make sure she is safe and maybe a

bathroom remodel needed. I want to say three months, she just got back therapy

prescribed and doing the assessment this month. We want her safe in the home.

Moermond: so I am hearing 3 to 6 months may be optimistic since you don’t know

what remodeling may need to be done.

Lisa Anderson: no, it is reasonable. We’re in that 3 to 6 months range. She’s been

making great progress. Spring hasn’t been helpful on the outside getting those items

done.

Norma Anderson: the house payments are all up to date.

Moermond: Mr. Dornfeld, what observations did the inspector make besides the

exterior fence? And the broken window?

Dornfeld: that’s right. I haven’t been there, but I believe there is an egress window

boarded.

Lisa Anderson: I do have the police report. I had them validate no one was in the home

and my brother boarded the home immediately. Someone had smashed it in. Because

she was staying with me we thought it better to leave it boarded until someone was in

there full time. It’s a basement window and the largest window into the building. She

has an alarm system. A person could get in that window a lot easier than any of the

other windows. We thought that was safer until we could address it this spring.

Moermond: and the fence does look to be in rough shape. Are you repairing or

removing?

Lisa Anderson: we’d like to repair. We have 8 new panels and posts in the garage.

Norma Anderson: we’ll have a dumpster for all the stuff there now.

Moermond: we want to make sure your property is not attractive to someone inclined to

break in. That it continues to look maintained, lights on timers, those sorts of things.

Lisa Anderson: we do have the TV and a light that come on in the house.

Moermond: I’m going to ask you get the fence repaired by July 1, 2022.

Lisa Anderson: absolutely, we can do that.

Moermond: we’ll get you out of the Vacant Building program for the moment. I’m

satisfied this is temporary and she’ll be moving back in in the relatively near future.

The only thing outstanding is that fence, a separate order could be written on that. As

far as I’m concerned it is buttoned up and taken care of.

Referred to the City Council due back on 5/4/2022

1:30 p.m. Hearings

Orders To Vacate - Fire Certificate of Occupancy

RLH VO 22-13

Appeal of Linda Konicek, Tenant, to a Fire Certificate of Occupancy

Revocation and Order to Vacate at 653 REANEY AVENUE.

Yang

Sponsors:

Layover to LH April 26, 2022 at 1:30 pm for plumbing permit to be finaled.

Linda Konicek, tenant of Unit 1, appeared

Richard Finch, owner, appeared via phone

[Moermond gives background of appeals process]

Staff report by Supervisor Leanna Shaff: this is a revocation of the Certificate of

Occupancy which started last September under inspector Franquiz, now taken over by

Inspector Thomas. We’ve had numerous attempts to inspect with no entry. There are a

few things on the report that haven’t been repaired. The revocation is due to long-term

noncompliance. The biggest item is a leak at the boiler. That has been on the orders

for a long time. There is a red tag on it. Inspector Thomas assured me he has talked

to Mr. Finch about getting it repaired, but it hasn’t happened. We do know the weather

hasn’t been the greatest so the exterior painting, the roof is not leaking. There is a

permit but Mr. Finch had a bad contractor. He told me Mr. Finch had an electrician in

the last couple days, we don’t know the outcome of that. The reason for revocation is

long-term noncompliance and biggest item is a leaky boiler.

Moermond: this is a duplex?

Shaff: yes.

Moermond: a red tagged boiler and it is ongoing. Its implications are what?

Shaff: seems to be heating ok, but it runs under pressure. It is leaking enough that it

can be concerning if it starts leaking more or can’t build up the correct pressure. Even

too much air in the system. There is a huge chance of mechanical failure. It could lead

to something bigger.

Finch: she is exactly right. There is a small pressure valve release on the hot water

heater, with a small dribble. If you’re going black and white yes, it isn’t perfect. After

April 15, we shut off the whole system, bleed it, and we didn’t want them to not have

heat. We waited until it was warm enough. We put a new valve on and it has been

fixed.

Shaff: who did that work?

Finch: the guy with the boiler license.

Shaff: did he pull a permit?

Finch: the plumber has to come out to turn the boiler back on. He has to pull the

permit. The leak has been fixed but the boiler is not on right now. We’re trying to get it

addressed but the plumber can’t get out soon. They are short staffed. I didn’t want

them to be without heat

Moermond: aren’t they without heat now?

Finch: it is radiator system. Now I have to have a plumber hook it back up.

Moermond: it sounds like there is no heat now.

Finch: today was the day, yes. Capital City contracting shut it off and he has to have a

plumber come back.

Shaff: I am concerned he didn’t pull a permit. This isn’t an emergency repair. If he isn’t

licensed in the City--

Finch: I’m not sure if he pulled a permit or not.

Moermond: I am, I’m looking at the system.

Finch: the plumber has to come do it.

Moermond: how is it heated right now?

Finch: she agreed it was warm enough.

Moermond: City code says it has to be 68 degrees.

Shaff: doesn’t matter if it is July or January.

Finch: I thought it was April 15. That’s what Xcel says.

Moermond: that’s different because of bill payment.

Finch: so Xcel has different rules than us?

Moermond: you should probably talk to them about the rule. 68 degrees must be

maintainable in the property. It doesn’t sound like if you have an inoperable boiler it

can do that. That changes the complexion of the problem.

Konicek: I know the weather hasn’t been that cooperative for exterior. A big hold up

was progress, I witnessed this, the workman got stood up a number of times. That

caused weeks of delay. They would sneak out at 5 am and not let anyone in. My goal

would be, hopefully, huge investment in repairs. I’m hoping to continue to be a tenant. I

am disabled and low income. I have a whole list of disabilities. I have severe chemical

sensitivities. I’m very sick. If I go into other units I get ill. So for me it is important to

be able to stay. They don’t recognize my medically prescribed water and diets. I only

do water by hand in buckets. I have great expertise with buildings. I was in the

deadliest moldy apartment in St. Paul for like a year. That was in 1994 so I had a

researcher come in and was tested for the worst mold in the United States. I have

touchy health. We don’t get support from the government and doctors. I know how to

fix a house, which I did in the 1980’s. I’m sorry the City is seeing backed up progress.

The whole roof went on. My goal is to keep my housing. I looked for a long time to find

this unit. I was homeless 10 years. I can’t be in shelters because I get sick. I was a

nurse at Mayo. I have professional letters. It is an uphill battle, and housing is so

critical for me. The other tenants don’t want to move their junk off their property. IT

concerns me the building be lost because they won’t clean their junk up. I’ve lived here

15 years and Mr. Finch bought it the last couple years and it has been good. I had one

inspection through my subsidy and he did the items right away.

Shaff: I’m concerned. It isn’t the upstairs tenant’s requirement to allow entrance. That

falls on Mr. Finch. This has gone on so long without movement.

Finch: there were 70 things on the list and were down to 3 or 4.

Shaff: he hasn’t been taking life safety issues into account until now.

Finch: there was a list of 70 items. We addressed probably 65 of them and put a lot of

money in. the top tenants didn’t pay rent. I own a business on the east side. I

appreciate the patience. Not having keys to the upstairs, not letting us in, drew it out

some. the Contractor turned it into a $20,000 job. I’ve done what ai can to protect the

tenants. I’ve put my own paycheck in and their health and wellbeing mean a lot to us.

I’m not a slumlord. I am all about the eastside. I made this affordable if possible and

I’ve been losing money and I want it up to par. It weighs on me. I am a real estate

broker. I know the oath I took to protect people. Contractors haven’t showed up. Linda

can stay at my house too.

Konicek: Inspector Thomas said we could plug in space heaters. It isn’t idea to have

no heat long-term.

Moermond: that is the emergency remedy for no heat.

Konicek: Franquiz mentioned loans.

Moermond: there is a rental rehabilitation program, on hold until June 15. So no dollars

right now. Mr. Finch I have a list with the maximum number of items being 25 items,

not 70. Where are you with wrapping up on those 5 items?

Finch: roofer should be done today. We’ll have soffits and fascia done. Siding is done.

The upstairs tenants don’t speak English well, they haven’t paid rent, I’m kind of new at

this game. They locked me out. I feel bad about throwing people out. There’s just a

GFCI outlet in the bathroom, the whole unit is signed off on.

Moermond: that seems to be a contradictory statement. Item one, exterior storage.

That belongs to the other tenants but needs to be dealt with. What is the plan on that?

Finch: hopefully get rid of the tenants. Can I just haul it away?

Moermond: I’m not your lawyer.

Finch: if you had to give advice to your sister or brother in law?

Shaff : we can refer it to Code Enforcement and they will charge an arm and leg to

take care of it.

Moermond: they will write a letter saying will you please and if you don’t, and the City

will charge you for it. I imagine that may give you some muscle. The City will clean it

up if you don’t handle it. It will keep you on the line from not being revoked.

Shaff: and if the tenants don’t clean it up Mr. Finch will be responsible for the bill.

Finch: maybe I’m a little soft. Today was a big error on my part to allow him in. We just

wanted everything on the list done as much as possible. It was an easy fix but not as

easy to turn it back on. I apologize about that. That was wrong.

Moermond: so we have a Summary Abatement Order that will go out on the

accumulated exterior storage. The walls have new siding? That is done?

Shaff: how much new siding?

Moermond: make sure they have a permit for the siding.

Finch: that was $80 in siding, an 8x8 area.

Moermond: that sounds reasonable.

Finch: I can give you a receipt. It was a tiny little bump out on the entry way.

Konicek: it is a stucco house.

Moermond: it doesn’t rise to the permit level. I see a permit for the roof that it is noted

it needs to be finaled.

Finch: roofer is over today; I can call for a final by Friday on that.

Moermond: the GFCI upstairs?

Finch: I have to have them switch it out.

Moermond: so an electrician to go in, yep. And we talked about the boiler.

Finch: I’m calling the plumber as soon as we hang up.

Moermond: that would be perfect. If you can provide a space heater or heaters that is

appropriate. Make sure the units are safe so if they tip they turn off. That would suffice

until the permit is finaled for the boiler. This can’t go on longer than a week for the

boiler. Permit sign-off included. I’ll lay this over for 1 week for the plumbing permit to

be finaled. Then we’ll know the boiler is taken care of and we can discuss the

remaining items then. Enforcement is stayed and I’m looking to you for a handshake

on the space heaters.

Finch: yes ma’am.

Laid Over to the Legislative Hearings due back on 4/26/2022