Meeting Minutes for July 7, 2005

OFFICIAL COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
JULY 7, 2005

A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Harbor Beach was held on Tuesday,
July 7, 2005 at City Hall. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Swartz.

Present: Kleinknecht, Schelke, Semp, Wood and Mayor Swartz
Finance Officer/Clerk Youatt

Absent: Engineer Bergdolt (with notice)

There were no corrections or additions to the agenda.

It was moved by Semp, seconded by Schelke to approve the minutes of the June 27, 2005 Council meeting as presented. Motion carried. 5 yeas.

Bills for June 2005 in the amount of $ 219,786.44 were presented to Council. It was moved by Wood, seconded by Kleinknecht to approve payment of the bills as presented. Motion carried.
5 yeas.

Citizen Comment: Chris Diehl, Stoneybrook Subdivision Developer, appeared before Council and expressed concern regarding water and sewer connection fees charge to property owners in the subdivision. Mr. Diehl stated that he had a conversation with Finance Officer Youatt early in the development of the subdivision and that Mr. Youatt stated not to worry about the connection fees. Youatt stated he did not recall saying that and that he did not have authority to waive connection fees. Mr. Diehl also stated that bills for connection fees have not been sent to the property owners. Youatt stated that there were administrative problems with billing which need to be addressed. Mr. Diehl asked Council to consider waiving the fees. A joint water and sewer committee meeting will be scheduled to address the issue.

OLD BUSINESS: It was moved by Semp, seconded by Wood to proceed with testimony regarding dangerous buildings identified as follows in accordance with the City’s Dangerous Building Ordinance: 141/143 South Huron Avenue, 704/706 South Huron Avenue, 510 South Second Street, 403 Lytle Avenue, and 419 North Huron Avenue. Motion carried. 5 yeas.

Youatt stated that five residential building inspections were conducted on June 6, 2005 at the locations identified above. All building inspections were conducted by Huron County Building Official Eugene Peruski with Mr. Youatt in attendance as well. Four of the five building inspections were conducted on the outside of the houses only, as either tenants or owners were not present or entrance inside was not allowed. There was an inside inspection conducted at
510 South Second Street as the owner’s representative was present and allowed the inside inspection to be conducted.

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JULY 7, 2005

Youatt read a building inspection report, dated June 9, 2005 regarding property located at
704-706 South Huron Avenue and owned by Mr. Winfried Bender. Youatt stated the owner was notified by letter at his last known address (P.O. Box 2384, Clewiston, Florida 33440-2384) of the date of the inspection to be conducted as well as notification of this meeting.. This inspection was an exterior inspection only. Youatt stated that this building had been the subject of a previous inspection a few years ago and that the City had to board up broken windows last summer. Youatt asked if there was any public testimony and there was none.

Youatt read a building inspection report, dated June 9, 2005 regarding property located at 141/143 South Huron Avenue and owned by Mr. Winfried Bender. Youatt stated the owner was notified by letter at his last known address (P.O. Box 2384, Clewiston, Florida 33440-2384) of the date of the inspection to be conducted as well as notification of this meeting. This inspection was an exterior inspection only. Youatt stated that this building had been the subject of a previous inspection. Youatt asked if there was any public testimony and there was none.

Youatt read a building inspection report, dated June 9, 2005 regarding property located at
419 North Huron Avenue and owned by Mr. John Fitzgibbon. Youatt stated that Mr. Fitzgibbon was notified by letter of the date of the inspection to be conducted as well as notification of this meeting. The inspection was an exterior inspection only. Youatt stated that Mr. Fitzgibbon has appeared before Council previously under the Dangerous Building Ordinance regarding a different property. Youatt asked if there was any public testimony. Mr. John Fitzgibbon, owner, stated that he has contacted a licensed builder to make the necessary repairs outlined in the inspection report. Mr. Fitzgibbon stated that the repairs could be completed within 6 months. Youatt asked Mr. Fitzgibbon why he couldn’t keep up on repairs. Mr. Fitzgibbon stated he has other properties needing repairs and there was only so much you can do in one year. Mr. Fitzgibbon was informed that written findings of fact will be documented regarding this testimony and that Council will take up this issue at their next meeting on Monday, July 18th at 2:30 p.m.

Youatt read a building inspection report dated June 9, 2005 regarding property located at 403 Lytle Avenue and owned by Gary McNeil Jr. and Veronica McNeil. Youatt stated the owner was notified by letter of the date of the inspection to be conducted as well as notification of this meeting. Mr. McNeil was present and stated he did not want an interior inspection performed. The inspection was an exterior inspection only. The report states that the exterior storage sheds have deteriorated beyond repair. Youatt asked if there was any public testimony and there was none.

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JULY 7, 2005

Youatt read a building inspection report dated June 8, 2005 regarding property located at 510
South Second Street and owned by Alfredene Junkkari. Youatt stated the owner was notified by letter of the date of the inspection to be conducted as well as notification of this meeting. Both an interior and exterior inspection was performed on the house as the owner’s representative was present. The report indicates that the Huron County Building Inspection Department is declaring the residence as unsafe and will be posted upon receipt of the inspection letter. Youatt asked if there was any public testimony. Alfredene Junkkari, owner, was present and stated that she wants to sell the building and property to Debbie and Doug Mauer. She feels the building can be repaired to meet building code. Debbie and Doug Mauer stated they believe they can repair the building to meet building code. Youatt asked the Mauers what they estimated the cost to be to do so and the Mauers replied between $ 15,000 and $ 20,000. Youatt noted that this building has been the subject of the dangerous building ordinance within the last 2 to 3 years and that the Huron County District Court ordered the removal of garbage which had filled the house and garage. The City had to contract to remove the garbage. Youatt noted that it is rare for the County Building Department to declare a building as unsafe.

Mayor Swartz asked Zoning Administrator Ramsey if he had any comment regarding the dangerous buildings. Mr. Ramsey stated that the process is not fast enough.

Youatt stated that he would recommend Council consider the time frame allowed for owners to either make repairs as indicated or to tear down the buildings as they determine. Youatt recommended that property owners who have been through the process before be given less time to make repairs as they know the City prioritizes the maintenance of property to protect neighbors property values and to keep the community in good order. Also, as they have been through the process before with the City, they know they need to keep up on maintenance of their buildings.

Engineer Report: None

Finance Officer Report: Good attendance in town for the 4th of July weekend with no major problems. The water main to the Lighthouse Assembly of God along Section Line Road was completed last week by the DPW. The dredge disposal site work required by the DEQ is on schedule for completion by the end of the month.

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JULY 7, 2005

Council Reports: Glad to see the flags up by the July 4th weekend. New flag banners will be purchased and ready for next summer. Great comments over the weekend on the appearance of the downtown. Also on the playscape at North Park. Youatt responded to a request on the pedestrian traffic light downtown by informing Council that the light works upon pushing the button as indicated. Also responded to question about pay phones by stating that at least two pay phones work in town; one by Foodtown and the other at Al’s Restaurant.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

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Tom Youatt, City Clerk