CPMCBA Minutes

CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE BOARD OF APPEALS The Construction and Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals meeting was held on July 19, 2023, at 3:30 p.m., with Chairman Anderson presiding. The members present were Mr. Lewis, Mr. Martin, and Mr. Rocha. Mr. Campana was absent. The staff members present were Mr. Kopp, Mr. Coburn, Mr. England, and Mrs. Walls. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Mr. Lewis moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Rocha, and unanimously carried. Election of Chair Mr. Anderson opened the floor for nominations. Mr. Rocha nominated Mr. Anderson to serve as Chair of the Construction and Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals. The motion was seconded by Mr. Martin. There being no further nominations, Mr. Anderson closed the floor for nominations. By unanimous consent, Mr. Anderson was elected to serve as Chair of the Construction and Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals. PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE VIOLATION: Chapter 22 - Buildings and Building Regulations, Article XII - Vacant Buildings, Section 22-403 - Registration and Registration Fee - Appeal of Registration Fee – 27 Spruance Street (Celina Brown) Chairman Anderson stated at 3:32 that they would give Ms. Brown 15 minutes to arrive or attend via Webex. Ms. Brown joined the meeting via Webex at 3:52 pm. Mr. Rob Coburn, Code Enforcement Officer, reviewed the case history for 27 Spruance Street. Responding to Mr. Anderson, Mr. Coburn stated that the original conditions that were placed on this property back in 2022 were not satisfied and that is why there was a lien placed against this property. Mr. Coburn explained by city code the home cannot be occupied without electricity and water. Responding to Mr. Rocha, Mr. Coburn stated that he is correct that nothing has changed within the last year and that she can appeal within 30 days of the last citation that was sent to her. Celina Brown, 27 Spruance Street, stated that she had written an extensive email to the city about what is going on. Ms. Brown stated that this property is not vacant. Ms. Brown discussed her email which is a part of the meeting packet. Ms. Brown stated that she is a target and that no one likes her. Ms. Brown stated that she is hardly home because of her work and that she is being harassed. Responding to Mr. Martin, Ms. Brown stated that the city cut off her electricity and that she had just paid her bill. Responding to Mr. Martin, Eddie Kopp, Code Enforcement Supervisor, stated that for clarification he had received bills back to July 20, 2022, and what is being charged is the trash, sewer, and a $5 water service fee. Mr. Kopp noted that even though there is no water usage, there is still a $5 water service

CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING OF JULY 19, 2023 PAGE 2 fee charged. So her bill has been around $44 each month. Mr. Kopp stated that within the past year, there has been zero electric usage and zero water usage. Responding to Chairman Anderson, Ms. Brown stated that during the prior appeal, the board gave her time to finish her construction and had it inspected. Ms. Brown stated that sometimes the city gives her water and sometimes it is off. Responding to Councilman Rocha, Mr. Kopp stated that it looks like the bill is being paid every other month. Mr. Kopp continued to state that there is no electricity being drawn because there is no meter on the property so Ms. Brown is not getting charged for electricity currently. Ms. Brown stated that she currently has electricity but that when she leaves the house she switches it off at the main switch. Responding to Councilman Rocha, Mr. Kopp stated that normally the meters will be removed after a period of no service. Once the electricity is off for six (6) months, the City will come and pull the meter to prevent tampering. Responding to Councilman Rocha, Mr. Coburn stated that he tried to check with customer service to see if the water had been turned off at the curb but that they could not tell him if it had or had not been turned off. Responding to Councilman Lewis, Mr. Kopp stated that the city has to install the meter, not an electrician. Responding to Councilman Lewis, Mr. Coburn stated that the only way she could be receiving electricity without a meter is with a jumper. That is very dangerous to do and illegal. Chairman Anderson suggested that the Electric department go and check out where the meter would be to see if something is going on. Mr. Rocha moved to deny the appeal made by Ms. Celina Brown and to uphold the decision of the Building Inspector to declare this property in its second year of vacancy and to apply the second-year vacant building registration fee, in the amount of $750. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lewis and unanimously carried. Mr. Lewis moved for an adjournment of the Construction and Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals meeting, seconded by Mr. Martin, hearing no objection, the meeting adjourned at 4:26 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 4:26 p.m. David L. Anderson Chairman DA/aw Attachments Attachment #1 - Pictures taken 7/19/2023, submitted by Ron Coburn, Code Enforcement Officer