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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/05/2016 08 Dangerous Buildings Project Status Report 10 I oihr 10 BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEMENT Item No. 8. For Meeting of: January 5, 2016 ITEM TITLE: Status Report on Dangerous Building Project SUBMITTED BY: Joe Caruso, Code Administration Manager (509) 575 -6257 Glenn Denman, Supervising Code Inspector SUMMARY EXPLANATION: In July 2015, City staff identified 120 buildings in the City that needed to be addressed due to the health and safety risks they posed. After demolition, rebuilds, and owners purchasing permits to have inspections conducted by the City of Yakima to make these structures habitable again, the number of dangerous buildings has dropped from 120 to 100. No City funds have been used in addressing these first 20 homes, however, Council has previously approved the use of $100,000 for this project. Resolution: Ordinance: Other (Specify): Contract: Contract Term: Start Date: End Date: Item Budgeted: Amount: Funding Source/Fiscal Impact: General Fund Strategic Priority: Public Safety Insurance Required? No Mail to: Phone: APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL: City Manager RECOMMENDATION: Information Only ATTACHMENTS: Description Upload Date Type d Dangerous sruckire memo 12/18/2015 (';or Memo d IDangerous sruckire Mrakxy 12/18/2015 (';or Memo January 5, 2016 MEMO TO: Honorable Mayor and Council Members FROM: Joe Caruso, Code Administration Manager SUBJECT: Dangerous Building Strategy Update In July 2015, Code Compliance Officers identified 120 fire damaged buildings, compromised structures, boarded up structures and basic vacant structures with possible code violations. This action was necessary due to vacant building fires, squatters, and individuals taking over properties by opening utility accounts and creating false lease agreements. Codes and Yakima Police have been addressing these issues under Chapter 11.10 Neighborhood Conservation and Chronic Nuisance Chapter 11.45. To combat the illegal, unauthorized entry to these structures, code administration has posted all of these structures with a Dangerous Building Notice due to no utilities such as water or electric as identified in the Housing Code. With these structures having notices on them, it is unlawful, and a violation, to occupy these structures. Along with that, it is a gross misdemeanor with jail time to be served. This process has cut down on the number of incidents with enforcement. To date, the original list of 120 structures is down to 100 structures. Several structures have been demolished due to fire damages. In some instances the owner has obtained the necessary permits and inspections to put these buildings back in habitable condition. Working with insurance companies, fire investigators, and financial institutions, the City of Yakima is last to utilize city funds to address these issues. At the September 1, 2015 Council meeting, the Council unanimously voted 7 -0 to allocate $100,000 to address these structures due to Codes and Yakima Police continuously addressing the same structures many times due to nuisance violations. The direction that code administration follows under Chapter 11.10 Neighborhood Conservation, allows the city to work with the owners of these properties. If they aren't abated by the owners /banks, the City of Yakima has the ability to demolish, remove junk vehicles, or clean the property with the ability to lien the parcel for all the costs incurred by the City. The City of Yakima is reimbursed for these funds by payments from the owner or they are added to the tax rolls. In negotiating with the owners of these properties to be addressed, the City of Yakima has not utilized any City funds to demolish the first several structures at this time. January 5, 2016 COUNCIL MEETING Dangerous Building Strategy • The City of Yakima has experienced numerous structure fires, as well as other emergencies which have depleted our resources, especially when multiple fires occur at the same time. • Many fires have occurred in structures that were structurally compromised before the fires which have added challenging conditions for the fire department. • These conditions are putting the City of Yakima's emergency services to the maximum. • Codes staff has developed a strategy to begin abatement of the most dangerous structures. Phase One • Code Enforcement officers have identified 123 structures that were boarded up, vacant, or appeared abandoned. All property owners and parcel numbers have been identified through the County Assessor's office. • Structures are prioritized by the Action Level for response based upon code requirements. 1 Level 1- Eminent danger, recent fire damage, too dangerous for firefighters to respond a. Buildings have been identified for YFD (22 structures) and are marked with a Box with an X in orange paint on the home facing the street 2 Level 2 - Obvious dilapidated, holes in roof, etc. (44 structures 11 of which are uninhabitable) Phase Two 3 Level 3 - Boarded up but chronic problem with vandalism and break -ins making it an "attractive nuisance" 4 Level 4 - Boarded up but not apparently dangerous. The home may have other code violations, such as graffiti, weeds, etc. • 22 Buildings have been identified as Level 1 which had the most serious damages. These qualify under the Fire Code and provisions of the YMC 10.05.145. • This is an expedited process that allows for a warrant if the legal owner /owners are unresponsive. EXAMPLE- Fire burned structure or compromised structure a. A title search is ordered to verify all individuals who have any ownership, whether outright or liens against the property. b. A Notice of Non - Compliance and Order is sent to all individuals on the title search as required by law. c. All fire debris outside of home must be removed within 48 hours after receiving Notice of Non - Compliance. d. When a building is partially burned, the owner shall remove all refuse debris, burned lumber, etc. within 10 days. e. After a fire the owner requests to re- build, he /she must obtain a structural analysis of the premises within 10 days of receiving the Notice of Non - Compliance (Fire Compromised). f. If the owner does not act on any of the requirements, along with the opportunity to schedule a hearing with the Board of Appeals within a 10 day appeal period, the Building Official may proceed with demolition along with cleanup work and charge the cost thereof to the property owner. (Approx. 45 day process to demolish) • Action Level 2, Second Priority Program....code enforcement has identified 44 structures in this category that have been evaluated in severe condition. • Even more imperative to move this program forward is the actions that YPD, YFD and Codes have been going through with these types of buildings. Squatters have been taking over vacant buildings and opening utility accounts. YPD and Codes have been removing and arresting the trespassers under Chapter 11.10.050 with jail time and fines. Neighbors have been extremely grateful and thankful when we remove the trespassers. • In order to implement Phase One of the Dangerous Building Strategy, approximately $100,000 would need to be authorized. • The Level 1 Action does not deal with any homes that are of historic nature or on the register.