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. . City of La Porte 1~8!Clbhsliecl18D2 I Memo To: Fn>>m: Debra Feazelle, City Manager /l % Nicholas Finan, Interim Planning Directo7..ff" Debbie Wilmore, Chief Building Official CC: John Joems, Assistant City Manager Knox Askins, City AUomey John Armstrong, Assistant City AtIomey Date: May 6, 2004 Re= Declaration of an Emergency for Purpose of Waiving Bid Process for Demolition of Structures at 200 Garfield Given City Council authorized the demolition of nine structures located at 200 Garfield that were determined by City as dangerous and unsafe at the City Council Meeting of April 26, 2004, staff is ooncemed with the time that it would take to proceed under the normal bid process. Staff is requesting City Council to waive the bid process due to public safety ooncems listed below, and that City Council determine that an emergency exists providing staff the ability to expedite the demolition of the nine dangerous and unsafe buildings. Reasons for cIecIaration of an emergency are as follows: 1. The buildings have been declared dangerous and unsafe by City Council after a public hearing and no one provided testimony to the oontrary, including the. owner, who was present and abstained from any oomments. 2. All nine structures have been determine to oontain asbestos, including friable asbestos (nOJH:Ontained). 3. There have been two fires located in separate buildings, one as recently as November 15, 2003, exposing firefighters to dangerous oonditions and asbestos. 4. The public hearing for oonsideration of City Council declaring these buildings dangerous and ordering their demolition on April 26, includes testimony that children are not only in the vicinity of these structures, but may be going into the buildings, exposing them to asbestos and other dangers, despite the City's attempts to keep the structures sealed. Testimony provided by one resident stated she has seen individuals entering the buildings. 5. The City has been oontactecl numerous times about the oonditions: vandalism, graffiti, high weeds, etc. Since the Year 2000, there have been the following code enforcement calls for service: weeds - 22; securing of building - 20; graffiti - 11; building maintenance - 1; and debris - 6. 6. The Texas Department of Health may be willing to waive the 1O-day notice requirement and agree that at least the two bumed units oonstitute an emergency for the purpose of asbestos and allow the city to remedy the current public nuisance after it reviews paperwork and material provided on this matter. Attachment DAD