1983-02-16 Regular Meeting La Porte City Council

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_..u • • • CITY OF LA PORTE INTER-OFFICE MEMORANDUM T0: FROM: SUBJECT: Jack Owen City Manager D.A.Paulissen Chief Building Official Ernie's Restaurant Fire ~.: DATE: February 11,1983 On the evening of Thursday January 27,1983 Ernies Restaurant was partially gutted by fire. This building is owned by Ronald Tibideaux. Ernie Ganem, has leased this building since 1958. Ernie, had two areas in the building that were not seperated by a firewall. The restaruant area of the building was damaged by fire. This fire damaged wiring common to both areas as well as the non fire rated partition between the two areas. There is only one electrical service. to the building. This was disconnected by the Fire Department at the time of the fire. Late as the afternoon of January 28,1983, the Inspection Department was in- • formed by the Fire Marshal that the lounge portion of Ernies was open for business. After investigation it was determined that electrical service to the lounge area was illegally jumped from a neighboring building. No repairs had been made to the electrical system or the partition. wall. Due to life safty hazards and other. code violations "Buba`Ganem, Ernies sonywas told to remove power to the lounge and close for business. At 4:30 P.M. January 28,1983 power was removed from the building. Mr. Ernie Ganem, visited my office at 4:50 P.M. January 28,1983 to discuss items needed before the club could reopen. Ernie was told that 3 major items were needed, they are as follows: (1) . Have the structure inspected by an engineer and certified n~ i.~Cing'?~hat ,akte building is in a sound condition structurally. (2). Have said engineer design a two hour firewall to seperate and protect the assembly occupancy of the lounge from the damaged area of the building. (3). Rewire the entire club to present electrical code requirements. These above requirements are based on Sec. 10 1,4 (B) of the 1979 Standard Building code. This requires buildings damaged by fire in excess of 50% of the then physical value be made to conform to the codes as a new building. The City • of La Porte has a depreciated taxable value of approximately $32,000.00 on the building The La Porte Ind.. School District has it valued at approximately $ 22,550.00. The Fire Marshal's report indicates $50,000.00 damage. As of this date we have recieved certification from the engineer that the lounge area is structurally sound. We have also recieved a design of the 2 Hr. required firewall. If the firewall is installed as designed and the building is rewired to code the intent of bringing the building up to today's current codes will have been met. If all inspections are made and approved Ernie's will once • again be allowed to open. If I can provide any additional information please contact me. D issen pl