2013-06-10 Regular Meeting of La Porte City Council minutes

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(f) Consider approval or other action regarding renewal of an agreement with AT&T for OPT-E-Man services — J. Suggs Councilmember Engelken moved to approve the Consent Agenda pursuant to staff recommendations. Councilmember Leonard seconded. MOTION PASSED. Ayes. Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Engelken, Mosteit, Clausen, Martin, Zemanek, Leonard and Moser Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Kaminski PUBLIC HEARING AND ASSOCIATED ORDINANCES (a) Continue Public Hearing from February 25, 2013, to receive comments from the public regarding condemnation of one (1) substandard building located at 3031 S. Broadway (Old Highway 146)—J. Garza City Council reopened the public hearing at 6:07 p.m. to receive comments from the public regarding condemnation of one (1) substandard building located at 3031 S. Broadway (Old Highway 146). Senior Engineer Julian Garza presented a summary of activities to date on this property. Councilmember Zemanek questioned if staff has received an engineering report from Mr. Manning. Senior Engineer Julian Garza responded no. Mayor Rigby questioned if the handwritten list of repairs received by Mr. Garza from the property owner addresses items in the initial preliminary report completed by Mr. Manning. Mr. Garza responded he has not received a report from Mr. Manning. J. B. Williamson 820 W. Main, addressed Council on behalf of property owner, Suzan Rector, requesting additional time to obtain an engineering report from Manning Engineering. Councilmember Zemanek questioned how Mr. Manning was retained for the project. Mr. Williamson responded he advised Ms. Rector to contact Mr. Manning. Councilmember Zemanek questioned Ms. Rector why an additional 90 days should be granted if nothing was been done in the previous 90 days. Ms. Rector responded, again, that she does not have the engineering report from Mr. Manning. Councilmember Leonard commented the property owner does not have an estimate for repairs from a tradesman due to not having an engineering report. Councilmember Martin asked Ms. Rector how long the property has been vacant. Ms. Rector responded she does not know. Councilmember Martin questioned what will be accomplished with an additional 90-day extension. Ms. Rector then requested a 60-day extension instead of 90 days. It was indicated that there was nothing wrong with the building other than some cosmetic issues. Councilmember Zemanek asked Senior Engineer Julian Garza if it is common practice of the City of La Porte to place a building in the Dangerous Building category based on cosmetic issues. Mr. Garza responded no, not for cosmetic issues and the proceeded to read the Inspection Report that listed five categories that dictate a Dangerous Building. Mayor Rigby requested Senior Engineer Julian Garza to advise Council how many meetings were held with City staff, Ms. Rector, Mr. Williamson and Mr. Manning in the previous eight months. Mr. Garza responded he has been assured by the Deputy Building Official and Chief Inspector there has been no contact, no meetings and no action on the structure. Page 2 of 7 June 10, 2013, Council Meeting Minutes