Code enforcement revisits 3 problem areas in town
Three problem areas in town received attention again at the last Decatur Board of Works meeting as department of building and zoning director Curt Witte gave updates on them – none of which were positive.
The first home addressed by Witte was at 133 N. Eighth Street which has already been condemned by the city. Witte noted “the house is not salvageable. The foundation is moving on the south side and nearby homes are going to be affected if we don’t do something soon.”
Quotes from crews that specialize in home demolition have been obtained and sent to the owner of the property via certified mail to see what direction they want to proceed with. The deadline for the owner to respond to the city’s letter is December 1.
A second home at 1034 Parkview Drive was also reviewed by Witte who said a second notice has been sent to the owner asking for cooperation with no response so far. Part of the problem with the home is there is a USDA loan attached to it but Witte added “we’re probably looking at having to get a demolition order for this place as well.”
The third and final residence discussed was at 1620 W. Madison Street. City attorney Anne Razo said she had sent the owner, Laurie Blythe, a letter via certified mail outlining city concerns but that it was returned to her by the post office. “Letters to are are obviously ineffective,” she said.
The home is deteriorating rapidly and Mayor Dan Rickord pointed out that “I’m getting phone calls frequently from neighbors telling me they want something done” with the house. Witte added “we’ve gone above and beyond in trying to work with her and we haven’t gotten any cooperation. It’s much worse there now than when we first started going out there.”
Saying Blythe is burning trash in the back yard, Witte was asked if she is still living there and he said he believes she is. Witte suggested that since the city has a contract with the Decatur U-Lock business on S. 13th Street (former site of Kmart), workers could go in and remove any items of value and store them there. The rest of the items would be taken to the landfill.
A discussion was held about who would be responsible for taking items from the house and Witte said he wasn’t comfortable with city employees having to do it suggesting instead the job be subcontracted out to a firm that regularly does such tasks, an idea the Board of Works thought was a good one. The cost of all services affiliated with the removal of items would be Blythe’s responsibility as would any storage costs. Items not removed from storage within a certain time period would be put up for sale.
In another activity, the Board of Works again approved a renewal of a contract the Decatur Force volleyball program has to use the gymnasium at the MERIT Center on Dayton Avenue.
Once the City Council meeting started after the Board of Works session, the five-member group:
• Approved resolution 2023-20 to transfer funds from the LITPublic Safety account to help purchase needed equipment for a new police vehicle.
• Approved on third reading resolution 2023-22 dealing with CEDIT funds for the next calendar year.
• Learned that Max Miller had requested to be replaced as a member of the Decatur Redevelopment Commission. Rickord appointed John Summers as the new replacement and the Council made a matter of record Rickord’s reappointment of Jeremy Friedt, Ron Storey, and Tim Ehlerding (the latter as a non-voting member representing the North Adams Community School Board) to the Redevelopment Commission.
• Noted that Erin Heyerly will replace Kevin Hackman as the city utility auditor starting at the first of the year since Hackman was recently elected in the 2023 municipal election as the new city clerk-treasurer. He is replacing long-time clerk-treasurer Phyllis Whitright who opted not to run for a new term. Notices will be posted to fill Heyerly’s position as office administrator of the building and zoning code enforcement program.
• Heard from city operations director Jeremy Gilbert who pointed out the city leaf collection program is winding down with its last day scheduled for December 8.
• Heard Decatur Fire Department Chief Jeff Sheet report that 178 students completed the Survive Alive Program held at their facility at Worthman Field on Adams Street.
• Agreed with councilman Craig Coshow’s assessment that the recent Decatur Christmas Tree Lighting Program had its highest participation and crowd ever.