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REHAB – Approval of Minutes 8-26-97 NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL AFFROITED _S '1' ,;CSEIlMEAD REHABILITATION 11111911ALS BOARD MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ROSEMEAD BUILDING REHABILITATION APPEALS BOARD AUGUST 26, 1997 The regular meeting of the Rosemead Building Rehabilitation Appeals Board was called to order by Chairman Imperial at 7:15 p.m. in the Conference Room of City Hall, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard,Rosemead, California. The Pledge to the Flag and Invocation were waived as having been completed during the meeting just adjourned. ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS: Present: Boardmembers Taylor, Vasquez, Vice-Chairman Bruesch, and Chairman Imperial Absent: Clark APPROVAL OF MINUTES: JULY 22, 1997 -REGULAR MEETING MOTION BY BOARDMEMBER TAYLOR, SECOND BY BOARDMEMBER VASQUEZ that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 22, 1997, be approved as submitted. Vote resulted: Aye: Vasquez, Imperial, Taylor No: None Absent: Clark Abstain: Bruesch The Chairman declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. I. ADMINISTRATION OF OATH The Board Secretary administered the oath to all persons wishing to address the Board. H. HEARINGS The following item was taken out of order in deference to those in the audience B. 4552 SULTANA AVENUE The subject property consists of an owner-occupied single family residence located in the R-1 zone. A "Please Letter" and a "bulky item" trash notice were mailed to the property owner on April 2, 1997. Inspection on May 5, 1997 revealed further deterioration of the property. The Building Official declared the property substandard and filed a Declaration of substandard Property with the Los Angeles County Recorder's office. A "Fifteen Day" certified letter was mailed and posted on the property on May 8, 1997, requesting abatement of the substandard conditions. On May 13, 1997, a letter was received from the property owner, Ms. Alcantara. She stated she was unable to correct the defects at the property and requested additional information regarding a public hearing. On May 20, 1997, Ms. Alcantara did request a hearing. Building Department staff responded to Ms. Alcantara's letter and offered to meet at the property. On May 29, 1997, Steve Bailey, Supervising Building Inspector, met with Ms. Alcantara at the site. He explained the list of defects and the property rehabilitation program. She indicated she had no financial resources to make the repairs. Mr. Bailey referred her to the City's CDBG program. On June 3, 1997, Ms. Alcantara came to City Hall and spoke to both Building Department and CDBG staff. She completed an application for an emergency grant, as she currently has no REHBAB 8-26-97 Page #1 running water. Unfortunately,Ms. Alcantara does not qualify under CDBG guidelines due to liens against the property as a result of unpaid trash bills. Inspection on July 23, 1997 revealed no change. In addition to the Building Department violations, both Fire Department and Health Departments also have cases on the property. A Notice of Hearing was mailed and posted on the property on August 5, 1997. All interested parties have been notified The City Building Official recommends that the Board find the property substandard and order all substandard conditions removed and/or corrected by October 1, 1997. James Guerra, Building Official, presented the staff report. Faustina Rios, 9089 Evansport Drive, Rosemead, neighbor of the aforementioned property, stated that she and the other neighbors have tried to assist the owner by doing yard work, but the homeowner has not been cooperative. Ms. Rios continued that the property is a fire hazard, one palm tree is diseased and the other one will soon be and she and the neighbor that owns the connecting garage fear for their well being. Vice-Chairman Bruesch stated that he has received numerous complaints about the property from neighbors and the uncooperativeness of the owner. Chairman Imperial clarified that the owner is not a senior citizen and what recourse does the Board have to have the property cleaned up. Mr. Guerra responded that overgrown vegetation removal date can be changed to September 10, 1997 and if the building is open, it can be barricaded. Boardmember Taylor agreed with the 10-day weed abatement process but asked about the City's liability concerning changing the time frame for repairs to the house. Robert Kress, City Attorney, stated there is a process in place and though, historically, cooperation is not anticipated from the homeowner, the time frame still needs to be provided. If there is no compliance, then the case can be prosecuted. Debbie Shawbaum, 9075 Evansport, Rosemead, stated that she lives directly in front of the property owner and for the past five years, she and her neighbors have constantly called City Hall and the Sheriffs Department with complaints. Ms. Shawbaum explained that the property owner is paranoid/schizophrenic and it is difficult to access the property as the owner consistenly refuses help and that currently her water is not turned on. Chairman Imperial requested a memo from staff explaining why this complaint was never received by the Board until now. MOTION BY BOARDMEMBER TAYLOR, SECOND BY BOARDMEMBER VASQUEZ that the Board direct staff to obtain the 10-day Weed Abatement Court Order, find the property substandard and order all substandard conditions removed and/or corrected by October 1, 1997. Vote resulted: Aye: Bruesch, Vasquez, Imperial, Taylor No: None Absent: Clark Abstain: None The Chairman declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. REHBAB 8-26-97 Page*2 Discussion continued on what type of assistance can be offered to the property owner. Vice-Chairman Bruesch requested staff to obtain a log of the calls made to the Sheriffs Department regarding that property and to contact the Health Department or appropriate agency to help her with her numerous problems. Chairman Imperial requested that an update be placed on the Status Report on September's meeting. Boardmember Taylor requested a copy of the CDBG guidelines that places a lien on the property for non-payment of her trash bill. A. 4520-28 MUSCATEL AVENUE The subject property consists of four, tenant-occupied units located in the C-1 zone. A "Please Letter" was mailed to the property owners on September 11, 1996, and a "bulky item' trash notice was sent to the owners and tenants on September 11, 1996. Inspection on October 15, 1996 revealed no progress. The Building Official declared the property substandard and filed a Declaration of Substandard Property with the Los Angeles County Recorder's office. A "Thirty Day" certified letter was mailed and posted on the property on October 24, 1996, requesting abatement of the substandard conditions. A requested inspection was made on October 30, 1996. Interior access was gained to two units, 4520 and 4522 Muscatel Avenue. Further deficiencies were noted, and a revised list of defects was sent to the property owners on November 11, 1996. Progress inspection on December 3, 1996 revealed no progress other than minor yard area cleanup. A letter from Li Li, the property manager, was received on December 10, 1996. She acknowledged the violations and requested additional time due to financial difficulties, but stated that all work would be complete by the end of April, 1997. On January 8, 1997 another trash notice was sent to the owners and tenants. Follow up inspections in January, February and March 1997 again showed no progress. On March 25, 1997, third trash notices were sent. Inspections were made on April 8, and April 23, 1997, but no changes were evident. Contact was made with Li Li on May 15, 1997 and arrangements were made to meet at the property on May 21, 1997. She failed to keep the appointment. An updated list of defects was mailed that date. Inspection on June 23, 1997 showed no progress, however, the tenants at 4522 Muscatel Avenue stated that they had received an eviction notice. Another inspection was made on July 9, 1997, but the inspector could not determine from the exterior is the unit was indeed vacant. Several phone messages were left for Li Li, however she did not return the inspector's calls. A Notice of Hearing was mailed and posted on the property on August 5, 1997. All interested parties have been notified. The City Building Official recommends that the Board find the property substandard and order all substandard conditions removed and/or corrected by October 1, 1997. However, if permits and approvals are obtained, and sufficient progress is achieved by October 1, 1997, the abatement date may be extended to November 3, 1997. Mr. Guerra reported that there has been considerable progress on this property and should be completed within the week. Staff contacted the property owners today and they agreed to the recommendation and stated they would not be present at tonight's meeting. MOTION BY BOARDMEMBER TAYLOR, SECOND BY BOARDMEMBER VASQUEZ that the Board find the property substandard and order all substandard conditions removed and/or corrected by October 1, 1997. However, if permits and approvals are obtained, and sufficient progress is achieved by October 1, 1997, the abatement date may be extended to November 3, 1997. Vote resulted: REHBAB 8-26-97 Page#3 Aye: Bruesch, Vasquez, Imperial, Taylor No: None Absent: Clark Abstain: None The Chairman declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. C. 9406 VALLEY BOULEVARD-REHEARING The subject property consists of a vacant dry cleaning business located in the M-1-D zone. This property was previously before the Board on November 28, 1995. At that time, the Board ordered a completion date of January 2, 1996 with a possible extension to February 1, 1996. Compliance was never achieved. The case was referred to the City Prosecuting Attorney and was eventually taken to Court. The property was sold in February 1997, and charges against the former owner were dismissed on March 7, 1997 A "Thirty Day" certified letter was mailed to the new owner and posted on the property on April 16, 1997. Follow up inspections were made in May, June and July 1997. The site remains secure, however neither progress nor demolition has occurred. A Notice of Hearing was mailed and posted on the property on August 5, 1997. All interested parties have been notified. The City Building Official recommends that the Board find the property substandard and order all substandard condition removed by October 1, 1997. Vice-Chairman Bruesch asked what the new owners plan to do with the property. Peter Lyons, Planning Director, responded that he has met with the new owners and they are unaware of what is required to develop that property. Vice-Chairman Bruesch stated that that property will need to have a major soil remediation done due to the type of business that was there. MOTION BY BOARDMEMBER TAYLOR, SECOND BY BOARDMEMBER VASQUEZ that the Board find the property substandard and order all substandard conditions removed by October 1, 1997. Vote resulted: Aye: Bruesch, Vasquez, Imperial, Taylor No: None Absent: Clark Abstain: None The Chairman declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. III. STATUS REPORTS A. SUBSTANDARD BUILDINGS AND PROPERTIES No action required on this item B. BUILDING REHABILITATION APPEALS BOARD No action required on this item. C. CITY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY REFERRAL UPDATE No action required on this item. REHBAB 8-26-97 Page t!4 IV. MATTERS FROM OFFICIALS -None V. ADJOURNMENT There being no further action to be taken at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 7:47 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for September 23, 1997, at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted: APPROVED: Board Secretary CHAIRMAN REHBAB 8-26-97 Page#5