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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - April 6, 2005 E-03AGENDA ITEM E03 CITY OF LODI ,. COUNCIL COMMUNICATION im AGENDA TITLE: Adopt a resolution approving specifications, authorizing advertisement for bids as required, and further authorizing the City Managerto award or reject contract up to $8,000 for services for the abatement by demolition and clearing at the property located at 428 Railroad Avenue, Assessor's Parcel No. 043-201-16 MEETING DATE: April 6, 2005 PREPARED BY: Community Improvement Manager RECOMMENDED ACTION: That the City Council approve specifications, authorize advertisement for bids as required, and further authorize the City Manager to award or reject contract up to $8,000 for services for the abatement by demolition and clearing of the property located at 428 Railroad Avenue, Assessor's Parcel No. 043-201-16. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Community Development Department- Community Improvement Division issued a Notice to Vacate on September 4, 1998, to residentl property owner Lena Ruth Fraser, due to the extremely unsanitary and deteriorated conditions that were found to exist within the dwelling that she occupied on that property. No one has since been allowed to legally occupy that dwelling due to the substandard conditions of the building and property. The property however, has been a continuing blight and nuisance to the community ever since it was vacated, as the owner has failed to take any responsibilityfor maintaining the property clean from garbage, weeds, junk and debris or the structure secured from illegal or unauthorized entry. Over the years, the unsecured dwelling had become illegally occupied by transients and local homeless. Because of these conditions, we have issued notices to the property owner to either repair and maintain the property or demolish it. The last of those, a Notice to Demolish dated November22, 2004, like those before it, have gone unanswered and without any contact from the owner or herfamily who live locally. Since that time, we have had a small fire within the dwelling from transients and the City has had to board up and secure the dwelling to prevent further occupancy. While the structure has now remained secured, the homeless have established an encampment in the rear yard area. Due to the overgrown condition of the trees and foliage there, there is a serious concern that a fire from the homeless encampment could damage or destroy adjacent properties. Therefore, staff has prepared specifications for the demolition of the existing structure, the removal of all overgrown trees and shrubbery, and the removal of all garbage, junk, debris and weeds from the premises, and is seeking authorization to proceed with the abatement process by obtaining bids. Furthermore, we request that the City Manager be authorized to award a contract for services for the abatement of this nuisance property. APPROVED: �7 Blair Ki , City Manager A map indicating the location of the property and photographs showing the condition of the property are attached. FISCAL IMPACT: Demolition costs are estimated to be $8,000. Absent this abatement action, costs of $3000-$5000 annually can be expected to clean and maintain the property. Abatement costs will be billed against the property and placed as a Special Assessment if not paid. FUNDING AVAILABLE: Repair and Demolition Fund J mes R. Krueger, Financ irector Attachments cc: City Attomey RESOLUTION NO. 2005-56 A RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL APPROVING SPECIFICATIONS, AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR SERVICES FOR THE ABATEMENT BY DEMOLITIONAND CLEARING OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 428 RAILROAD AVENUE (APN 043-201-16), AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO AWARD OR REJECT THE CONTRACT UP TO $8,000 WHEREAS, this project includes the abatement by demolition and clearing of the property located at 428 Railroad Avenue (APN 043-201-16); and WHEREAS, the Community Development Department/Community Improvement Division issued a Notice to Vacate on September 4,1998, to the residenffproperty owner of 428 Railroad Avenue due to extremely unsanitary and deteriorated conditions existing within the dwelling; and WHEREAS, since that time no one has been allowed to legally occupy the dwelling due to the substandard conditions of the building and property; and WHEREAS, the property has been a continuing blight and nuisance since it was vacated, and the owner has failed to take any responsibility for maintaining the property by keeping it clean from garbage, weeds, junk, and debris or the structure secured from illegal or unauthorized entry; and WHEREAS, the unsecured dwelling has become illegally occupied by transients and local homeless, and due to these conditions, notices have been issued to the property owner to either repair and maintain the property or demolish the structure; and WHEREAS, to date, "Notices to Demolish" sent to the property owner have been disregarded, and since a small fire erupted in the dwelling due to transients, the City has secured the dwelling to prevent further occupancy; and WHEREAS, the homeless have established an encampment in the rear yard, and the overgrown conditions of the trees and foliage raise a serious concern that a fire from the homeless encampment could damage cr destroy adjacent properties; and WHEREAS, staff therefore recommends approval of the specifications and authorization for bids for the demolition and clearing of the property located at 428 Railroad Avenue (APN 043-201-16), and further recommends authorizing the City Managerto award or reject the contract up to $8,000 for this project. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Lodi City Council does hereby approve the specifications and authorizes advertisement for bids for the demolition and clearing of the property located at 428 Railroad Avenue (APN 043-201-16); and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council hereby authorizes the City Manager to award or reject the bid up to $8,000 for this project. Dated: April 6,2005 I hereby certify that Resolution No. 2005-56 was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Lodi in a regular meeting held April 6,2005, by the following vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS— Hansen, Johnson, Mounce, and Mayor Beckman NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None ABSENT COUNCIL MEMBERS— Hitchcock ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None S SUSAN J. BLA STON City Clerk 2005-56