HomeMy WebLinkAboutSBB 2017-11-14 Minutes MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING
OF THE SUBSTANDARD BUILDING BOARD
OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS,
HELD AT THE COUNCIL WORKROOM, 4301 CITY POINT DRIVE
NOVEMBER 14, 2017
The Substandard Building Board of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas met on the
14th day of November, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Workroom.
Present: Brian Crowson Chairman, Place 6
Lynn Motheral Place 1
Deryl Brown Place 3
Thomas Osen Place 4
Billy Parks Place 5
Robert McCary Place 7
Absent: Thomas Moreau Place 2
Staff Members: Stefanie Martinez Director of Neighborhood Services
Maleshia McGinnis City Attorney
Audrey Cappallo Executive Secretary
Sherry Butler Code Compliance Officer
Dave Pendley Chief Building Official
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Crowson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 10, 2017 SUBSTANDARD
BUILDING BOARD MEETING.
MR. BILLY PARKS MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 10, 2017
SUBSTANDARD BUILDING BOARD MEETING. MR. LYNN MOTHERAL SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0.
3. SBB 2016-58 PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF WHETHER THE
STRUCTURE ON THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 4813 ASH STREET
KNOWN AS BLOCK 9, LOT 3, RICHAVEN SUBDIVISION ADDITION, NORTH
RICHLAND HILLS, TARRANT COUNTY, TEXAS REMAINS SUBSTANDARD
WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE CITY'S ORDINANCES AS WELL AS NON-
COMPLIANT WITH THE PREVIOUS ORDERS OF THE CITY OF NORTH
RICHLAND HILLS SUBSTANDARD BUILDING BOARD OR WITHIN THE
SCOPE SUBMITTED BY THE OWNER.
Substandard Building Board Meeting
November 14, 2017
Page 1 of 6
POSTPONE
Before proceeding forward with the case, Chairman Crowson asked that Certified
Spanish Interpreter #1643, Mrs. Irene Vera, step forward to be sworn in as the Spanish
translator for the property owner, Mr. Mijango. Mr. Vera was sworn in by Audrey
Cappello, Executive Secretary.
Chairman Crowson called on Stefanie Martinez, Director of Neighborhood Services, to
present the case.
Ms. Martinez stated this was a following up meeting for 4813 Ash St from the July
Substandard Building Meeting.
Ms. Martinez presented two aerial photos of the property located at 4813 Ash Street.
Ms. Martinez presented the history of the property since the last meeting on July 11,
2017 in which the owner was ordered to make repairs to the structure in accordance to
the scope of work that was to be provided to the city staff by August 8, 2017. The scope
of work was provided to city staff on July 27, 2017 by the owner. According to the scope
of work timeline they were to complete the work to the electrical system, the plumbing,
air conditioner unit, debris to be removed, the exterior structure to be completed,
weatherization of the structure, foundation, water heater and garage doors; as to date all
had been completed except the electrical and the air conditioner unit.
Ms. Martinez informed the Board that per the Scope of work provided by the
homeowner, the electrical work was to be completed by September 25, 2017 and the air
conditioning by August 4, 2017. Also, included in the Order from July 2017 was the
direction to the owner to provide monthly updates to the Board. Ms. Martinez informed
the Board that she also verified with Dave Pendley, Chief Building Official, that the final
inspections for the electrical and air conditioning hadn't been completed.
Chairman Crowson asked Ms. Martinez if she would repeat the items that haven't been
completed. Ms. Martinez replied electrical and air conditioning.
Chairman Crowson asked Ms. Martinez for the dates the items were supposed to be
completed by. Ms. Martinez replied the electrical work by September 25, 2017 and the
air conditioning work by August 4, 2017.
Chairman Crowson asked if the board had any questions for the city.
Mr. Deryl Brown asked Ms. Martinez if she knew what the current status was on the
electrical and air conditioning. Ms. Martinez replied no she didn't know the current status
of the electrical and air conditioning. Mr. Brown asked if anyone had been to the
property to inspect the property. Ms. Martinez replied that the last inspection conducted
by the Development Department was in August.
Substandard Building Board Meeting
November 14, 2017
Page 2 of 6
Ms. Martinez clarified to the Board that the timeline on the Scope of work was designed
and provided by the property owner. Chairman Crowson asked if the timeline on the
scope of work was approved by city staff. Ms. Martinez responded yes we received it
and the dates seem to conformed to what we thought it would take to get the work done
and it was accepted.
Chairman Crowson opened the public hearing and asked for anyone wishing to speak
on the item to come forward.
Mr. Jose Mijango, property owner, advised the Board that all the electrical work, air
conditioning work, and plumbing work has been finished. Jerry, the inspector, came by
and asked when they would be closing and stated it would be as soon as possible. Mr.
Mijango stated all the walls have been closed up. Sheet rock has been put up on the
walls and everything has been insulated.
Chairman Crowson informed Mr. Mijango that he would be asking him some questions
and if he would answer the questions as they are giving to him. Mr. Mijango replied yes
he would.
Chairman Crowson asked Mr. Mijango you stated that the work on the electrical and the
A/C unit has been completed, correct. Mr. Mijango replied yes. Chairman Crowson
asked Mr. Mijango what date they were completed on. Mr. Mijango replied about a
month and half ago. Chairman Crowson asked Mr. Mijango if the work has been
inspected by the city. Mr. Mijango replied yes, the inspector came out. Chairman
Crowson asked if it was approved and if he received a green or red tag. Mr. Mijango
responded yes it was approved and he got a green tag on the electrical, the air
conditioner and the plumbing.
Chairman Crowson asked the city if they could clear this matter up as Mr. Mijango
information is contradicting what was stated earlier by the city. Ms. Martinez replied as
far as the inspections go, she isn't aware of those. The property owner referred to an
Inspector Jerry and there are no Jerry's that work for the inspection department. Mr.
Pendley responded that we do have an inspector named Gary and he did the inspection
on the water heater on August 17, 2017. Chairman Crowson asked Mr. Pendley if that
inspection was approved. Mr. Pendley replied yes, the inspection on the water heater
was approved.
Mr. Mijango advised the Board that he has a video on his phone showing all the work
completed. Chairman Crowson responded that the Board doesn't need to see the video.
It's not that the Board doesn't believe him that the work has been done but the work has
to be inspected by city inspectors. Mr. Pendley stated that based on city records the
water heater was inspected and approved only. No inspection has been done on the
electrical or HVAC. Mr. Mijango responded that if the inspector didn't put the
information in the computer that is on him but he did come out to inspect the electrical
and the HVAC. My wife called for the air conditioning, plumbing and electrical to be
Substandard Building Board Meeting
November 14, 2017
Page 3 of 6
inspected. The inspector asked when the walls would be closed. The sheet rock has
been put up. Everything has been closed up.
Mr. Robert McCary asked Mr. Pendley when someone calls for an inspection is it one
inspector who does electrical, plumbing and so on or do you have several inspectors.
Mr. Pendley replied it depends on the days. The inspectors are all cross-trained but in
this case they have had a total of 4 inspections and they have all been done by one
inspector.
Chairman Crowson asked Mr. Mijango what date the alleged inspection was done on.
Mr. Mijango replied not sure on the exact date but about a month and half ago.
Ms. Martinez asked the Board for continuance until the next hearing so that Code
Enforcement and Development Services can go out to the property and confirm these
repairs have been completed and done correctly.
Chairman Crowson asked Ms. Martinez if she had any recommendations if the repairs
are not completed as stated by the homeowner. Ms. Martinez replied that staff
recommendation is if repairs are not completed as the homeowner has stated in lieu of
demolition we ask for civil penalties; as it appears majority of the property is now
repaired. The civil penalties are applied from the date of the notice to the date of the
hearing at this property.
Chairman Crowson explained to Mr. Mijango that he must call Ms. Martinez first thing
tomorrow to request and schedule a final inspection on the electrical and HVAC. Upon
their approval on the final inspections, this case will be done.
MR. LYNN MOTHERAL MOTIONED TO POSTPONE THE HEARING UNTIL THE NEXT SUBSTANDARD
BUILDING BOARD MEETING. MR. ROBERT MCCARY SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0.
4. SBB2017-63, PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF WHETHER THE
STRUCTURE ON THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 4812 NANCY LANE
KNOWN AS BLOCK 3, LOT 16, RICHLAND TERRACE ADDITION, NORTH
RICHLAND HILLS, TARRANT COUNTY, TEXAS IS SUBSTANDARD WITHIN
THE MEANING OF THE CITY'S ORDINANCES AND ORDER REPAIR OR
DEMOLITION.
APPROVED
Ms. Martinez presented two aerial photos of the property located at 4812 Nancy Lane.
Ms. Martinez stated that the property is zoned R-2 which is Residential Single Family.
Ms. Martinez provided the Board with an overview of action taken to date for the
structure located at 4812 Nancy Lane.
Substandard Building Board Meeting
November 14, 2017
Page 4 of 6
• Minimum Standard notice mailed on March 26, 2016, April 13, 2016 and August
16, 2017;
• Title Search completed on September 13, 2017;
• A notice and order
o mailed by certified mail on September 22, 2017;
o photo presented of Notice and Order posted on the property structure on
September 25, 2017;
• Notice of Hearing
o mailed by regular and certified mail on October 26, 2017;
o posted on property structure on October 26, 2017;
o filed with Tarrant County Deed Records on October 26, 2017
o photo presented of Notice of Hearing;
• Legal Notice of Public Hearing published in the Fort Worth Star Telegram on
October 27, 2017.
Ms. Martinez presented several photos of the property. Photos included:
o Debris on the front porch, which has been there since the beginning of this
case in 2016;
o Weathered and rotten wood on the garage doors which showed ineffective
and lack of waterproofing;
o Damage wood and chipping paint all around the house which showed
ineffective waterproofing and lack of weather protection on exteriors walls;
o Gas Meter removed;
o Damage to the attic vents;
o Water damage to the wood along the side of the roof and the trim;
o Infestation of bees and wasps, several hives along the house;
o French doors on the back of the property has been completed broken out
with glass on the ground;
o Faulty weather protection and rotten wood on the trim on the back side of
the house;
o Back patio cover has a lot of damage wood, metal is rotting, holes and
evidence of rodents;
o Shed with rotting wood, holes, addition debris and evidence of rodents
getting into the building;
Ms. Martinez informed the Board that the property has been previous secured but the
wood boards continue to be removed. It appears the property continues to be accessed.
Also, the city notified the owner to remove the debris and they did not. The debris was
removed by the city to date after providing property notice.
Ms. Martinez advised the Board that it is the opinion of staff that this structure is in
violation of each portion of the NRH Code of Ordinances referenced in this presentation
and is substandard. Staff recommends that the Substandard Building Board find this
structure to be substandard and order that:
• The building be repaired or demolished within 30 days of the board order.
Substandard Building Board Meeting
November 14, 2017
Page 5 of 6
• If the property owner fails to bring the property into compliance, the lienholder be
granted 30 days to repair or demolish the structure.
• If the property owner and lienholder fail to bring the property into compliance, the
city should be authorized to demolish the structure.
Chairman Crowson asked Ms. Martinez if there is a lien on the property. Ms. Martinez
replied there isn't a clear lien or mortgage company. There are other things clouding the
title such as a transfer of property. It's not clear but the previous owner was notified
along with the City of Fort Worth as they have judgment against the property owner. The
City of North Richland Hills does have some mowing liens and a clean-up lien filed on
this property. Chairman Crowson asked Ms. Martinez has she spoken to the
homeowner. Ms. Martinez replied no she hasn't spoken to the homeowner of this case.
She did locate a phone number for the homeowner but it was no longer in service.
Chairman Crowson opened the public hearing and asked for anyone wishing to speak
on the item to come forward. No one was present. Chairman Crowson closed the public
hearing.
Chairman Crowson asked the Board if they had any questions or if they needed to
discuss. The Board responded no.
MR. DERYL BROWN MOVED TO ENTER THE FOLLOWING ORDER FOR SBB2017-63
DETERMINING THAT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 4812 NANCY LANE KNOWN AS BLOCK 3, LOT 16,
RICHLAND TERRACE ADDITION, NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TARRANT COUNTY, TEXAS IS AN
RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE HEREBY FOUND TO BE A SUBSTANDARD BUILDING BY REASON OF
CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THE NOTICES OF THIS HEARING AND SUCH NOTICES ARE HEREBY
INCORPORATED IN THIS ORDER THAT THE BUILDING BE REPAIRED OR DEMOLISHED WITHIN
THIRTY (30) DAYS OF THE BOARD ORDER; IF THE PROPERTY OWNER FAILS TO BRING THE
PROPERTY INTO COMPLIANCE, THE LIENHOLDER SHALL BE GRANTED THIRTY (30) DAYS TO
REPAIR OR DEMOLISH THE STRUCTURE; AND IF THE PROPERTY OWNER AND/OR LIENHOLDER
FAILS TO BRING THE PROPERTY INTO COMPLIANCE, THE CITY SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO
DEMOLISH THE STRUCTURE . MR. ROBERT MCCARY SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0.
4. ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Crowson adjourned the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Brian rowson, Chairman
AT ST:
/
AA /.. tea• _IL
Audrey Capp.llo, Exe' u ive Secretary
Substandard Building Board Meeting
November 14, 2017
Page 6 of 6