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Board to send certified letter, consider administrative warrant for house with missing roof on Virginia Street
Summary
Inspectors reported a Virginia Street home largely without a roof and covered by a disintegrated tarp; the owner has not cooperated with staff. The committee recommended certified mail and, if service fails, pursuing an administrative warrant to inspect the interior.
Staff reported that a house on Virginia Street has lost most of its roof and is now exposed decking; a long-term tarp covering has disintegrated and the property appears to be taking water. Bob Strader and other committee members said they tried to reach the owner and had invited her to the meeting; she did not respond to repeated phone calls.
Committee members said the roof appears to need full replacement. One member noted reports of a collapsed ceiling in part of the house and substantial mold risk from prolonged exposure. Staff recommended sending a certified letter; if the certified mail is returned unclaimed and the owner continues to refuse contact, counsel recommended that the city could document attempts and petition for an administrative warrant to enter and inspect.
Committee members also discussed possible complications: staff said the property may not have homeowner insurance and that the lot configuration (the house appears to straddle two lots) complicates some options. There was mention that the owner had discussed placing a mobile home behind the house, but board members said the lot zoning and parcel sizes would likely prevent that.
After discussion, the committee directed staff to send certified notice to the owner and to document previous attempts at contact; if certified mail is unclaimed and the owner does not respond, staff was instructed to work with counsel to pursue an administrative warrant for inspection.
Ending: Staff will send certified mail and return to the committee with proof of service and further recommendations on whether to seek an administrative warrant.
