City of Laredo building standards commission approves demolition of multiple substandard structures after public questions about liens

The City of Laredo Building Standards Commission voted Wednesday to approve staff recommendations to demolish multiple structures the city declared substandard, after family members and a neighbor raised questions about notices, who would pay and whether owners could obtain their own bids.

The vote covered at least three properties listed on the agenda: the structure facing Sanders Avenue commonly referenced as 2502 Sanders (lot also associated with 108 Reynolds), two structures at 4518 Springfield Avenue, and two of three structures on a property listed in the record as belonging to Elizabeth Flores. The commission read legal descriptions and ownership information into the record before taking public comment and voting.

The action matters because the city said demolition costs become a lien on the property if owners do not pay; that lien attaches to the lot and is recoverable through the tax process. During public comment, a neighbor and a realtor representing an occupant asked why a notice had been sent and expressed concern that the occupant — who the realtor said "has certain disabilities" — had not understood the letter notifying the owners. The realtor said the neighbor "just wanna know why he received that letter." The commission allowed three minutes for each public commenter.

Commission and staff members described the procurement and collection process. Staff explained the city solicits bids through the purchasing department and typically awards to the lowest responsible bidder. "We'll pick the lowest bid," one staff member said during the hearing. Officials said if the city performs the demolition the cost is recorded as a tax lien on the property and will be added to the annual property tax bill; owners may then arrange payment with the tax office. The record also reflects discussion of the possibility — in some cases — for owners to secure a demolition permit and do the work themselves, but commissioners warned that once the city posts a bid and proceeds it becomes difficult to reverse action.

On the specific motions, commissioners moved to follow staff recommendations to demolish the identified structures and voted in favor. For the Sanders Avenue property, the commission closed the public hearing and approved demolition; staff said the city will proceed with the process and that owners will receive additional notices. For the Springfield and Flores properties, commission members likewise moved and voted to approve staff demolition recommendations; in the Flores matter the owner told the commission she had applied for a demolition permit and planned to do the work herself.

Commissioners and staff agreed to follow up to ensure owner contact information is up to date so all owners receive required notices. The agenda listed a final item for a property associated with Pablo Golgaza, but the record shows limited discussion of that item before the meeting was adjourned.

The commission adjourned at the close of the session. Follow-up steps in the record include the purchasing department issuing bids for contracted demolitions, staff mailing updated notices to owners, and the tax office receiving any resulting lien if the city performs the work.