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Board hears questions about demolition funding increases, homeowner invoicing and environmental review delays
Summary
Staff explained a $50,000 increase to a demolition/condemnation request, variability in demo bids, homeowner invoicing and lien practices, and that HUD environmental reviews can add about 30 days, with emergency demolitions using general funds.
Board members asked for detail about why the demolition allocation increased by $50,000. Leticia Reeves explained bids vary widely — "we've had as low a demo bid as low as 4,000 and lately the last 1 I see that's coming up is 50,000" — and commercial demolitions can require additional inspections (such as asbestos) and lot clearing.
On invoicing, Reeves said the Board of Building Standards first guides attempts at repair; if demolition proceeds and the city covers contract demolition with CDBG funds, the homeowner is invoiced and the city places a lien on the property while the title remains with the owner. Reeves explained that HUD-required environmental reviews typically add about 30 days to projects; emergency demolitions that cannot wait must use the general fund.
A board member cited a figure of 64 potential households who could be helped by these funds; Reeves also reported eight projects already completed under the program. The board discussed contractor sourcing and tribal notification steps required as part of HUD procedures.
