City of Lawrence, KS

GRANT REVIEW BOARD

July 22, 2004 minutes

 

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

Richard Heckler, William Jeltz, Amy Lemert, Shon Qualseth and Don Shepard

 

 

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

 

Kelly Boyle-Wolfe and Kirk Wiesner

 

 

 

STAFF PRESENT:

 

Monica Cardin, Larry Hamm and Tony Hoch

 

 

 

GUESTS PRESENT:

 

Laura Snyder, KU Journalism Student

 

Qualseth called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

 

Introductions

Members and staff introduced themselves.  Laura Snyder, University of Kansas Journalism student, introduced herself.

 

Shepard shared his concerns about not having received the housing information before the meeting.  Hamm stated that in the future, the information will be sent out prior to the meeting.  There was a miscommunication between staff and that was the error.

 

Lemert entered the meeting.

 

Approval of the April 12, 2004, minutes

Heckler moved to approve the April 12, 2004 minutes.  Qualseth seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

Consider Comprehensive Rehabilitation Projects

Hoch noted that he tried to incorporate the Board’s changes and noted there are only two projects to discuss.

 

1.                 3107 Longhorn Drive

Hoch stated it is owned by John Fittel.  In the past, they received assistance for an emergency loan for a furnace, driveway and some sidewalk repair.  Mr. Fittel sells air-purification systems and the smoking ordinance really hurt his business.  Mrs. Fittel is a massage therapist.  The house is 1800 square feet and there is no mortgage on the house.  Fittel received it as part of his inheritance from his family.  There may be a mortgage on the house before work begins to satisfy an IRS lien.  This mortgage money will be held in escrow after August 15, 2004.

 

Hoch stated the house is in pretty good shape.  There are some foundation cracks and they are considering doing a French drain outside.  Most of the windows are deteriorating and cannot be painted so they will be vinyl replacement windows.  The paint on the inside of the house is good.  The gutters and downspouts will need to be replaced.  There is one spot on the outside of the house where the siding will have to be replaced and painted.  He noted staff is going to start putting a spec on the bid sheet for painting behind the downspouts and gutters. The homeowners seem to want it.

 

Hoch stated the Fittels did an extensive amount of ceramic tile work and would like the contractor to use the tile they have in the master bathroom.  There is a little bit of ceiling damage and a spongy floor.  He stated the estimate for the rehabilitation is $16,000.  Staff started doing line-item bidding.  Hoch further explained how the bids are awarded.  Hoch noted that access to the property is steep, which may increase the cost.

 

Lemert commented the owner has many items on the outside and the foundation and drainage work is only as good as those that maintain it.  Hoch stated Fittel knows he has to move the objects.

 

Hoch noted that there is a little bit of brick repair.

 

Heckler asked if the owner is able to take out a small mortgage to do the home repair.  Hamm stated that staff does not get into that and noted that the gentleman’s income was inline with the Department’s program.

 

Jeltz moved to approve the application for John Fittel, 3107 Longhorn Drive.  Heckler seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

2.                 811 E. 11th Street

Hoch stated Deron Belt has a live-in girlfriend with no children.  There is lead paint on the exterior of the house and the windows are deteriorated.  The Department did work on the house when it was a rental house many years ago.

 

Hamm noted the girlfriend’s income was considered into the total income.

 

Heckler asked who repaired the house.  Lemert advised it was the landlord before he sold the property.

 

Hamm provided a brief explanation of the rental rehabilitation program, when the Department had one.

 

Heckler moved to approve the application for Deron Belt, 811 E. 11th Street.  Qualseth seconded the motion.

 

Qualseth asked about the lead paint issues.  Hoch stated that the windows, exterior outside, and some interior window sills all have lead paint.  The windows will be replaced and the outside will be vinyl siding with the encapsulation process and marked for future notice.

 

Hoch mentioned that there are some new environmental and historical regulations to be aware of.  Hamm stated that any property that is 50 years old or older have to be reported to the Kansas State Historical Society. 

 

There followed a brief discussion regarding the historical districts and lead-based paint issues.

 

Lemert called for the vote.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

Miscellaneous Items

Hamm informed the Board of completed projects.

 

Hoch asked if it would be beneficial to the Board if they saw pictures of the completed projects.  Qualseth stated he would like to see completed projects.

 

Adjourn

There being no further business, Shepard moved to adjourn the meeting.  Qualseth seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.  The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.