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August 26, 1980
<br />
<br />existing violations would be enforced to prevent further deterioration. Since that time,
<br />untold tenants have resided in this house. Rooms were rented on an hourly, weekly and
<br />monthly basis. On many occasions, tenants lived at this address without electricity and
<br />water due to the owners failur~ to pay the bill, and in the winter of 1978, Department of
<br />Social Services Personnel removed children from a family because of the lack of not just
<br />heat, but a heating plant.
<br />
<br /> In September of 1979, the City Health Department condemned the structure, and in
<br />November of 1979, the owner was "ordered and degreed by the Circuit Court of the City of
<br />Portsmouth, from renting or leasing of otherwise allowing occupancy at 122 Riverview"...
<br />Thus indicating the serious violations that this structure possessed.
<br />
<br /> On December 11, 1979, the house experienced a fire which substantially damaged the
<br />rear of this structure-indeed the insurance company issued a full payment indicating the
<br />total loss of the house. The heat and flames that were generated by the fire caused windows
<br />to be broken, and during the subsequent winter months through the end of July, 1980, boarding
<br />of the areas most affected by fire remained unchecked creating an attractive nuisance for the
<br />re-occurence of a fire, safety and associated health hazards. During this time, my neighbors
<br />and myself met with the City Attorney's office and the Building Officials' office and were
<br />assured that the vacant and boarded structure ordinance would be enforced. It wa~ not.
<br />
<br /> In late March, 1980, the house was sold to Park View Associates, a Virginia corporation,
<br />Mr. James Long, Jr., President. On May 5, the Building official ussued a Building Permit to
<br />Mr. Long for the repairs as he listed, and I quote:
<br />
<br />"1. Replace all fire damaged area in stru~ture.
<br />
<br />2. Replace all broken windows.
<br />
<br />3. Rewire to Code all electrical area.
<br />
<br />Repair all plumbing damage.
<br />
<br />5. Refinish or paint all new work.
<br />
<br />6. Bring all work to City Code.
<br />
<br />Estimated cos~, 15,000.00"
<br />
<br /> The building permit was paid by check, and when the check returned for insufficient
<br />funds, the Building Official's office issued a stop work permit.
<br />
<br /> During this time, no boarding of the broken windows, open doors, etc., was done. There-
<br />fore, the City issued a demolition bid, which was awarded to the lowest bidde on July 9, 1980
<br />All utilities were disconnected at the property. Sometime, in the last week of July, Mr. Lon
<br />stated to the Building Official's office that he had not been given a sufficient amount of
<br />time to repair the structure, and sought an injunction against the City's order for demolition
<br />The Circuit Court granted this injunction for a period of 30 days which ends Friday, August 2
<br />1980. '
<br />
<br /> The Code Enforcement Program, funded by the City of Portsmouth has spent over 110,000.00
<br />in the past two years for the enforcement of housing codes in various communities throughout
<br />the City-one of which is Park View. Every structure on this block-100 blk. of Riverview
<br />Avenue- has seen an improvement through this program. In some cases, it required the home-
<br />owner to withdraw money from their life savings to repair the exterior of their home. Con~-~
<br />versely, Mr. Long, does not intend to bring this house to minimum code by not painting the
<br />exterior of the house that my neighbors were forced to do at great expense and worry to them.
<br />This obvious inequity lies in the non-consequential punishment, ie, a fine of 50.00, for the
<br />violation of the housing code.
<br />
<br /> Further, iff my opinion, if I had not frequently visited the Building Official's office,
<br />I believe that this matter would not have received the attention that it warrants.
<br />
<br /> In summation, I request, that in the event that the Circuit Court of the City of Ports-
<br />mouth awards a continuance to Mr. Long to continue his rehabilitation, that you, as Council
<br />members, use your influence and assistance in insuring that all City Housing Codes are enforc
<br />to remove this blighting influence from our neighborhood through proper rehabili, tation or
<br />demolition."
<br />
<br /> Elwood Twilley, Jr., 126 Riverview Avenue, representing Park View PAC, spoke regarding
<br />the above residence - 122 Riverivew Avenue, and requested that th~ building to be demolished.
<br />
<br />No action taken.
<br />
<br /> 80-315
<br />Commissions:
<br />
<br />Councilman Barnes offered the following nominations for appointments to Boards/
<br />
<br />Housing Board of Adjustments g Appeals
<br />
<br /> Lindell Wallace to fill an unexpired term, ending July 1, 1981, replacing Frank Wright,
<br />who resigned.
<br />
<br />Community Services Board
<br />
<br /> Wilson E. Ringler to fill an nn~xp~re~dZerm, ending December 31, 1980, replacing Susan
<br />D. Carroll, who resigned.
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