A battle of epic proportions.
QuoteCouncilwoman Kimberly Daniels eyes subpoenas over city demolition
Posted: June 4, 2013 - 3:37pm
By Steve Patterson
A Jacksonville councilwoman says she may seek subpoenas to get answers from city officials about a decision to demolish the garage of a woman feuding with the city.
The concrete-block garage was torn down as an unsafe structure April 15 while owner Duchee Stevens and Councilwoman Kimberly Daniels watched. That was after a demolition contractor told Daniels city officials had instructed him to “call the police†when she showed up.
Daniels said she has tried to meet with code-enforcement chief Kimberly Scott and Scott’s boss, Neighborhoods Director Terrance Ashanta-Barker, but has been told consistently that they aren’t available. Issuing subpoenas would prod officials to make themselves available, and to ensure they discussed subjects truthfully, Daniels told members of the council Public Health and Safety Committee.
“It is possible it was a waste of taxpayers’ funds,†Daniels said about the demolition, saying the block building seemed solid.
Mayor Alvin Brown’s office said Tuesday afternoon it is working to get a response to the Times-Union’s questions.
The building, which was detached from Stevens’ house, had a roof that had deteriorated badly, and Stevens said a condemnation notice had been left on a fence around her property in March 2011.
Stevens has argued the garage did not need to be torn down, saying the decayed roof hadn’t affected the block walls. “There wasn’t anything wrong with the block. There was just something wrong with the wood [roof],†she said.
City records show that a contractor started to reroof the property in 2005, but failed a building inspection, after which the records are silent. Stevens, who is disabled, said the roofer was hired by a nonprofit that the city paid to renovate homes belonging to low-income people like her.
She has frequently addressed the City Council about her efforts to get problems at the property resolved, and has also talked to council members individually.
Daniels said she had asked Scott about the condemnation notice, and left thinking Scott bore ill will toward Stevens because of her earlier dispute with the city.
“They are dealing out of bitterness and retaliating against this lady,†Daniels said in an interview last month. “All that Kim [Scot] told me was what Ms. Duchee had done. … It is my opinion that this was personalized.â€
Daniels called the demolition one of “the lowest things I’ve ever seen since I’ve been on the City Council.â€
Daniels said she was being discharged from St. Vincent’s Medical Center after an operation when she got a phone call about the demolition. She said she headed to the site to be sure that Stevens remained calm, and said she phoned Scott about the demolition on the way.
When she got there, she said, the demolition contractor “ran up to me and said ‘I don’t want to be involved.’ ... He said ‘they told me when you got here to call the police on you.’â€
Daniels said the contractor did not call police, and neither she nor Stevens tried to interrupt the demolition.
She said she later talked to Brown, described her concern over the demolition, and he said he would look into it.
Daniels said she hasn’t heard anything since then, and has been repeatedly frustrated trying to get answers from the city.
“I can’t even get a meeting with some of the staff members,†Daniels said.
Council rules allow subpoenas to be issued if needed, but would require support by most of the council. Several said Monday they were reluctant to do that unless no other choice remained, but wouldn’t flatly rule it out.
Daniels said she is considering asking for subpoenas to be issued when the council meets Tuesday.
“I am so sorry that it has come to this,†she said, “but it has come to this.â€
Steve Patterson: (904) 359-4263
Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2013-06-04/story/councilwoman-kimberly-daniels-eyes-subpoenas-over-city-demolition?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter#ixzz2VHzbOkNy
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2013-06-04/story/councilwoman-kimberly-daniels-eyes-subpoenas-over-city-demolition?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
City employees in those positions who cannot return calls from city council members have no business being in that job.
So let me get this straight. You get your building taken down against your will and a lien for demolition costs? Makes you wonder how many times this stuff has happened to residents who can't do anything about it. I'd love to see CM Daniels take this rogue agency out.
just don't say something like "whatever" to Kimberlay Daniels ;)
Quote from: stephendare on June 04, 2013, 08:33:12 PM
This arrogant rogue agency needs to be brought to heel.
I think its clear that Kimberly Scott needs to go.
No argument here. Who does she answer to??
MCCD desperately needs an overhaul. And decent management.
Maybe there is a law against letting your roof blow into your neighbor's and not fixing it for eight years.
^Pretty hard to go there, without knowing the context. Nevertheless, if the roof is the problem, than perhaps that should have been addressed.
Quote from: Starbuck on June 05, 2013, 08:07:10 AM
Maybe there is a law against letting your roof blow into your neighbor's and not fixing it for eight years.
The city could have hired the contractor to remove the roof instead of taking down the whole structure.
Subpena her ass (lol).
I am interested how one person could have such a personality as to piss off pretty much everyone who has dealings with her.
Unless... someone can name a positive experience?
*crickets*
But in seriousness, it takes an awful lot- usually foundation damage- to make a concrete block structure "a hazard" to the level where demolition is necessary. It is indeed a waste of taxpayer money, on two fronts. The roof was installed by a contractor hired by the city- who did a sub-standard job to start with, (failed inspection) and no one gave a big enough damn to see the project finished.
Two- rather than correcting the mistake- and getting this lady a roof that was up to code- they just "condemned" the entire structure. ( far more costly than a garage roof).
Who ran the program that hired the sub-standard contractors?
Quote from: GoldenEst82 on June 05, 2013, 11:22:48 AM
Subpena her ass (lol).
I am interested how one person could have such a personality as to piss off pretty much everyone who has dealings with her.
Unless... someone can name a positive experience?
Not defending MCDD, but no one is going to have much of a positive experience with an agency tasked with code enforcement. I agree that change should be made but asking for positive experiences with such an agency is a little disingenuous.
Personally, with all the suitable matters on which to hang a challenge to MCDD, I believe the instant one is a poor example. :twocents:
This is just so crazy it might just work!
If you look at JSO, tasked with keeping the citizens safe, most folks have a positive response. MCCD could be the same. It could keep people safe while respecting historic structures and INSTRUCTING people -- educate them throughout the process.
The "personalization" of this -- making everything a grudge, and let me tell you I know a thing or two about that -- is so grossly unprofessional for someone entrusted with the safety and well being of our structures.
By the time her particular breakdown is done, what is going to be left?
Quote from: stephendare on June 05, 2013, 01:18:07 PM
Quote from: MEGATRON on June 05, 2013, 11:43:27 AM
Quote from: GoldenEst82 on June 05, 2013, 11:22:48 AM
Subpena her ass (lol).
I am interested how one person could have such a personality as to piss off pretty much everyone who has dealings with her.
Unless... someone can name a positive experience?
Not defending MCDD, but no one is going to have much of a positive experience with an agency tasked with code enforcement. I agree that change should be made but asking for positive experiences with such an agency is a little disingenuous.
Personally, with all the suitable matters on which to hang a challenge to MCDD, I believe the instant one is a poor example. :twocents:
you are defending MCCD, though arent you?
Yeah, sorry. I assume that's your cutesy way of disagreeing with me?
Quote from: stephendare on June 05, 2013, 01:48:03 PM
Quote from: MEGATRON on June 05, 2013, 01:41:18 PM
Quote from: stephendare on June 05, 2013, 01:18:07 PM
Quote from: MEGATRON on June 05, 2013, 11:43:27 AM
Quote from: GoldenEst82 on June 05, 2013, 11:22:48 AM
Subpena her ass (lol).
I am interested how one person could have such a personality as to piss off pretty much everyone who has dealings with her.
Unless... someone can name a positive experience?
Not defending MCDD, but no one is going to have much of a positive experience with an agency tasked with code enforcement. I agree that change should be made but asking for positive experiences with such an agency is a little disingenuous.
Personally, with all the suitable matters on which to hang a challenge to MCDD, I believe the instant one is a poor example. :twocents:
you are defending MCCD, though arent you?
Yeah, sorry. I assume that's your cutesy way of disagreeing with me?
aww! you think im cute? Well thanks megaton. I like your iron biceps.
This thread took an interesting turn. :o
In case you were interested in Kim Scott's linkedin profile:
QuoteI serve as Division Chief, with 17+ years of management and supervisory experience, for a large municipal government division, which enforces local property safety and maintenance/zoning codes; duties include direction, planning/policy-making, and oversight of the division's three sections to address code enforcement issues city-wide: Enforcement Operations & Administration, Contract Compliance Administration, and Special Magistrate Administrative Sections; as the division's liaison/representative for Mayor's Office and City Council inquiries, I respond to numerous public requests. Prior to the preceding job appointment, as Code Enforcement Manager for the city's 6 zones, I directed daily activities in the division's operations and administrative sections. Also, I oversaw contract administration (personnel, contracts, lien disputes/settlement) to ensure abatement of public nuisances, board-up of vacant/open structures, and demolition of condemned structures city-wide. In addition, these duties include divisional budget development and oversight, grant and special projects administration, research and subsequent report development, educating various civic and neighborhood groups, regarding the code enforcement process, municipal lien process (problems resolutions, settlement, etc.), research and report development/writing (quantitative and qualitative), and related services. I am also a member of the city's Empowerment/Enterprise Zone Board and Blueprint for Prosperity Committee
Specialties
Public Adm./Mgmt. of a large city division, leadership, supervision,project mgmt., research, contract adm., policy/report development, budget, grant-writing, & related matters. Graduate/undergraduate courses include:Urban Policy & Planning,Policy-Making Process,Issues in Public Management, Inquiry and Analysis, Urban Regional Planning, Social Psych., Research Design, Public Adm. Research Methods, Issues in State/Local Govt., Govt. & Minority Relations, Public Program Eval., American Legal System
Kimberly Scott, M.P.A.'s Experience
Chief of Municipal Code Compliance Division
City of Jacksonville
Government Agency; 5001-10,000 employees; Government Administration industry
November 2007 â€" Present (5 years 8 months)
Chief of property safety/maintenance and zoning code enforcement for the City of Jacksonville; oversight of 3 divisional sections, which includes 3 managers, 8 supervisors, and numerous code enforcement officers, senior officers, contract compliance personnel, and administrative/clerical staff (75 employees); policy development to improve local code enforcement practices/laws; organizational re-development to increase and improve internal efficiencies; public education to discuss the enforcement process and services; responsible for development and/or oversights of $7.4 million general fund budget, $300,000 CDBG, and $1M Neighborhood Stabilization Program fund budget; division representative for Mayor's/City Council Offices contacts. Also serve as a member of the city's Empowerment/Enterprise Zone Board and Blueprint for Prosperity Committee
Assistant Management Improvement Officer - Code Enforcement Manager
City of Jacksonville, Property Safety Division
Government Agency; 5001-10,000 employees; Government Administration industry
April 2006 â€" November 2007 (1 year 8 months)
Managed Code Enforcement Operations for the City of Jacksonville, including oversight of six zones (approximately 45 field personnel, senior officers, and supervisors) and administrative staff; budget; conducting research/analysis for division chief and composing white papers (various subjects) for same. Served as a member of the city's Empowerment/Enterprise Zone Board
Contract Compliance Administrator
Property Safety Division
Government Agency; 5001-10,000 employees; Government Administration industry
January 2004 â€" April 2006 (2 years 4 months)
Administrator of contract compliance activities for the city's code enforcement division (contracts addressed public nuisance abatement, board-up of vacant/open structures, and demolition of unsafe structures); supervision of contract compliance staff (specialists, inspectors, and clerical staff); problems resolutions; budget and logistics manager
Kimberly Scott, M.P.A.'s Organizations
Regional Community Institute of Northeast Florida, Inc.
Member
June 2012 to Present
Kimberly Scott, M.P.A.'s Honors and Awards
Graduate
Northeast Florida Regional Leadership Academy
June 2012
Kimberly Scott, M.P.A.'s Education
University of North Florida
Master, Public Administration
2001 â€" 2003
Activities and Societies: Member of Pi Sigma Alpha Political Honor Society, Member of Golden Key National Honor Society
University of North Florida
Bachelor, Political Science
2000 â€" 2001
Activities and Societies: Member, Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society, Golden Key National Honor Society
Kimberly Scott, M.P.A.'s Additional Information
Groups and Associations:
City of Jacksonville Empowerment/Enterprise Zone Board member (as the local code enforcement official), COJ Blueprint for Prosperity Committee member, American Society for Public Administration member, Florida Association of Code Enforcement (F.A.C.E.) member, and University of North Florida Alumni
American Society for Public Administration
Code Officials of America
For GrantWriters Only
National Forum For Black Public Administrators
OneJax
University of North Florida Alumni
Honors and Awards:
Golden Key International Honor Society, Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kimberly-scott-m-p-a/6/692/563
(http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kimberly-scott-m-p-a/6/692/563)
There are always going to be negative experiences involved in dealing with enforcement agencies especially if you are as in this case the individual directly affected.
There generally are ways to appeal the decisions made by individual code enforcement officers. The problem is very little is done to educate the public and specifically those affected about their rights and options.
I've actually been successful in negotiating the removal or reduction of liens on properties that I've purchased and also in negotiating remedies and timing to the conditions of structures with MCCD. Then again, I've left their offices feeling like I just finished banging my head on a brick wall.
I for one hope they issue subpoenas. I'd very much like the opportunity to see and hear both sides of what is going on. Maybe then, a real solution to issues such as demolition of historic structures could be devised.
It is interesting to watch Kimberly Scott and some of her minions, Like Prado, and how they react to things they do not like. They get angry, very angry. At those who dare question what they decide to do. It might be just an ego thing, but it could be much more. Either way, we end up with an agency that spends much of their time making things up, skirting the laws and harming as many people as they can just for sport. Or perhaps profit. Who knows, 'cause I don't. I can guess, but that is all I can do. And that is because they get protected at every turn. It may be they know the Right People. Perhaps they share whatever it is they get from all this. Perhaps a combination. They get away with the stuff they do because if the city admitted it was wrong, it would open a flood gates of lawsuits. Because they seldom do things properly. They certainly have a bad track record of misinformation and playing in the grey areas of the laws they are supposed to enforce.
The department could be much more. It could be an agency that helps people. That repairs that minor roof leak or that protect those historic structures. It would be a department that probably saved the city money. Instead, Ms Scott see herself as lord over her domain and that her job is more "pest control" than public service. Catch one of the MCCD employees off duty and buy them a beer. The conversation will be enlightening.
Quote from: strider on June 05, 2013, 06:39:14 PM
It is interesting to watch Kimberly Scott and some of her minions, Like Prado, and how they react to things they do not like. They get angry, very angry. At those who dare question what they decide to do. It might be just an ego thing, but it could be much more. Either way, we end up with an agency that spends much of their time making things up, skirting the laws and harming as many people as they can just for sport. Or perhaps profit. Who knows, 'cause I don't. I can guess, but that is all I can do. And that is because they get protected at every turn. It may be they know the Right People. Perhaps they share whatever it is they get from all this. Perhaps a combination. They get away with the stuff they do because if the city admitted it was wrong, it would open a flood gates of lawsuits. Because they seldom do things properly. They certainly have a bad track record of misinformation and playing in the grey areas of the laws they are supposed to enforce.
The department could be much more. It could be an agency that helps people. That repairs that minor roof leak or that protect those historic structures. It would be a department that probably saved the city money. Instead, Ms Scott see herself as lord over her domain and that her job is more "pest control" than public service. Catch one of the MCCD employees off duty and buy them a beer. The conversation will be enlightening.
Are you talking about the IRS?
Is that a joke? Off the subject, Bill no last name.
Unknown to us, MCCD had a case against our house on Pearl when we bought it. Said it was "in bad shape." It wasn't. One third of the upstairs porch was, and it needed a new roof. The rest of it was just fine, thank you. That magnificent house would have either been demolished or had $250 a day fines on it that the widow who lived there before us could not have paid. That's why she had to sell the house. And her GRANDFATHER built it 100 years earlier. I wanted the house, but I even offered to get her help to repair it so she wouldn't have to sell it, but she was done.
Across the street on West 9th, a widow lady went on vacation (not sure of the year) and while she was gone, they demolished her house. Her next door neighbor asked if he could at least go inside and rescue her family pictures first, but they would not let him. She came home to a vacant lot and only the clothes on her back. Fortunately, a widower who lived nearby took her in. Got this story directly from the neighbor, who lives next to the now vacant lot.
Miss Maggie lived in a little bungalow for 50 years. After 50 years, it needed paint. The house had no paint. MCCD was threatening to condemn her house. For lack of paint! Miss Maggie was PSOS' first "Make it Happen" and her beautiful little bungalow looks as good as new.
The house taken down on Mrytle at 5th in Durkeeville recently? I spoke to the contractor who looked underneath the house. She said the underside of the house, the foundation, was fine. It was structurally sound. MCCD, at the last HPC, defended the demolition, saying it has been "in the system for XX years." Not that it was unsound, but that it had been in the system and they didn't think it would be fixed. So sound or not, and it was, it was demolished. The twin sisters who owned it lost their parent's home. Now the City is trying to demolish their grandparent's home, all they have left of their family history. They are seeking landmark status. Their grandfather hand carved all the trim, carved the shape of his fingers into the trim so everyone would know it was his house. Amazing African-American folk art of the turn of the last century, and the City wants to demolish it instead of stabilizing it.
Just a few examples of what COJ and MCCD have done/become. Not pretty. Oh, yes, there are those who will defend this. She Clown would say, help don't hinder.
Most of the time it takes less money to stabilize a house than it does to demolish it. Many full demolitions are not only a pox on our history, they are a waste of taxpayers money.
MCCD will admit they are not engineers. And the one they do use rubber stamps what they say, because they are paying him. It's ridiculous, and change needs to happen.
I absolutely 1000% agree that Kimberly Scott is out of control. I applaud Kimberly Daniels for her recent comments and am glad that someone on the City Council is now taking a harder look. I sent an email tonight to Ms. Daniels, all other City Council members, the Mayor and a few other select contacts regarding the tragic demolition of historic homes in Jacksonville. I read in the City Ordinence that for each demolition, a lien is placed on the property equal to the cost of the demolition PLUS a percentage of the assessed value of the home - minimum penalty is $10,000.
Hmmmm, is Kimberly Scott perhaps receiving bonus funds for demolitions? She is creating receivables for the City.
MCCD is NOT above the law!
Quote from: Debbie Thompson on June 05, 2013, 10:12:26 PM
Is that a joke? Off the subject, Bill no last name.
Unknown to us, MCCD had a case against our house on Pearl when we bought it. Said it was "in bad shape." It wasn't. One third of the upstairs porch was, and it needed a new roof. The rest of it was just fine, thank you. That magnificent house would have either been demolished or had $250 a day fines on it that the widow who lived there before us could not have paid. That's why she had to sell the house. And her GRANDFATHER built it 100 years earlier. I wanted the house, but I even offered to get her help to repair it so she wouldn't have to sell it, but she was done.
Across the street on West 9th, a widow lady went on vacation (not sure of the year) and while she was gone, they demolished her house. Her next door neighbor asked if he could at least go inside and rescue her family pictures first, but they would not let him. She came home to a vacant lot and only the clothes on her back. Fortunately, a widower who lived nearby took her in. Got this story directly from the neighbor, who lives next to the now vacant lot.
Miss Maggie lived in a little bungalow for 50 years. After 50 years, it needed paint. The house had no paint. MCCD was threatening to condemn her house. For lack of paint! Miss Maggie was PSOS' first "Make it Happen" and her beautiful little bungalow looks as good as new.
The house taken down on Mrytle at 5th in Durkeeville recently? I spoke to the contractor who looked underneath the house. She said the underside of the house, the foundation, was fine. It was structurally sound. MCCD, at the last HPC, defended the demolition, saying it has been "in the system for XX years." Not that it was unsound, but that it had been in the system and they didn't think it would be fixed. So sound or not, and it was, it was demolished. The twin sisters who owned it lost their parent's home. Now the City is trying to demolish their grandparent's home, all they have left of their family history. They are seeking landmark status. Their grandfather hand carved all the trim, carved the shape of his fingers into the trim so everyone would know it was his house. Amazing African-American folk art of the turn of the last century, and the City wants to demolish it instead of stabilizing it.
Just a few examples of what COJ and MCCD have done/become. Not pretty. Oh, yes, there are those who will defend this. She Clown would say, help don't hinder.
Most of the time it takes less money to stabilize a house than it does to demolish it. Many full demolitions are not only a pox on our history, they are a waste of taxpayers money.
MCCD will admit they are not engineers. And the one they do use rubber stamps what they say, because they are paying him. It's ridiculous, and change needs to happen.
Thanks for sharing Debbie. Truly outrageous. if these people were not poor, there would be public outrage galore. In terms of the 5th & Durkeeville house, is it just a matter of money to get this house in shape and off the demo list? If so, how much?
Bill: Why don't you and your fellow conservatives, who by and large detest Emienent Domain (the public taking of property for public use, but at fair market value) , find the destruction of property WITHOUT compensation (and with fines charged to the owner) as unjust?
Quote from: vicupstate on June 06, 2013, 05:08:57 AM
Thanks for sharing Debbie. Truly outrageous. if these people were not poor, there would be public outrage galore. In terms of the 5th & Durkeeville house, is it just a matter of money to get this house in shape and off the demo list? If so, how much?
Bill: Why don't you and your fellow conservatives, who by and large detest Emienent Domain (the public taking of property for public use, but at fair market value) , find the destruction of property WITHOUT compensation (and with fines charged to the owner) as unjust?
Feeling cynical this morning, so vicup, I think you answered the question in your 2nd paragraph in the first.
vicup, there is another thread about the Durkeeville house. The one at 5th and Myrtle is already gone. The one in question on that thread is on West 6th. Although HPC declared it a potential landmark, based not only on it's historic value, but also quite a bit on the grandfather's hand carved folk art moldings, MCCD indicated through the city attorney they still plan to pursue demolition of this historic home. You can find that on the thread. I'll go see if I can find it and edit to re-post the name of the thread. Jacksonville by Neighborhood, Urban Neighborhoods, Durkeeville 100 year old house in danger of demolition. Here's the link.
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,18082.msg331180/topicseen.html#new (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,18082.msg331180/topicseen.html#new)
We have a generous donor who put up the money needed to stabilize and mothball the house. It's do-able, and for less or no more than it takes to demolish it. It is actually within MCCD's ability to do this with it's funding. In fact, it is required by ordinance 307 that the City do all it can to preserve historic homes.
Doesn't seem to matter to MCCD. They are still going after the house.
Quote from: vicupstate on June 06, 2013, 05:08:57 AM
Quote from: Debbie Thompson on June 05, 2013, 10:12:26 PM
Is that a joke? Off the subject, Bill no last name.
Unknown to us, MCCD had a case against our house on Pearl when we bought it. Said it was "in bad shape." It wasn't. One third of the upstairs porch was, and it needed a new roof. The rest of it was just fine, thank you. That magnificent house would have either been demolished or had $250 a day fines on it that the widow who lived there before us could not have paid. That's why she had to sell the house. And her GRANDFATHER built it 100 years earlier. I wanted the house, but I even offered to get her help to repair it so she wouldn't have to sell it, but she was done.
Across the street on West 9th, a widow lady went on vacation (not sure of the year) and while she was gone, they demolished her house. Her next door neighbor asked if he could at least go inside and rescue her family pictures first, but they would not let him. She came home to a vacant lot and only the clothes on her back. Fortunately, a widower who lived nearby took her in. Got this story directly from the neighbor, who lives next to the now vacant lot.
Miss Maggie lived in a little bungalow for 50 years. After 50 years, it needed paint. The house had no paint. MCCD was threatening to condemn her house. For lack of paint! Miss Maggie was PSOS' first "Make it Happen" and her beautiful little bungalow looks as good as new.
The house taken down on Mrytle at 5th in Durkeeville recently? I spoke to the contractor who looked underneath the house. She said the underside of the house, the foundation, was fine. It was structurally sound. MCCD, at the last HPC, defended the demolition, saying it has been "in the system for XX years." Not that it was unsound, but that it had been in the system and they didn't think it would be fixed. So sound or not, and it was, it was demolished. The twin sisters who owned it lost their parent's home. Now the City is trying to demolish their grandparent's home, all they have left of their family history. They are seeking landmark status. Their grandfather hand carved all the trim, carved the shape of his fingers into the trim so everyone would know it was his house. Amazing African-American folk art of the turn of the last century, and the City wants to demolish it instead of stabilizing it.
Just a few examples of what COJ and MCCD have done/become. Not pretty. Oh, yes, there are those who will defend this. She Clown would say, help don't hinder.
Most of the time it takes less money to stabilize a house than it does to demolish it. Many full demolitions are not only a pox on our history, they are a waste of taxpayers money.
MCCD will admit they are not engineers. And the one they do use rubber stamps what they say, because they are paying him. It's ridiculous, and change needs to happen.
Thanks for sharing Debbie. Truly outrageous. if these people were not poor, there would be public outrage galore. In terms of the 5th & Durkeeville house, is it just a matter of money to get this house in shape and off the demo list? If so, how much?
Bill: Why don't you and your fellow conservatives, who by and large detest Emienent Domain (the public taking of property for public use, but at fair market value) , find the destruction of property WITHOUT compensation (and with fines charged to the owner) as unjust?
PSOS has raised $2500 to mothball this property (w6th st Durkeeville). Cleanup alone will probably be $1000.00 including the dumpster costs.
The roof will need minor repairs to stop some small leaks. This cost is inconsequential.
Boarding of the windows will take some time and money to do along with stabilizing the back porch area (where the existing house meets the addition). The permit cost will be a couple of hundred but I'm hoping to get our architect to do the drawing out of the goodness of his heart.
So, using volunteers, free labor when we can, and a stash of materials (thanks Mike Field for the cash mob stuff), we can keep the cost to mothball very low.
As far as renovating it.
It needs systems. HVAC, plumbing, electric could be 25K. New modest kitchen with appliances could be 7k, bathrooms have tubs, sinks and toilets already so toss in 2k to make whatever repairs needed to those. Structural work could be 10k. Window repair and replacement where needed 5K. Doors 1k. Staircase and other trim 5k. Flooring repairs and refinishing 5k. Paint, interior, and plaster repair (especially after those freakin electricians are done :), 8k, removal of the "faux" siding -- some sort of roofing like material they used to use to cover the siding and make it look like brick -- along with wood siding repair and paint 10k, and add 7k for things I've left off.
A nice renovation could be done for $85k.
Joel says that historic tax credits can reduce renovation costs by up to 20%. Taking that into consideration it is possible that this could be done for 70k.
The requirements for historic tax credits could be met with this house fairly easily since it has not been "upgraded" like so many historic properties.
Quote from: vicupstate on June 06, 2013, 05:08:57 AM
Quote from: Debbie Thompson on June 05, 2013, 10:12:26 PM
Is that a joke? Off the subject, Bill no last name.
Unknown to us, MCCD had a case against our house on Pearl when we bought it. Said it was "in bad shape." It wasn't. One third of the upstairs porch was, and it needed a new roof. The rest of it was just fine, thank you. That magnificent house would have either been demolished or had $250 a day fines on it that the widow who lived there before us could not have paid. That's why she had to sell the house. And her GRANDFATHER built it 100 years earlier. I wanted the house, but I even offered to get her help to repair it so she wouldn't have to sell it, but she was done.
Across the street on West 9th, a widow lady went on vacation (not sure of the year) and while she was gone, they demolished her house. Her next door neighbor asked if he could at least go inside and rescue her family pictures first, but they would not let him. She came home to a vacant lot and only the clothes on her back. Fortunately, a widower who lived nearby took her in. Got this story directly from the neighbor, who lives next to the now vacant lot.
Miss Maggie lived in a little bungalow for 50 years. After 50 years, it needed paint. The house had no paint. MCCD was threatening to condemn her house. For lack of paint! Miss Maggie was PSOS' first "Make it Happen" and her beautiful little bungalow looks as good as new.
The house taken down on Mrytle at 5th in Durkeeville recently? I spoke to the contractor who looked underneath the house. She said the underside of the house, the foundation, was fine. It was structurally sound. MCCD, at the last HPC, defended the demolition, saying it has been "in the system for XX years." Not that it was unsound, but that it had been in the system and they didn't think it would be fixed. So sound or not, and it was, it was demolished. The twin sisters who owned it lost their parent's home. Now the City is trying to demolish their grandparent's home, all they have left of their family history. They are seeking landmark status. Their grandfather hand carved all the trim, carved the shape of his fingers into the trim so everyone would know it was his house. Amazing African-American folk art of the turn of the last century, and the City wants to demolish it instead of stabilizing it.
Just a few examples of what COJ and MCCD have done/become. Not pretty. Oh, yes, there are those who will defend this. She Clown would say, help don't hinder.
Most of the time it takes less money to stabilize a house than it does to demolish it. Many full demolitions are not only a pox on our history, they are a waste of taxpayers money.
MCCD will admit they are not engineers. And the one they do use rubber stamps what they say, because they are paying him. It's ridiculous, and change needs to happen.
Thanks for sharing Debbie. Truly outrageous. if these people were not poor, there would be public outrage galore. In terms of the 5th & Durkeeville house, is it just a matter of money to get this house in shape and off the demo list? If so, how much?
Bill: Why don't you and your fellow conservatives, who by and large detest Emienent Domain (the public taking of property for public use, but at fair market value) , find the destruction of property WITHOUT compensation (and with fines charged to the owner) as unjust?
WOW, I am going on vacation in a few weeks and my house does need paint. Hope it is there when I get back.
Is there another Noticed Meeting with Daniels and Scott Monday morning at 10:00? Can't find the notice on the web site.
I see the following in relation to Ms. Stevens' situation:
QuoteJune 20, 2013
11:30 am
MEETING NOTICE
Council Member Kimberly Daniels and Council Member Reggie Brown will be meeting with Affordable Housing Coordinator Darrell Griffin, Director of Neighborhoods Terrance Ashanta-Barker, Lawsikia Hodges of OGC, and Paige Johnston of OGC to discuss Duchee Stevens’ case. This meeting is open to all Council Members who are interested in this topic. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 25, 2013, at 10:30 a.m., in Conference Room A, Suite 425, City Hall, 117 West Duval Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32202.
All interested parties are invited to attend.
Please contact Edward B. Suggs, ECA â€" At-Large Group 1, at (904) 630-1393for additional information or correspondence.
Thanks!
Ya'll beat me to posting this!!! :o ;D
Looks like Duchee Stevens now has Bill Sheppard as her attorney. I'm listening to her online at the city council meeting.
Talk about a game changer.