RE: request for council action - Laserfiche WebLink

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July 13, 2011 To: Prosecuting Attorney. Sorren Mattick From: Lyle Oman, Orono Building Official Subject: Hazardous Building Inspection at 3645 Togo Road, Orono MN Based on a recent administrative search warrant, I conducted an inspection of the above referenced property. The property is in foreclosure and has been stripped of Plumbing, mechanicals and other valuables. The city has received numerous complaints about the property regarding junk and debris in the yard and the building has been left unsecured allowing trespass. The water was not shut off and water pipes burst due to freezing. The basement has had three to four feet of standing water for over 6 months. The purpose of the search warrant and inspection was to determine structural soundness and habitability of the house and other nuisance or unhealthy conditions. Based upon my June 28, 2010 inspection it is my recommendation that the structures on the property be demolished and the foundations removed and filled in. Under 1311.0206 Section 206 of the 2007 Minnesota State Building Code "Unsafe Buildings or Structures" it states (and paraphrase) All buildings or structures regulated by these guidelines that are structurally unsafe or that are otherwise dangerous to human life are, for the purpose of this section, unsafe. Any use of buildings or structures constituting a hazard to safety, health or public welfare by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence, fire hazard, disaster, damage or abandonment is, for the purpose of this section, an unsafe use. All unsafe buildings, structures or appendages are public nuisances and must be abated by repair, rehabilitation, demolition, or removal, according to Minnesota Statutes, sections 463.1 to 463.26. As the City of Orono Building Official, I submit that the house, garage, trailers, garbage, junk, and all other remaining materials at 3645 Togo Road be declared a public nuisance and be removed, demolished, and foundations filled in, as permanent relief of this neighborhood nuisance. I offer the following descriptions as support for the request to abate: 1) The home is vacant, left open to trespass and attempts to contact responsible parties has failed. 2) The house did not receive winterization and subsequently the plumbing froze and split filling the basement of the house completely full of water. This eventually froze solid and undoubtedly caused severe damage to the foundation and possible structural failure of the house. Three to four feet of water remain in the basement. 3) The excessive moisture in the house has caused mold to flourish throughout the building. The paint is falling of walls and ceilings. 4) A roof leak in an upper bedroom has caused the roof to sag and is danger of collapse. 5) A roof leak in an front porch has caused the roof to sag and is danger of collapse. 6) The furnace has been removed and there is no other heat supply. This is a violation of International Building Code section 303.8. 7) The water heater and other plumbing have been removed causing unsanitary conditions. 8) The entire house is full of trash and garbage causing unsanitary conditions. 9) The attached garage roof has collapsed and is open to the elements. 10)The property is covered with junk and debris and 2 abandon trailers causing a nuisance for the neighborhood.