HomeMy WebLinkAboutFoundation Problem Lyle Oman
From: Lyle Oman
Sent: Friday, November 04, 2011 3:55 PM
To: 'Williams, Robert'
Subject: RE: Foundation problem at 845 Willow south
Rob,
I visited the site and saw the slab settlement. I reviewed the code for requirements for the slab to be supported by the
foundation and found none. I also reviewed the code for compaction requirements under the slab and found none. I
contacted the State Building Code division and spoke to a structural engineer and he confirmed my findings. I think that
had the slab been protected by a building being over it, it would have not have gotten wet and gone thru the freeze and
thaw cycles. Frankly I am surprised that there is not more damage.The solution would be to mud jack the slab back into
place or live with it the way it is. I reviewed the plans and confirmed that there was a ledge shown to support the slab.
However since it is not a code requirement it becomes a civil matter between you and the contractor and the city would
have no involvement.
Lyle Oman
Building Official
City of Orono
TO SCHEDULE AN INSPECTION, CALL: 952.249.4600
952.249.4625 - Direct Dial
952.249.4600 - Main
952.249.4616 - Fax
www.ci.orono.mn.us
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Office Hours: Monday- Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
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Physical Address:
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From: Williams, Robert [mailto:robert I williams@uhc.com]
Sent: Thursday, November 03, 2011 2:53 PM
To: Lyle Oman
Subject: Foundation problem at 845 Willow south
Lyle,
I have a problem with a foundation that a contractor(Mitch Johnsen, Shoreline Builders) has provided for me and I have
been working through the steps provided to me by the Minnesota Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection
and the Department of Labor to get satisfaction.
In November of 2007 as part of a larger project I had a foundation for a shop building installed at our property at 845
Willow Drive. Subsquent to that our financial situation had deteriorated to the point that we had to put the last of that
project on hold, including the shop. This fall we restarted the project to build the shop and on OCT 3rd of 2011 the
contractor tasked with building the structure pointed out that the slab was sinking.That evening I contacted the
previous contractor and asked him to contact me to discuss a solution.
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On October 4th following the advice of the Attorney General's office for Consumer Protection 11.)contacted the MN
department of labor and 2.)the City of Orono.
The department of labor advised me to get the city out to review it to see if it is to code. If it does not meet code then a
correction notice was to be sent to the contractor. I spoke with Willie Gibbs who suggested that I bring the contractor
out along with someone from the city to discuss. I did speak briefly with the contractor who made a date to come out on
the weekend of the 8th but did not confirm and did not show up.
Mitch Johnsen in the meantime contacted me saying they could come on Saturday, October 8th and would call. He did
not call and did not visit.They also suggested that I contact Mitch directly. I did via a certified letter that was sent on the
4th and was accepted on October 06, 2011, 11:08 am. I am attaching a copy of that letter,which was sent out a month
ago tomorrow.
Shoreline did say that because the foundation sat,the underlayment got wet allowing sag. One independent party
suggested that if it were compacted properly that any water wouldn't matter. I will also add that the drawing shows that
the slab was to be set upon a ledge but that didn't happen.
I know I've done at least one significant rework item at the city's recommendation and hope that I can continue
partnering with you to ensure that the right thing is done.The City of Orono is a key partner for me in this issue. I would
like to discuss this with you, show you what concerns me about this work and the future health of the building and learn
what options are available.
Thanks,
Rob Williams
845 Willow Drive, Orono
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