Minutes of 19^th Ward Housing Committee Meeting - March 12, 2015

Present : John and Joann DeMott, Donna Sarnacki,  Scott Beck, Mark Sweetland, Kathy O’Neill, Deb Leary, Harlan Ost

Guests: Gary Kirkmire, Jeff West

Presentation and Discussion with Gary Kirkmire, Director of Inspections and Compliance Services, City of Rochester:

There is an average inventory of 9 to 12 thousand properties involving health, safety and blight issues

The complaint process starts with a call to 311 (City) or Neighborhood Service Center, which staff follows up on.

Field inspections:  Policies always in flux.  Vacant properties, Owner Occupant properties, Rentals, Certificates of Occupancies are main areas. NSC works with owners towards mitigation.  If there is an inadequate response the owner is ticketed, costs of which are added to the owner’s tax bill.  The intent is to motivate owners to comply.

With regard to owner occupants the City does not want to force owner occupants out of their properties and efforts are made to work with them and let them know of possible loan and grant options for repairs.

There are at least 2,250 vacant structures in the City of Rochester.

Private foreclosures: Banks have stopped or slowed foreclosures.  Average time is at least two years. Banks whose properties are not in code compliance, e.g. not secure or lawn maintenance, will find that the City takes appropriate action and bills the banks on the tax bill.  Gary believes that this situation will continue for another two years as more properties join this pool.  A recent D & C article details Zombie properties and proposed state legislation.  The State Attorney General is requesting a foreclosure escalation clause that would affect five banks, as well as proposing a statewide registry for unresolved foreclosures.

The City’s Housing and Legal Depts have been working with Wells Fargo Bank, which has been responsive. Chase and Key Bank also have a number of city foreclosures.  Also the City has met with Judge Doyle pushing for expedited foreclosure proceedings.

There are inadequate funds for property demolitions. Vacant commercial properties are very expensive to demolish.

The question was asked if there is a spreadsheet for vacant properties.

The committee asked what we could do to support his office.  Writing letters in support of the state’s proposed Zombie legislation was one suggestion.  Gary said the budget process is completed, but committee members could lobby for funding for demolitions to continue for a few more years.

Tax auctions have resumed.  350 people came to the last tax auction. 

Property reports from Bruce Wilder:

255 Sawyer St. is a high priority for demolition. Bruce will see that it gets on the list.

1046 Genesee St. is pending a zoning decision re parking. Three cars can be parked in the driveway and front lawn has to be restored. 

81-89 Ravenwood will be looked at again in the spring to check on removal of porch enclosure.

257 Barton is to be added to the list. A picture is needed.

New Business:  Scott Beck will contact Robin at the U of R to meet with the committee regarding the Student Ambassador program.

Harlan Ost to ask delegates for suggestions of properties in their districts that should be on our list.

John D. will research ownership of 257 Barton.

Deb will take a photo of 257 Barton.

Next meeting: Thursday, 4/16/15 AT 11:00 AM AT nSc.

Minutes Approved 4/16/15