Draft Minutes – 19th WCA Housing Committee – October 2015

Present: Gary Kirkmire, John DeMott, Donna Sarnacki, Deb Leary, Sharon Conheady, Bruce Wilder, Kathy O’Neill, Scott Beck, Baye Mohammed, David Hawkes

September Minutes were approved

Gary Kirkmire spoke to property reports:
• 255 Sawyer St. – Might be worth demo, but doesn’t look that bad. Trying to schedule a hearing for January or February.
• 337 Sawyer St. – Gary says that Wells Fargo has been acting responsibly for other properties. He will reach out to them.
• 257 Barton St. – has been sold back to the bank.
• 381-383 Genesee St. – Gary says owner has promised to demolish it, but a permit has not been pulled. If permit is not pulled in the next few weeks, Gary will follow up.
• 126 Milton St. – no new information
• 177 Brooks Ave. – City is taking the owner to court again. Running a car repair out of residence.
• 817 Chili Ave. – another repair shop. Gary recommends taking photos with time stamps. Inspectors have not been able to see them working. Gary will consider for court. DEC could get involved when garages are being operated.

Gary thinks that a dedicated Housing Court could be helpful. One problem is that court imposed fines don’t come back to the City. Buffalo does have a Housing Court and can incarcerate landlords.

He says that he and the City have been working on building better relationships with banks, but it’s tough due to bank bureaucracy.

Other properties with problems:
606 Post Ave.
356 Arnett Blvd. – Buzz ‘n’ Bee market. Old barbershop was foreclosed on. Lien was sold to ATFS. Community Mutual bought and rehabbed it. Current mini-mart is a tenant. Kids are selling drugs outside and overrunning the local blocks. Landlord is behind on taxes. David Hawkes is having the loose pavers removed that the kids are using as weapons.
301 Wellington Ave. – Looking worse and worse. Loitering, litter and trash on lawn. “Get Tough” case has been opened.
262 Warwick Ave. – Vacant and deteriorated. Directly behind the Library. Has been vacant for at least 6 years.

Gary then spoke about the proposal to waive certificate of occupancy interior inspections for single-family homes when tenants refuse to let the inspectors in. Gary is comfortable with the proposal as it has been developed. There are enough disincentives to discourage landlords from pressuring tenants. They have to pay for a lead inspection, there can be no exterior violations, each tenant must provide proof that they reside there, and must sign a notarized waiver that is delivered to the assigned inspector. Waiver is only good for 3 years, while C of O is good for 6.
If the proposal passes, we would like to see it reviewed after one year. We also suggested that residents be required to show proof of residence each year.

Announcements:
Variance to enclose the front porch of 531 Post Ave. was denied.

Open Door Mission goes to the Planning Commission for a Special Use Permit again on October 19th. If it is granted, they go before the Zoning Board of Appeals for a variance to put in front yard parking.

Next Meeting: Thursday, November 12th at 11:00 AM.