PSM19930916• PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE - CITY OF MUSKEGO
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1993
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Misko at 3:34 P.M.
Also present were Committee Members Woodard and Sanders, Mayor
De Angelis, Building Inspection Director Chuck Dykstra and
Nancy Johnson from the Milwaukee Journal.
Chuck Dykstra appeared before the Committee to discuss status
of property on Crowbar Road (W216 S10601 Crowbar Road). He
reported that he had revisited the site after the initial visit
by the Plumbing Inspector Al Biwer. He was accompanied by
Mayor De Angelis, Assessor Laura Mecha, and Officer James
Kaebish. Officer Kaebish used a video camera and a
walk-through investigation of the dwelling was conducted; they
did not do any intensive probing. They went through the
structure looking for things that would be immediately
hazardous to the occupant. Chuck presented a report that
explained the situation in each room. He summarized the main
problems indicating items that needed to be corrected such as,
patching of basement walls, reconstruction of roof (upper
level), reconstruction of front porch, provision for sanitary
facilities, locate and repair existing well, reworking of
electrical service, installation of new heating system,
installation of sump pump, repair of windows, cutting of grass
• and weeds which is a fire hazard, posting of house numbers for
emergency purposes, removal of unsound outbuildings, etc.
Chuck commented that should it be possible to have the City or
some other organization implement a program of volunteers and
companies that are willing to donate materials and labor to
help the property owner reclaim her property. Chuck does not
feel that it is so far out of disrepair that it can't be
fixed. Structurally alone, not addressing the sanitary
facilities, the home is in fairly substantial structural shape.
Chuck stated that if we are unable to find any means to help
fix the house up, he would suggest that we look to Social
Services to see what kind of placement facilities they may
have. His recommendation is that if Social Services has some
means and some way to place the property owner and if the home
cannot be repaired through some type of volunteer -
organizational effort, he would recommend condemnation of the
dwelling. He felt that the City should exhaust all effort to
make it possible for the property owner to remain in her
dwelling.
Ald. Woodard expressed her concern with determining who
actually owns the property because of second mortgages.
The Social Worker, Linda Reed, has secured an attorney who has
volunteered her services to work on this case and research the
. financial end.
Public Safety Committee - Page 2
September 16, 1993
• Mayor De Angelis also advised that it would be possible to do a
land division to split off the house and outbuildings from the
existing parcel and it appears that there may be enough
property left to support the mortgages without the house and
that 2-3/4 acres. Mayor will check into an organization that
supplies transitional housing for people who need temporary
lodging in order to get on their feet. Possibly this could be
accomplished with the property owner being receptive to will
this property over to the organization to be used for similar
situations and would be used as a payback for putting the
property in liveable condition.
Ald. Woodard voiced concern with liability of volunteers.
The Committee determined that nothing will be done until the
Social Worker and Attorney meet with the property owner and, if
the property owner signs up with the attorney, then we will
work with the attorney. It is the Committee's hope to get the
land and house free and clear and to be able to go ahead with
the volunteer effort.
Mayor and Chuck will formulate a list of basics need to be
done, a list of materials that will be needed, laying out a
possible land division, etc.
Ald. Misko will try to secure monies from various organizations
isto secure a portable toilet facility as soon as possible; and
Ald. Woodard will try to find a suitable facility, preferably
one with a portable reservoir so that an additional reservoir
can also be purchased to accommodate her when one is being
emptied.
The meeting adjourned at 4:40 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
ca
•
Ald. David J. Sanders
Secretary