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Blight cited in Boundary Street property damaged by September fire
Skeptical city officials gave an Ely property owner 30 days to make a series of repairs to a blighted property currently deemed uninhabitable.
After their building official was unable to gain access to the property earlier in the day, the city council voted Tuesday to complete a list of 16 improvements and remedies at 45 East Boundary Street.
According to tax records, the property is owned by Jason Gillson and Mark Herman, and the home was allegedly set on fire in September.
Shortly after, the home was deemed unsafe by city building official Doug Whitney and the owners - to date have not made improvements sought by the city.
An interior inspection set for earlier this week was first postponed and later canceled by Gillson, who appeared before the council at a public hearing.
“Several times we were to meet with the home owner at the property,” said Whitney. “We were going to meet at 11, then 1, then 1:15 and then the meeting was cancelled. We have not been inside the property.”
He told city officials he was following the advice of his attorney and that he was awaiting word from his insurance company to determine what improvements he could afford to complete.
But city officials showed some frustration with the delay Tuesday and the council followed staff recommendations and ordered numerous remedies, including:
• Assessment by a fire damage contractor;
• Removal of personal property from the interior of the structure;
• Removal of damaged drywall flooring and other materials;
• Drying of the structure by water extraction crews;
• Proper cleaning of smoke and soot from all interior and exterior surfaces;
• Deodorizing of lingering smoke odors and sanitizing to halt mold growth;
• Duct cleaning;
• Replacing electrical, replacing and repainting drywall, replacing flooring materials, replacing interior counters and fixtures to bring the property back to a preloss condition;
• Repair of all broken doors and windows; Removal of building materials from the yard and junk and debris from the exterior of the property; Remove household items from the exterior of the prop erty;
• Create and maintain indoor storage conditions that comply with state fire code and relative building codes and statutes;
• Use of licensed contractors for repairs and assessments.
The property owners have
until May 17 to make the improvements.
Gillson told council mem bers that he wished to cooperate, make the needed re- pairs and return to the home, but the work remained on hold until an insurance set - tlement could be completed.
"I have been waiting for quite awhile for insurance inspectors," said Gillson.
An inspector arrived last Friday and provided a verbal report, according to Gillson.
"He doesn't feel it's struc -
turally compromised," said Gillson.
It was unclear why it has taken several months to proceed with the insurance claim, and Whitney told the council that no permits have been obtained for making the remedies sought by the city.
"It needs a lot of extensive work," said Whitney. Gillson promised to set up an opportunity for Whitney to inspect "soon." "I'm more than happy to cooperate," said Gillson. "I want my home back."
Harold Langowski, the
city's clerk-treasurer, voiced some frustration with the lack of progress thus far.
"You've shown no real effort to cooperate," said Langowski. "Multiple at tempts have been made to schedule things, and every time it gets canceled. I would expect in the future that you will cooperate with them." The fire at the property was followed by a high speed chase with law enforcement officers, which ended when Gillson was apprehended near County Road 914.
He later was charged with several crimes including arson. The criminal proceeding has not yet been resolved.
