City Council - Regular Meeting

Good afternoon. Today is the June 11, 2026 meeting of the unsafe building hearing authority. Hearing authority members are Gretchen Cheeseman, James Heimlich, and Jerry Dishman. City staff members here today are Taylor Reed, Rebecca Moon, Melinda Coffey, Caressa Sanders, Danny Hahn, and Richard Rawlings, acting as administrators. John Moynihan is our city attorney, and Courtney Walker is acting as recording secretary. The unsafe building law, IC 36-7-9, is hereby entered into the record. For new cases set for the hearing today, a reasonable effort has been made to notify owners of this hearing and the orders being reviewed. The owner of record and any entity with recorded substantial property interest was notified by posting on the property, certified mail, and published in the Star Press. Notice of this hearing for status hearing cases was sent via regular mail following the last hearing at which action was taken. We will call each case to set We will cut each case set for the hearing today and take action on the cases in order listed on the agenda, starting with the properties that have an owner and or representative signed in. If you are not the owner but wish to testify about a property on today's agenda, please identify yourself as an interested party when the property is called. The city staff members as agents of the enforcement authority will present the city's evidence about the condition of the property. You will then be asked to present your evidence. We ask that you stick to the issue of the current unsafe order when presenting your case by providing plans and a timeline to become compliant. Both the city and the property owner will be allowed to question witnesses and summarize their positions. The authority will make findings of fact and act accordingly. and or set the case for a status hearing at a later date. Findings of facts and action taken will be mailed to the property owner via regular mail and filed in the Delaware County Reporter's Office. If civil penalties are assessed today, an invoice for payment of the civil penalty will be included with the hearing record. You have the right to appeal any action taken at this hearing. Appeals must be made to the Delaware County Circuit Court and must be initiated within 10 days of today's hearing. All who expect to participate in the hearing today, please stand and raise your right hand and be sworn. Do you solemnly swear or affirm under penalty of perjury that the testimony you are about to give today will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

I do.

Thank you. When your case is called, please come to the podium and please talk into the mic so we can all hear you.

And we have a new mic.

Yes, hopefully.

So it's better.

Yeah. Fingers crossed.

All right.

We're going to start with new cases, rehab orders, number 2, 1520 West 8th Street. Please state your name and mailing address for the record, please.

Troy Coates, 1520 West 8th Street.

So this is a new property.

Yes.

All right. How long have you been the property owner?

About 10 years.

And what are your intentions with the property?

Right now, I just got the trash in the front from the fire cleaned up and taken to the dump. I got the grass mowed. I got the weed eating just about done. That'll be done this weekend.

When was the fire?

It was February 8th.

So this year?

This year.

And do you intend to rehab the house?

I do not. I intend to sell it.

To sell it? Yep. Okay.

I'll rehab whatever I need to for this, but I'm not fixing it back up to live in, no.

Okay. Did you live there or was it a rental?

No, I lived there. Okay.

How long, you list it, put a sign out?

I haven't done anything as far as that goes yet. I've had a lot of things going on, personal things going on.

You got a timeline to get it on the market?

About a month.

A month?

Yep. Basically, as soon as I get the rest of my personal items out and then get a dumpster and clean the rest of it out, that's when it'll be.

Was it insured?

No.

Okay You want to give it he's gonna get it For sale in 30 days we gave him 60 days to sell it and have him come back in 90 days That's I'm good Yeah, cleaned up in mode.

Yeah, right now. Like I said, I've got you say when it's cleaned up mode. Is it is it clean? The Yeah, the the trash from the fire, which happened in front. All that's cleaned up. And like I said, it's mode about half of the weeding. Weeding is done. That'll be done this weekend. I have a vehicle on the property and some scrap metal that will be hauled off in the next week.

Okay. Um, So you good? You all good with that? I'd entertain a motion to affirm the order and continue to the 90 days. What hearing is that, Courtney?

Mindy, what hearing is that? September 10th.

To September 10th hearing. So moved. All those in favor, signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Aye. Motion carries. All right. She's got a paper for you to pick up down here.

And there also is a sheet there for everyone to sign in and leave a contact so we can get a hold of you if needed. Next, we're going to call number 4, 1821, 1823 West 8th Street and 1516 South Rochester. Thank you. Can you get your name and mailing address for the record, please?

Yes. Leanne Swappard, 417 North Thomas Street, Shelburne, Indiana, 47879.

You're with Next Chapter Ventures? Yes.

All right. This is also a new case. It's a rehab order. How long have you all owned this property?

The end of February of 26.

Okay. So about a little over a year.

no four months okay all right sorry um what are your intentions we're going to fix it up and sell it okay we've done a lot of work to the outside since we received the write-up that was on the received in the mail so we're halfway done with what you gave us the fix

So on the Rochester building, it looked like there had been a fire.

Correct.

How extent was the damage?

Not very at all. There's pictures of the garage right there. It's not burnt inside at all. It's just the outside where the flames came up that we're going to reshingle inside. That's a picture of the garage. We also got a write-up for windows. There was already windows and a new roof when we purchased it. They've just been boarded up for protection because of the neighborhood. So you have a picture of the windows also. It had a new roof put on it when we purchased it, and there is a new roof on the garage we got wrote up for us. You have pictures of that also.

What are your thoughts on how long it's going to take you? You're going to do the inside and outside?

Well, there's been a lot of stuff done already in the inside, so it's just powder puff stuff in the inside. But the outside, we need 60 days because of the weather permitting.

Okay. So to be all said and done and ready to put it on the market, what's the whole thing, inside and out? Mm-hmm.

Both buildings.

Yeah.

Are there two? It's a double with a garage apartment on top.

OK. OK. All right. Well, that sounds great to me. We probably need, you probably need to get an inspection so that they can walk through with you and let you know, make sure you're all on the same page about what needs to happen there. Okay. And do we need to have them come back if they get a release from you guys? No. Okay. You want to go out 90 just in case? That's fine, 90 days. I mean, this is great progress, so. I'm ready, yeah. Yeah. So good work. Thank you. I would entertain a motion to affirm the rehab order, continue the property to September 10. It require an inspection prior to the hearing or as soon as possible, really. And they won't have to return if the building commissioner's office signs off that all the work is complete and the rehab order can be released.

What number do we contact to set an inspection up?

We're going to give you information on that. Is there a motion to that effect?

So moved.

all those in favor signify by saying aye all right motion carries so hopefully we won't see you in September but carry on you want to start another project after this one next we're gonna call number five 1621 West 16th Street name and mailing address for the record please hi my name is Lance Norton 806 West Jackson Muncie 47305 okay this is also a rehab order how long have you owned this property probably about six months okay and what's your intention with it

I think I'm going to fix it and sell it. I don't think I want to keep it as a rental, but I just sold the house next door.

The house next door to this one?

Yeah, that's the whole reason I bought it is because this one had a fire and tried to make the neighborhood look better.

I saw it had a fire. All right, so what's your timeline?

To completion, I don't really know yet. I'm still getting quotes.

Ballpark, 90 days, six months? A year?

Probably six months. My company's funding the project.

Your company what?

My company's funding the project. Okay. I don't really have a bunch of money. This is probably going to take like 90 grand to fix up because it needs everything.

That sounds like a reasonable estimate. Yeah. A realistic estimate, I guess maybe I should say.

I'm just getting multiple quotes because... The, like, cap for the neighborhood is probably going to be, like, $130,000. And, I mean, I'll tear it down if I'm going to lose $20,000 fixing it up.

Why don't you make it, and I'd entertain a motion to require an inspection to make sure you're on the same page with the building commissioner about everything that needs to be done there.

No, I think it was already done.

What? Because one of the comments is needs secured.

That's why.

I did board up. My maintenance boarded up a window last week. Oh, yeah. And I don't know why my mower wasn't mowing it, but they got that taken care of, too.

Yay. I like that. Are you all okay with putting him out six months, but have a, or we'll talk about six months, but he can come back in 90 days and we can check his progress?

Yeah.

So I would entertain a motion to approve the rehab order, continue to the September 10th hearing, and just require an inspection as soon as possible.

Okay. So moved.

Well, and prior to the next hearing. So we want to make sure that you're kind of making progress before the next hearing.

I mean, if anything, I can just get the roof done or whatever in the next 60 days. I just don't want to put... 40, 50 grand into it. Right.

And if you change your mind and decide you're going to tear it down, let us know that too. Just keep in touch with them. But we do need an inspection before the next hearing.

Okay. With that amendment, so moved.

Got a second, Jerry? Oh, a second. Okay. All those in favor signify by saying aye? Aye. Motion carries. All right. We'll see you in September. Thank you.

Thank you. Next, we're going to call number 6, 502 East Adams Street. She has trouble speaking. She wants me to speak for her. OK. Can we get a name and mailing address for the record, please? Give me the mailing address.

502 East Adams Street, apartment 2.

You don't currently still live there, correct?

No, I had a fire there.

Okay. Where is your current mailing address?

Current is at 415 East Gilbert Street, apartment 7.

Thank you.

Are you the property owner? No, I'm a renter.

Okay.

How long has it been since the fire happened?

It happened end of April.

Okay.

It happened like three times the fire.

There were three fires? Yes. Yes.

Same day.

First two was fire, and the third one was smoking. So we had to have the fire department come back out.

And she'd been playing about the electricity, the sewer, and all this stuff, and they, like, he won't do nothing.

And the ceiling was peeling really bad, and they never did come out, do the ceiling part in the corner. I thought I had pictures, but I didn't see it on my phone, so...

To me, I think he should not have none of his properties because I see a lot of his properties on here. I'm here for one of his properties too.

And then the current residence I'm at, I'm having issues with the vent being open.

not covered I have cracks in the ceiling where that's a different property yeah I'm just letting you know that yeah yeah we're just gonna stick to 502 Adams and he keeps asking for rent money for the old place okay it's a civil matter yeah right so so the property is tagged to be rehabbed so is the owner here no

No?

He has reached out and stated that he's waiting on insurance before they start work.

And he has people working for him as an illegal, don't got no license to do any work for him, and half of the people are on drugs who works for him.

What is his... The fire was at the end of April, so that's a month and a half ago. How long did it usually take to get an insurance settlement? Any idea?

Can I say something else? And plus he changed the name after the fire.

Changed the name of what?

Of his property.

It was major management, and then they changed it to a different name. Yeah.

I guess that's his prerogative.

But also prior to the fire, we've been having issues with electrical, not having to meet, not very many outlets. So we're having to pin on certain outlets to plug in stuff.

So he will be required to, once he gets a permit, he'll be required to meet code on his electrical. So what's your thought, July 9th?

Yeah, just to get an update on insurance and hopefully work started.

I would entertain a motion to affirm the rehab order and continue to the next hearing, which is July 9th. So moved. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Motion carries. Hopefully he'll show up at the next hearing.

And start working properly.

Thank you, ladies.

Next, we're going to call number 7, 119-121 North Cherry Street. Name and mailing address for the record, please.

Mickey Carrington. I'm a representative for FS&P Investments. I'm actually buying the property.

And your mailing address?

1623 West 15th Street, Anderson, Indiana.

So you're the contract purchaser?

Yeah.

Is your contract recorded?

Because we weren't sure what we was doing. At first I was just helping them remodel it and then... they wanted me to purchase it. So that's what we're going through right now.

Are they technically the contract purchaser if the contract's not recorded?

Yeah.

I would advise you to get your contract recorded.

yeah the problem was we it went so over budget because we got so much which is it's somebody behind us that's that's that's calling people or has connections that's been really you know it it started out we just had to rewire it and then that turn and We had to gut it, which cost another $20,000. Then we had to go and do all the beams underneath it and raise the whole building. There was another $20,000. Then the roof on the third floor wasn't high enough. It was like three inches too low, so we had to raise the whole roof and put dormers and raise the whole thing, which was another $20,000. So it was like it just kept going on. We've got about $140,000 in this building already. and we're still counting and we have planning on remodeling the whole building and we got to do all the windows. We're looking probably about another year because I had to go sell some other properties to get more money to invest more in it. Plus, they stopped us from parking in the front. Somebody called somebody and had them put no parking signs all down the side of the street. And every other street, you can park on the right side except for the front of my building.

I don't know who's doing it, but they're... Are there any parking places here at the house?

There's parking places in the yard. There is parking places out back.

Is there alley access?

Yeah.

Okay. And you have permits?

Oh, we've got all permits. We've had everything, electrical permits, plumbing permits, structural permits. Robert okayed a lot of it. Steve did. You know, we've got all our permits and everything.

I believe at this point all of those are expired.

Yeah, we're going to have to get new ones now. We just put it on pause for about six months. We haven't been in there because I've been too busy with some other properties trying to get them out the door. And we just did. We sold a couple. So now we're going to be back over there probably in a couple of months. We're going to start on it again. We're going to make it real nice. We've got enough invested in it.

You're going to put a new porch on it?

Oh, yeah. We're redoing the whole thing. It'll make downtown look nice when we're done with it.

That would be nice.

Oh, yeah. We've got two months in it now.

When did you say you were going to start back working on it?

Six months?

Probably around August.

Why don't we put you out? Is this a re-tag? It was tagged before.

And we just fixed all the, because the storm blew off all the siding and the windows out and stuff, and I went over there and resealed everything up, and I've got pictures if you need them.

I'd like to see them.

Okay.

Why don't we go out? You said it's going to start in 30 days. Why don't we go out in 90 days for an update? Sound good? And affirm the order?

Yeah, I just want to make sure that we're not waiting another six months before we're starting on this. Even though you said, too, giving you 90 days, we want to see some progress.

OK. We will. See how he sealed it all up in the front? Oh, that was all ripped off, and it was all open and exposed.

Yeah.

So we fixed that. We boarded up the windows that were blown out. And we cleaned them. And I go out there, and I do the lawn a couple of times a month.

We appreciate that. Oh, absolutely. We appreciate when people mow their grass. All right. Should we go ahead and make a motion?

Requiring permits as well.

Oh, yeah. We need your permits updated. Updated in 90 days. OK. All right. Is there a motion to affirm the rehab order, require permits prior and an inspection? Yeah.

Is there any way we can get that parking back in the front? I don't know why they just came and put no parking signs all in the front of the building.

Hold on just a second. Prior to the next hearing and continue for 90 days.

So moved.

Second. All those in favor? Aye. Okay. Aye. About the parking. You don't get to vote. Oh. About the parking, that goes through the Board of Works?

Yeah.

Yeah. So you have to contact the Board of Works about that. And that would be through the street department?

Yes. Is it still through?

Or through? Is it Lacey? The clerk's office? Police department. Oh. So where does it need to go? Chief's office? That's where I'd start. Where's parking enforcement? And records. Oh, all right. Take a right when you come out of here and the last door on the left, go in there and ask them about parking.

Okay, cool, cool, cool.

That's the police parking department. All right. They can hopefully give you some advice.

All right.

All right, so we'll see you back here on September 10th, and they're going to give you some papers.

Okay.

All right. We're looking forward to seeing that place looking like a show place.

Thank you. Next, we have number 12, 1318 East Jackson Street.

Did we not do number nine?

Did we not do number nine? There you go.

I must have inadvertently. Okay, so these are copies? Yeah. Okay.

Can we get your name and mailing address for the record please?

Um, Katina fibs since 1318 East Jackson.

All right. This looks like it was tagged for second floor damage from a fire. Um,

It's a duplex and it was on the A side where the fire was. Nobody's staying on that side anymore. We got it boarded up. We're currently living on the B side. And the roof doesn't leak on either side. And there's nothing wrong with the inside on the B side that we're staying in. And I'm currently in the process of trying to sell it as well. But it's sold in the tax sale. So if I don't sell it, then I'm just going to let it probably go in the tax sale if I don't redeem it.

So it's sold in the tax sale, is that what you said?

Yeah, they said I have until September to redeem it if I want to keep it. I'm not sure what other things that you were wanting done on the outside. If I get clarification of what else you guys need done, I can try to get that done.

But I thought we were here to address most of it outside, nice and cleaned up and mode and nothing, nothing unsafe. The porch had been addressed and replaced some stuff on the back porch where the two entry doors are. You can see that picture. So the porch is now safe and there's nothing unsafe on the outside at all.

So all the windows on the B side work, they all open and close. Is this one with the boards on the inside, is that the way it still looks? That's the side where the fire happened that nobody's staying on.

Yeah. Yeah, all those pictures were just now taken. That's how it currently looks.

Is that an acceptable boarding?

I can't see it. It's nailed from the inside.

From the inside. I don't believe, according to code, any windows should be boarded. They need to be in working operable conditions.

Even though that's on the fire side that nobody stays in?

Yeah. And it wasn't really much interest in repairing because a lot of my concern was also, um, missing our damage guttering and fascia.

Um, as long as well as like the frame around the windows appear to be rotted wood. I understand that you said that they operate properly, but just the wood being damaged and I didn't want to put a bunch of money into it because we're going to be moving. So right. And that's understandable. But I'm happy to do an inspection on this so we can all be on the same page.

Yeah, that would help. If we have specific stuff, we can go make sure it was taken care of.

Yeah. So have you started putting it on the market yet?

I might have a couple people that are supposed to be calling me back with their offers. They sent people out to do inspections. They said they were waiting on their estimates.

I'd rather see you be able to sell it. to somebody, then lose it in the tax sale. Any idea what it sold for? 22, I think. 2,200? 1,000. 22,000? Mm-hmm. How much were the back taxes, do you know?

3,000 something.

Yeah, so just know that if it goes through the tax sale and somebody takes deed to it, you're entitled to the difference between the amount of the back taxes and what it sold for in the tax sale. That's a lot of money. mm-hmm so don't let any and don't let anybody try to tell you that hey let us help that you with that for a little bit of the fee because you can go to the county building and ask them they'll help you get it

We see if it sells the way it is right now and we do nothing with it, then we have to move with that $18,000 or whatever the difference is. So that's why we're trying to actually sell it. Right. And get a little bit more to actually live somewhere else instead of just trying to rent or whatever.

And it just sold in the tax sale like last fall?

October. So they have until October of this year.

At least. September 19th, I think it is. Yeah.

Something like that.

All right. You want to give them, if we give you 60 days, you think maybe you could get it sold? Hopefully. Okay. You need to tell whoever you're selling it to that it has this, give them a copy of your paperwork, your letters that you got, and then let Courtney know what the name of the new owner is, if it sells.

Okay.

I would, if you all are good, 60, affirm the order and continue for 60 days?

So moved.

All those in favor? Aye. All right. Hopefully it will be sold and the new owner will come in August. Okay. Okay? They got some papers for you.

And that paper has my phone number, so if you want to call and schedule an inspection, you can do that. Next, we have number 13, 1319 East Jackson Street.

I know this is random, but can I tell her something? Yeah. If you wait for me, I'll talk to you in the hallway, because I have the one across the street. sorry i didn't want to yell that across the room you're fine um joanne bird um three one two one south walnut street muncie indiana four seven three oh two and you're with rentovations ll secret yeah okay all right what how long have you on this house a couple months okay uh we got it with somebody living in it so they had to go we had to go through the process of getting them out before we can do anything tried to go on the property to clean it up and they just told us they were going to shoot us So we went through the process of doing the eviction, getting them out. We now have possession of it. I have a list of all the planned items So I'll give that to you guys. We're just kind of asking if you can give us a little bit of time. I just sent our estimator out there. And all I really have is a list of what we're going to do in-house and what he's going to sub. But it is an inclusive list of what we do plan to do. We did get the grass mowed. It was about as tall as me. And got most of the debris out of the yard. But we really weren't able to start anything until we got the property. So I'll give you guys this so that you can see kind of where we're at. gutters several pages yeah well that looks pretty extensive um so what's your timeline um i would say at least 30 days to give you a timeline so that's the plan we're working with several different vendors right now on getting those items vended out um i mean once you get started and you get all your quotes in I know the intended date to have it done is August, like mid-August. To have it finished? Yeah.

Oh, wow. Nice. I would be willing to go out 90 days. Then if you get your permits, get your inspections, if they sign off on it and give you a C of O, you won't have to come back.

Okay.

All right. I would entertain a motion to affirm the rehab order, continue for 90 days, require inspection. If once you get it where you think it meets code, inspect it again. If they sign off, you won't have to come back.

So moved.

All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Thank you.

You doing both of them or just one?

Where was the other one?

I forget. 1704 South Elm. I have no idea what number.

That was actually.

Or do I need to just wait? Are we going to release it?

Yes. Number 26, 1704 South Elm Street. Yes. Name and mailing address for the record.

Joanne Bird, 3121 South Walnut Street.

It was just a little shed in the back. It's gone. It's gone.

That was the whole thing?

Yeah, it was there.

Okay. All right, great. All right, so is there a motion? Let's show these pictures down here. We entertain a motion to release this property. Second. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. All right, thank you so much.

Thank you. Thank you. Next, we have number 21, 921 South Penn. Name and mailing address for the record, please.

ULIS Sims, 906 South Penn Street, Muncie, Indiana, 47302.

OK. How long have you owned this building?

Two years.

Two years. Is it next door to you?

No, across the street.

Across the street. And what do you intend to do with it?

Right now, I'm getting it so it looks decent in the neighborhood. So as far as the, you know, grass, vegetation, all that, I've even painted about three-fourths of it. Got it secure, you know, windows and all that. The roof is bad. I'm still... I still have people looking at that waiting on, excuse me, you know, some quotes and things like that. And it's always a possibility that I might go in and sell it. I've been trying to do something since I had it. But it's like when I got up, I didn't know my body was like that. But I've been working kind of hard the last few days.

so it needs a new roof and it needs it looks like it needs some masonry work yes and is there a bunch of overgrowth in the back no so it'll you've taken care of all that oh yeah i don't know how recent pictures you might have anything but you've taken care of all that overgrown stuff back there yeah um yeah okay yeah um okay So how long until you think you can get your either masonry work started or your roof?

Well, I've been listening to that 90-day thing. That sounds like something that's reasonable.

90 days sounds reasonable to you? We have a lot of people here in 90 days, I guess, in September hearing.

Since everybody else got back that day.

You all good with that?

Yeah. Okay.

Somebody bring it on. Do you need an inspection for this one, you think?

Yes.

All right. I would entertain a motion to affirm the rehab order and continue for 90 days and request an inspection as soon as possible so everybody can be on the same page.

Okay, now this inspection, it'll be, what will we be looking for?

With the building commissioner's office. The building commissioner will come out and take a look at it and just let you know if there's anything else you need to be looking at besides what's already on the paper.

Okay.

okay all right all those in favor aye aye all right we'll see you in 90 days signing in yep they got a paper right there for you thank you next we're going to call number 22 1010 west powers

My name's Charles . The address is 1010 West Powers, Muncie.

All right. Oh, your address is 1010 West Powers? You live there? OK. Looks like we've got, is this house occupied? Yeah. You live there. Okay. And it says structural damage from a house fire.

Well, all it is is a siding on the back of the house. I've had your inspector out there and look at it. And she told me that all I needed to do was get deciding tore off of it and replaced and replaced some of the facial that burned underneath the fire. I don't know when it actually happened. It was like that when I bought the house years ago.

Okay.

About six years ago, I got some pictures.

He's got pictures from where he, like, already removed the burnt siding down and started to replace it.

This is what it looks like on the outside before I started taking apart. That's all around the back part of the house. This is before? Yeah, and there's what it looks like after I've still got, like, some burnt shingles siding that I need to still take off and stuff and get it. I would put back in it and then... Start signing up. She said I didn't need no permits. And then on the front window in the front, the piece went along the bottom. There's asbestos. No, no. Asphalt.

Not in my experience anyway, I'll say. All right, looks like he's making progress. Have you all been out there since this work was done?

No. Nobody's been out there since I took the siding off. Okay. All right.

Um, so you think you can get your window front window, um, fixed in the next 60 days, 30 days. Okay. All right.

Okay.

Is, uh, there a motion to affirm the order continue for 60 days, um, and just get an inspection before the hearing. They'll tell you how to do that, and if they sign off on it and it's all good, you won't have to come back. Okay. Okay? All right. Thank you for taking care of it. So moved. All those in favor? Aye. Motion carries. Thank you.

You're welcome. Appreciate it. Next, we have number 23, 1018 West Power Street.

Christopher Walters, 1018 West Power Street, Muncie, Indiana, 47305.

All right. Looks like this is tagged for trash and debris and repairs needed to the front porch and the fascia board on the garage.

I have taken care of all those. I have pictures on my phone if I could show you.

Okay. looks good from the front. How's the back look? Okay. Um, I would say, um, cause this first hearing, uh, that I would, uh, entertain a motion to affirm the order and, um, request an inspection passes and contingent on it on the passing the inspection. Um, it can be released. If it doesn't pass inspection, they can come back in 30 days. That work.

Yeah.

so moved okay all those in favor all right okay understand that yes okay thank you thank you okay we're gonna move on to continue cases rehab orders number 30 117 East 7th Street

name and mailing address for the record please Robin Huffman it's two three two one West 10th Street Muncie Indiana four seven three zero two so are you a neighbor no that's my actual that's your okay so this one 1787th is your property yes

How's the process? It's in an A state. So they're in the state. It's not in my name yet. It was in my mother's. I just got to finish wrapping that all up. So you're in the process of inheriting the property?

Yes. I lived in it for 25 years. Okay. Somewhat. And are you moving back into it? No, no, no, no. Okay. You're going to do what with it?

Well, I had it sold, and then they wanted to prolong it out for a while. It took a while, and so we both mutually agreed to be done with that, end our contract. And then we started getting stuff to repair the roof and everything because it's already been covered, the holes had. We started getting stuff for that. Well, then I just had a house fire at my address now, so we're kind of on the hold with that. I do have a gentleman who wants to buy it. He knows that the roof has to be fixed. I told him that I would give him paperwork on all the other stuff that had to be done, but I have to have a market analysis with the estate, and I need an inspection to tell me exactly what all has to be done because I've lost all my work, everything, all my paperwork is gone. I've lost everything, my dogs, everything.

So this was tagged in, just tagged in March, so it hasn't been that bad.

You think you can get everything together in 60 days? I'm hoping so. I already got the guy on the, the realtor on the market analysis right now. He's getting that done. I should have it by this week so this way I can turn it in to the estate attorney and move along.

All right. You all good with 60 days? Yeah. Okay. Is there a motion?

So moved.

Second. All right. We will see you in August. Okay. Thank you.

We didn't come up to the office. All those in favor. Aye. Aye. That we've provided you so far. And if you want an inspection, we can do that as well. Next, we're going to do number 31, 115 East 13th Street. Hi. Name and mailing address for the record, please.

Amanda Lloyd, 1721 North Walnut Street, Muncie, Indiana, 47303.

And you are with Middletown.

Yes. All right. What's going on here? So we've got a couple people out doing bids to replace the porch and do work on it. And we've got a couple people coming out to give us a bid on the foundation. what about the rest of the property that's all I have so far that's the bids and they have coming in is for the porch to get access to that porch that's leaning and then the foundation they're gonna start there

all right uh so the um this is um vine growing out of the side of the structure gutter hanging off carport and soffit in need of repair stairs in the back need repaired the foundation is curving and pushing out the side of the house so that's part of what you're working on um i once How close are you to getting all your quotes in, do you think?

I know two of them were supposed to come through this week, and then she's got two more scheduled for next week.

Okay. And once you get the quotes in, you think in 60 days you can have those two items completed?

I'm not going to say yes on the foundation, the porch, yes. But I'm not sure about the foundation because I don't know what that's going to look like. I mean, I would say that we could have the porch and the soffits and gutters and things like that done, but the foundation, I'm not sure how.

Why don't we move you out 60 days and you can come back and just tell us what's next at that point and where you are. Does that sound good? All right. These are all continued, right?

Yeah. They didn't get an inspection, though.

Oh. So you were required to get an inspection at the last hearing? which you did not okay so that means we have to find you 150 dollars okay all right i would entertain a motion to continue this for 60 days request an inspection and permits prior to the next hearing and issue a 150 civil penalty for failure to get an inspection prior to the hearing so moved all those in favor aye all right see you in August thank you don't forget to get your inspection next we have number 32 1812 West 16th Street

Hi, name's Tyler Neely and Ruby Jackson.

And mailing address for the record, please.

1329 East First Street, West First Street.

That's my address. OK. This is on the address at court.

All right, so what's happened since your last hearing?

We got the salt pit and the fascia board and the back that was down replaced. All the trash and debris in the yard has been cleaned up and from the garage. On the paperwork, it said something about we just need clarity on what needs done to the garage door.

Can we see that? Sorry. Sorry, James, you're at the end of the line. That's all right. This says something about there's a hose and extension cord across the alley.

Oh, that's all. All that's gone. The utilities are all turned on now. We got the water on, the electricity on. There's no water hose or extension cord. The trash and debris has all been cleaned up out of the yard.

Is anybody living here?

Yeah. I am now.

Oh, you are? Okay.

We'll check with Mindy. She's the one that tagged it. But from what I can tell from the original pictures, it may have been just it looks like it maybe isn't hanging right or is operational. I'm not sure.

Oh, yeah, that's all been falling through.

yeah we got that all repaired all right sounds to me like they are about ready to be released so i would entertain a motion to i have something to say first okay this house is listed in two names

The second name is illegal. I don't know how he got it on there.

Do you know him?

Yes, he's my grandson.

Okay.

I've had this house since back in the 80s when they burnt the family out with the KKK. And I have never let anyone else put their name on it. But he's got his name on it now.

I would... That's a legal problem. Yes. And I don't, you know, they have legal services that you can meet with at the Mary Hunt Library.

Sorry, we'll take care of that part at home. Okay. Yeah, we're just going to deal with this.

They do have legal services. Legal services comes to Mary Hunt Library and you can meet with them and they provide legal services for free once a month. So call the library if you need that and ask them, and that sounds like something they might be able to help you with. Gotcha. Thank you on that. Yep. All right. So we're going to ask you to get an inspection, and if they come out and approve everything, then you're done with us. Thank you for taking care of everything. Right on. And you were required to get an inspection before this hearing. Did you get one?

No, I didn't know anything about that.

All right. Well, so we have to fine you $150 for that. Sorry. If you pass the inspection, you don't have to come back. Otherwise, we'll have you come back next month. Okay. All right. I would entertain a motion to continue for 30 days, require an inspection. If they pass, they don't have to come back. If they don't, continue to July 9th. And issue a $150 fine for failure to get an inspection.

So moved.

All those in favor? Aye. All right. Thank you for taking care of everything. Good luck with your title problem.

Next, we have number 33, 1600 East 24th Street. All right. Name and mailing address for the record, please.

1600 East 24th Street, Muncie, Indiana.

And your name, please?

Ewan Clark.

Okay. All right. So let's see. You're working on repairs. It looks like you've got permits and inspections and what's been going on since you were here last?

I put a brand new roof on the house, and we rewired the whole building. It already passed inspection. And we are putting back all the drywall. And we are just waiting on the power to turn on back on the property.

Is it ready to move back into it? Are you going to move into it?

When it's finished, I will be moving back in. OK.

And so did you say that, have you guys had an inspection?

The inspections were under the permits. Okay.

And how close are they to being finished?

Yes. Can I speak on that issue right now? Sure. Well, we still out. So I've been seeing that 90 days. Um, so in essence, we really need more time to, um, really pay attention to the details, even though we have all the permits and everything already established, we need to, uh, fine tune everything, get everything together. So we'll be back here in three months to give a final report.

Okay. You think it'll be close to being done then?

Very close.

Alrighty. I think that's fair. You all good with that? All right. Is there a motion to continue for 90 days and require an inspection prior to the next hearing?

So moved.

Second. All those in favor? Aye. Yeah. Don't forget to get your inspection before the hearing so we can let you go. OK. OK?

See you, Jerry.

Thank you. Guys. Yep. Thanks for making progress.

Next, we're going to call number 34, 1001 East 29th Street.

I was out there yesterday.

I don't need to see that.

Heather McKibbin, 5723 North State Road 67, Muncie.

Were you able to get a detailed inventory put together? yay i printed that off okay so these are all the vehicles that are on the lot now my only problem which i told you in the email is that we wanted like Each vehicle noted if it was up for scrap, to be sold, to be worked on.

That's what?

It does. I just don't see that written here.

So like on the picture that is sitting on our job board, you pick the cars.

You've got to go back to the, so we can hear you. Sorry.

I sent pictures of the job board as we're going through the cars. So he's got one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. We've got a new guy. He's got eight of them on his job board. I sent a picture of it on how the job board is working so that we can get everything assessed. We can get this process in place so that we can go through. Because I don't want to just clean it up. I want a process in place so it doesn't get that way again. So that's why I sent pictures of the job board. We do have several large jobs, as noted in pictures as well, in trying to coordinate all of that with my young mechanic. The young mechanic, we have signed up for NAPA Auto Care. It's a program where he can get his apprenticeship. so that he can get better at inspecting the cars. And it is a two-year program that he can actually complete in, I believe, 90 days. But I am waiting for the OK from NAPA on that.

So did 25 cars get removed this month? No. Why not?

He's not as skilled as I thought he was. And we've had some major big jobs. That's why.

Are you saying that every other car on the lot is not going to be scrapped?

We don't know. So like we have an Impala that we pulled in. It needs to be assessed. Is it? I need for it to be, is it going to be safe for a two year loan? Is it worth spending the money on? If it's not, let's either scrap it, put it out for a cash sale. Hey, maybe it's decent enough for somebody to use as a A to B car, but it's not something I want to put on a loan. So I need it all assessed. And then it goes into, and did you get my, did I give you my list of my proposal?

From the last hearing?

No. No, I did not get this. This is kind of like a guideline of how we want to handle things and kind of a timeline. Because like I said, I don't want to just clean up. I want processes in place. But we had more trees there than I thought we had. So I sent pictures of that, too, on the clearing that we've done.

So how many vehicles were you able to move?

I've only got five that were the old vehicles that are off the lot. And we've done service work. We had big engine work. So I have to get customers back into their cars as well.

How many cars do you scrap out a month?

It depends. We were trying to do 40 while they were working, but now we're to a point where everything on the lot has all of its parts, can move with a jump start. So now we want to assess it. Is it, like I said, rust? Is it safe? Is it a scrap car? Is it cash cart? Or is it something I'm going to spend money on to get ready for sale?

Now I was, I was told, I don't know if it's true or not that you guys are selling to pick apart down there in Indianapolis.

He does our scrap.

Oh, he does your scrap.

Yes. So if we give him a car scrap, he comes and does scrap. But no, we do not sell. We do not sell parts off cars. We do not let people bring cars. Actually, we haven't received a car other than a repo.

Yeah, I've been down by there and And in the back, I've had complaints about it. You know, I'm a city councilman. And it's not my area. It's not my area, but... I got calls about it.

And have you seen how much we've cleaned and especially the trees? There's some cards I can't move because of the trees. So we have been working on that.

I see your sign smashed onto a car set there for maybe 60 days. Nothing done with it.

We were waiting on insurance that is done and cleaned up. Okay.

Thank you.

Um, so if your, your plan has month by month, If we adopt that, do you think you can stick to it? Yes. I was out there this week, and I can see that a lot of cars have been removed from the back, behind the fence. But when you drive down, what's the street on the east?

Beacon?

Yeah, is that Beacon on the east? Yes. I mean, there's still a lot of cars crammed in there in the front. The back row? Well, in the front, like half of the lot.

Yes.

There's still a lot of cars in there. I mean, there's a limo that's got no windows in it. Right. And it's been rained in for years.

So that is, it has a tree in it, probably. It does, in the front. Because it is a large scrap item. So that is why that is on, like, September or August. It is a large scrap item. I have to get the tree removed and then pick apart. It's too big for them. But I have a gentleman. um he's going to come look at it when we get the tree out to see if he can take it for scrap because it's too large for a crusher oh so either my mechanic or him they may have to reduce it in size so that we can pull it off for scrap but i have to get the tree out so is that the only vehicle that has a tree growing no in it so um the beacon

Because you said everything on the lot has all of the parts and can be moved with a jump start. But I assume that's not the case if it has a tree growing through it. I assume that's not the case with a vehicle that has a tree growing through it.

And on the back side of Beacon, the east lot, what we call the east lot, we have not been able to get to that because of the trees. My son has been cutting, like I said, I don't know if you've driven by, but I sent pictures of all the trees And all the things that we are clearing out so that we can get to that back row.

So you've got your June and July objectives. Complete tree removal, brush clearing, and weed control. Assess and sort 10 to 15 vehicles on the lot based on their condition. So is that 10 to 15 in June and 10 to 15 in July? It'll probably be, so like from this hearing to the next hearing. So, okay, so by the July hearing date. Yes. And then again to the end of July hearing date. Yeah, this is June. So June to July. Okay, got it. All right, I see. Yes. Let's see. Contact, pull apart as needed to ensure scrap vehicles are removed promptly. Continue regular lawn service. Move vehicles designated for cash sale in need of tires alignment or detailing to Anderson. Continue improving use of the job board and schedule the new mechanic for job training, which that's not really our beeswax.

But he's on the inspects. If he is qualified, as I get him more trained, he can do it on his own. I can get more stuff done. But right now, the head mechanic is having to go behind him and train him. So it takes a little longer. So as he's working on an engine, my young tech does the assessment. He goes back behind him. They walk through the assessment together to train him. And like I said, he is scheduled for the NAPA training, which will hopefully. It's a VR training.

So you're saying you can't assess as many cars because he's going to be gone for two weeks?

No. No, he's just learning, so it just takes a little longer. So while my head mechanic is working on a big job to get those out, the young kid assesses, he goes behind him. But as he gets more training, it is a VR training through NAPA.

Are you all OK with adopting this as our order for a hearing continued to July 9th?

I am.

You good, Jerry?

Can you give them another month?

No. No. We hold their feet to the fire.

Nope. Yes.

We're holding their feet to the fire.

I'm just trying to be fair. But anyway. Well, thank you, sir. But it's easier to stay monthly.

And I know we all appreciate that this is a very concerted effort to do something. And that gives us at least an idea and a plan of what you have. And if if if you stick to it, there should be some results because the biggest thing is it needs to look more like a Car lot and a functioning business and not a scrap scrap yard.

Okay All right, I would entertain a motion to accept the June July objectives as submitted submitted as the order for to comply with by the next hearing on July 9th and continue to July 9th so moved all those in favor signify by saying aye aye those opposed same sign motion carries see you next month thank you

Next we have number 35, 501 North Bennett Street.

Melissa Hendricks, 501 North Bennett, Muncie, Indiana, 47303. All right, what's going on here? I'm still trying to get in touch with my sister so I can get the house in my name. We put wrap around the house. We boarded up the front door, because we don't use that door, so we don't need the steps for it, because we had two functioning front doors. So I'm using the other one, and that one's just getting boarded up, and we're not going to use that one at all. And we put wrap around the house until I get the siding up, because I haven't been able to with the weather and everything. But it should be done this weekend, or at least mostly done this weekend. Siding?

Yes. What's the status with your sister?

I don't know. I can't get in touch with her. I've been trying to go into her house. I beat her on her door. My youngest daughter lives with her. I sent her emails. I sent her messages. I don't know.

So who, the owner of record is David Hiso?

That was my father.

Okay. So it's you and your sister that would inherit it?

Yes, she doesn't talk to anybody in the family at all except for my youngest daughter, and I haven't heard from her in a while. I've been trying to get in. I know where she lives. I go to her house, and I knock on the door. I send messages. I leave notes on the door, and nothing. I'm not sure what else to do.

Should we be notifying her of hearings?

It's not on our record.

Neither is she.

She lives there. That's why she's getting, she knows, is getting notified.

Maybe she'd show up at a hearing if we, I mean, she's told us that she and her sister are the two people that will inherit the estate of David Hyso and the house. So... maybe we should invite her to a hearing.

If you can provide us with her name and address.

John's shaking his head down there.

I can provide you with her name, and I know where she lives. I just don't know which apartment numbers it is. She's number one, but she lives in Elgin Manor. But I'm not sure what the address is for the actual building, but I could find out.

If you could just give us the information that you have, we should be able to find it.

OK. Continue 30. Got a second?

Second.

All right. Motion to continue for 30 days. All right. Thank you. See you next month.

Thank you. Next, we're going to call number 36, 4305 West Burton.

We're only talking about the garage here, right? Yes.

Okay. Name and mailing address for the record, please.

James Merchant, 4305 West Burton Drive, Muncie. Yep.

How close are you?

Still working on it. Got the siding on the west side halfway up. Got the window in. Got one. So I've been closing the eaves and the gable in, so it's taking a little bit longer. Yeah, one bird box built, if you know what that is.

A lumber box?

Bird box. It's where you enclose that corner where the gables and eaves meet.

Yeah, no, I don't know. He knows what that is.

But really, I'm only able to work on the weekends because overtimes kick in at my work.

So what percent of the siding is complete?

So obviously the back of the garage is pretty much done up to the eaves, so I have to put the soffit in. And the west side of the garage, the siding is up to mid-window, so it's up about maybe six, six and a half feet. Then I still have the other side of the garage and the front of the garage.

That doesn't sound like you've made very much progress since... when was your last few days ago can you finish this as soon as you finish the siding then you just put the garage doors on and you're done well yeah I mean I still have to put this off it the fascia then the garage doors

The front of the garage, the fighting won't take long. Most of the garage doors. Well, yeah. But the gables ends, I mean, that's almost like 30-some feet up in the air. So it's just a process of moving ladders.

What can you finish in 60 days?

Obviously, I should be able to finish the front, the side. I'm hoping to get the garage doors up. But again, so my garage is like full of car parts and other miscellaneous stuff. So I got to pull that stuff out to be able to get in to put the tracks in. So it's all weather related. And again, believe me, I want to get it done as much as you.

No, I know you're tired of coming here. We need to see just a little more progress. don't know I'm concerned if I give you 90 days you're still just barely gonna get your siding done and we've been working on this for a year now and the structure was there to start with right yeah so I mean it's been it said what's what have you done to it in the last year

Replace all the shading, replace a lot of the studs, masonry work around the base of it, on the cracks. There's a lot of details to it.

60 or 90, gentlemen?

I'd rather 60.

Is that a motion and a second?

Yes, so moved.

All right. All those in favor, signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All right, see you in 60 days.

Thank you.

Next, we have number 37, 1011 North Central Avenue. Name and mailing address for the record, please.

Henry T. Buchanan, 1011 North Central, 47303 here in Muncie.

All right. Let's see. Do you live here? Yes. Do you live in this house?

Yes.

Okay. What's happened since your last hearing?

We got, I feel, two dumpsters, and it got the work done on the inside. It was only needed, police put on switches and outlets. All that's been done. I was aiming to get... miss walker out uh to uh for inspection but uh i've had all kinds of problems with family you know two daughters that's given me all i can stand to be true about it so you did not get an inspection let's see

So there's a note here that says that there are multiple tents, vehicles, and debris in the yard.

Well, not debris, but it does have the tents out there. I didn't realize you had to get a permit for it. A permit for what? To put the tents in the yard.

I mean, you can have tents up temporarily, but you can't have people staying in the tents.

No. No, it's just the kids.

Yeah.

Who's in the tents?

Huh?

Who's using the tents? Hmm? Who's using the tents?

The kids.

The kids? Mm-hmm.

They don't live in it. I mean, they just play in it. Right. Uh-huh.

So what about the vehicles in the yard?

That's what I was going to, three of them is going to junkyard. For some reason, you got to have a title here in Muncie to get rid of the cars. And I sent off to get, as soon as I get in there, I'll be junking three of them. There's five out there altogether.

So there's five cars, and you're going to junk three.

Three, yes.

Do you have to get the title for them, though?

Yeah. Well, soon as they get in there, yes. I tried to junk them. They said that you have to have a title, or you can't get rid of it.

And you get a title?

Yeah. I've sent off the title now. Okay.

All right. Well, did you get your progress inspection?

Huh?

Did you get your progress inspection?

No, I wanted to get in a touch of her. Like I said, I've had all kinds of problems, you know, with two daughters. Okay.

So if we give you 60 more days...

I won't even need it, but yes, I definitely, you'll be done. Yes.

All right. Um, I am going to recommend, see if I can get a motion for 60 day continuance, uh, with an inspection and, uh, $150 fine for failure to get an inspection for this hearing. Got a motion second. All those in favor. All right, get your inspection before your next hearing.

I will do.

Or we'll charge you another $150. We don't like doing that, but no one listens to us, so.

We'll get there some way. Okay, next. Got to give people an incentive. Number 41, 517-519 West Howard Street. Hmm.

Hello, Amber Montague with New Age Homes, 6808 West 12th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana.

All right, what's going on here? You were going great guns for a while.

Yeah, so this property, we have exterior siding prepped. So in the last week, that happened. Who am I talking to? So we have exterior siding prepped and ready to get siding placed. We had to hire some additional people to do the siding. We have multiple projects going on right now. These, well, we'll stick with it. This is a, it's a big project. It's multifamily unit. Um, so we finished up another project and sold it in the last two weeks. Um, another one will be finished this week and on the market. Um, so we had to get some more resources to be able to have access to manpower to get these big projects done.

Um, so your,

pooling all your resources for this property. Is that what you're saying? Nope. We had to hire additional people.

Okay.

So he's out there. We've prepped the siding. Um, he should be starting in next week.

And if we gave you 60 days, what would you, what would ha what would you complete?

Um, I think that the siding for this would be on, um, in six months, the plaintiffs have all three, three. I know we're talking about just this property, but all three of these large properties, all, on the outside completely finished in the next six months. So for sure, we should have the siding prepped and done and finished in 60 days.

So but what about the interior? You got three houses, right?

Yes. So we'll do the outside of the property first, secure it, get the siding, get everything finished on the outside, and then move to the inside. So the exterior for all three would be finished in six months. And then once we get the outside finished, then we would go on to the inside.

Okay, so we're only talking about one house. But would it be two months if we're talking about these other two that are on the next page? It'd be two months, you'll get this one done, then two months for the next one and two months for the next one. Right. So in two months, one of these houses will have the exterior finished.

Right, yes. So the first one is prepped, this one we're talking about. It will be the first one that we have.

I have a question about that.

Sure.

Not that you're required to, but I'm curious as the Historic Preservation Officer, are you restoring the siding or are you putting a newer type of siding on it? A newer. So you're not going to keep it historic with that?

No.

Okay. Well, I do appreciate that you're at least saving a historic building.

Right. I don't know that it, anyway, yes. Yeah, thank you.

I would entertain a motion to continue for 60 days. And we might as well continue them all for 60 days because she's going to have to come back for this one and tell them what's next. But we can do that when we get to this. And issue a $150 fine for failure to obtain an inspection prior to the hearing. that's all right with you all and that's a with inspection yep so moved all those in favor we're gonna do the same thing for the other two as well number 42 623 West Howard Street amber Montague New Age home 6808 West 12th Street Indianapolis Indiana 46214 All right. I would entertain a motion to same motion we just did. 60 days plus an inspection plus $150 fine.

On this property, we did remove the garage and have some of the interior demo on this one. I have pictures. I went by there today and took pictures of all three if you'd like to see them.

I'm sorry. Are they copies? No, they're on my phone. Okay.

Yeah. I can email them to you if you'd like.

May I see the folder, please?

Oh, yeah. I'll keep it quick.

I just wanted to. No, you're fine.

Go ahead.

pretty big projects yeah yeah thank you so these big projects and then the other projects so it just it's just like a manpower issue really right now and I know I the inspection issue I should there was no progress until the last week and I know you have to do within 10 days so that's why I didn't call for the progress inspection because I didn't want to still call okay you didn't vinyl on this one as well for the record my heart is weeping but but there are no requirements how did you acquire these houses tax sales okay he's had them for a couple of years but they've they're in line I guess is what I'm where we're at with it so we should be finishing up some of these other projects and be able to focus on right well thank you for making some progress sure 60 days $150 fine and inspection part of the next hearing so the fines on each else yeah so moved all those in favor all right okay next 7 number 43 720 West Howard Street Amber Montague New Age Homes 6808 West 12th Street Indianapolis Indiana 46214 we've interior demo started on this property all right 60 days inspection