City Council - Regular Meeting

Thursday, July 9, 2026

The Unsafe Building Hearing Authority addressed several properties, ordering inspections and setting timelines for repairs. One property at 808 West Power Street was released from its rehab order due to compliance, while another at 712 West Queen Street also saw its rehab order released for a garage that passed final inspection.

About this meeting

Government Body
City Council
Meeting Type
City Council
Location
Muncie, IN
Meeting Date
July 9, 2026

Transcript

369 sections

0:00 – 3:24Speaker 17

Good afternoon. Today is the July 9th, 2026 meeting of the Unsafe Building Hearing Authority. Hearing authority members are John Lee, James Heimlich, and Jeff Green. City staff members here today are Taylor Reed, Ginger Ross, Hannah Collins, Danny Hahn, and Richard Rawlings, acting as administrators. Aubrey Christ is our city attorney, and Courtney Walker is acting reporting 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 a 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. The following cases were originally scheduled for today but have been pulled from the agenda for various reasons and rescheduled for a later date. If you are here for one of these cases, please see our acting administrator, Courtney Walker, in the building commissioner's office. 1623 South Elm Street. We will call 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're not the owner but wish to testify about the 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. Please stick to the issue 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 fact 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? Thank you. When your case is called, please come to the podium and try to speak into the microphone so we can all hear you. We're gonna start with new cases rehab orders. Number six, 825 East Memorial Drive. Please state your name and mailing address for the record, please.

3:25Speaker 6

Troy Lacer, 420 High Street here in Muncie.

3:30Speaker 17

Are you representing the owner?

3:32Speaker 6

I am. I'm the regional manager.

3:44 – 4:12Speaker 20

Hi. Can you tell me what progress you've made on this property sure all the issues have been addressed and it's ready for you guys to come out and inspect any time okay uh do you have any photos with you i do yeah you're welcome to to share those i would like to note that i received a call from the tenant today um she still had some concerns um

4:13 – 4:30Speaker 17

with the interior of the roof not being replaced that had gotten mold on it from the standing water when there was a leak. She did state that the roof was repaired, but the interior had not. So I just wanted to make note of that.

4:30 – 4:59Speaker 6

okay um so this is like my third day i just came up to so this is my first time up in muncie so please bear with me a little bit so i got a little bit of an update and i talked to the service text i also have a mode we had somebody come out and inspect to do testing on that and it came back with a pass and i'll provide that and videos and some pictures unfortunately i don't have the videos to be able to send but i can show you if you need it but the fans and everything has been addressed

5:01Speaker 20

Yeah, please.

5:13Speaker 6

Okay. All right. May we keep this? Okay. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. All right.

5:54Speaker 20

Yeah, so so your understanding is you're ready for an inspection.

5:57 – 6:16Speaker 6

Yes, that was my understanding I talked to both maintenance techs and everything's been done up until what you just told me then I'll follow up on that as soon as I get back But as far as the roof leaking and there were all the other issues the ceiling fan all that's been redressed I Would say we could

6:18 – 6:33Speaker 17

I know he doesn't have the answer for above the ceiling or anything, but we can definitely have him call next week and schedule a progress inspection so we can at least see what you have done. Um, and then you can also update us on what's going on with above the ceiling situation.

6:36 – 6:55Speaker 20

So, uh, would it make sense for us to affirm the motion for rehab and ask for an inspection and then. have them come to the next hearing, but could be cleared before that if the inspection clears. Are we in agreement with that? Would entertain a motion for that?

6:56Speaker 20

Thank you. Do I have a second?

6:59 – 7:15Speaker 20

Thank you. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. So we will have you get your inspection and make sure that all that's been taken care of and you don't have to come back if all that's cleared before then. But if not, you'll be back next month.

7:16Speaker 6

Well, I expect to have it all taken care of for you, so that's not a problem. Okay, thank you.

7:20Speaker 17

If you don't get an inspection, you will be fined $150. Yes, okay. Ginger has a piece of paper there for you. It has my contact number, so you can call and schedule that inspection.

7:29Speaker 1

Perfect, and I just call it and schedule it with you?

7:32Speaker 13

Thank you. Thank you.

7:33 – 7:45Speaker 17

Thank you. Next, we have number 7, 912-914 West Power Street. Name and mailing address for the record, please.

7:46Speaker 16

Chantal Hughes, 912-914 West Powers.

7:49Speaker 20

All right. So where are we on the progress for why this was tagged?

8:00 – 8:12Speaker 16

I've cleaned up the yard. I've spoken to a couple of people about the roof and the gutters. I'm not for sure what else may need to be done. I do need time. OK.

8:15Speaker 17

Okay, so you talked to them about the, on the house and the garage? Yeah. Okay.

8:24Speaker 20

How much time do you think you need?

8:28Speaker 16

I don't know, a couple years maybe?

8:31 – 9:09Speaker 20

Well, we can't quite do a couple years, but, because we need to have some progress on it, so we want to make sure, but. We can never talk to community development. Okay. So yes, so we'll have you reach out to Community Development to see if they can help you with this. And we wanna set it out. Yeah, 30 sounds good. Okay, would entertain a motion to affirm the rehab order and set this out for 30 days. I assume with, do we need inspection again?

9:10Speaker 17

Now I would just say an update.

9:11Speaker 20

Okay, just to get an update, so. So moved.

9:15 – 9:35Speaker 13

So in 30 days, we would expect to see some progress, some steps and a plan to complete it. The original tag was in April, so as they said, there's resources to help you get going on this thing, but we expect to see a plan in place to try to get this completed.

9:37Speaker 20

So we have a motion, do I have a second?

9:39 – 9:50Speaker 20

Thank you. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Make sure you get your information there and then we can get you connected as well.

9:51 – 10:13Speaker 17

Community development is on the third floor of this building. If you want to go up there now and talk to Nikita, they have a roof program that helps property owners. Okay? Yeah. Next we have number eight, 1509 West University Avenue.

10:20Speaker 14

Amanda Lloyd, 1709 North Walnut Street.

10:26Speaker 17

And you are with Middletown Property Group?

10:32Speaker 20

All right, so where are we with this project?

10:35 – 11:01Speaker 14

So we finally today got somebody out that would even We've been told no by like 10 vendors. So we do have an approved bid. He hasn't sent it to me formally yet. I can forward it to you when he does this afternoon. But it's gonna be 30,000 to have both tore down and redid. And he says it would be six to eight weeks.

11:02Speaker 17

Is he aware that he will have to go to the state? It may take longer than that.

11:08 – 11:21Speaker 14

Okay. I can let him know. I'm not sure. The girl in our office that deals with the vendors has worked it all out with him. I just met him there. But I'll check with her and make sure he knows that.

11:21 – 11:33Speaker 17

Because I know the state does typically take six to eight weeks sometimes. So I just want to make sure that he gets that approval before he comes to our office to get permits before he starts work.

11:35Speaker 13

So how long do you think it will take to get the permitting?

11:40 – 12:04Speaker 14

I'm not real sure. I just know that it's approved and we're moving forward. So whatever next steps, we will be handling immediately to get it started. And then he said he knew for sure his work would take six to eight weeks to complete. So I'm not sure. I'm new at this, so I'm not sure how long it takes to get the permits and all that.

12:08Speaker 20

Yeah, because they're not going to know much for a while then if they have to file with the state and get.

12:15 – 12:27Speaker 17

Yeah, but at least they can provide us with an update whether it's been filed with them and that they have a signed contract and are moving forward. Just like the other one, just an update on where they're at.

12:28Speaker 20

Makes sense. So a motion, I would entertain a motion to affirm and set this out for 30 days. So moved. Do we have a second?

12:40 – 12:53Speaker 20

Thank you. All those in favor? Aye. Those opposed? Motion carries. So we'll see you back in 30 days, and just let us know where we are on that, and then make sure, since those stairs are unsafe, that people aren't using them.

12:56Speaker 17

But when I get his... Yeah, yeah, go ahead and email it to me.

13:02Speaker 17

Thank you. Next, we're gonna go on to continued cases, rehab orders. Number 13, 626 West 9th Street.

13:22Speaker 10

Nicholas Hutchinson, 626 West 9th Street.

13:29Speaker 20

Sorry, what number did you say it was? Sorry, number 13. Thank you. All right. How are we doing with this property?

13:38 – 14:23Speaker 10

Well, they pushed my court date back to this month, the 20th. Okay. But I filled out the application for community development because when I spoke to her when I got the application, the pending case denied me, but it's confusing me because I got an email November of 2025, and I reached back out in February 15th, and said I had to reach out before March 1st or else they're going to cancel it. And then I get an email saying because of my charges, they canceled it. So, but she's saying the pending charges don't, they just want to know where I'm going to be at. They don't want to put a new roof on and then me not be there. So, but she told me to grab an application and fill it out. So that's what I did. So, okay.

14:33Speaker 13

What is this property being used for?

14:36Speaker 10

I'm living there.

14:40Speaker 13

Yeah, so the original tag looks like it goes back to January 2025. That's a ways back.

14:46 – 15:20Speaker 10

Yeah, I had. So in January, I know Courtney knows that they came out because she actually went with Nikita and they inspected my house. I got approved for a new roof. They said they're going to do it in October. I got arrested in October when I got out. and then that charges are pending right now, they deny my application. So I have to redo the whole steps all over again. So I was approved. That's just a matter of doing the application, having her do a whole walkthrough, do their little test, everything all over again.

15:20Speaker 13

What does that timeline look like as far as when you'll be able to get approved?

15:26Speaker 10

It's all on them. I mean, right now I don't know if they're doing it because my case is still pending. because they keep on pushing my court case back. They just pushed it back in until the 20th of this month.

15:39Speaker 13

Well, that's part of your responsibility is to make sure you put together a timeline. So I say I make a motion to set this out to affirm the rehab order. Is this rehab?

15:50Speaker 17

It's already been affirmed. It continues.

15:52Speaker 13

Okay. We can set it out for 60 days if you guys are okay. That will give you a few months to try to put something together, a plan together. Yes. Okay.

16:02 – 16:15Speaker 20

Thank you. All right, I have a motion. Do I have a second? Second. All those in favor? Aye. Those opposed? Motion carries. Thank you. Thank you, guys.

16:15Speaker 17

Thank you. Next, we have number 15, 1001 East 29th Street. That's the one with the photos.

16:27Speaker 17

And this is the one for any other documentation. Yes.

16:35Speaker 15

Heather McKitten, 5723 North State Road 67. Yes.

16:39Speaker 17

She just gave that to me today.

16:46Speaker 20

OK. I'm sorry. I'm just looking over your plan that you've submitted.

16:56Speaker 20

How did June go for?

17:00 – 17:14Speaker 15

And then on one of the pages, it shows the cars that we have inspected, that we've already sold. The older, like I said, I'd kind of like to focus on the 2010 and later, that I've gotten over to my lot. I have six of them that are ready to come over to my lot again.

17:14Speaker 20

I'm going to let them have a moment to take a look at especially your plan here.

17:24Speaker 13

Is there a good reason why you didn't obtain the progress inspection?

17:31 – 17:42Speaker 17

At the last hearing, you were ordered to obtain a progress inspection as well as provide the proof of 25 vehicles removed and updated cleanup plans.

17:44Speaker 15

I guess I didn't realize that. I thought they accepted the timeline that I put out.

17:49 – 18:02Speaker 17

And that's a portion of it. But we also were wanting an inspection because I believe in the timeline you gave some progress, or some things that were gonna happen in June, so we wanted to be able to inspect that.

18:02 – 18:14Speaker 15

Yeah. Okay. No, I did not realize that, so. I thought it was the timeline, or the things that I had laid out.

18:14Speaker 9

Sure. Do you have proof that 25 vehicles were removed?

18:20 – 19:02Speaker 15

No. You don't have that? I didn't bring any of that with me. so that list that you did provide today that is of stuff that's just been inspected and what you're going to inspected it's either sold scheduled for scrap scheduled for cash or we're working in progress on it how long do you think it'll take for you to complete the cleanup We're going month by month. We just hired a service manager yesterday. He starts Monday. He is from Oak Motors. I think that will help a lot.

19:02 – 19:18Speaker 17

I think that, okay. Right. So I'm just going over your spreadsheet here. So the ones that are marked for cash, that means you sold them for cash.

19:19 – 19:30Speaker 15

There's one that I sold for cash. Those two are going to be sold either for cash or scrap. I've got them both marked. I'm waiting on, we just hired a service manager yesterday. He starts Monday.

19:30Speaker 20

So just four.

19:31Speaker 15

I want his opinion.

19:32Speaker 20

So four of them have been sold from your spreadsheet here.

19:35Speaker 15

Yes. Just on the stuff that's been inspected, yes. I've had more come over to my lot. I just didn't put it on there.

19:44Speaker 17

And then the two that are marked for scrap, those have been scrapped or will be scrapped?

19:49Speaker 15

I just hired a service manager yesterday. So I've got it marked. I want him to assess whether it's going to be a cash car or scrap.

19:58Speaker 17

So it shouldn't have been marked as scrap if it hasn't been determined.

20:02Speaker 15

I marked both of them on there.

20:08Speaker 20

So is that just for your end?

20:09Speaker 15

Oh, if it's marked only scrap, then it's scheduled for scrap.

20:12Speaker 17

Scheduled, OK. Yes.

20:16Speaker 13

So if we drove past today, it wouldn't look at all like a salvage yard?

20:20Speaker 15

It shouldn't. But it is in progress. It's not where I want it to be, but.

20:31Speaker 20

I assume you've gone ahead.

20:32 – 20:53Speaker 17

I think in my opinion, I mean, To answer John's question, it doesn't look as bad of a scrap yard, but it still is with all the vehicles. You still have some overgrowth along the fences, as well as the piles of car parts on the lot.

20:54 – 21:18Speaker 15

All the fencing has been cleared. There's a picture that I sent yesterday. My son was working on that back line. But the line between the fence is cleared.

21:18 – 21:30Speaker 17

I will say that on the front, I don't have any towards the back. I thought we had some, but... So the front around the fence does look better.

21:32Speaker 15

That's what he's been working on is all around the fences.

21:35 – 22:06Speaker 17

But still, all the vehicles still in the back and the piles of car parts, tires, engines, the scrap stuff that I know you say in the past that you use. to use parts for, but that's part of scrapping. And so that's why it's still, in my opinion, looks like a scrap yard. Not as much as it did. I'm not discrediting the work that you guys have done, but it still does, to answer John's question, in my opinion.

22:06 – 22:27Speaker 13

So. I'll make a motion. I'd like to make a motion to impose a $150 fine for not obtaining the progress inspection. Set this out for 30 days for status. and hopefully at that time you can obtain a progress inspection between now and the next 30 days and bring some proof of what has transpired.

22:28Speaker 15

And I have my list of August on there as well.

22:36Speaker 20

We have a motion. Do I have a second?

22:41Speaker 9

I'd rather see the fine increase myself to $2,500.00.

22:47Speaker 8

It's been ongoing for well over a year.

22:53 – 23:10Speaker 9

It just keeps going and we're not making a progress the way it should be. We have a lot of complaints that end of town because of what it looks like and the houses in that area. Folks are upset because it looks like a wrecking yard and it's not supposed to be, it's not zoned for it.

23:13 – 23:26Speaker 15

I disagree because we've cleaned the, Lawn people have, and then my son on the inside of the fencing. The trees are gone. Weed kill.

23:26 – 23:45Speaker 13

We have a second on the original motion. I think that the $150 fine was for not obtaining the progress inspection, so if we impose another fine, it'll be in light of what happens in the next 30 days.

23:50 – 24:08Speaker 20

All right, we have a motion and a second for $150 fine for not obtaining progress inspection. Set this out for 30 days with an inspection for before that. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion carries.

24:09Speaker 15

When I get the inspection, anybody is welcome to come out.

24:15Speaker 15

I'll let them know. Thank you. Thank you.

24:18Speaker 20

And thank you for the work you have been doing.

24:22Speaker 15

I'm hoping this new sales manager.

24:24Speaker 15

No, you're fine. I already put that in file.

24:27Speaker 17

Okay. Next, we're going to call number 16, 502 East Adams Street.

24:36Speaker 2

Thank you. Hermit Ravik, 502 Adams.

24:40Speaker 12

Tracy Green, 502 East Adams.

24:45Speaker 17

And is the gentleman, are you the property owner or property manager?

24:49Speaker 2

Property manager.

24:58Speaker 13

Can you provide a status of how things are going with the rehab?

25:05Speaker 2

We just got the release from the insurance that we can go ahead.

25:20Speaker 13

Smoke remediation?

25:21 – 25:37Speaker 2

Right, company to come and clean out the apartment where the fire was. Once that's cleared out, we'll go ahead and start getting bids for basically taking out the permit to start rebuilding it.

25:37Speaker 13

No tenants in this current unit?

25:39Speaker 2

The building is closed. No electric, no utilities, nothing.

25:45Speaker 20

And how long do you think you need to, to start on the cleanup and show some progress?

25:51 – 26:37Speaker 2

So we give them the go-ahead ready, waiting for them to say when they're gonna do it. Usually they're quick. I don't think it's gonna take them more than a week, that part. Once they're done, we can start getting contractors in. I know already electric need to be upgraded. I mean, I would think, I mean, I've never been in such a case in this area, but I have I would think it's going to go to a different, like basically taking out the building permits and not an unsafe building because there's no tenants. The outside looks like the same as it was before. We're taking care of the property the best. I mean, it's nice, everything. So I want to see if there is, like we don't need to come to unsafe hearings so we can just deal taking permits and doing the job and all that, like.

26:38 – 26:50Speaker 13

Well, we don't want you here either. We would rather you not be here, but we have to continue to monitor the progress. I'll make a motion to set this 30 days, I'm sorry.

26:50Speaker 20

Sir, we have another person I think that wants to speak before we.

26:54 – 27:22Speaker 12

I got something I got to say. When I lived there, we had a ceiling that needed fixed for days and days and days, and nobody's been out to fix it. And then me and my husband ended up being sick. from the ceiling not being fixed from the water damage. And we've been having to depend on certain outlets to plug in our stuff because there weren't too many outlets for us to use to plug our stuff in. So they didn't have very many outlets in that building.

27:22Speaker 17

Do you plan on moving back in once it's brought up?

27:27 – 27:43Speaker 12

Well, if it was updated and they had more outlets, that would be okay and fix the roofing, the ceiling of it because I've been asking maintenance over and over to fix that ceiling. and it was damaged for the whole time I lived there.

27:43 – 28:09Speaker 17

So part of it being tagged unsafe and in our unsafe program, he does have to make sure that proper permits are pulled. I do believe on the order, it does say that electrical needs to be brought up to code. So as far as getting any structural damage that needs to be repaired, get that repaired and also all the electrical repaired and up to code will be required before he can be released from unsafe and rent it back out.

28:10Speaker 12

Yeah, because I really love that department, but it's just there's certain things that need to be worked on it.

28:17Speaker 20

All right, well, thank you.

28:21Speaker 17

Do you guys have any more questions?

28:26Speaker 2

I just want to disagree on everything she said. We're on top of maintenance very strongly. I have a property manager, and

28:35 – 28:47Speaker 17

Well, right now, on that building, it doesn't really matter. I don't think this conversation comes in here, but yeah. We just want it brought up to code before you move people back in. So that's all we're here to make sure that happens, okay?

28:48 – 29:17Speaker 20

Yes, and we do need to see progress before we can assume everything's going well and all that. So we will likely need to see you in 30 days to show that you've pulled permits, things have been cleaned, you have inspections with those permits. So I would entertain a motion for set this out for 30 days with proper permits and inspection prior to the next meeting. So moved. Do I have a second?

29:19Speaker 20

All those in favor? Aye. Those opposed? Motion carries.

29:30 – 29:41Speaker 17

He'll need one first if you want to make her a copy as well, but since he's the property owner and he is the one that's going to require an inspection, he'll need it. So we'll get you a copy, but he needs to have it.

30:29 – 31:00Speaker 19

next we're gonna call number 17 501 North Bennett Street Melissa Hendricks 501 North Bennett all right how how have you been working on the progress of this bill it's kind of come to a standstill and I can't do a whole lot because the house is in my name yet and I'm still trying to get all my sister last month said they were gonna send her something in the mail so she gets to come in and I haven't heard anything from her.

31:01 – 31:16Speaker 17

Yeah, I wasn't able to pin down where to send the information to. I know you gave me a general idea to look for. So my recommendation was to set it up 60 days so I would have time to be able to do that. I just wasn't able to before today.

31:17Speaker 13

Okay, sure. So who owns the house, whose name is the house in now?

31:24Speaker 19

My dad's name, he passed away.

31:26Speaker 13

Okay, sorry to hear that.

31:30Speaker 20

Well, I'd entertain a motion to set this back out 60 days to allow for proper identification notification of the sister.

31:42Speaker 20

All those in favor?

31:45Speaker 20

Aye. Are those opposed? Motion carries. Thank you. Thank you.

31:51Speaker 17

Thank you. Okay, next we're going to call number 23, 808 West Power Street.

32:07Speaker 7

Walter Pro, 9801 Muncie Street, San Juan, Atlanta.

32:16Speaker 17

You are representing the owner, correct?

32:18Speaker 7

Yes. All right.

32:22 – 32:42Speaker 20

Okay, so we have a recommendation here from our staff to release the rehab order because you are in compliance. Thank you so much for doing that. I would entertain a motion to release.

32:43Speaker 20

Do I have a second?

32:45Speaker 13

I have a second.

32:46Speaker 20

All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Thank you very much.

32:54Speaker 20

Love to see these come off the list.

32:57Speaker 17

Stay up there, Walter.

33:00 – 33:11Speaker 17

No, stay at the podium. Walter. Next, we're going to call number 25, 815 West Power Street.

33:12 – 33:36Speaker 7

Walter Pohl, 9801 Muncie Street, Selma, Indiana. Where are we on this property? We're just about done. We've got to wrap the windows. It has new wood. Roof's finished. There's handrails that needs to be installed and some painting on some place.

33:38Speaker 17

And the hole in the siding.

33:40Speaker 7

Hole in the siding.

33:41Speaker 17

Back of the hole.

33:42 – 33:53Speaker 7

Yeah. Okay. And we'll be done with it, we're good. I got one of my toughest guys on it, so he'll go to the moon.

33:54Speaker 20

Yeah, I take it you've already gotten permits pulled on this one? It was no permits, it was needed. Okay, gotcha.

34:02Speaker 17

Yeah, the work they were doing didn't require a permit.

34:05Speaker 20

Okay, great. Well, any questions?

34:10Speaker 13

Would 30 days be sufficient to come back with this?

34:14 – 34:27Speaker 7

We just got to wrap, and the roof was the hardest part, so he went up there, and that's really up there. But he's a squirrel, so...

34:33 – 34:47Speaker 20

would entertain a motion for 30 days, set this out 30 days with inspection, and if you finish before that and have the inspection, you could forego that meeting. So moved. Do I have a second?

34:49Speaker 20

All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Thanks.

34:55Speaker 17

Thank you all.

34:58Speaker 17

Next we have number 27, 1018 West Power Street.

35:07Speaker 1

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

35:10Speaker 20

All right. Where are we on the progress for this?

35:18 – 35:43Speaker 1

Actually, the last time I was here, I brought pictures. I've recently deleted them. But I had called several times in the past two weeks to have somebody come and look at it. and I have not gotten any response. I did go up to the building commissioner's office this week and she said that a new lady had taken over and she was backed up trying to get things figured out, but she was supposed to call me and I still haven't heard nothing back from them either.

35:46 – 36:01Speaker 17

I apologize. I know I was out last week. I don't recall anything prior to last week, so I apologize if we weren't able to connect prior. So you have made progress or do you believe you're finished?

36:01Speaker 1

I believe I'm finished.

36:02Speaker 13

OK. Why didn't you obtain that kind of inspection? You say because you couldn't get a hold of anyone?

36:12Speaker 17

So if we could not make that today because it was something that our office didn't hold up standard to like we would like. So.

36:22Speaker 13

I would make a motion to set it up for 30 days, obtain an inspection for clearance. Is that OK?

36:28Speaker 20

Motion for 30 days with inspection. Do I have a second? Second. All those in favor? Aye. Those opposed? Motion carries. Thank you.

36:38Speaker 17

Did you sign in?

36:39Speaker 17

Okay, and you put a phone number? Yes. Okay, we'll give you a call. Okay, thank you.

36:47Speaker 20

Sorry about that. Okay.

36:57Speaker 17

Okay, next we have number 28, 1723 South Madison Street.

37:08Speaker 21

Hey, David Norton. My address is 14036 East Country Road, 200 North, Parker City, Indiana.

37:22Speaker 20

All right, how are we with this structure?

37:24 – 38:06Speaker 21

Um, in the last 30 days, I don't think we've made very much progress. I think we've put some more siding on, but this siding is special order and it's a pretty expensive. Um, but I do have printouts here of emails with my bank where I'm working on getting a loan. Unless it's a property. Well, actually the whole prudent homes LLC is kind of something I've inherited. Like, um, My dad's health is declining and he normally took care of this. So now I'm filling the role in the past year to start working on these properties. I also run his business too.

38:10Speaker 20

Given that circumstance and what you have been able to do, what's your timeline, do you think, to be able to finish

38:19 – 38:49Speaker 21

I mean, finish, it's gonna be a little while. It's a big project, which I've done a lot of big projects, and we've pulled a lot of houses off the demo list over the years. So, I mean, I'm comfortable doing it. The main thing's gonna be securing this loan, which we already have approval, so I'm expecting to close within the next week or two on it. And I would say a realistic timeline would be about 60 days to finish the siding on the outside.

38:52Speaker 17

Just to do the siding?

38:53Speaker 21

Yeah, yeah, to finish the siding and, you know, finish getting the outside looking better.

38:59Speaker 13

What are you going to use the property for? Are you going to rent it? Yeah, it'll become a rental.

39:06 – 39:48Speaker 21

And that's part of where this loan comes in. We have other rentals. I mean, it's not just for that property, so we have some roofs to do on some other ones, so. And this is a business or commercial loan. So I've been working on this loan for three to four months. So it's just been in progress. And we're trying to do what we can. Like when we don't have jobs going on with our people, we'll send them over there and spend a day or two doing siting. But like I said, with how expensive the siting is, we're only able to order two or three boxes at a time. Mm-hmm. But I think once this comes in, we'll really be able to start getting on it.

39:48Speaker 17

Has the bank given you an idea of when it will?

39:53 – 40:17Speaker 21

They said we have approval. They're just waiting. That's what this last email is about. They said appraisals will be back Friday on the properties I'm giving up for the loan. So she told me within probably the next week to two weeks of closing. So after that, then I got to order the siding and then find the time to finish it.

40:19 – 40:41Speaker 13

I think you got a pretty good idea what it's going to take to get it done. And I think if you say 60 days is where you need to be, that's probably going to be better than you coming back in August and not really having a lot. But I think I'd like to make a motion if that's okay. Set this out for a status hearing in 60 days. At that time, have all your property permits and inspections.

40:41Speaker 21

Yeah, I think we do have permits already pulled on that. But, yeah, I just want to be realistic, and I think that's what it's going to take is 60 days.

40:51Speaker 20

Do I have a second? Second. All right. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion carries. Thank you very much.

41:00Speaker 20

And good luck.

41:04Speaker 17

Next, we have number 31, 333 East and North Street. Thank you.

41:08Speaker 2

Aaron Majerowicz, 502 Adams.

41:21Speaker 17

Sorry, could you say that again? It was hard to hear.

41:23Speaker 2

Aaron Majerowicz, 502 Adams.

41:30Speaker 20

All right, did you have an inspection prior to this? So it looks like you.

41:40Speaker 17

What date is on that inspection?

41:48Speaker 17

Okay, so that was before the last hearing.

41:52Speaker 2

I was told by the inspector it's all good, I don't need to show up in the court.

41:57Speaker 17

Was that noted on the, well, that was for June, yes. You did not have to show up for June.

42:02 – 42:13Speaker 2

I was all in compliance, and I received a letter, something saying that the tenant raised, past tenant raised the issue, so I don't know what, that's the only thing I received in the mail.

42:14Speaker 13

Do you have any pictures of the progress? What? Any pictures, photos?

42:20Speaker 2

Not with me, I had an inspection, we were all good.

42:26Speaker 20

Could you show that to us, what you have there, just so we could see what it says on there? Yeah, thank you. Go ahead.

42:35Speaker 13

As of 7-1, it says progress has been made with added railing to the porch and no other progress has been seen. That was eight days ago.

42:48 – 43:00Speaker 2

So I was there with my property manager. We were told that we need to put up a railing. And if it's going to be an issue, we're going to call to show up. And we installed the handrail and the railing.

43:01 – 43:32Speaker 17

OK. So as far as the order that was originally posted back in March, the missing siding, rotting wood around doors and windows, guttering missing, chimney needing to be repaired, And I'm assuming the interior water damage causing floor to rot, that was in that one unit that she had inspected and noted that it was okay to rent. Have the exterior issues been taken care of aside from the railing put up?

43:34Speaker 20

Okay. Would you like this back?

43:43Speaker 2

Yes, please.

43:44Speaker 20

Yeah. Thank you.

43:52 – 44:20Speaker 2

I've made multiple calls to schedule this inspection originally sent emails and got no response until I pressed on the complain button I was able to reach to schedule inspection so I figured to make a complaint there's a way to reach but to fix the issue it's not easy but so what is your timeline to get these things completed I want I My understanding, it's all good since June 8th.

44:20Speaker 13

I think we should send it out 30 days in an inspection.

44:27Speaker 20

Yes, hang on to that just a sec. Did you want to speak on behalf?

44:30Speaker 5

They're the pictures I was showing you, what might not got done. Tracy, could you name and mailing address? Yes, of course, I'm sorry. My old apartment is 33 East North Street.

44:40Speaker 20

Okay, and when did you take these pictures?

44:43Speaker 5

Courtney came out before I went to court.

44:48Speaker 17

That was May 22nd.

44:50Speaker 5

Because I still had to keep going to court. I had to go to court on the 16th again against him. Yeah.

44:57Speaker 17

They had, she stated that they had one in there and made that. So the interior of that unit was okay. Okay. Okay.

45:05Speaker 20

So that's been cleared. Interior.

45:06Speaker 17

Right. Just not the exterior.

45:09Speaker 17

Aside from the railing.

45:12 – 46:00Speaker 20

So. I would say that there's been some confusion about if you needed an inspection or not. And so I would like to entertain a motion to set this out for 30 days. We do need an inspection just so we can clear it. We'll get this scheduled for inspection and that way we can get this released. And then if it's released, you don't have to show up at the next hearing, it'll be done. if that motion is agreed upon. Thank you, do I have a second? All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. So I apologize for the miscommunication and the inconvenience. but we do have a process that we have to follow just so we make sure that we do our due diligence.

46:00 – 46:40Speaker 2

I would like to say one more word that I have a witness with me here that I would say half of the complaints what was in the building. He witnessed some what she did. She went with a hammer and broke the concrete and broke a lot of stuff. We never entered that way. and then called the building commissioner, and then we tried multiple times, I mean, probably 10 to 15 times to get into the building and fix it. We showed up with contractors after sometimes she said, I'm going to give you access. Never give access. She was at home, but never want to give access, just want to complain and raise problems and not allow us to fix it.

46:40 – 47:00Speaker 20

Well, I'm sorry for the frustrations, but we don't have jurisdiction over that. We can only go with what has been inspected and stated and then complied or not complied with. And it sounds like we're at the end of this process for you with this property, and hopefully we can show that it's in complete compliance and we can get it off the book for you.

47:00Speaker 2

So the inspector told me last time as soon the gates are up, it's good.

47:04Speaker 17

We just need to get that inspected so we can... She said I don't need to.

47:08Speaker 13

We're telling you you need to get an inspection prior to the next board meeting.

47:13Speaker 2

So this next board meeting on the letter that that's all good? Yes. Then I don't need to show up? Correct. That's correct.

47:19Speaker 13

Thank you. And thank you for continually working on the unit. Yes. Own property is not always easy.

47:25Speaker 5

Okay. Thank you all. I'm just sick of the lies. You know what I'm saying? I'm just tired of it. Thank you. You're welcome. I appreciate the job you're doing.

47:33Speaker 17

Next, we're going to go on to continuing cases. Demo orders number 35, 1613 East Andover.

47:46 – 48:41Speaker 7

Walter Poe, 9801 Muncie Street. This is my fail. I said, this is my fail. In 10 years, I can't, this one just won't go away. I talked to Ted, and he said they have a lack of maintenance staff, so apparently they did go over and do the inside floor work, but they didn't tell me that. So... you were unable to get them to come to today yeah they sent me a text so they're supposed to fund the project in two weeks so i think they will i think they will get it done he says uh just need a couple more weeks as the owners just got fundings so i think they will fund the project

48:45Speaker 17

To finish everything.

48:46Speaker 13

Yeah. So you're, I'm sorry, you're the contractor, Walter? I'm the contractor. All right.

48:53 – 49:10Speaker 7

This has been a headache. I have a lot going on right now. I'm just, for such a small amount of funding, this owner needs to come on and I'm not doing free work. I'm not going over there and just, you know,

49:12Speaker 20

I would entertain a motion to set this out 30 days with inspections. So moved.

49:19Speaker 20

All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries.

49:26Speaker 20

Thank you. I hope the funding comes in and you can get that off of your plate.

49:33Speaker 17

Thank you. Next, we have number 43, 2120 East Willard Street.

49:52Speaker 8

Johnny Brown, 2800 East 16th Street, Muncie, Indiana.

50:00Speaker 20

All right. Where are we with this property?

50:04Speaker 8

It's just slowly going, but it ain't going very fast. Yeah.

50:08Speaker 17

Did you have insurance on the property? We did. Where were you at with the process of the insurance?

50:15 – 51:05Speaker 8

Well, the insurance paid out, but we had to get another place to live. We had to get a rental. I have six kids at home. I have no excuse not to get this cleaned up except for money. I mean, because the insurance didn't give me crap. But they originally said when they first came out that they would have a cleanup crew. And then when they maxed out my insurance, they said, well, we gave you everything. When we gave you you, you're responsible for it. So it got to the point to where I had the cops out there 28 times because all the homeless people and the crackheads breaking into the shed that the fire didn't get the stuff we could have sold. Oh. And then finally, we just got to the point to where the more you guys are taking, the less I got to clean up. So we just let everybody just come in and take the scrap metal and the wood. But it's slow.

51:06Speaker 17

I have another question. Are the property taxes paid up on this?

51:10Speaker 8

I am one behind.

51:11 – 52:08Speaker 17

Okay. since they are not delinquent you can apply for a dumpster through our dumpster program and we will provide you dumpsters up to four dumpsters for demolition at no cost to you i can handle that i can clean that i got six kids they could help so um i'm gonna make sure ginger gives you a copy of the app dumpster application you will have to make sure to bring it back into me and i can get that request um sent out to best way so they can bring you out of dumpster okay thank you very much you will have to get a demo permit it is fifty dollars um and we do need to have inspections and things like that um the demo permit is good for 60 days so we would like to see everything completed within that 60 days i can do that the dumpster money was what was killing me i know they're they're expensive i'll make a motion to set this up for 30-day status hearing

52:10Speaker 13

I'm asking that you get that demo permit and also order an inspection as well.

52:15Speaker 17

Can I make a request?

52:16Speaker 17

Can we set it out for 60 because the permit is good for that amount of time?

52:21Speaker 13

Okay, yeah. Okay, I'm making a motion to set this out for 60 days.

52:24Speaker 8

Where do I get this permit at?

52:26Speaker 17

Third floor in the building commissioner's office.

52:28Speaker 8

I'll get it as soon as I leave.

52:30Speaker 17

Caressa can help you out.

52:31Speaker 8

All right, thank you. You're awesome.

52:33 – 52:47Speaker 20

Thank you. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Make sure you get the inspection. Otherwise, we do have to fine. And so we don't want to take more of your resources.

52:47Speaker 17

And it doesn't have to be a completed inspection. It can be a progress inspection, just to let us see where you're at.

52:53Speaker 8

Yep. So I go up to the third floor. I can get a permit. And then when I get the inspection, I just call up here?

52:59Speaker 17

Yeah. The phone number's on there. OK. So there's the demo application.

53:03 – 53:17Speaker 4

You take the third floor. And you fill that out. Here's the request for dumpsters. OK. And here's our number. I think that's pretty much everything.

53:17Speaker 8

So the inspection?

53:19Speaker 3

Yeah, just make sure you have 60 days to get it cleaned up and have a progress inspection.

53:25Speaker 8

Okay, where do I go for the inspection?

53:28Speaker 8

Courtney, okay, awesome. Thank you so much.

53:31Speaker 17

Make sure that you let Caressa know up there that it's an unsafe, so she knows.

53:36Speaker 8

And Caressa.

53:38Speaker 8

Awesome, thank you so much.

53:39Speaker 17

Thank you. All right, gentlemen, if you want to fight for who's next.

53:46Speaker 18

We're going to fight over who's going to go first now. Yeah.

53:52Speaker 17

Neither of them wants to come up here. Yeah, you can figure it out.

53:58Speaker 18

Julio Munoz, 2028 East Purdue Road, Muncie. I was here on number 40.

54:14Speaker 17

1216 South Madison Street.

54:16 – 54:37Speaker 18

We've gotten in touch with the owner and we're in the process of getting estimates to replace the whole roof and I believe two exterior walls or the two corner walls and I believe one interior wall and we're also trying to find a buyer at the same time.

54:38Speaker 17

Okay, so you are working with the owner.

54:42Speaker 17

Getting a roof quote.

54:44Speaker 18

Roof quote, yeah.

54:45Speaker 17

And what else?

54:46 – 55:57Speaker 18

And he's thinking of selling the property. So we're in the process of doing that, those two things. So we're probably looking at for a 60-day continuance just to give us enough time to find an adequate buyer and basically tell the potential buyer that what needs to be done. Also get a permit electrical and building building Whatever else needs to be pulled Well, we're not gonna touch the plot we're not gonna touch the plumbing but eventually if it needs to be then yeah, because we know the fire department cut off the The cable and they took the meter so I Probably be perfect timing for them to just do a complete upgrade from a 100 amp to a 200 amp so we're asking the city for a 60-day continuance on that and By then hopefully we'll have some more Viable information for you guys We set it out 60 days with inspections Do I have a second?

55:59Speaker 20

All those in favor aye Opposed motion carries. Thank you. Thank you. I

56:07Speaker 19

They're all spelled like that.

56:16Speaker 11

Hello. Donnie Carrington, 918 West Powers.

56:19 – 56:45Speaker 17

All right, I'll find you. OK, number 26. OK, I know on this one, We also had bad communication on trying to get this inspection scheduled, so that's why he wasn't able to. We did schedule it for next week.

56:45Speaker 11

Yeah, Tuesday.

56:47Speaker 17

So he says he's made some more progress. Okay.

56:51Speaker 13

He made progress in the last eight days?

56:54Speaker 11

In the last eight days? Yeah. Oh, yeah. All it was was make sure the trash is picked up and repair one window.

57:04Speaker 11

The window's repaired and trash is gone, so when she comes out Tuesday, I'm just waiting for her to let me go up with a real ordeal.

57:14Speaker 13

How much work needs to be done?

57:17Speaker 11

How much needs to be done?

57:18Speaker 13

No work needs to be done?

57:19Speaker 11

No, no, I should be good. As soon as she comes to check it out, it should be all right.

57:23 – 57:36Speaker 13

Okay. It's all right with you all. I'd like to set this out for 30 days. for a status hearing at that time, obtain an inspection, and hopefully you can get things closed up at that time.

57:38Speaker 20

Give you a second here to look at the photo, sorry.

57:45Speaker 9

All this debris's been picked up?

57:47Speaker 20

Yeah. Appreciate the work. Yeah.

57:52Speaker 9

That's a lot.

58:00Speaker 11

So there ain't no trash or sticks or like I had in the yard. So, I mean, it's all cleared up. Except for natural firewood that we chopped up anyways. That's stacked up in the things.

58:10Speaker 13

Do you own the property?

58:13Speaker 20

So we have a motion for 30 days to set out with inspection. Do I have a second?

58:18Speaker 20

All in favor? Aye. Aye. Those opposed? Motion carries. All right. Thank you very much. Thank you.

58:27 – 58:48Speaker 17

I do want to call number 32, 712 West Queen Street. I want to make a change to my recommendation. It is for the garage. They did obtain a final inspection under the building permit on July 6th, and they passed. So I would like to recommend for that to be released.

58:50Speaker 13

I move. I'll make a motion to release 712 West Queen Street. Second.

58:58Speaker 20

All those in favor? Aye. Those opposed? Motion carries.

59:04Speaker 17

Does anyone else have any questions or any other properties they want to bring up?

59:11Speaker 17

Okay. It's all you, James.

59:12 – 1:00:05Speaker 20

All right. As to the properties identified on today's docket as numbers 1 through 5, 9 through 12, 14, 18 through 22, 24, 29, 30, 33, 34 36 through 39 41 42. I moved that the record show that no one appeared at today's hearing on behalf of each owner of record after due notice, the report of the building commissioner's office as to each property be adopted as the findings of this hearing authority, the order recommended by the staff as shown on the docket as to each property be adopted. Do I have a second? Second, all those in favor. I opposed. Motion carries. Entertain a motion to adjourn? Motion to adjourn. The second?

1:00:06Speaker 20

All those in favor? Aye. No opposition. We stand.

This transcript was automatically generated from the official public meeting video and is presented unedited. It reflects remarks made on the public record by elected officials, staff, and public commenters. Transcript accuracy may vary; view the original recording for reference.