Minutes 1992 0416 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes - San Leandro City Council Meeting - April 16, 1992 Page - 5 - PUBLIC HEARINGS (continued) Alexander Finn, said he works for Mrs. Niemeyer from time to time. He said he felt she had been charged an incredible amount of money for the work that had been done. He said he installed a new sink for her and it was not leaking. He again said he felt the amounts she had been charged were incredible, particularly that by the contractor. He said some things needed taken care of, but he was shocked at the cost. He said he has replaced a sink and has done sheetrock work, replaced windows, and installed linoleum. He said he is not a licensed contractor but has done some standard work for Mrs. Niemeyer. In response to questions from the City Council , Ms. Scilley said the contractor replaced the drain under the sink because it was draining directly into the back yard. She said the contractor tried to replace the drainage pipe, but it kept breaking off further and further back, so he eventually had to go back to solid pipe and make a connection. Doug Simms, City Building Department, said copper pipe was used on the drain because the contractor felt it would work better in this situation. Council Member Santos said he felt the City's staff spent an inordinate amount of time with enforcement activities. He noted it cost $9,600 for enforcement versus $7,500 to actually do repairs. He said a lot of the time spent seemed unnecessary to him and asked why the enforcement procedure took this much time. Ms. Scilley pointed out that this was two years' worth of work by staff. She said, if Mrs. Niemeyer had complied when action was first initiated, the cost would not be so high. She said this reflects a series of actions. She said the court authorized the City to go back for two years and charge these fees. Council Member Santos said he felt it was necessary to be sensitive to the individual and felt Mrs. Niemeyer had some problem in understanding and carrying out the necessary work. Mike Oliver, City Manager, noted that he has been the Hearing Officer for the Neighborhood Preservation Program since its inception. He said there have been several individuals under that program who have come to the City's attention. He said Ms. Scilley and staff have been attempting for a number of years to work with Mrs. Niemeyer in a humane and sensitive manner. He said it was clear this created a life- threatening situation, and the City's concern was for Mrs. Niemeyer's life and safety. He said the legal process was followed. He said he realizes this is very expensive, but it had to be done this way. He said a lot of other citizens have been assisted by family members, but this was not possible in this case, and staff tried to be consistent, legally.