HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-12-27 Staff Memo and Reference Attachments (as provided to City Admin Johnson) City of Oak Park Heights
14168 Oak Park Blvd. N.
Oak Park Heights, MN 55082
Phone: 651.439.4439 Fax: 651.439.0574
Memo
To: Eric Johnson, City Administrator
From: Julie Hultman, Building Official
Date: December 27, 2018
Re: Condition of Rental Property @ 5627 Perkins Ave. N.
On 12/7/18 there were two fire incidents at the property. OPH PD notified me of concerns
observed as to safety at the property when called to the incidents, with regard to the
electrical and mechanical systems.
I contacted the home owner, Steve Berres by phone. Advising him of the situation, I
requested that he contact licensed electrical and mechanical contractors and have the
systems inspected for safety and that he would be required to address life safety issues
identified by both. Mr. Berres did contact O’Neill Electric and Apollo Heating & Air
Conditioning to inspect and evaluate the systems. Both agencies visited the home on 12/7/18
and follow up with their written evaluation/recommendations to the City and also contacted
Mr. Berres with their findings. See attached reports in Exhibit A to this memo.
On 12/11/18, I visited the home and was permitted entrance from Lisa Kroska, who resides at
the home with Michael Hull. I was escorted through each of the three floor and given
permission to photo the interior as well as the exterior of the home at the time of my visit.
Photos from the visit are attached within Exhibit B.
The house shows significant disrepair, due to neglect and shoddy work at some point in time
to various parts of the house. There is settling of the house, that is observable at the upper
level bathroom door frame, where it has come apart as the floor area appears to be dropping.
There are a number of jacks and wooden members situated throughout the basement that
appear to be in place to support the floor above or cover holes.
Remodeling has been done without permits, including a bathroom remodel in the master
bedroom at the upper level, which has had plumbing issues resulting in water flowing through
the floor and into a closet area at the main floor. Photos show the work and damaged area,
which has been boarded over at the closet ceiling.
City of Oak Park Heights
14168 Oak Park Blvd. N.
Oak Park Heights, MN 55082
Phone: 651.439.4439 Fax: 651.439.0574
The siding has holes in it and several areas around the home where pieces are pulled away
from the house. The roof is in disrepair. There are no gutters. Window frames are in poor
condition, with peeling of paint at the wood and windows having been installed to existing
openings at some time and sealed with foam. We did not visit the attic; however, given the
condition of the house exterior, it is likely that there is moisture intrusion.
There is non-code compliant electrical work, including open and exposed wires at the
electrical panel, plumbing piping, improper venting of appliances (of incident on 12/7/18) was
the dryer exhaust not being vented to the outside and blowing into the wall cavity. The floor
vent in the kitchen produced smoke while a load of laundry was in the dryer and was found to
be connected to the furnace. Both O’Neill Electric and Apollo Heating & Air noted significant
repair needed to ensure the safety of the home to the electrical and mechanical systems.
It is my opinion that this property is not safe to inhabit and that repairs are needed to the
electrical, plumbing, mechanical systems as well as to the roof, siding and interior elements
so that safe systems and structural elements are in place. I would further note that the
structural elements should be reviewed by a structural engineer and repaired per his/her
findings. In lieu of the repairs, my recommendation would be that the house be torn down.
Mr. Berres has owned this property for many years, once residing there himself. The
property has been a rental property for a number of years. The current occupants advised me
that he has offered it as a rent to own and recently offered to sell it to them outright.
There have been three permits issued to this property since 1971. The most recent being a
residing permit from February of 1990. None of these to the current homeowner.