05/27/1986 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e company employees said they are still investigating the fire and they have not sent him a copy of the report indicating the fire was not of incendiary ori- gin. He said they have not decided whether to deny the loss or pay it. He said the problem is that the Fire Marshal's office cannot complete its investigation. Mr. Gillis said that four estimates to repair the house have been received and they indicate the cost will be $270,000 to $500,000. He said it will also cost thousands of dollars to demolish the house and the owner cannot afford to repair or demolish it. He said the owner requests the council to defer action for 40 days because he was told the insurance company may make a decision within 30 days. The decision will provide funds to remove the debris and then the structure can be repaired or demolished. He said the owner cannot get additional coverage or liability for the burned house. Answering a question from Mr. Rutan, Mr. Gillis said it is more likely that the house will be rebuilt than that it will be demolished. He said the owner wants to rebuild it. Mr. Gillis submitted his testimony in writing. Russell Poppe, 2522 Van Ness, represented Pacific First Federal Savings Bank, which holds the first trust deed on the property. He said the upstairs is in bad shape, but the front room is in good shape. He said it is hard to tell from the street that the house is damaged. He said the glass sliding doors to the swimming pool room are broken, but the room is not extensively damaged. He said the house is back from the street and the burned part cannot be seen from the street. He said there is very little foot traffic by the house and transients would not be attracted. Mr. Poppe suggested that a fence be constructed around the back of the house so that the insurance company and the property owner have time to resolve the problem. He said the reconstruction of the house will be a major project and will take time. He said the bank wishes to protect its interest and will pay for the fence if necessary. He asked the council to lengthen the period during which a building or demolition period can be obtained to 40 days and allow construction of the fence for 60 days. There being no more requests to testify, Mayor Obie closed the public hearing. Ms. Miller said a fence would not eliminate the unsafe conditions. However, if the council approves a fence, she said the staff will have to decide what type of fence will be safest and how it will be maintained. She said that anyone can get into the pool room now and the pool is full of water. She said it is a hazard for children in the neighborhood. Replying to questions from Mr. Hansen, Ms. Bascom, and Mayor Obie, Ms. Miller said the glass doors in the front of the house are broken, so a fence would have to surround the whole house. If the owner does not repair or demolish the house within a specific period, she said the City probably will ask for bids to demolish it, or to demolish only the part that cannot be used, or to repair it. City Attorney Tim Sercombe said another resolution would be required if the council approves a fence as a correction for the unsafe con- ditions that exist. He said a lien on the property would be requested from the council if the City demolished or repaired the house. MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 27, 1986 Page 2