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126 <br /> <br /> The public hearing was opened, but as there were speakers, the public hearing <br />was closed. <br /> <br /> On motion by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Toscano, the ordinance entitled <br />"RESOLUTION APPROVING PURCHASE OF PROPERTY ON AVON STREET <br />FOR EXPANSION OF PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY" was offered and Carried over to <br />the next meeting for consideration <br /> <br />PUBLIC HEARING: CONVEYING EASEMENT TO VIRGINIA POWER ~EN <br />ORDINANCE PARK) <br /> <br /> Mr. Brown said that the City wants to provide lighting in the shelters at Pen Park <br />and an easement is required to allow Virginia Power to access the property. <br /> <br /> The public hearing was opened, but as there were no speakers, the public hearing <br />was closed. <br /> <br /> On motion by Mr. Cox, seconded by Mr. Lynch, the ordinance entitled <br />"RESOLUTION APPROVING RIGHT OF WAY AGREEMENT DATED APRIL <br />27,2001 BETWEEN DOMINION VIRGINIA POWER AND THE CITY FOR <br />EXTENSION OF UNDERGROUND ELECTRICAL LINES IN PEN PARK" was <br />offered and carried over to the next meeting for consideration. <br /> <br />REPORT: BOARDED UP HOUSING <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell said this is a follow-up to a report made to Council in May, and it <br />ties in with the proposed blight ordinance. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tolbert said that the list of boarded up houses given to Council has been <br />refined. There are currently 40 properties that are chronically boarded up or vacant, some <br />of which are in transition to Piedmont Housing Alliance. Some of these structures staff <br />feel should be demolished, and it has been estimated that they could be demolished for <br />$50,000 total. Others are candidates for rehabilitation. Mr. Tolbert said that if Council <br />adopted the proposed blight ordinance, the City will work with the owners ofthese <br />properties to bring them up to code. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked if the properties on the list on l0th and Page not owned by <br />Piedmont Housing Alliance are part of the Alliance's larger plan for that neighborhood, <br />but Mr. Tolbert Said the properties referred to are not owned by the Alliance. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked if there would be advantages to folding those properties in with the <br />plan, and Mr. Tolbert said the Alliance is trying to get an option on one, but one should <br />not be replaced due to drainage problems on the site. Mr. Tolbert said he could envision <br />partnering with the Alliance on the other houses. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he has similar questions about the structures in other neighborhoods <br />and suggested those properties be steered to other existing initiatives. Mr. Cox asked <br />what the strategy will be for large houses. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tolbert said he does not know what will happen when his office starts <br />enforcing the blight ordinance. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said if the City can put a lien on the property to recoup the cost of <br />demolition, then other funds may not be needed. <br /> <br />Mr. Caravati said there may be some eases where we want to use City funds. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tolbert said that some times people let property sit because they cannot <br />afford to demolish it. <br /> <br /> <br />