Minutes - Council - 10/08/2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Roxanne Tersteeg, 6263 Rivlyn Avenue, came forward and shared the letter she sent to Ames and their legal team in response to the settlement agreement offer for $20,000 in which she asked how they arrived at this number. She stated that she countered this offer with a request for a$2,000,000 settlement. She asked the Council if anyone knew that all they were going to be offered was a $20,000 settlement. Councilmember Specht said he will be going to the County Commissioners on this and make sure that his voice is heard by people who can take action on this. John Kidd, owner of both 6225 and 6237 Rivlyn Avenue, came forward and shared that Ms. Tersteeg's offer was incredibly insulting. He said that her counteroffer of$2,000,000 is not far off from his total damages at his property. He noted that damages currently equal about 50% of his real estate value. He stated the settlement agreement he received was laughable. He explained that this situation ramps up then stalls out and it is a continuous cycle. He noted that with each new party involved in the situation, there is a learning curve that slows down the process. He shared that he sees a lot of things that the City can do to help him and the other affected property owners. He stated that winter is coming and currently neither of his properties have furnaces and have basements that will need to be completely reconstructed. He emphasized that Ames needs to be held accountable for this. He added that the City also has an opportunity to help as all of these property owners will need permits from the City to do their work and encouraged City departments to help move these things along in a timely manner. He shared that demolition has begun at his properties and he is currently waiting for bids to be approved for the work. He said he has been displaced from his home and is living in a hotel. Mayor Kuzma said the City will do whatever they can to move permits through as quickly as possible. Jack Rohr, 14450 Rhinestone Street, a resident of Park View East, came forward and shared that all residents of the apartment building got a notice on their door last Monday that the City would inspect every single unit in the building on Wednesday. He noted that he was told the scope of the inspection would include inspecting bathrooms, as well as looking through cupboards and closets. He added that he was told that if the inspection was denied, then there would be fines against him or the inspector could get a search warrant to allow him into the unit. He said that he cannot imagine anyone would think it is reasonable for an inspector to come through and investigate closets and cupboards in their homes. He shared that he spoke to Planning Manager Larson about this when he asked why they would need to inspect his closet and Planning Manager Larson told him all they will be doing in closets is looking up to make sure there is no water damage. He added that he thinks it is a ridiculous request to inspect occupied units. Councilmember Musgrove asked if it is typical to look for water damage in closets or if plumbing that could cause potential water damage is typically located above or below bathrooms and kitchens. Planning Manager Larson said they look at the ceilings in closets and other rooms because ceilings could also be leaking as not all water damage comes from pipes. He said they just do a quick look up for water stains, a quick look down for bugs, and that is all. City Council/ October 8, 2024 Page 5 of 10