Baker council discusses blighted properties
BAKER — The City Council on Tuesday heard about several properties that are either planned for demolition or related work but took no action on any of the sites.
Trini Gibson, of 13810 Brantley Drive in Parkwood Terrace, came before the council to discuss a vacant house at 13765 Ector St.
Gibson spoke as vice president of the homeowners’ association and said the house has had a blue tarp on the roof since Hurricane Katrina and nothing has been done about it.
Jack Gleason, city building inspector, contacted the owner, R.E. Concept LLC of Metairie, but no reply has been received yet. The house is to be repaired or demolished by neglect, he said.
Gleason said the burned-out house at 4411 Ashland St., owned by Brian Collins of Zachary, has been demolished and the slab removed. A $3,100 lien was placed on the property to cover the cost of demolition, however, Collins has filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy, City Attorney Ron Wall said.
The city is getting quotes to backfill a swimming pool at 3806 Charry Drive and place a lien on the property to cover the cost, Gleason said.
And, heirs of abandoned property at 4477 Baker Blvd. and 4451 Baker Blvd. are cooperating with the council to resolve the issue, Gleason said.
Other issues considered by the council Tuesday included:
BUDGETS: The council introduce ordinances to approve budgets for capital improvements revenue and expenditures, the utility fund and its capital improvements, the annual general fund and minor fund revenue and expenditures.
Budget work sessions were scheduled for: 2 p.m., Monday, April 30; 2 p.m., Wednesday, May 2; and at 9 a.m., Thursday, May 3.
STREET OVERLAYS: Several residents complained that street resurfacing by Barriere Construction Co. of Franklinton was substandard. Barriere is paying independent consultant, Mike McGowan, to evaluate the work and report to the council. The report is not yet ready.
POLICE SECURITY: Police Chief Mike announced that starting Saturday, April 28, the Police Department will provide security at Greenwood Park from noon to 6 p.m., on Saturdays and Sundays.
PROPERTY DONATION: Wall said he has been working on the donation of the Landry/Nettles property to the city since March 2010. Three of the eight heirs live out of state. The city has offered to reimburse any notary fees involved in settling the matter provided a proper receipt is presented.