KINGWOOD — Kingwood Council dealt with dilapidated buildings again this week and referred two to the Enforcement Committee for possible condemnation proceedings.
Mayor Jean Guillot said he’s gotten complaints about an apartment building at 239 Morgan St. City Clerk Mary Howell said no one is receiving water there, and Police Chief Charlie Haney said they believe one person is living there without water.
“The upstairs apartments are not habitable. They were destroyed,” Officer Justin Knotts told council. Knotts said officers rousted vandals from the building during the Buckwheat Festival. The building does not appear to have electricity, he said.
There were tenants in the building last year, Howell said. It is owned by someone in Morgantown.
Council directed that vacant building notification and a junk ordinance violation be sent to the owner, and the Enforcement Committee will accompany police to the building to inspect it to determine if it should be recommended for condemnation.
Council also referred the Herring Building, at the corner of Main and Price, to the committee. Council sent the owner multiple letters, asking that stone falling from the top be addressed. Council asked the owner to attend Tuesday’s meeting, but Howell said the owner of B&L Properties emailed her late Tuesday, saying she broke her glasses and couldn’t drive from Charleston.
“I just think she continues to push us, and we don’t do anything,” Councilwoman Michelle Whetsell said.
Guillot said he understands an offer was made on the building. “Whether or not she accepts it, I don’t know,” he said.
Vacant buildings
Council heard from Sandra Shrout because a house less than 15 feet behind the one she lived in on Oak Street was assessed fees under the vacant building ordinance. Shrout said the home has electric and heat, but the water is off because of pipe problems.
It is maintained and used for storage, she said. Shrout was also before council in November 2017, when the home was first put on the list, and council told her it would look into it. No fees were charged the first year, but a minimum $400 fee is charged the second year.
“I keep my property up. I pay taxes. I pay insurance, and you still want to rob me? It’s not right,” Shrout said.
She said no one ever explained what qualifies as vacant. Councilman Mike Lipscomb said, “At some point, people need to take responsibility to look into things. You got this notice.”
Shrout noted she appeared before council last year.
The mayor gave Shrout a 90-day stay while council looks into what she will have to do to get off the list. Shrout said they are working on the house so her son can move in, but she has a limited income. Lipscomb said getting a building permit and showing progress in working on the house is the best thing to do.
Shrout said there are three empty houses on her street, including one left to the county animal shelter. Lipscomb said by state law, the town can’t assess the county fees.
Two weeks ago, council refused to give a stay to the owner of a Springhill Drive home used for storage because it had no utilities and was not being renovated.
Also Tuesday, council:
— Hired Daniel Glover as the new city attorney at a rate of $125 per hour.
— Agreed to buy new Accufund billing and accounting software, which will be shared by the city, garbage and sewer. Costs of about $54,000 will also
be shared.
— Canceled its Dec. 25 meeting.
— Gave Haney the go ahead to release Officer Cody Krall from his service with the town.
