Information Items:
University Garden Aparatments
Staff Resource: Walter Abernethy, 704-336-4213 - wabernethy@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Following the flooding incident on July 23, 2006, Neighborhood Development's Code Enforcement division inspected the University Garden Apartments located in the 3100 block of Southwest Boulevard. This was a comprehensive look at the overall conditions of the building and individual units. Of the complex's 130 units, sixty-two units were affected by the flood waters. A preliminary look at the conditions within the entire complex (130 units within 10 buildings) indicates a need to inspect all the units.
Previous to the flooding incident, Code Enforcement had fourteen units which were identified and inspected through the tenant petition. Some of the sixty-two units were part of the original inspection grouping. Violation categories included plumbing, electrical, floor decay, roofing, ventilation and foundation issues. As a result of these inspections, staff recommended six families for relocation because of unsafe living conditions. It is probable that the water damage in conjunction with the other existing violations may push the buildings as a whole into the demolition category.
Code Enforcement has been in contact with the property owners who reside in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. As Code Enforcement moves through the process, it is possible additional relocation issues will occur. The property owners have been responsive to immediate issues pertaining to smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. The long term issues regarding the structure have yet to be fully determined. Staff will keep Council advised of our progress.
Preparation for Avian Flu
Staff Resource: Keith Parker, 704-336-3855 - kparker@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Recently, Council members have inquired about the region's preparedness for an outbreak of Avian Flu. Attached is a memo from Wayne Broome, Emergency Management Director, detailing the region's strategy, level of preparedness, and areas of concern.
Water Service Follow-Up at 1900 Brooksvale Street
Staff Resource: Doug Bean, 704-391-5070 - dbean@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Today's Charlotte Observer reports some residents in the Boulevard Homes public housing community (Brooksvale Street) have had no water service and that they've been without service for several days. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities has fixed two leaks on a publicly-owned line leading to the complex during the past week, but despite temporary service interruptions during those repairs our crews re-confirmed last night and this morning that water is flowing to the complex at the meter. Any sustained water service problems would have to be related to private plumbing at the site.
Here is our history of service calls at 1900 Brooksvale Street:
Utilities responded to a reported water leak coming from the meter box at the complex on July 19. Our staff surveyed the leak and created a service order indicating a water valve at the service meter needed to be repaired.
On July 26, our staff repaired the service leak. Water service was temporarily interrupted to residents during the repair, which was performed within the day.
Utilities returned to the site on Wednesday afternoon (8/2) and surveyed a second leak. Several residents were asked at that point whether they had water service and they said yes. Because it was near dinnertime for residents, Utilities crews decided to schedule the leak repair for daytime Thursday (8/3) because demands are lower during the day and a temporary water outage would be necessary to fix the problem.
Crews worked on the leak repair most of the day and into the evening yesterday. Water service was interrupted roughly between 9:30 am and 7:30 pm. The resident manager was notified of the repair process and a pallet containing more than 100 gallons of water was delivered to the work site around 1 pm. Residents picked up the water for themselves.
The water service was restored as of yesterday evening.
