HomeMy WebLinkAboutM-97-0755CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM 7
TO : Edward Marquez DATE October 16, 1997 FILE
City Manager
SUBJECT : personal Appearance
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FROM : REFERENCES
Ilma V. Anderson Gibson
Commissioner ENCLOSURES:
Please schedule a personal appearance for Ms. Veola Williams on the October 28, 1997
City Commission agenda.
Thank you.
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CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO : Honorable Mayor and
Members of the City Commission
FROM d azd Marquez
City Manager
PERSONAL APPEARANCE:
DATE UG 1 2 I i i FILE
SUBJECT : Personal Appearance of
Ms. Veola Williams
REFERENCES:
City Commission Agenda Item
ENCLOSURES October 28, 1997
Ms. Veola Williams, owner of a single family residence, located at 1457 N.W. 42nd Street, Miami,
Florida, has continuously expressed her dissatisfaction with the rehabilitation of her property under
the City's Community Development Block Grant funded Single Family Rehabilitation Program
since 1990. She has requested a personal appearance before the City Commission to request that the
rehabilitation of her house be completed to her satisfaction.
BACKGROUND:
On August 13, 1990, the City held a loan closing with Ms. Williams, whereby she received a
$29,987.00 loan from Community Development Block Grant funds at a 2% interest rate for a 15
year term. These funds were to be .used to fmance the rehabilitation of her property located at 1457
N.W. 42nd Street. The structure was -a vacant duplex that was to be converted to a single family
home into which Ms. Williams would move and continue to care for foster children.
Shortly after Ms. Williams selected her general contractor, she began to express her dissatisfaction
with his work and she refused to authorize payment for the work he had completed. Although
inspectors from the Building and Zoning Department and an estimator from the City's Housing
Division inspected the work and found the work completed at the site to be satisfactory, Ms.
Williams alleged that the work had not been completed according to code, permits had not been
pulled, etc. She subsequently released her general contractor.
Ms. Williams next began a series of complaints against her former general contractor, as well as the
City's Housing Rehabilitation Program. Complaints were made to U.S. HUD, Senator Bob
Graham, President George Bush, and the Dade County Community Relations Board among others.
The City's Housing Division addressed each inquiry.
At the request of Ms. Williams, a meeting was held on March 5, 1991, with City staff to address her
concerns. At the meeting, Ms. Williams indicated that with the aid of her attorney she would
prepare a letter to the City specifying what she wanted to have happen concerning her property. No
letter was received. Ms. Williams selected another general contractor who began the rehabilitation
work in July of 1991. Thereafter, she again began expressing her dissatisfaction with the work
being completed.
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Honorable Mayor and
Members of the City Commission
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During 1994, Ms. Williams' complaints revolved around the contractor's intent to use Romax as
opposed to conduit, which is less expensive, .but does meet code. After the Romax had been
installed, the contractor removed the Romax and replaced it with conduit and new wiring
throughout the two-story house structure at _ his own expense. At Ms. Williams request the
contractor installed more expensive items in the house at his own expense although less expensive
alternatives that met code were available. Since the spring of 1994, Ms. Williams' project has been
inactive.
On April 21, 1994, Ms. Williams appeared at the Miami City Commission meeting to complain
about her rehabilitation project. She was advised to meet with then Assistant City Manager Carlos
F. Smith and Housing Staff. A subsequent meeting was held in which the second general contractor
withdrew from the project and Ms. Williams lost her temper. Mr. Smith promptly terminated the
meeting.
Ms. Williams has continued to contact Commissioners' offices the past couple of years to express
her dissatisfaction with the City's program.
RECOMMENDATION:
In an effort to move the rehabilitation of the subject property forward, Ms. Williams needs to secure
a licensed general contractor for the rehabilitation work and, in addition, she needs to work with the
City's Housing Division staff, following the City's Single Family Rehabilitation Program
Guidelines, to complete the renovation of the subject property.
[memosjgl<Agenda W28.doc>
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