City leaders, for the second time, have ordered that a rental house in Eupora be demolished after deeming it to be a public health menace.
This is a timeline of action by the Eupora Board of Aldermen concerning the house at 17 Allen St., which is owned by Joyce Hendrix:
Dec. 6: The board authorized City Attorney Joey Hood to write a letter to Hendrix and begin the demolition process to comply with the blight prevention laws.
Jan. 3: Aldermen approved a motion stating the board has determined the property is in a state of uncleanliness as to be menace to the public health, safety and welfare of the community under the relevant Mississippi Code statutes, and authorized Hood to send notice to Hendrix and set a public hearing for Feb. 7.
Feb. 7: Citizens attending the blight property public hearing expressed concerns about the property. Hendrix was unable to attend because of illness.
After hearing testimony and reviewing documents entered into evidence during the hearing, the board approved this motion during the meeting that followed that night: that the board has found, determined and adjudicated that the property is in such a state of uncleanliness as to be a menace to the public health, safety and welfare of the community.
Aldermen ordered that the house located there be torn down and removed from the property within 30 days by the owner; all personal property be removed; the grass cut, weeds removed and property secured. Hendrix was given 10 days to appeal the decision, which she did.
Feb. 24: The board reviewed the appeal letter from Hendrix, who also addressed the board during a special meeting. After much discussion, aldermen voted to table the item for 30 days to allow her to make substantial progress on the property.
May 2: Following an executive session to discuss “possible litigation,” aldermen voted to reinstitute blight proceedings on the 17 S. Allen St. property because of the aforementioned reasons at the other meetings.
May 12: Aldermen approved a motion stating the mayor and board had determined that the property is a public health menace and set a public hearing on the matter for June 6.
At the recommendation of the mayor, they also authorized Bobby Sorrell of Sorrell Inspection Services to inspect properties at a single price of $300 or three or more at $200 each. The motion referenced 17 S. Allen/Pear Tree Corner.
June 6: The second public hearing was held. Various documents and pictures were admitted and made part of the record. Minutes of the hearing as prepared by Hood recount this testimony from those who addressed the board:
Police Chief Lawrence Caradine presented testimony to the board regarding issues with the property. He referenced Sorrell’s inspection report and pictures of the property. The inspection report provided that the house has severe structural damage, hole in roof and does not support anyone living there.
Sam Krusee, a local intern architect, spoke regarding his inspection of the property. He advised that an addition to the building that is leaning cannot be saved. The inside of the building is in bad shape. The floors and roof are not in good shape. He estimated that it will cost more to fix the property than it is worth.
Hendrix asserted that the city is only doing this to her property because her late husband did something to the people in charge. She said she has the money to fix the property and is ready to move forward with fixing it.
Hendrix argued that she shouldn’t be allowed to put money into property if it is going to be torn down. She indicated that she is opposed to tearing it down and will do whatever is takes. Hendrix would not commit to a specific amount to repair the home.
She admitted to receiving a notification letter from the city last August regarding issues with the property. Alderman Billy Tabb (Ward 2) questioned Hendrix regarding the notice she had received on the property, and said the problems with the home existed before he took office and have been ongoing for over a year. He noted that she had over a year to fix the property and has not done so.
Maise Jones, who is the adjoining neighbor to the property, indicated that the house is in worse shape that it was four months ago when Hendrix stated she was going to repair it. Jones said the house is already falling in.
She advised that people who had been living in the housed had walked into her home and she had to call the law on them. Jones said she is concerned for the well-being of her family and her home because of the conditions of the property.
Sammy Jones said he lives down the street from the property and asserted that the neighborhood property values have decreased because of the condition of the property.
The board noted that Sorrell’s inspection report found “Severe structural damage and deterioration. Structure is in various stages of disrepair and should be considered a Life Safety Issue. In its present condition, the structure can no longer support human occupancy. … Building is not sound structurally, and unsafe.” The report also cited issues with the roof framing, foundation and floor.
During the regular meeting that followed, Tabb made a motion to adopt a resolution determining that the property is in such a state of uncleanliness as to be a menace to the public health, safety and welfare of the community, and that it should be demolished, removed and cleaned. His motion was seconded by Jerry Gary (at-large) and approved 5-0.
