SHAMOKIN - A former apartment building at 28-32 N. Market St. that has become an eyesore and safety hazard will be razed, but when it will be demolished remains the biggest question.
During Monday night's city council meeting, officials said they are awaiting approval from the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) before they can proceed to demolish the partially collapsed four-story structure.
Lynn Dixson, community development director for the city, said, "DCED told me this is an unusual situation because of the ownership issues surrounding the property. They want to know who owns the property now and who will own it once it's torn down. They also want to know what the property will be used for once the building is demolished."
Dixson said the city must abide with all DCED requirements in bidding the demolition work because DCED funding will be used for the project.
City clerk Steve Bartos said four contractors have given verbal bids for razing the structure and that a fair percentage of the cost has been determined for each of the three taxing bodies - City of Shamokin, Northumberland County and Shamokin Area School District - involved with the property.
Bartos said the city will pay 50 percent of the demolition costs, while the school district and county will be responsible for 29 and 21 percent, respectively.
Northumberland County Commissioner Vinny Clausi, who previously offered the county's help in getting the building torn down as soon as possible, told council members Monday that plans are continuing to move forward with each of the taxing bodies involved with the building.
He said, "Hopefully, we will get this wrapped up by the end of the week so we can get that building torn down. The public safety issue is most important. The county can pay to have the building torn down as soon as possible and just have the city and school district pay us back."
But city solicitor H. Robert Mattis pointed out the demolition work isn't that simple.
"We appreciate the county's gracious offer, Mr. Clausi, but we must follow all DCED guidelines or we won't have community development block grant money to pay the county back," Mattis explained.
Clausi agreed with Mayor George Rozinskie that the city should assume ownership of the property once it is razed because the municipality will pay the highest percentage of the demolition costs.
The owner of the building at 28-32 N. Market St. was found guilty on 21 counts for failing to repair the building last year, and is no longer responsible for it. City code enforcement officer Barry Stoud said he can no longer cite Orlando Development Inc., or its owner, Orlando Mirarchi, for violating the Building Official Code Administrators (BOCA) code because the building was offered at Northumberland County's upset sale in September due to $9,718.43 in unpaid taxes. Orlando Development owned the building since 1987. No one had lived in it since 2000.
Other business
Landlords Dean LaCrosse and Bill Romanoski of Paxinos questioned council about an amended landlord registration, licensing and occupancy ordinance that was officially approved during Monday's meeting after its first reading was presented last month.
The ordinance requires all landlords to register their units, designate a property manager for the city to contact if a landlord resides more than 20 miles from Shamokin, pay a $25 license fee for each rental unit and register with the city the names of all tenants residing at their properties.
LaCrosse, who described himself as a "good landlord" who takes care of his properties in the city and abides by the city's regulations, said, "Most landlords are lucky to break even. Being a landlord isn't a get rich scheme. I don't think the good landlords should be punished for the sake of the bad ones. We are paying the penalty for people who don't abide with the requirements and that's no fair."
Mattis told LaCrosse he realizes some landlords abide by all city codes, but noted the amended ordinance has to apply to all landlords in order to be fair.
LaCrosse recommended the city conduct inspections of rental properties instead of imposing a $25 license registration fee.
Mattis said inspections are not part of the amended ordinance.
Romanoski agreed with the city establishing a $25 license registration fee for landlords, but said landlords should only be required to pay it when new tenants move into properties instead of annually.
Pool still closed
Councilman R. Craig Rhoades, director parks and public buildings, said the Lawton Shroyer Memorial Swimming Pool on North Rock Street will remain closed until a filtration pump that was leaking is repaired or replaced. He said the pump was taken to Goulds Pumps in Winfield and city officials are waiting to hear if it can be repaired or if a new one needs to be purchased and installed.
Councilman Michael Snyder said the city street department will not receive as much summer help from college students this year due to cuts in funding. He said street department employee Roy Rapp will retire June 30.
Council entered into a lease agreement with FNB Bank for a $29,966.50 Brush Bandit wood chipper from Stephenson Equipment Inc., Harrisburg. The wood chipper will be paid for with grant money obtained through the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Council members approved the first reading of an ordinance that will raise the television cable franchise fee from 4 to 5 percent, which will generate between $25,000 and $30,000 per year for the city.
Pamela Rhoades was reappointed to a three-year term to the Shamokin-Coal Township Public Library Board of Trustees.
Council passed a motion to require all elected city officials to have a $100 co-pay for medical expenses.
Permission was granted to Citizens for a Better Community to organize a 17-minute fireworks display above the Cameron Coal Bank at 9:40 p.m. Sunday, July 3. The same group also will host a car cruise and show from noon to 4 p.m. July 2 in downtown Shamokin and the Amazing Coal Cracker Race at 10 a.m. July 2, starting at the Price of Freedom Monument on Lincoln Street. The race will be organized by Terry and Peach Krebs.
Council also granted a request from Citizens for a Better Community to hold a curbside collection at the entrances to the city on July 3 for the fireworks display.