11-035 report ocr 1 |
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INTERIM STUDY REPORT Economic Development, Tourism and Financial Services Committee Representative Randy McDaniel, Chairman Oklahoma House of Representatives Interim Study 11-035, Representative Ron Peters, combined with Interim Study 11-001, Representative Seneca Scott et al October 11, 2011 Abandoned Properties Dwain Midget, Director of Community Development and Education Office of the Mayor, City of Tulsa dmidget@cityoftulsa.org Properties may become neglected vacant and abandoned properties (VAPs) for a number of reasons. A property’s total taxes and liens may exceed the value of the property or the property may be in foreclosure, with the bank or lender unwilling to take responsibility for the property’s care. There are also situations where the property owner is deceased and the heirs are unwilling to take responsibility for the property. VAPs cause decreased property values and reduced tax revenues. Additionally, VAPs pose environmental risks and public safety hazards, acting as staging grounds for criminal activities in neighborhoods. VAPs are frequently targets of arson, and research has shown that crime rates are twice as high on neighborhood blocks with open VAPs, when compared with matched blocks without open buildings or residential structures. This places additional pressure on the local fire and police departments that must respond to various incidents. VAPs are clustered in certain areas and neighborhoods in Tulsa. In 2009, city estimates show that almost $400,000 was spent on VAPs, as measured by actual work orders, which does not capture the whole problem. An estimated $450,000 was spent last year. To address problems related to VAPs, Tulsa officials have adopted a neglected vacant building registry and maintenance ordinance, utilized community development block grant (CDBG) funds for various code enforcement activities, and the proposed new state legislation outlining a re-utilization strategy and providing municipalities with new authority. Tulsa has been receiving CDBG funds for the past two years and is using these funds to help with neighborhood rehabilitation. Proposed legislation would provide municipalities with another tool to address problems associated with VAPs. The proposal only deals with neglected, abandoned properties identified as a nuisance which are becoming a financial burden to the community. The goal is not to take property, but to clean up the vacant structures, put them back to productive use, and minimize the financial burden VAPs are placing on communities. See Tulsa VAP Presentation. Chief Mark Sipe, Fire Marshal Fire Department, City of Tulsa msipe@cityoftulsa.org Fire service is provided in every part of the City of Tulsa, and citizens expect a response to all incidents. When firefighters are called to the scene of an abandoned property, they do not know whether or not there are people inside, even though it may be considered a VAP, and must enter the burning structure and search for people.
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Title | 11-035 report ocr 1 |
Full text | INTERIM STUDY REPORT Economic Development, Tourism and Financial Services Committee Representative Randy McDaniel, Chairman Oklahoma House of Representatives Interim Study 11-035, Representative Ron Peters, combined with Interim Study 11-001, Representative Seneca Scott et al October 11, 2011 Abandoned Properties Dwain Midget, Director of Community Development and Education Office of the Mayor, City of Tulsa dmidget@cityoftulsa.org Properties may become neglected vacant and abandoned properties (VAPs) for a number of reasons. A property’s total taxes and liens may exceed the value of the property or the property may be in foreclosure, with the bank or lender unwilling to take responsibility for the property’s care. There are also situations where the property owner is deceased and the heirs are unwilling to take responsibility for the property. VAPs cause decreased property values and reduced tax revenues. Additionally, VAPs pose environmental risks and public safety hazards, acting as staging grounds for criminal activities in neighborhoods. VAPs are frequently targets of arson, and research has shown that crime rates are twice as high on neighborhood blocks with open VAPs, when compared with matched blocks without open buildings or residential structures. This places additional pressure on the local fire and police departments that must respond to various incidents. VAPs are clustered in certain areas and neighborhoods in Tulsa. In 2009, city estimates show that almost $400,000 was spent on VAPs, as measured by actual work orders, which does not capture the whole problem. An estimated $450,000 was spent last year. To address problems related to VAPs, Tulsa officials have adopted a neglected vacant building registry and maintenance ordinance, utilized community development block grant (CDBG) funds for various code enforcement activities, and the proposed new state legislation outlining a re-utilization strategy and providing municipalities with new authority. Tulsa has been receiving CDBG funds for the past two years and is using these funds to help with neighborhood rehabilitation. Proposed legislation would provide municipalities with another tool to address problems associated with VAPs. The proposal only deals with neglected, abandoned properties identified as a nuisance which are becoming a financial burden to the community. The goal is not to take property, but to clean up the vacant structures, put them back to productive use, and minimize the financial burden VAPs are placing on communities. See Tulsa VAP Presentation. Chief Mark Sipe, Fire Marshal Fire Department, City of Tulsa msipe@cityoftulsa.org Fire service is provided in every part of the City of Tulsa, and citizens expect a response to all incidents. When firefighters are called to the scene of an abandoned property, they do not know whether or not there are people inside, even though it may be considered a VAP, and must enter the burning structure and search for people. |
Date created | 2012-03-13 |
Date modified | 2012-03-13 |