BY TIA LYONS
STAFF WRITER
The El Dorado City Council followed up on efforts to raze residential and commercial properties that have been condemned, while adding more properties to the list during a regular meeting on April 13.
Since January, the council has passed four resolutions -- one each during regular, monthly meetings -- condemning a total of 108 structures, targeting neglected and abandoned properties.
The city is working to catch up on a backlog that grew, in part, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
When the virus reached El Dorado and Union County in early 2020, the city council agreed to put some city projects on hold until they could gauge how the public health crisis would affect the local economy and the city budget.
The razing of condemned structures was one of the city projects that was de-prioritized at the time.
The move came two years after the council dedicated $300,000 from the city's reserve coffers to hire a contractor and take a more aggressive approach toward clearing the condemnation list.
With public works' crews spread thin over a variety of street, sanitation, parks and other projects, Robert Edmonds, director of public works, has said that workers raze condemned structures as time allows.
City officials included another $300,000 in the 2023 city budget to hire a contractor, Diversified Construction and Design, to ramp up the effort.
Mayor Paul Choate said he provided clear direction to make the properties "grass ready" by removing all components from the sites once the structures have been torn down, noting that unsightly remnants -- including the foundation, steps, porches, etc. -- are often left behind during such projects.
After the council approved 30 additional properties for condemnation during a regular council meeting on April 13, Council Member Frank Hash referred to a story that appeared in that day's edition of the News-Times.
Hash homed in on a statement that was attributed to Edmonds, director of public works, who said that a dozen condemned properties have been demolished since January.
"We've taken down 12 houses in three months. Right now, we've got 18.5 months in arrears and we've just added 30 more. Do we have a performance of expectation -- it's all contracted, isn't it?" Hash asked.
Edmonds said yes and reiterated previous statements about the city's plans to expedite the demolition process.
He explained that once work slacks up on the city's annual street improvement program in late summer or early fall, the Department of Public Works will assign two crews to work alongside Diversified to take down condemned structures more quickly.
"That's why we're stacking so many up on the condemnation list now," Edmonds explained.
When Choate pointed out that the work has been slowed by inclement weather over the past couple of months, Hash, a former mayor, sharply interjected, saying, "Sir, you can get out there and take these houses down in the rain! We've done it before. Weather don't mean a thing."
Council Member Willie McGhee noted after the condemnation list was approved in March, he received a call from a property owner who had questions about the process by which he could save his house.
"When people want to how to go about to get their house off this list, they need a specific person they can talk to ..., in my opinion," McGhee said.
"I don't think our citizens should have to call me, the code enforcement officer, the (city) inspector -- I mean all these people and this person gets told several different things ... I think we can have a better way of communicating," he continued.
Property owners have 30 days to respond once they are notified by city code enforcement officers that a property is not in compliance with local, state and federal codes.
Code enforcement officers attempt to contact property owners by sending certified letters to addresses that are listed in Union County property tax records.
The process often proves difficult because many owners live out of town, some are deceased and some properties have multiple owners.
Upon receiving a certified letter, the property owner has 30 days to respond to the city.
Owners also have 30 days to respond after a property has been condemned.
The owner may present a plan to bring the property up to code, allow the city to raze the property at his expense or arrange for demolition himself.
Edmonds said property owners may call his office at 870-863-4244 to sort out matters regarding a condemnation.
McGhee said the process is still confusing for some residents, noting that he spent nearly two weeks trying to assist the resident who had called him.
"Some people think public works is still up here (City Hall)," McGhee said, referring to the relocation of the Department of Public Works' offices 2021 to an office building at 512 N. Washington Ave., next to the El Dorado Water Utilities' office.
Additionally, he said the roles of the city council and the El Dorado Water and Public Works Board, which is made up of council members, overlap.
Council Member Judy Ward reminded McGhee that Edmonds said property owners may call his office.
"I know what Mr. Edmonds said but some kind of way, we have to have some kind of accountability. When I tell this person to contact the public works (department), I want to make sure I get a feedback saying, 'OK, we're going to help this person or we can't help this person or we're going to tear this house down," because this person keeps calling asking, 'What's going to happen? I don't know what's going to happen,'" McGhee said. "That's what I'm talking about, Mrs. Ward."
Choate said residents may also call his office at 870-862-7911, saying that he has yet to "turn anybody away from speaking to me in my office."
McGhee pointed out that he has had difficulty scheduling a meeting with Choate so that he and fellow Ward 3 representative, Council Member George Calloway Jr., can discuss issues regarding their ward.
"Mr. McGhee, you do understand that under (the Freedom of Information Act), I cannot meet with two of you," Choate said.
"Unless we call the newspaper and I don't have a problem with the newspaper being called ... I want the newspaper to know our issues that we're dealing with," said McGhee.
Condemnations, property owners and reasons for condemnation that have been approved so far in this year include:
January
603 E. First, Jerry W. Mitchell, et ux Sherri Sweeney, dilapidated obnoxious and unsanitary.
1108 Ouachita, Maxine Goodwin Kinney and Rachel Waller, Junction City, dilapidated, obnoxious and unsanitary.
902 S. Washington, Marion McManus, dilapidated obnoxious and unsanitary.
1225 New York, Cassandra Cheatham, dilapidated, obnoxious and unsanitary.
1323 Blackard, AC Stephens, dilapidated, obnoxious and unsanitary.
1306 E. Cedar, Lapolum Rigsby, et ux, dilapidated and unsafe.
1024 E. Cook, Sally Reed, dilapidated and unsafe.
129 Ivy, Stephanie Sayers, dilapidated, obnoxious, unsafe and unsanitary.
2401 Nevada, Heather Lytle and Edward Groves, dilapidated, obnoxious, unsafe and unsanitary.
1311 E. Wilson, AM King, et al, dilapidated, obnoxious, unsafe and unsanitary.
627 Marsh, Edgar Kemp, dilapidated and unsafe.
819 Norsworthy, Willie Mae Johnson, dilapidated, obnoxious and unsanitary.
724 Marsh, Antonio Guzman, dilapidated, obnoxious, unsafe and unsanitary.
904 E. Block, Johnny Davis, dilapidated, obnoxious and unsanitary.
2511 Nevada, Terry Biggers, dilapidated obnoxious and unsafe.
613 Robert E. Lee, Rodtavious Watts, dilapidated, unsafe and unsanitary.
1225 Mattocks Lane, Victor Moody, dilapidated, obnoxious, unsafe and unsanitary.
336 W. Cook, Bonita Kidd, dilapidated, obnoxious, unsafe and unsanitary.
715 Bruster, Annie Johnson, dilapidated, obnoxious, unsafe and unsanitary.
911 S. Louisiana, Curtis Harris, et al, dilapidated, unsafe and unsanitary.
418 W. Fifth, John and Pearlie Grimble, Junction City, dilapidated, obnoxious, unsafe and unsanitary.
438 W. First, Mariah Fairley, dilapidated, obnoxious, unsafe and unsanitary.
102 Randolph, DDK, Inc., dilapidated, obnoxious, unsafe and unsanitary.
1129 E. Beech, Linda Barry, dilapidated, obnoxious, unsafe and unsanitary
South West Avenue, ConAgra Poultry Company, c/o Pilgrim's Pride, dilapidated, obnoxious, unsafe and unsanitary.
920 Moon, Vizer Allen and Clara Bell Allen, dilapidated, obnoxious, unsafe and unsanitary.
1411 W. 19th, Richard Roberts, dilapidated, obnoxious, unsafe and unsanitary.
2801 N. College, Leandrew Moore, dilapidated, obnoxious, unsafe and unsanitary.
720 S. College, Ervin Ford, c/o Marilyn Reed
602 and 604 Robert E. Lee, Tonya Cooper, c/o Michelle Carter, San Antonio, dilapidated, obnoxious, unsafe and unsanitary.
February
514 N. Parkway, Ana Marquez, Rich Hill, Missouri, dilapidated, obnoxious and unsanitary.
1903 Roselawn, Tim Woods, Little Rock, dilapidated, obnoxious and unsanitary.
1300 N. Martin Luther King Blvd., Irma Sneed, Hampton, dilapidated, obnoxious and unsanitary.
1605 S. West Ave., Tonya Smart, dilapidated, obnoxious and unsanitary.
1110 N. Gray, Morris Robinson, dilapidated, obnoxious and unsanitary.
524 Kearing, Kelly Peralta, dilapidated and unsafe.
1124 Highland, Ed Midyett, et ux, dilapidated and unsafe.
902 S. Washington, Marion McManus, dilapidated, obnoxious, unsafe and unsanitary.
508 W. Beech, Lovonia Gordon, dilapidated, obnoxious, unsafe and unsanitary.
1321 Blackard, Ophelia Frazier, dilapidated, obnoxious, unsafe and unsanitary.
515 Kinard, John Franklin, c/o Jarnea Robiskie, Murrieta, California, dilapidated and unsafe.
601 Nelson, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Carrolton, Texas, dilapidated, obnoxious, unsafe and unsanitary.
1514 Roselawn, Ollie Mae Daniels, c/o Jeanette Thompson, dilapidated, obnoxious, unsafe and unsanitary.
1311 Roselawn, William Bullock, dilapidated, obnoxious and unsanitary.
717 Liberty, John Borillo, dilapidated, obnoxious and unsafe.
1021 Euclid, ACI Properties, dilapidated, unsafe and unsanitary.
2636 N. College, Mario Scott, dilapidated and unsafe.
323 W. Cook, Rebecca Johnson, dilapidated and unsafe.
715 W. Cedar, Jerome Johnson and Peter Miller, Magnolia, dilapidated and unsafe.
622 W. Wesson, Carolyn Jackson, dilapidated and unsafe.
325 W. Cook, Dana Gray, Vine Grove, Kentucky, dilapidated and unsafe.
March
1331 and 1333 E. Cook, Bobbie Jean Dixon, dilapidated and obnoxious.
1013 E. Faulkner, Oyama Williams, dilapidated.
401 Florence, Oyama Williams, dilapidated and obnoxious.
521 Kearing, Cassandra Ross, Dallas, dilapidated and burned.
1019 Harrison, 3M Men Managing Money, LLC, dilapidated and unsafe.
1102 N. Miles, 3M Men Managing Money, dilapidated and unsafe.
1115 E. Beech, Teresa McAlphin, dilapidated and unsafe.
1112 E. Oak, Lee Kilgore, dilapidated and obnoxious.
315 and 503 Kinard, Paula Jones, Hoffman, Illinois, dilapidated and obnoxious.
500 Kinard, Beverly Payne, c/o Sandra Hall, dilapidated and unsafe.
410 Kinard Jesse Morton, dilapidated and obnoxious.
1020 Taylor, Sindia Taylor, dilapidated and obnoxious.
1104 E. Wesson, Gloria Bradford, dilapidated, obnoxious and unsafe.
1016 Taylor, Randy Holmes, Austin, Arkansas, dilapidated, obnoxious and unsafe.
1316 D Ave., Henderson Management, Smackover, dilapidated and burned.
1219 E. Cedar, Gladys Gilbert, dilapidated and unsafe.
1400 N. Miles, Linda Braggs, dilapidated and burned.
1313 E. Wilson, Alesha Bluford and Dennis Ray Johnson, dilapidated and unsafe.
2910 Junction City Road, Vanita Beasley, Detroit, dilapidated and unsafe.
1511 E Ave., Brenda Norful, dilapidated and unsafe.
926 and 930 Buchanan, Walter Robison, dilapidated and unsafe.
1303 Roosevelt, Elcy Parker, dilapidated and unsafe.
1125 Mattocks Lane, dilapidated and unsafe.
1210 E. Wesson, Benny Dorch, Las Vegas, dilapidated and unsafe.
1334 N. Miles, Charles Harris, Little Rock, dilapidated and unsafe.
April
622 W. Wesson, Carolyn Jackson, dilapidated.
808 Petroleum, Zachary Lovett, dilapidated.
916 Short W. Second, Ricardo Ramirez, dilapidated and obnoxious.
1212 E. Wesson, Tequila Freeman, dilapidated.
118 Lion, Janice Bilo, burned.
1215 Mary Lane, Margaret Taylor, dilapidated and unsafe.
930 Lockhart, Eligie Sims, dilapidated.
928 Ouachita, Morris Graham, dilapidated and unsafe.
506 E&B, Joe Curley, dilapidated and unsafe.
1325 S. West Ave., Oyama Williams, dilapidated, obnoxious and unsafe.
506 ½ E&B, Janice Gafford, dilapidated and unsafe.
818 School, Minnie Snyder, dilapidated, obnoxious, unsafe and unsanitary.
517 Kearing, Laquincy Shelton, burned.
204 N. Smith, Lis Marquez, dilapidated and obnoxious.
716 E. Faulkner, Sherry Lowery, dilapidated, obnoxious and unsafe.
1822 Roselawn, Dameca Rester, dilapidated, unsafe and unsanitary.
1130 Mattocks Lane, Albert Samuels, dilapidated, obnoxious, unsafe and unsanitary.
1131 Mattocks Lane, Freddy Miller, dilapidated, obnoxious, unsafe and unsanitary.
727 El Dorado Ave., 500 W. Cook and 1312 Louisiana, Tony Vartenian, dilapidated, obnoxious, unsafe and unsanitary.
1511 Martin Luther King, Wayne Arnold, Smackover, dilapidated, unsafe and unsanitary.
1517 N. Roselawn, Andrea Brown, Little Rock, dilapidated and obnoxious.
1323 W. First, Haygood-Neal Garden Apartments, Germantown, Tennessee, dilapidated and burned.
1414 N. Miles, Helen Pollard, Tulsa, dilapidated and obnoxious.
511 E. Block, 1500 H A St., and 1216 N. Gray, Indian Creek Properties, Hatfield, dilapidated, obnoxious, unsafe and unsanitary.
1818 N. Roselawn, Angelia Whatley, New Johnsonville, Tennessee, dilapidated and obnoxious.
620 ½ Louis, Margerine Williams, Stamford, Texas, dilapidated, obnoxious and unsafe.
705 N. Newton, Laymond Thomas, Sherwood, dilapidated, obnoxious, unsafe and unsanitary.
718 El Dorado Ave., Johnny Davis, dilapidated and obnoxious.
433 Melrose, Lewis Hampton, dilapidated and obnoxious.
614 Thompson, Eric Henry, 716 W. First, dilapidated, obnoxious, unsafe and unsanitary.