[StBernard] Questions for Craig Taffaro

[Westley Annis]

Craig,
Thanks for your response to my questions.
John 
 
-----Original Message-----

Hello John,
 
Lets see what i can tell you:
 
 1) Your response to Carol Hingle on 12/23 said, "If one chooses not to take
any action and secures the property so that it doesn't look blighted or a
nuisance then the property can sit as long as it is maintained". I know this
was the case before Katrina hit because we tried to get St.Bernard Parish
government to take action against several properties in Arabi that were
uninhabited and didn't look very good, but the owners kept the grass cut and
the structure in-tact, and the parish couldn't do anything about them.
So, does your statement mean that a home flooded by Katrina that has been
cleaned of all contents, and gutted to the bare studs and rafters, with just
roughed-in plumbing remaining in the walls, with all electrical wiring,
outlets and switches removed, that is structurally sound with all roofing,
brick veneer/siding, windows and exterior doors in-tact, with the home's
exterior looking like Katrina never hit,  with the grounds around the house
being kept neat and clean, that is uninhabited, will be allowed to remain
that way indefinitely? 


       At this point, a house that presents no environmental, structural, or
safety hazards is going to be left alone.  We are examining our blighted
housing ordinance language for possible changes that would address vacant
properties.  This becomes a pretty touchy area if a property is kept up- it
is similar to a propert that may be on the market for sale for a year or
more but is maintained or a structure that had a building permit that has
run into an extended building schedule that remains unfinished.  It is
something that we are talking about, but not come to a conclusion on at this
point.
 
2) Will FEMA reimburse homeowners for the money they have already spent to
have a private contractor clean and gut their homes? If yes, how do
homeowners apply for reimbursement from FEMA?


       There is a category in FEMA assistance that allows for that type of
work but getting the money for it or getting it reimbursed is likely going
to be a difficult task.  Keep the invoice and documentation and send it into
the FEMA address on your FEMA info.
 
3) Does "proposed hazard mitigation" mean that some government entity
(either federal, state or parish) is going to expropriate the properties in
certain designated "areas", in order to help prevent flooding or enhance
drainage in the future? If not please explain what "hazard mitigation areas"
are all about.


       No.  The hazard mitigation program is a voluntary participation
program.  Some communities have applied certain types of pressure to
mitigated areas so increase participation such as restricted services, etc.
Any propsed area for mitigation must be applied for and submitted to the
state level and then approved and prioritized for funding by the state
level.  the initial posting still must be submitted and apporved and there
are some questions as to whether the land can be used for drainage
improvements because of the deed restricted status it will carry.
       Keep in mind that the Baker Plan which is different took the langauge
out that included expropriation, but to tell you my belief is that the plan
would lean on local or state bodies to exproproate land that would be needed
for redevelopment of a given area.
 
Take care,
Craig