DOWNTOWN GROUP EXAMINES PROPERTY STANDARDS

Minimum property standards can only be maintained and enforced if the community takes an active interest, according to Cape Girardeau supervisor of building inspection services Rick Murray.

"This is something that affects the entire community, not just one or two sections of town," said Murray. "It works very well in Sikeston and communities like Paducah, Ky., and Columbia because people who live there are making it work," said Murray, who was invited to speak at the Downtown Neighborhood Association's (DNA) weekly meeting Sunday evening. The meeting took place at the home of Charles and Adele Kupchella, both of whom are members of the DNA.

"If the third version of minimum property standards passed by the appeals board were approved by the committee and city council, our office would still only have one staff member to act on complaints," said Murray.

"That means the community would have to take an active interest in maintaining a floor of minimum property standards. It would entail the landlord taking responsibility for the maintenance of the property, but also the tenant having responsibility once they move in."

A committee comprised of a member of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, the NAACP, a member of the city board of appeals, a tenant and renter, a landlord and property owner and a residential property owner will join a member of the city staff to hammer out a recommendation for the city council.

Murray focused primarily on rental property during his talk with the DNA. "Some of the areas the minimum property standards deals with are X number of people being allowed to live in a rental property of a certain square footage, light and ventilation, plumbing, water, heating, along with the exterior and interiors of homes," said Murray.

He believes landlords renting out basements and attic space will likely be most affected by the proposed minimum property standards passed by the board of appeals.

"Basement apartments and attics scare me to death," said Murray. "Landlords who rent these kind of places should fear this a lot."

Another example given by Murray is a home that is rented out to two or three people. "I know of a case where the person on the first floor had to deal with someone coming through his living room to get to their apartment on the second floor. This maintenance code would force the landlord to provide an alternate entrance and exit."

Tom Neumeyer, who is president of the DNA and a city councilman representing Ward 2, "I think we need to get minimum property standards passed before a tragedy -- like college students trapped in a burning building, --happens."

Said Murray, "Ninety-five percent of the population of this community won't even know this code exists because they won't be affected by it. It's those who are failing to provide a minimum level of protection, safety and welfare that will be affected."

Murray indicated the way the minimum property standard ordinance would be enforced is when his office receives a written complaint about substandard conditions. "It could be a wrecked car in a yard or trash that has been left out," said Murray. "But the only way my office can respond is if the complaint is in writing."

Cecilia Sonderman cited a complaint lodged by a friend. "A friend was told by a real estate agent she wouldn't get what her house was worth because of the condition of the neighborhood," said Sonderman. "We shouldn't let the value of our homes go down just because people aren't willing to keep their property up."

Kupchella sees a minimum property standard as the first step in making sure Cape Girardeau is an attractive community for home owners and businesses.

"Maintaining a floor of minimum standards is just the first step to protect the rights of everyone," said Kupchella. "It isn't a landlord-tenant issue at all. It's about keeping a community attractive so that people and businesses would want to come here and stay."