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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-13-2021 - city emailCAUTION: This email originated from outside the City of Renton. Do not click links, reply or open attachments unless you know the CAUTION: This email originated from outside the City of Renton. Do not click links, reply or open attachments unless you know the content is safe. From:Donna Locher To:Phil Olbrechts Cc:Cynthia Moya; Frank Snyder Subject:RE: FW: Snyder Code Compliance Decision Date:Thursday, May 13, 2021 1:53:58 PM Thank you. I would like to request that the appeal be noted as untimely and a hearing denied. Respectfully, Donna Locher Lead Code Compliance Inspector City of Renton 425-430-7438 dlocher@rentonwa.gov From: Phil Olbrechts <olbrechtslaw@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2021 1:34 PM To: Donna Locher <DLocher@Rentonwa.gov> Cc: Cynthia Moya <CMoya@Rentonwa.gov>; Frank Snyder <awk2perl@comcast.net> Subject: Re: FW: Snyder Code Compliance Decision Ms. Locher, It's completely appropriate to ask for reconsideration based upon the information you've just provided. If you would like me to reconsider that is your option. On Wed, May 12, 2021 at 1:02 PM Donna Locher <DLocher@rentonwa.gov> wrote: HI, We received the appeal via email on April 4, 2021. That is why it was deemed untimely and there was no postmark. No problem with the hearing. Donna Locher Lead Code Compliance Inspector City of Renton 425-430-7438 dlocher@rentonwa.gov From: Frank Snyder <awk2perl@comcast.net> Sent: Sunday, April 4, 2021 6:46 PM To: Donna Locher <DLocher@Rentonwa.gov> Cc: Anna Felicio <AFelicio@Rentonwa.gov>; Cynthia Moya <CMoya@Rentonwa.gov>; Finance AR <FinanceAR@Rentonwa.gov>; Kevin Louder <KLouder@Rentonwa.gov>; Robert Shuey <RShuey@Rentonwa.gov>; Jason Seth <JSeth@Rentonwa.gov>; Phil Olbrechts <olbrechtslaw@gmail.com> Subject: RE: Snyder Code Compliance Decision content is safe. Sent from Mail for Windows 10 From: Frank Snyder Sent: Friday, April 2, 2021 3:35 PM To: Donna Locher Cc: Anna Felicio; Cynthia Moya; Finance AR; Kevin Louder; Robert Shuey; Jason Seth; Phil Olbrechts Subject: RE: Snyder Code Compliance Decision I’m physically incapable of complying with your in the immediate future. I’m requesting that you suspend the fines which I believe are totally arbitrary. On the plus side my hip replacement surgery has been moved up 2 weeks to May 5th, which means that I should be able to start addressing 2 weeks earlier depending on the length of my recovery period which is typically 2 weeks to 2 months. I think it’s a sad state of affairs that your office see’s fit to further impoverish a temporarily disabled veteran and senior citizen by with endless fines and the treat of incarceration should I not be able to comply with your arbitrary sense of fair play. Respectfully, Frank R. Snyder Sent from Mail for Windows 10 From: Frank Snyder Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2021 8:18 AM To: Donna Locher Cc: Anna Felicio; Cynthia Moya; Finance AR; Kevin Louder; Robert Shuey; Jason Seth; Phil Olbrechts Subject: RE: Snyder Code Compliance Decision That’s one way of looking at it. Another way of looking at it: 1. There are 100s of properties in Renton City limits including property managed by the City of Renton that have not been in compliance repeatedly over an even longer period of time. 2. You persist to harass and threaten a senior citizen with fines and incarceration who is struggling with health and monetary issues and limitations but who has demonstrated a willingness and a track record to comply with your warnings/violations. 3. You have pursued your actions on behalf of a neighbor who has unilaterally developed personal issues with me because I wouldn’t get rid of my boat and camper upon her request. This is the core issue. This woman thinks she has the right to control me and how I manage my property and she is using you as a tool in her pursuit of being my lord and master. 4. You persist in attempting to overturn the reversals of violations by the Renton City Hearing Examiner. Respectfully, Frank R. Snyder Sent from Mail for Windows 10 From: Donna Locher Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2021 7:00 AM To: Frank Snyder Cc: Anna Felicio; Cynthia Moya; Finance AR; Kevin Louder; Robert Shuey; Jason Seth; Phil Olbrechts Subject: RE: Snyder Code Compliance Decision Thank you for the email. The bottom line is your property is not in compliance and has not been for a long time. Respectfully, Donna Locher CAUTION: This email originated from outside the City of Renton. Do not click links, reply or open attachments unless you know the content is safe. Lead Code Compliance Inspector City of Renton 425-430-7438 dlocher@rentonwa.gov From: Frank Snyder <awk2perl@comcast.net> Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2021 10:54 PM To: Donna Locher <DLocher@Rentonwa.gov> Cc: Anna Felicio <AFelicio@Rentonwa.gov>; Cynthia Moya <CMoya@Rentonwa.gov>; Finance AR <FinanceAR@Rentonwa.gov>; Kevin Louder <KLouder@Rentonwa.gov>; Robert Shuey <RShuey@Rentonwa.gov>; Jason Seth <JSeth@Rentonwa.gov>; Phil Olbrechts <olbrechtslaw@gmail.com> Subject: RE: Snyder Code Compliance Decision Donna, Your summarization of compliance is totally untrue. You state that my residence has been in non compliance dating back to 2013. We had our first code compliance hearing in 2018. You may have issued a couple of warnings prior to that for grass/weeds that had exceeded 1 foot in height during periods that I had been away from my residence. I brought my yard into compliance each time. Following the first hearing I had complied with all the findings of the hearing. 1. Both my boat and my camper were determined not to be in violation of code. I disposed of the camper, of my own volition, upon my determination that it was no longer serviceable as a camper even though I had been using it as a storage shed for garden tools and had used it two or three times as a heated shelter during 3 day power outages. 2. I had removed the berry bushes from my side yard and back yard that were visible to the public as was the finding in the hearing. 3. I registered my Ford 150 which was always operable and not a junk vehicle as you repeatedly had maintained as directed by the hearing. I completed these tasks by the date specified (I believe it was Aug 3, 2018) in the hearing. Shortly after you attempted to fine me for not complying stating that it had been my responsibility to notify you that I had complied with the findings of the hearing. I was totally unaware that I had been tasked with that responsibility and that you would have sent out a code compliance inspector as a matter process to confirm satisfaction of the hearing findings. You reluctantly rescinded your decision to fine me upon my presenting you with the facts and you sent out an inspector to insure that my vehicles were licensed. I had maintained my yard up until the spring of 2020. Due to failing health, specifically Atrial Fibrillation and injuries sustained to my groin and shoulders in May of 2019 I had been unable to keep up with the desired level of yard maintenance with respect to my yard behind the fence on the east side of my house and the fence itself. You have seen fit to contravene the findings of both hearings with respect to my boat. You continually threaten me with the prospect of incarceration for having berry bushes and holding me to higher standard than you hold others to throughout the city of Renton, including property that belongs to the City of Renton. All this because I have a neighbor that had objected to my boat and camper. You have stated on several occasions that I have not made any attempt to rectify the situation. This is not true. I removed about 300 lbs of plant matter that had caused a section of my fence to fall in disarray. It was during this process that I experienced that the activity in addition to routine walking was exacerbating my groin injury. Upon seeking medical attention, it was subsequently determined I was suffering from a degenerative osteoarthritic hip condition. I did get an estimate for the berry bush removal and other shrub removal in my side yard. The total estimate was $4,600. I requested an itemized estimate and the contractor specified $3,200 for cutting the berries down to grown and removal of the cuttings. About 14 years ago my girl friend and I spent about a total of 12 – 15 man hours accomplishing a similar statement of work except that we removed the berry bushes and the bulk of the supporting root system. Hiring non-licensed and uninsured individuals for such a task is not prudent from a liability perspective. My ability to perform any tasks of consequence which requires standing and/or articulation of the hip is severely limited by the osteoarthritis in my right hip. My hip is becoming increasingly painful and subject to increased joint erosion with every passing day. I need to save what is left of it to provide myself with the necessary mobility to handle essential survival tasks that a single person living alone requires prior to my scheduled hip replacement surgery scheduled for May 17. At the present time I’m having extraordinarily difficult time doing minor housework, mowing my lawn, etc. without compromising my hip and/or other joints that are being stressed by needing to accommodate by unnatural movements of an impaired hip joint. I was unaware of the hearing findings and compliance deadlines of October because they were sent by e-mail by Cynthia Moyer rather than yourself. I hadn’t learned nor had I reviewed the hearing findings until you sent me a Violation and fine notice by mail in January which I didn’t pick up promptly from my mail box. I immediately responded elaborating on my updated medical status and my inability to perform the work. I am faced with the potential of a myriad of medical bills and services required to get me back on my feet where I can resume the desired level maintenance to bring my property back to a state that doesn’t offend the cosmetic aesthetics of an overly particular neighbor. I put 8.5 years in the Air Force during the Viet Nam “conflict” I have earned the right to defend my civil liberties with regard to equal treatment and protection of the law. Give me the time and opportunity that I deserve given the circumstances and I will get my property in compliance or I will sell my home if I am/become/remain incapable of doing so. If not we’ll have to go through the time and expense of our court systems. Sincerely, Frank R. Snyder Sent from Mail for Windows 10 From: Donna Locher Sent: Monday, March 22, 2021 8:03 AM To: Frank Snyder Cc: Anna Felicio; Cynthia Moya; Finance AR; Kevin Louder; Robert Shuey; Jason Seth; Phil Olbrechts Subject: RE: Snyder Code Compliance Decision Mr. Snyder, The city has a responsibility to follow up and follow through with complaints that are reported to code compliance and involve code violations. Your property is in violation and has been since 2013. The only correction you have made to the property is to remove a dilapidated camper from the property. You are not being harassed but asked to adhere to the property maintenance codes set forth by the city. Respectfully, Donna Locher Lead Code Compliance Inspector City of Renton 425-430-7438 dlocher@rentonwa.gov From: Frank Snyder <awk2perl@comcast.net> CAUTION: This email originated from outside the City of Renton. Do not click links, reply or open attachments unless you know the content is safe. Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2021 4:29 PM To: Donna Locher <DLocher@Rentonwa.gov> Cc: Anna Felicio <AFelicio@Rentonwa.gov>; Cynthia Moya <CMoya@Rentonwa.gov>; Finance AR <FinanceAR@Rentonwa.gov>; Kevin Louder <KLouder@Rentonwa.gov>; Robert Shuey <RShuey@Rentonwa.gov>; Jason Seth <JSeth@Rentonwa.gov>; Phil Olbrechts <olbrechtslaw@gmail.com> Subject: RE: Snyder Code Compliance Decision Dear Ms Locher, I don’t understand why you feel it necessary to continue to harass me about my yard. I have endured some very serious and debilitating illnesses and injuries which have prevented me from complying with your decisions. I also don’t feel I’ve received due process with regard to your notifying me, nor have you been communicative other than to threaten me with fines. I was beset with severe shortness of breath due to chronic a-fib which prevented me from initially doing the typical maintenance that I have performed on my property for 30 years this past spring and summer. I had a cardioversion on June 1, 2020 which put my heart back in normal sinus rhythm. I needed to rehabilitate my heart muscle with moderate exercise (i.e. walking) but was unable to do so because of an injury/reinjury of my groin in May 2019 began to rapidly morph itself into osteoarthritis of the hip. I have on several occasions tried to make some headway on the berry bushes and the fence but found myself nearly feinting or passing out when making the kinds of movements necessary to perform arduous yard work in addition to suffering sharp stabbing pains in my groin area. Walking accelerated the arthritis of my hip to the point where I needed to see orthopedic specialist. He found that I had osteoarthritis of the hip and he referred me to have an ultrasound to rule out a hernia. He said they might be able to relieve the symptomatic pain with periodic cortisone injections. I read up on cortisone injections and decided to seek a 2nd opinion. Based upon my accelerating and continued erosion of the hip joint the 2nd opinion recommended a hip replacement procedure. Upon getting clearance from my cardiologist and a successful A1C blood test, I was notified and scheduled a hip replacement on May 17. I also had them put me on a cancellation list so that I could get the procedure done earlier should the opportunity present itself. Based upon a May 17 date, I doubt that I will be able to make significant headway on my berry bushes or my fencing until mid June or July at the earliest as recovery time is typically between 2 weeks and 2 months and there will need to be a period of physical therapy to experience expected range and ease of movement. I certainly can’t do the work in a wheel chair, which is where I’ll find myself if I don’t save what little is left of my hip joint prior to my hip replacement in May. I did contact a contractor that came to my house and gave me an estimate of $4,600 to take care of my berry bushes, removal of my (not so dwarf) dwarf laurel and apple tree. I can’t afford that kind of money for work that I have done in the past and will do in the future once I am able. They are tree removal specialists which are the only ones who responded through home advisor. I have asked for an itemized estimate separating the berry bush removal from the dwarf laurel and apple tree removal. Given these circumstances, if you’re unable to accommodate the reality of the situation, and the arbitrariness of your prosecution of individuals based on what I perceive as your being an over zealous advocate of an overly particular neighbor of mine, I will have to consider seeking the protection of the courts. I have consulted with an attorney and have provided him with documentation of your my perceived persecution of me” and the situation as a whole. He thinks I may have a good case to pursue in civil court should we not be able resolve this from a logical and practical perspective. I do believe you’ve gone out of your way in getting me to comply with my neighbor’s sense of values. Please give me the opportunity to correct the situation when I am physically able to tackle the task(s) at hand. Sincerely, Frank R. Snyder Sent from Mail for Windows 10 From: Donna Locher Sent: Monday, March 15, 2021 11:01 AM To: Frank Snyder Cc: Anna Felicio; Cynthia Moya; Finance AR; Kevin Louder; Robert Shuey; Jason Seth; Phil Olbrechts Subject: RE: Snyder Code Compliance Decision Good Morning, I apologize for the lateness of this email as I thought it was taken care of. The city has elected not to suspend your fine as your property was not in compliance at the time of your email. You did not comply with the Hearing Examiner’s decision and have made no effort to try and make progress on your violation(s). As of March 8, 2021, your property is still not in compliance. An inspection will be conducted today (March 15, 2021) and if the property is not in compliance or significant progress made you will be issued another $250.00 fine and an Order to Correct. Mr. Snyder, the city has allowed you ample time to work with us towards compliance and you have made no attempt to try and take care of the violations. Our next step towards compliance is to issue a criminal citation. The criminal hearing will be taken forward before a municipal judge or a jury. The penalty for a criminal Citation, upon a finding of guilt shall have a mandatory minimum sentence of five (5) days in jail without the option of electronic home detention, and the minimum penalty for the first violation shall be five hundred dollars ($500), the second criminal violation shall have a mandatory minimum sentence of fifteen (15) days in jail without the option of electronic home detention, and the minimum penalty for the second violation shall be six hundred twenty five dollars ($625), the third criminal violation for any individual shall have a mandatory minimum sentence of thirty (30) days in jail without the option of electronic home detention, and the minimum penalty for the third violation shall be seven hundred fifty dollars ($750). A hard copy of this email will be sent vial USPS Certified and Regular Mail. Respectfully, CAUTION: This email originated from outside the City of Renton. Do not click links, reply or open attachments unless you know the content is safe. Donna Locher Lead Code Compliance Inspector City of Renton 425-430-7438 dlocher@rentonwa.gov From: Frank Snyder <awk2perl@comcast.net> Sent: Monday, January 4, 2021 1:24 PM To: Cynthia Moya <CMoya@Rentonwa.gov> Cc: Anna Felicio <AFelicio@Rentonwa.gov>; Craig Burnell <Cburnell@Rentonwa.gov>; Donna Locher <DLocher@Rentonwa.gov>; Finance AR <FinanceAR@Rentonwa.gov>; Kevin Louder <KLouder@Rentonwa.gov>; Robert Shuey <RShuey@Rentonwa.gov>; Jason Seth <JSeth@Rentonwa.gov>; Phil Olbrechts <olbrechtslaw@gmail.com> Subject: RE: Snyder Code Compliance Decision Hi Cynthia, I had no idea that you had sent this until yesterday when upon retrieving my mail I found an City of Renton Invoice for $250. I was expecting to receive the Code Compliance Decision in by certified return receipt acknowledgment, which I regard as customary when dealing with legal matters. I had been awaiting the determination of the hearing we had last summer. I was unaware that your office had sent Code Compliance Decision by e-mail despite having searched for e-mails from Donna for several weeks following the hearing. I discovered just moments ago that Donna Locher and Phil Olbrechts had also sent me e-mails. I generally don’t use e-mail other than to check for receipts of bills I’ve paid on the day that I pay them as my e-mail gets dozens of unsolicited e-mails every day. Obviously, I was unaware the decisions and the deadlines associated from the hearing which have passed. I would have been in contact with your office to report status on situation had I been aware of the findings and decisions. In summary, I’ve had a number of physically debilitating issues regarding my abilities to safely address the issues without unduly risking further complications to my cardiac and joint issues. I can provide medical visit summaries of findings, if your office doubts my veracity. My cardiac health has improved since the intervening months from the perspective that pulse is now detectable, slower and stronger and the fact that my heart has not slipped back in to chronic a-fib, although I maybe experiencing intermittent ventricular flutter. I’m still prone to shortness of breath issues and physical endurance issues. My groin on the other hand, has showed continued degeneration to the point where I’m now seeking relief and hopefully a remedy from the intermittent extreme pain and chronic discomfort that only worsens with physical activity. I was screened this past week by UW Sports Medicine Clinic. An x-ray indicated that groin pain could be a result of osteoarthritis. I was referred to another UW clinic for an ultrasound to determine if there are other complicating or masking issues. Having access to timely healthcare to address non-critical issues has been somewhat troublesome during the pandemic. I hastily replied to Donna and Phil yesterday briefly explaining that I was unaware of the findings and compliance. I took more time to bring your office up-to-date with my health status. I’m hoping your office will suspend the fine and extend the deadlines to accommodate my finding a determination and resolution to my groin condition so that I can plan to adequately address the decision. Sincerely, Frank R. Snyder Sent from Mail for Windows 10 From: Cynthia Moya Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2020 9:50 AM To: 'Frank Snyder' Cc: Anna Felicio; Craig Burnell; Donna Locher; Finance AR; Kevin Louder; Robert Shuey; Jason Seth Subject: Snyder Code Compliance Decision Mr. Snyder, Here is the Decision from the Hearing Examiner in your matter. Please email me back so I know you received this. Thank you, Cindy Moya, City Clerk Specialist City of Renton - Administrative Services/City Clerk Division cmoya@rentonwa.gov 425-430-6513