1195 Thomas Pl Tom LeClereMayor Terrance M. Duggan
City Hall
50 West 13th St.
Dubuque, IA 52001
Ann Michalsik
City Halt
50 West 13th St.
Dubuque, IA 52001
R?y Buol
City Hall
50 West 13th St.
Dubuque, IA 52001
Pat Cline
City Hall
50 West 13th St.
Dubuque, IA 52001
Councilman Daniel E. Nicholson
City Hall
50 West 13th St.
Dubuque, IA 52001
John Markham
City Hall
50 West 13th St.
Dubuque, IA 52001
Joseph T. Robbins
City Hall
50 West 13th St.
Dubuque, IA 52001
Michael Van Milligen, City' Manager
City Hall
50 West 13th St.
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dear Sirs:
We are writing to you to request your assistance regarding our difficulties concerning our home at 1195
Thomas Place and the City of Dubuque Housing and Community Development Department.
Approximately three Years ago We were contacted by the City about hav ng our property hooked up to the
City Sewer system. At that time, Gus Psihoyos, after looking at the sewer routel first stated that it Cbuldn't
be ddne, then said it would cost $20,000.00. He then advised us he would have toget estimates for the
installation. At that time, anticipating we Would be hearing back from the city, we took out a home equity
loan for $20,000.00. We heard nothing further from the City for a long time and used the money for other
purposes, including our daughter's college tuition.
In the Spring of 2002, we were contacted by the City and advised that the City would buy us out at the
appraised value of the property. They advised us that the value of our property was 0. We were then
presented with an estimate of repairs for the property of $33,000.00, which was apparently obtained without
our knowledge or consent from Winger Construction, and an estimate for sewer installation from Fondell for
$18,000.00.
Shortly after Gus Psihoyos Iookded at the sewer route and stated it couldn't be done, we started to receive
notices of code violations from the City. We had not received code violations before the question of the
sewer hook-up came up. We have now received a notice from the city that the city's final decision is that
we have until the end of the 2002 building season. We received this notice in mid-July, 2002. The list is
extensive and in addition to replacement of roof, windows, gutters and down spouts, requires sidewalk and
the replacement of a substantial amount of retaining wall.
Our property is assessed far tax purposes at approximately $48,000.00 for the structure. We owe
approximately $18,000.00 on it for the home equity loan taken out when the City first contacted us about the
sewer installation. The cost of the demanded repairs, plus the sewer installation, make it economically
infeasible to do the i'epairs and sewer installation The costs, plus the current mortgage would make the
property worth less than the investment. In addition, it would be impossible for us to complete the required
work in the time allowed, let alone pay for it.
It appears to us to be more than a coincidence that we never had any complaints about the condition of our
property until the question of the sewer installation came up. We were advised our share of the installation
would be 15% of the assessed value of our property, with the City paying the balance. This would be about
$6,800.00 at maximum. Quite frankly, under the present circumstances, we feel we would be better off to
walk away from the properly.
We really feel that we are being taken advantage of regarding this situation. When we were originally told
about the requirement of hooking up to the sewer, we obtained the money to do so. We then heard nothing
for a considerable amount of time and then started getting building code violations. We believe we are
entitled to better treatment from the City regarding this matter.
Thank you very much.
Rebecca LeClere
Thomas LeClere
Our Mailing address is:
PO Box 3063
Dubuque Iowa 52001