Following a public hearing on an unsafe-dangerous structure at 301 Chestnut, the Great Bend City Council approved a resolution giving the property owner until Sept. 8 to finish the cleanup he’d started and prove the house was bug free.
An investigation was conducted among several entities on June 26. All reported unsanitary, dangerous and filthy conditions in the residence.
“We brought this to you in July,” said Assistant City Administrator Logan Burns. It was then the hearing Monday night was set.
Involved were the Golden Belt Humane Society, Great Bend Police Department, Burns, City of Great Bend Code
Enforcement, City of Great Bend building inspector and the Barton County Health Department. A search warrant was served.
During the investigation, the Health Department noted rubbish/trash, feces and large number of roaches throughout the inside of the property, along with several dogs and cats that were taken from the property by the Golden Belt Humane Society, city Assistant City Administrator Logan Burns said. The conclusion of the BCHD was that the condition of the residence was found to be a threat to the health of the public and may be injurious to the health of any inhabitation.
The city’s building inspector Matt Schafer noted in his letter multiple violations of the Uniform Housing Code that include lack of bathroom facilities, lack of kitchen sink, no gas, lack of hot and cold running water to plumbing fixtures and an infestation of cockroaches and other insects. The home does have electricity.
Among the observations were:
• Five-gallon buckets were being used for sewage collection in the bathtub. There was no working bathroom.
• The animals living in the house are infested with fleas and have noticeable wounds from scratching and irritation, some suffering from malnutrition.
• There is animal feces throughout the house and trash piled up in every room.
• There was a decomposing animal carcass on the front porch table.
• The floor is lacking support in areas suggesting the structural integrity of floor joists and sub-floor assembly is
sub-standard.
• There were piles of soiled clothing.
• There were dirty dishes and decaying food.
The Health Director Karen Winkelman, in her report, said she had spoken to the resident. He was told he could no longer stay in the home at this time.
Monday night, Burns said the owner has indicated he plans to clean up the property and remove the trailer. But, by setting the hearing date, the city is covered should things not improve.
However, the owner of the house and landlord, Jesus Carbajal, was present Monday night. “I’ve spent years trying to get those people out of my place,” he said, noting the home was in good condition when the moved into it.
“I’m planning on keeping the place,” he said.
Burns said Carbajal had done a lot of cleanup already but there were still some bugs.
Carbajal said he was willing to spray for the pests and pay to have an exterminator certify the house as bug-free. He now has until the deadline to at least prove that he has started the process of having the home certified.
