Two Great Bend homes, one deemed uninhabitable by health officials after they found people living in filthy conditions and one seriously damaged by fire, were ruled unsafe and dangerous after action by the City Council Tuesday night.

The council approved resolutions designating properties at 1007 10th and 403 Buckeye and as such. The hearings the fate for both were set for 6:30 p.m. Sept. 7.

Property Maintenance Enforcement Manager Austin LaViolette filed documents alleging the structures are unsafe and dangerous.  

At the 10th Street site, on Wednesday, June 23, city staff was called in response to unsafe living conditions observed by the Kansas Department of Children and Families and Barton County Health Director Karen Winkelman, LaViolette said. City and county staff entered the home wearing full-body protective Tyvek suits, gloves, masks and shoe coverings to document the interior conditions. 

Throughout the home, staff witnessed large amounts of loose garbage, food waste, human and animal waste, structural damage to support walls, electrical hazards, no running water, insect infestation, multiple cats, fall risks, low air quality and large amounts of rubbish, he said. There were no kitchen appliances and some walls, possibly load-bearing, had been removed.

That day, a placard was affixed to the home, and the individuals staying at the residence were informed that the property is unfit for living. Emergency Aid Services was contacted to help relocate them. 

Utility services were called to shut off the power to the home.

However, “we were not aware of what was going on,” said Eldred Marsh of Hoisington, one of the five Marsh family members who owns the home. The condition caught he and his brothers off guard.

“It is structurally sound,” he said. He and his family members are going to work with the city to get into the house to clean it and try to make a plan to salvage it. 

Although the hearing date was set, LaViolette and Fire Chief Luke McCormick said they were willing to work with Marsh to clear the trash and make the repairs. These, though, must be done by Sept. 7 with significant progress shown in the interim.

For the Buckeye house, the statement includes two photographs of the structure that suffered damage from a fire that occurred on Feb. 14, 2021.

1. Windows are broken. Loose glass is present.

2. South exterior wall has burned away allowed visibility to the interior.

3. Roof of the structure is collapsed and burned.

4. North exterior wall also has been burned through in multiple locations allowing visibility into

and through the other side of the home.

5. Smoke and fire damage exists on the west entrance into the home.

6. The structure is open allowing waste materials to scatter into the neighborhood.

There has been contact with the owners, but there has been no interest shown in dealing with the structure. The city has an ordinance that would give the city a portion of the insurance money collected after the fire, but that is far from certain.

To take action on both properties, a hearing had to be set, and notice published in the Great Bend Tribune and sent out to all owners and interest holders, City Attorney Bob Sulter said.  

Other unsafe properties

The council also held public hearings on unsafe and dangerous structures at 1205 Odell and 1714 Adams.

On May 3, 2021, the council adopted resolutions scheduling a hearing at the request of Property Maintenance Enforcement Manager Austin LaViolette. He found the structures to be unsafe and dangerous, and they needed to be abated. Notices was duly purchased in the Great Bend Tribune and mailed to all owners and interest holders in the real estate.

Following the hearings Tuesday, the council directed that both be razed by the owner, and if not razed within 15 days of the publication of the resolution or not later than July 31, be razed by the city. The cost of the removals would be billed to the owners, and if they fail to pay, City Clerk Shawna Schafer will forward the charges to the Barton County Clerk for inclusion on the tax rolls.

As for 1205 Odell, LaViolette reported:

1. The roofs over the front and back porches of the residence have deteriorated to such a point they are collapsing, and the back porch roof has holes in it.

2. The shingles on the roof of the house are deteriorating and there is a board covering a small portion of the roof on the north side of the house.

3. Siding and guttering on all sides of the home have deteriorated and/or fallen off.

4. Doors and windows of the home remain open and unsecured.

5. Holes exist throughout the main roofing of the home.

6. There are birds and other wildlife living inside.

7. Taxes not fully paid since 2018.

As for 1714 Adams, he reported:

1. Termite damage to exterior walls on the east side of the structure is visible. Integrity and strength of structure support is not adequate.

2. The plumbing in the home is substandard with several leaks which have caused damage to the flooring. The plumbing will need to be repaired and checked by a licensed plumber.

3. There are open electrical boxes in the basement which will need to be repaired by a licensed electrician.

4. In the basement where the water heater and furnace are located, they are sitting in water and will need to be cleaned and checked by a licensed plumber and mechanical contractor.

5. There is mold on the walls of the basement which extends approximately 4 feet up from the floor.

6. There are numerous insect infestations throughout the house causing unsanitary conditions. The house should be treated by a licensed pest control exterminator.

7. There are birds and other wildlife living inside.

8. The house will need to be thoroughly cleaned before being occupied again.

9. There are several broken basement windows on the south side of the house which will need to be either repaired or boarded up securely.

10. The soffit and fascia are rotting and missing in places on the south and east sides of the house.

11. Taxes not paid in full since 2015.