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Item No. 6 (continued) <br />In response to question regarding the time lapsed from the May 20, 1986 date <br />of the letter from the Fire Prevention Officer reporting the hazardous <br />conditions which exist and requesting initiation of removal or abatement of <br />the buildings and the present, Mr. LaTorra said that a case history must be <br />developed with reference to the many promises relating to repair which have <br />been made and not kept and a history of the City's experience in attempting <br />to have the owner improve living conditions with regard to Code <br />requirements. <br />Mayor Claire declared the public hearing open at 8:32 p.m. <br />Wilma Soto, 3466 Rolison Road, tenant, said that she is satisfied with the <br />property owners's recent efforts to improve and maintain the building. In <br />response to questions, Ms. Soto said she and her three sons are occupants of <br />a studio apartment and that she believes tenants will now assist in <br />maintaining the building in better condition. <br />Lucia Mendoza, 3466 Rolison Road, tenant for 11 years , addressed the Council <br />in Spanish and her remarks were translated by Martha Sellars who accompanied <br />her. Ms. Mendosa said that improvements have been made recently and she is <br />satisfied with the repairs and cleanup and believes tenants will take <br />responsibility now to maintain better conditions. Ms. Mendoza urged that the <br />property owner be allowed to complete the repairs, stating she would like to <br />continue living there. <br />Father Joseph Frazier, St. Bede's Church, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, <br />President of the San Mateo County Organizing Project said his group offers <br />expertise and organization to tenants such as those at the two buildings on <br />Rolison Road in attempting to have improvement made in living conditions, <br />noting that various religious organizations in the County are members. <br />Father Frazier referred to the SMCOP letter of July 30, 1986, to the Rev. Ken <br />J. Graham, owner of the subject properties, relating to an agreement made <br />between tenants and owner for improvements. In response to questions, Father <br />Frazier acknowledged that living conditions at the subject properties have <br />not been decent, but that he believes they can be made safe and adequate; <br />that his group would continue to work with tenants; and that he believes the <br />tenants now understand and will cooperate with regard to their part in <br />maintaining the building. <br />Rafael Castillo, volunteer in Catholic churches in Menlo Park, addressed the <br />Council in Spanish which was translated by Martha Sellars. Mr. Castillo said <br />he has been trained to help the needy and suggested it would be difficult for <br />the tenants of the subject properties to find decent housing at a price they <br />can afford and urged that the owner be allowed to proceed with repairs. <br />Kenneth Graham, 3426 Rolison Road, property owner, endorsed the statements <br />made by others, stating repairs are in process to bring the buildings up to <br />Code. He urged Council to allow him to attempt to do so and filed a copy of <br />a letter to him from Community Action Agency of San mateo County, Inc. <br />relating to weatherization of the buildings through a federal grant for the <br />purpose. In response to question, Mr. Graham said that rents include all <br />utilities. <br />Reg.Mtg. <br />8/18/86 MINUTE BOOK NO. 46 <br />Page 5 Page No. 365 <br />