How CDCs work (or don't work) for your Neighborhood

Submitted by lmcshane on Fri, 02/28/2014 - 08:35.

From Henry Senyak:

 Dear Neighbors and Friends in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood, please be good toadies and go tonight to stuff your face at the DSCDO Annual Meeting. Be good lemmings and vote to change the DSCDO Articles of Incorporation. This will then clarify and legalize the plundering and pillage of CDBG Tax Dollars from other City of Cleveland Neighborhoods. During the last year Jeff Ramsey had recently stated at a public meeting that DSCDO takes $92,000.00 off the top of separate budget allocated to SCFBC. Citizen volunteers state that SCFBC has a budget of $800,000.00, but yet have been given any audited documents. This removes services and program dollars out of the Stockyard, Clark-Fulton, and Brooklyn Centre neighborhoods. They are also being asked to potentially sack parts of Old Brooklyn and Tremont to funnel more money to parent primary service area to benefit the Gordon-Detroit Community and Councilman Matt Zone. These changes will allow DSCDO to pillage funding all over Cuyahoga County and its bordering Counties 

DSCDO will continue to call these other neighborhoods their expanded service areas but will not allow residents and stakeholders any voice regarding the spending of critical tax dollars. These residents in the above listed neighborhoods are second class citizens that cannot participate democratically as members or board members of DSCDO. 

Public Documents show bloated top exec .salaries at DSCDO that also includes excellent fringe benefits and retirement accounts. 

Jeff Ramsey $90,000.00 base salary 

Matt Lasko $80,000.00 base salary

CFO $66,000.00 base salary

Acct. $39,000.00 base salary

ED Director $50,000.00 base salary 

Housing Dir . $45,000,00 base salary

Project Mgr. $40,000.00 base salary

Involvement Dir. $40,000.00 base salary

Marketing Spec. $42,000.00 base salary

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CDC Directors violate HUD terms-CDBG broken

Two CDC directors - Jeff Ramsey (Detroit Shoreway) and Eric Wobser (Ohio City) - are running for Democratic precinct committee positions - this violates terms of their federal CDBG funding which prohibits CDC employees from partisan politics. Northeast Ohio Media Group - please take note

http://boe.cuyahogacounty.us/pdf_boe/en-US/2014/2014_precinctCountyCentral.pdf

See terms of CDBG funds:

http://realneo.us/system/files/CDBG_Contract_Politics.pdf

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This is so broken - when does it end...even Obama admin realizes these quasi-governmental agencies are huge mob-money pits...

Obama wanted to cut community development block grants, or CDBGs, as other presidents have wanted to do. The grants are handed out based on formulas for poverty and population, and Cleveland awaits its annual award eagerly. Cities use the grants to improve their neighborhoods physically and aesthetically -- and for museums, recreation centers and gentrification projects that include privately owned coffee shops andmicro-breweries. Supporters say these businesses create jobs and improve cities, while Obama, like President George W. Bush before him, has said the block grants need to be better targeted.

But Congress gets constant pushback on this from mayors and county officials. So the CDBG program has not been reformed. Congress last monthMegan Meister quits SCFBC -Slavic Village next to quit? approved $3.03 billion for CDBGs in 2014. That’s $278 million less than approved for 2013, but it is nevertheless $200 million more than Obama wanted, according to figures from Republicans and Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee.

 

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4/17/2014

Dear friends of Stockyard Clark Fulton Brooklyn Centre Community Development Office (SCFBC):

 

It is with a heavy heart that I announce that Megan Meister, SCFBC Program Director, will be leaving the organization on May 2nd 2014.  However, we are excited for Megan as she transitions into a community-based position at our partner organization, Neighborhood Family Practice (NFP).  NFP provides high quality, family medical care to Cleveland's West Side neighborhoods. With the exciting growth of NFP in Cleveland's communities, Megan will be working to develop opportunities for engagement/outreach, community programming and creating collaborations that support the health and well-being for people of all ages.  Beginning in mid-May, you can reach Megan at NFP at (216) 281-0872.

 

We are sad to see her go but wish her well in her new position.  We are confident that she will be as valuable to NFP as she was to our organization. 

 

Megan has been working in the Stockyard neighborhood for 10 years and has been with SCFBC since its opening 4 years ago.  She has been a champion for the neighborhoods and an invaluable part of SCFBC's development into a first-class Community Development Organization. 

 

Please save Thursday, May 1st at 5:00PM at Las Dos Fronteras in the Clark-Fulton neighborhood (3292 Fulton Rd, Cleveland, OH 44109)  for a celebration of Megan's outstanding service to the community and to wish her the best in this exciting new chapter in her career.

 

Sincerely,

Jeff Ramsey

Executive Director

Frustrations -BLIGHT and CDC shuffle

 
 
4/14/2014
If you are a home owner next to or near a blighted property - what are your options?  You report to the "code enforcer" at the CDC who reports to the City Inspector w/City of Cleveland (if you have one - Ward 14 apparently only has a "city-wide" inspector...and good luck w/that black hole, because owners have 30 days to respond and then make repairs - when does a property end up in housing court??  Who knows...this property has looked like this for YEARS...but has only been vacant now for a few months.
 
 
On Apr 11, 2014, at 3:48 PM, Laura McShane  wrote re: 
Transfer Date: 14-JAN-14 AFN Number: Receipt:
Parcel Deed Type Vol / Page Sales Amt Convey. Fee Convey. No Multiple Sale / No. of Parcels
015-19-128 Sheriffs Deed / $51,749 $207.20 296098 0 / 1
  
Grantee(s) Grantor(s)
 
MIDFIRST BANK
 
 
George, Alice J.

 

RE: CDC follow up in housing cases...these properties are going no where unless CITY Housing inspector gets them on Housing Court docket and prosecutes...
 
Megan resigned -Adam Gifford is interim CDC - sorry not holding out much hope for the musical chairs at SCFBC...
 
----- Forwarded Message -----

From: Peter Hotchkiss 

To: Anthony Bango ; Laura McShane ; Megan Meister 

Cc: Greg Baron 

Sent: Monday, March 24, 2014 3:29 PM

Subject: RE: 3722 West 33rd St.

Hello Ms. McShane,
 
Upon inspecting this property this afternoon, it appears to be secured.  I will continue to monitor the property so as to prevent open access while the status is in limbo.
 
Regards,
 
Peter
 
Peter Hotchkiss
Housing Specialist
Stockyard, Clark-Fulton & Brooklyn Centre Community Development Office
3167 Fulton Road, Suite 303, Cleveland, Ohio 44109
Tel: (216) 961-9073 ext. 208
Fax: (216) 961-9387
 
From: Anthony Bango 

Sent: Monday, March 24, 2014 2:25 PM

To: Laura McShane; Megan Meister

Cc: Greg Baron; Peter Hotchkiss

Subject: RE: 3722 West 33rd St.
 
Hi Ms. McShane,
 
The County Treasurers office foreclosed on US Bank while they owned that property.  At the end of that foreclosure process, the property was taken to Sheriff’s sale and, after the 2nd auction, it was not sold.  At that point, the land was automatically transferred to the state forfeiture list.
 
Within the next few months the City of Cleveland’s Land Bank should be taking those properties into their inventory and hopefully, they will become side lot expansion opportunities for the adjacent homes.
 
I hope this helps,
Tony
 
From: Laura McShane 

Sent: Monday, March 24, 2014 2:02 PM

To: Megan Meister; Anthony Bango

Cc: Greg Baron; Peter Hotchkiss

Subject: Re: 3722 West 33rd St.
 
 
Bank owned now - so what does that mean ?  Chestnutdale properties are listed in State Forfeiture sale- 3204 was demo'd and transferred to US BANK  then transferred to State...how are they allowed to walk away on the debt??

http://fiscalofficer.cuyahogacounty.us/en-US/ForfeitlandList.aspx?LanguageCD=en-US&ItemKey=39811&pb=y
65 C&A               0028    ALL
62
1
3132   Chestnutdale AVE 
Cleveland
7243.74
781
6800
36
0
7654.5
65 C&A               0029    ALL
62
1
3204   Chestnutdale AVE 
Cleveland
10094.63
936
26400
36
0
11104.13
 
From: Megan Meister 

To: Anthony Bango ; lmcshane

Cc: Greg Baron  Peter Hotchkiss 

Sent: Friday, March 21, 2014 4:37 PM

Subject: RE: 3722 West 33rd St.
Hi Laura,
I received your message this afternoon. Just to confirm, were you inquiring about the address in the subject of this email: 3722 W. 33rd? I believe you said it was at the end of your street. If this is the correct address, Tony sent the information on the property below. Pete, Laura mentioned some follow-up being needed on the property as it related to being boarded up. Can we follow-up again with B&H or the bank to confirm and determine a timeline or status of this property.
 
Please email Laura your updates.
 
Laura, the staffing contacts for the team:
 
Anthony
207
Bango
abango [at] dscdo [dot] org
Housing Development Coordinator
Peter
208
Hotchkiss
photchkiss [at] dscdo [dot] org
Housing Specialist 
 
Greg is the Housing Director, he can be reached at (216) 961-4242 as well.
 
Laura, thank you for keeping us updated and posted on the property.
 
Thank you,
Megan
 
Megan Meister, Program Director
Stockyard, Clark-Fulton & Brooklyn Centre Community Development Office
3167 Fulton Road, Suite 303, Cleveland, Ohio 44109
Tel: (216) 961-9073 ext. 210
Fax: (216) 961-9387
 
Check out our:
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Update 4/18/2014
 
 

Hi Laura,



With regards to this property, we are following up with Chief Lazarowski as to the status on this property. According to the Accela Database, the violation status is considered active.



In addition, a certificate of disclosure was pulled in late February, so Midfirst may be in the process of trying to sell the property. Though, given the time frame, it may have fallen through. However, it could be that there is still a sale in the works.

I will reach out to MidFirst and see what their goals are with the property.



Regards,

Tony Bango

Incredible DEALS !

PARCEL ID OWNERS NAME HOUSE NUMBER DIR STREET NAME CITY
005-09-107  MIDFIRST BANK  3262  116  CLEVELAND 
018-11-005  MIDFIRST BANK  03376  105  CLEVELAND 
108-21-018  MIDFIRST BANK  10107    YALE  CLEVELAND 
113-22-099  MIDFIRST BANK  01128  168  CLEVELAND 
114-08-054  MIDFIRST BANK  18113    HILLER  CLEVELAND 
115-31-118  MIDFIRST BANK  15801    HALLIDAY  CLEVELAND 
117-03-061  MIDFIRST BANK  01716    CLARKSTONE  CLEVELAND 
130-17-065  MIDFIRST BANK  03337  146  CLEVELAND 
511-03-020  MIDFIRST BANK  03859  38  NEWBURGH HEIGHTS 
545-25-007  MIDFIRST BANK  13116    BANGOR 

GARFIELD HEIGHTS 

545-15-055  MIDFIRST BANK  11804    TONSING  GARFIELD HEIGHTS 
643-34-023  MIDFIRST BANK  24201    HARTLAND  EUCLID 
673-30-044  MIDFIRST BANK  02072    NEWBURY  EAST CLEVELAND 
673-17-105  MIDFIRST BANK      GREYTON  EAST CLEVELAND 
671-01-101  MIDFIRST BANK  01232  135  EAST CLEVELAND 
673-11-022  MIDFIRST BANK  01857    SOUTH TAYLOR  EAST CLEVELAND 
672-23-025  MIDFIRST BANK  01875    BELMORE  EAST CLEVELAND 
684-32-065  MIDFIRST BANK  03131    WHITETHORN  CLEVELAND HEIGHTS 
687-04-054  MIDFIRST BANK  03403    WASHINGTON  CLEVELAND HEIGHTS 
673-17-001  MIDFIRST BANK      GREYTON  EAST CLEVELAND 
673-17-002  MIDFIRST BANK  16324    GREYTON  EAST CLEVELAND 
681-03-050  MIDFIRST BANK  00945    DRESDEN  CLEVELAND HEIGHTS 
671-10-192  MIDFIRST BANK  13900    ARDENALL  EAST CLEVELAND 
017-31-046  MIDFIRST BANK  03428  88  CLEVELAND 
015-19-128  MIDFIRST BANK  03722  33  CLEVELAND 
021-32-044  MIDFIRST BANK  03366  136  CLEVELAND 
110-24-080  MIDFIRST BANK  12417    CASTLEWOOD  CLEVELAND 
128-13-127  MIDFIRST BANK  09706    LAMONTIER  CLEVELAND 
131-35-148  MIDFIRST BANK  03716  53  CLEVELAND 
130-03-047  MIDFIRST BANK  03259  123  CLEVELAND 



139-03-007  MIDFIRST BANK  03773  140  CLEVELAND 
546-31-083  MIDFIRST BANK  13012    SOUTH PARKWAY  GARFIELD HEIGHTS 
541-17-051  MIDFIRST BANK  04883  96  GARFIELD HEIGHTS 
541-08-010  MIDFIRST BANK  08316    GRAND DIVISION  GARFIELD HEIGHTS 
704-15-050  MIDFIRST BANK  04210    STONEHAVEN  SOUTH EUCLID 
704-10-024  MIDFIRST BANK  04061    BAYARD  SOUTH EUCLID 
781-28-079  MIDFIRST BANK  05201    CLEMENT  MAPLE HEIGHTS 

 

Including house at end of my street:

 

Incredible DEALS out there -at 4.16 minutes:
 

Midfirst Bank - is in Oklahoma! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MidFirst_Bank

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4/22 This a.m. white van label IRI (?) Mortgage Debris Services - cleared out the house above - boarded up windows and installed lock box on side door - leaving large furniture on front lawn (in violation of city ordinance-trash removal is Thurs). Also, second floor windows are left wide open w/o screens-  to air out the house (?).

 

I let CDC know and Tony Bango replied w/this status update:

 

Hi Laura,

 

Not long after you called today, I got confirmation from Midfirst Bank and HUD as to the status of this property.  They have informed me that it is going to be transferred to HUD and then put through HUD’s home sale program.  The reason for this transfer is that the mortgage that was placed on this home via Midfirst Bank and the previous owner was a FHA loan.  Hopefully, this home will be on the market in the next month or two.

 

There

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4/24

IRI Mortgage Debris Service were out again yesterday and did a more complete job of the clean up - they are evidently a subcontractor of Integrity Restoration on St. Clair by evidence of the phone number on their vans.  The lawn was mowed, windows shut and furniture was broken down and removed.

 

I contacted a friend knowledgeable on real estate and she explained this situation to me:

 



The foreclosed property is offered for sale twice.  If there are no bidders, the property defaults to the plaintiff ( Midfirst).
So yes, this is why Midfirst owns a lot of property - which is probably all neglected.  


Don't worry though - the county is going to BORROW 50 Million to demolish privately owned property!
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

House across from Brian Cummin's mother-in-law -status in January 2014 (intel from Lily Miller)
 
Yes, foreclosures wipe the deed clean except for federal liens.
 
In this particular case, taxes were not paid for many years.  The delinquent taxes were too much and had no financial incentive to the tax lien company,
so the county filed a tax foreclosure.
 
This is the case for the Mapledale property:
 
CV-12-795108 TREASURER OF CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO vs. BERTHA GRAY - ET AL.


 
Filing DateSideTypeDescription Image
01/14/2015 P1 SF DEPOSIT AMOUNT PAID CUYAHOGA COUNTY TREASURER  
01/14/2015 P1 SF DEPOSIT REQUIRED FOR PAYMENT TOWARDS COURT COSTS $763.02 CUYAHOGA COUNTY TREASURER  
03/18/2014 P JE ORDER OF FORFEITURE. OSJ. NOTICE ISSUED  
02/26/2014 N/A CS ORDER OF SALE Parcel Number: 015-20-092 ORDER OF SALE, WITH REPORT OF SALE ATTACHED, RETURNED 02/26/2014. OTHER LAND NO BID - FORFEITED TO STATE. NO SALE FORECLOSURE CLERK FEE - $5.00 LEGAL NEWS ABSTRACT $ 5.00 *****SHERIFF FEES***** NOTICE TO PRINTER 3.00 SERVICE & RETURN 8.00 POUNDAGE(*) 0.00 COST OF DEED PREPERATION 0.00 LEGAL NEWS 150.00 =======TOTAL OF FEES $161.00 .  
02/26/2014 N/A CS LEGAL NEWS ABSTRACT $ 5.00  
02/26/2014 N/A CS NO SALE FORECLOSURE CLERK FEE - $5.00  
01/10/2014 N/A OS ON THIS DATE 01/10/2014 ORDER OF SALE ISSUED TO SHERIFF - OTHER LAND. THE ABOVE CAPTIONED CASE IS SCHEDULED FOR SHERIFF SALES ON 02/10/2014 AT 10:00 AM AT JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTER 9300 QUINCY AVE. CLEVE OHIO 44106 IF THE PROPERTY IS NOT SOLD AT FIRST SALE A SECOND SALE AT THE SAME LOCATION IS SCHEDULED FOR 02/24/2014 AT 10:00 AM NOTICE ISSUED






 
The property is scheduled for sheriff sale.  If it does not sell, it will be scheduled for another sheriff sale 2 weeks after the original sale date.
If there are no bidders, the property defaults to the plaintiff.  In this case, the county / state is the plaintiff.   Twice a year, the county holds
special land forfeiture sales for property that defaulted.  Property is often purchased for pennies on the dollar and the auctions draw
very large crowds. They used to hold sales at Juvenile Court and I witnessed the crowd purchasing these properties.  Most of the bidders look
like drug boys.  
 
 
The original minimum bidding price for this property was $13,521.86.  That's why there were no bidders at either sheriff sale.
So the county lost all of the delinquent property taxes, the city lost the delinquent water / sewer bills & board-up cost, and the neighbors/city
lost significant property value.
 
 
Sale #: 31 - CLEVELAND WEST OF THE RIVER Attorney: Appraised $0.00
Case #: CV12795108  Land Type: OTHER LAND Minimum Bid $13,521.86
Prorated Tax $0.00
TREASURER OF CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO
VS Sale Date 2/10/2014
GRAY/BERTHA/ Status NO BID FORFEIT TO STATE
 
Parcel # Address Description
015-20-092
3202 MAPLEDALE AVE ***IF NOT SOLD ON 2/10/2014 IT WILL BE RE-OFFERED ON 2/24/2014***
 
 
One would think the ' expert ' on housing issues and the one in CHARGE of property tax collection for many years would never have allowed this to happen.
JIM ROKAKIS.
 
The solution would be to lower the minimum bid instead of losing out on everything.  Our property taxes will keep increasing, along with water / sewer bills to 
make up decades of mismanagement, and our property value will continue to decline.

Glad to see you back Jerleen - CDCs are bloodsucking nightmare

 I know that they miss you in Tremont :)  Your poor sister was treated to the royal treatment over here on Denison.   Will it ever end??

Oh - look NEOMG suddenly cares!

http://www.cleveland.com/naymik/index.ssf/2015/08/hough_neighborhood_group_offer.html#incart_m-rpt-1