Landlord fees continue to generate acrimony

Both sides accusing each other of inappropriate behavior

By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times

Coatesville City Councilwoman-elect Marie Hess, currently the head of the Parks and Recreation Commission, asks City Council to consider naming a new playground after James R. “Bubble” Lopp, a longtime Public Works employee.

Sparks continued to fly in the ongoing dispute between City of Coatesville officials and city landlords over fee increases, a debate that turned personal at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.

In one particularly testy exchange, landlord David DeSimone complained that the fees, some of which more than doubled this past year, unfairly target those who rent properties. His comments prompted an angry retort from Councilwoman C. Arvilla Hunt, who said she had been targeted for personal attacks in apparent retaliation and recently was fined $290 for not having numbers on the back of her family’s funeral home. DeSimone interjected that numbers were also missing from the front of the building.

DeSimone and fellow landlord Paul Evans both questioned the process that led to the subsequent approval of Michael Mauphin, a longtime Exton-based developer, to serve on the UCC Appeal Board. Their remarks riled up City Manager Kirby Hudson, who challenged insinuations that he was trying to recommend people who would do his bidding.

Hudson said he was very frustrated by the fact that many of the city’s boards have vacancies. “I’m looking for anyone to help,” he said, adding that he had also approached some of the people complaining about the fees. Hudson also pointed out that landlords continue to ignore the fact that for five to seven years, they  benefitted because the city didn’t raise any of its fees, to the point where the city was losing money.

Coatesville City Council Members Ed Simpson (from left), C. Arvilla Hunt, and David C. Collins discuss landlord fees during Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.

Council President David C. Collins noted that the city has two types of landlords: “some that are very good” and “some that are really not good.” He said the landlords who have been the most vocal tend to maintain their properties much better than some of the others. He said the city’s challenge is “ferreting out the properties” that put city residents at risk.

Hunt also pointed out that many city landlords have been appealing their assessments, which further reduces the city’s income. She said a meeting would be scheduled with landlords, administrators and City Council members. “I’m not going to stop talking,” she said as Collins attempted to calm her down. “We need to look at this.“

In other business, Council agreed to take a request under advisement from Marie Hess, who was recently elected to City Council and presently heads the Parks and Recreation Commission. Hess said the recent addition of playground equipment to Ash Park and the recent passing of James R. “Bubble” Lopp, a beloved city park attendant for 10 years, had generated great interest in naming “the playground, not the park,” after Lopp. She said she was hoping for a quick response because she wants to schedule a ceremony to dedicate the playground that would also pay tribute to Lopp.

A second request from Hess – that City Council members participate as a team in the Brandywine Health Foundation’s Fourth Annual Festive 5K Run/Walk on Dec. 7 – prompted more immediate agreement, with  Councilman Ed Simpson  drafting Hunt to serve as team captain. It has not been decided whether the group will run or walk.

Hudson expressed thanks and praise for contributions from a Boy Scout troop led by Tom Audette. He said the group went door-to-door handing out flyers about “Forgotten Cats,” a Delaware-based organization that runs trap, neuter, and release programs and has been assisting the city with its feral cat epidemic. Hudson suggested that the Boy Scout effort deserved some form of official recognition, which highlighted the fact that City Council has yet to formulate a policy.

Other long-standing, unresolved policies  – on street closures and the development of administration goals and objectives – generated discussion but no resolution from the four Council members present.  Councilmen Jarrell Brazzle, Joseph Hamrick, and Jeff Loprinzi did not attend the meeting.

On the recommendation of Police Chief Jack Laufer, Council vote unanimously to reject a Nov. 23 special-event application from the Elite Motorcycle Club, which wanted to collect monetary donations for the Coatesville Food Cupboard at Eighth Avenue and East Lincoln Highway. Laufer explained that state law prohibits any fund-raising on roadways because of the dangers.

In response to a complaint from a citizen who described two recent hold-up attempts, Laufer said the department is working to apprehend those who have been involved in a series of robberies and robbery attempts in the city. “We have an active criminal investigation underway, “ he said.