Councilwoman Kimberly Daniels eyes subpoenas over city demolition

A Jacksonville councilwoman says she may seek subpoenas to get answers from city officials about a decision to demolish the garage of a woman feuding with the city.

The concrete-block garage was torn down as an unsafe structure April 15 while owner Duchee Stevens and Councilwoman Kimberly Daniels watched. That was after a demolition contractor told Daniels city officials had instructed him to call the police when she showed up, the councilwoman said.

Daniels said she has tried to meet with code-enforcement chief Kimberly Scott and Scotts boss, Neighborhoods Director Terrance Ashanta-Barker, but has been told too often that they arent available. Issuing subpoenas would prod officials to make themselves available, and to ensure they discussed subjects truthfully, Daniels told members of the council Public Health and Safety Committee.

It is possible it was a waste of taxpayers funds, Daniels said about the demolition, saying the block building seemed solid.

Ashanta-Barker said Tuesday that he and Scott had offered to meet as early as Wednesday morning, but hadnt had a response. By email, he said there have not been repeated attempts by ... Daniels to set up meetings with me, and that the first time he was asked about meeting was May 30.

The building, which was detached from Stevens house, had a roof that had deteriorated badly, and Stevens said a condemnation notice had been left on a fence around her property in March 2011.

Stevens has argued the garage did not need to be torn down, saying the decayed roof hadnt affected the block walls. There wasnt anything wrong with the block. There was just something wrong with the wood [roof], she said.

City records show that a contractor started to reroof the property in 2005, but failed a building inspection, after which the records are silent. Stevens, who is disabled, said the roofer was hired by a nonprofit that the city paid to renovate homes belonging to low-income people and senior citizens.

She has frequently addressed the City Council about her efforts to get problems at the property resolved, and has also talked to council members individually.

Daniels said she had asked Scott about the condemnation notice, and left thinking Scott bore ill will toward Stevens because of her earlier dispute with the city.

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Councilwoman Kimberly Daniels eyes subpoenas over city demolition