City of Dallas v. Yvette Laster

8/8/2019 City of Dallas v. Yvette Laster

1/15

YVETIE LASTERDefendant.

~ r.r;M~"i~'~ D,., Y 1)/ ' JA" , ' ~;~'I"r,.IFXAS

. J U L 0 8 2 0 1 0N O ._ iO - 00060 L 8 ~ 2 ~

IN THE MUNICIPAL COURT No.~ CITY OF DALLAS, TEXAS

CITY OF DALLAS,Plaintiff,v .

CITY OF DALLAS' ORIGINAL PETITION, REQUEST FOR TEMPORARY ANDPERMANENT INJUNCTION AND REQUEST FOR DISCOVERYTO THE HONORABLE nroos OF SAID COURT:

The City of Dallas ("Dallas") files this Original Petition, Application for Temporary andPermanent Injunction, and Request for Discovery ("Original Petition"), stating as follows:

I. DISCOVERY CONTROL PLAN AND REQUEST FOR DISCOVERY

City of Dallas' Original Petition Application for Temporaryand Permanent Injunction and Request for DiscoveryCity o f D alla s v . Y ve tte L as te r

Pagel

1. plaintiff pleads that discovery should be conducted in accordance with a Level Idiscovery control plan under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure ("TRCP") 190.3 and affirmatively

pleads that it seeks injunctive relief.2. Defendant is requested to disclose, within 50 days of the service of this request, theinformation or material described in TRCP 194.2.3. Pursuant to TRCP 196.7, Plaintiff requests entry upon the land and premises of theProperty that is the subject of this suit, with the legal description of Dallas City Block 35/1231,Lot 11 of the R.D. Caldwell's Eastside Addition, commonly referred to as 910 Bank Street,Dallas, Texas (hereafter "the Property") to conduct an inspection of the Property, including theinterior, exterior and any accessory structure situated thereon, to determine compliance with theDallas City Code and any order issued by this Court. This request is continuing in nature.4 . The Property is owned and controlled by Defendant Yvette Laster. (....


2/15

II. PARTIES AND SERVICE OF CITATION5. Dallas is a home-rule municipal corporation situated in Dallas County, Texas,incorporated and operating under the laws of the State of Texas.6. Yvette Laster is an individual owning property in Dallas, Texas, which is located inDallas County, Texas. Service of process may be made upon her at 1616 Pritchett Lane, Kemp,IX, 75143.

ID. VENUE AND JURISDICTION7. Dallas brings this cause of action pursuant to Chapter 54 Subsection B of the Texas LocalGovernment Code.8. Venue is proper pursuant to Section 30.00005 of the Texas Government Code, Section54.013 of the Texas Local Government Code and Section 13-3 of the Dallas City Code becausethe substandard property owned by Defendant is located in the City of Dallas which is located inDallas County, Texas.9. This Court has jurisdiction pursuant to Section 30.00005 of the Texas Government Code,Section 54.013 of the Texas Local Government Code and Section 13-3 of the Dallas City Code.

IV. FACTS10. Defendant owns the structure and the real property located at Dallas City Block 35/1231,Lot 11 of the R.D. Caldwell's Eastside Addition.11. The Property contains one main structure, which is a single-family residence.12. The following violations of the Dallas City Code exist on the Property:

a. Failure to repair holes, cracks, and other defects reasonably capable of causinginjury to a person in stairs, porches, steps and balconies in violation of Section 27-11(b)(4);

City of Dallas' Original Petition Application for Temporaryand Permanent Injunction and Request for DiscoveryCity o f D alla s v . Y ve tte L as te r

Page 2


3/15

\ .b. Failure to maintain a structure intended for human occupancy in a weather-tight

and water-tight condition in violation of Section 27-11(b)(5);

c. Failure to maintain the floors, walls, ceilings and all supporting structuralmembers in a sound condition capable of bearing imposed loads in violation ofSection 27-1 1(bX6);

d. Failure to repair holes, cracks, breaks, and loose surface materials that are healthor safety hazards in or on floors, walls, and ceilings in violation of Section 27-11(b)(9);

e. Failure to maintain the fence on the Property so that it is not out of verticalalignment in violation of Section 27-11(b)(10)(A);

f. Failure to repair or replace broken or bent metal posts and torn, cut, bent, orripped metal fencing materials in violation of Section 27-11(b)(1O)(C);

g. Failure to provide and maintain in operating condition a device to supply hotwater of a minimum temperature of 120F. within each structure intended forhuman habitation in violation of Section 27-1 1(c)(4);

h. Failure to provide and connect a kitchen sink, bathtub or shower, and lavatory to acold and hot water source in each structure intended for human habitation inviolation of Section 27-11 (c)(5);

1. Failure to connect plumbing fixtures and heating equipment that the ownersupplies in accordance with the Dallas Plumbing Code and Dallas MechanicalCode in violation of Section 27-11(c)(6);

City of Dallas' Original Petition Application for Temporaryand Permanent Injunction and Request for DiscoveryCity o f D a lla s v . Y ve tte L as te r

P age 3


4/15

"

j . Failure to provide and maintain in operating condition supply lines for electricalservice to each structure intended for human occupancy if electrical service isavailable within 300 feet in violation of Section 27-11(c)(9);

k. Failure to provide and maintain in operating condition electrical circuits andoutlets sufficient to safely carry a load imposed by normal use of appliances andfixtures in violation of Section 27-11(c)( 11).

13. A true and correct copy of the aforementioned City ordinances are attached heretocollectively as Exhibit A. These ordinances relate to:

a. the preservation of public safety, relating to the materials or methods used toconstruct a building or other structure or improvement, including the foundation,structural elements, electrical wiring or apparatus, plumbing and fixtures,entrances, or exits;

City of Dallas' Original Petition Application for Temporaryand Penn anent Injunction and Request for DiscoveryCity oj Dallas v. Yvette Laster

Page 4

b. dangerously damaged or deteriorated structures or improvements; andc. conditions caused by accumulation of refuse, vegetation, or other matter that

creates breeding and living places for insects and rodents.14. The Property is dilapidated, substandard and unfit for human habitation and a hazard tothe public health, safety and welfare. As such, there is a substantial danger of injury or anadverse health impact to persons or to the property of persons other than the Defendant unlessand until all existing City ordinance violations are eliminated. In support thereof, a true andcorrect copy of the Affidavit of Stacy Welk is attached hereto as Exhibit B and is incorporatedherein by reference.15. The City of Dallas gave notice to Defendant that her Property was in violation of theDallas City Code on June 9, 2009, and on February 10,2010.


5/15

"

V. CAUSES OF ACTION AND REQUEST FOR RELIEF16. Chapter 54 Subsection B of the Texas Local Government Code applies to theseordinances.17. Pursuant to Sections 54.016 and 54.018 of the Texas Local Government Code, Plaintiffrequests temporary and permanent injunctive relief ordering Defendant to remedy or repair theconditions on the Property that violate the Dallas City Code. If Defendant fails to remedy orrepair the conditions on the Property that violate the Dallas City Code by the deadline given bythe Court, Plaintiff requests an order authorizing Dallas, through its agents or contractors, toenter the Property to repair the violations of the Dallas City Code and to lien the Property forcosts.18. Pursuant to Section 54.017 of the Texas Local Government Code, Plaintiff requests civilpenalties not to exceed $1,000 per day for each ordinance violation from Defendant for each dayor part of a day that Defendant fails to repair or demolish the structure.

City of Dallas' Original Petition Application for Temporaryand Permanent Injunction and Request for DiscoveryCity 0/ Dallas v. Yvette Laster Page 5

19. Plaintiff also requests post-judgment interest and costs of court.VI. REQUEST FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Plaintiff prays for:1. Temporary and permanent injunctive relief as requested herein;2. Judgment for a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000 per day for each violation of aCity ordinance on the Property;3. Judgment for all costs of court;4. Judgment for post-judgment interest at the highest legal rate; and5. Such other and further relief, both general or special, at law or in equity, to which. it may show itself to be justly entitled.


6/15

Respectfully submitted,

2. Judgment for a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000 per day for each violation of aCity ordinance on the Property or a civil penalty not to exceed $10 per day foreach violation of a City ordinance on the Property if the Property is found to bethe owner's lawful homestead;3. Judgment for all costs of court;4: Judgment for post-judgment interest at the highest legal rate; and5. Such other and further relief, both general or special, at law or in equity, to whichit may show itself to be justly entitled.

OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEYCITY OF DALLAS, TEXAS

By: _Maureen MilliganAssistant City AttorneyState Bar No. 24047581Marsha FoulksExecutive Assistant City AttorneyState Bar of Texas No. 007965721500 Marilla Street, 7DNDallas, Texas 75201Tel. (214) 670-3519Fax (214) 670-0622

ATTORNEYS FOR PLAINTIFF

City of Dallas' Original Petition Application for Temporaryand Permanent Injunction and Request for DiscoveryCity of Dallas v. Yvette Laster

Page 6


7/15

VERIFICATIONSTATE OF TEXASCOUNTY OF DALLAS

I, Eric Pierce, a Code Inspector with the City of Dallas, after being duly sworn, hereby .certify that I am qualified and authorized to make this affidavit, and that I have read each andevery factual allegation concerning violations of the Dallas City Code contained within the Cityof Dallas' Original Petition Application for Temporary and Permanent Injunction and Requestfor Discovery and that said factual allegations are within my personal knowledge and are trueand correct.

Eric Pierce

Subscribed and sworn to before me this ~ay of JA ~-12- . 2010.

city of Dallas' Original Petition Application for Temporaryand Permanent Injunction and Request for DiscoveryCity of Dallos v. Yvette Laster

Page 7


8/15

"

VERIFICATIONSTATE OF TEXASCOUNTY OF DALLAS

I, Maureen Milligan, after being duly sworn, hereby certify that I am qualified andauthorized to make this affidavit, and that I have read each and every factual allegation containedwithin paragraph 15 of this petition and that said factual allegations are within my personalknowledge and are true and correct

fh.Subscribed and sworn to before me this 3{)day of : f " , , . . ,


9/15

.

"EXHIBIT A"


10/15

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . : . . . . : ' . . . ~ ' . . ' . . . . . , . : . . . . " . ' . > . ' : " [ . . ~ . ' .i. littill [ J I U n .nuu l'U ~ ~ J l l l l t i . . ~ . . . ' .. 1 ( - .,1 . f. Il ' lIt t 1 l h [ . Il..sahli!!. If, f" ~1~ ' I H ~ tt:'(r J t l l ~ , , 8 . l l f l l ~ . I ! ' ] 1 1 ~ H - i l e ! l l ~. ' . : .r f . . f f~ .'t~. a r:1, fl - lf f r !D' . .. , .. -i r. i i' . .

J h1h..~f fh~l*l. J ! f f r 1r.[:'I~ilh I t - II. .Ill:, 1[lff I t f a J r J r ., - J r ~ir ~ Ii. : : 1 t'l t i J ~Iliil l l ; i , J [ ~ -~ . .' a ' . _ .~ .'lll ~ff .i.'.J i' f l r r h . , f l I U . , 'll ,}fd l i f ' i ! f . ff ~n. Inr t .f.sfll[J n I Ill., u -.i ~ .9 I f . a llR . ,. . ! R ' R ' R R R ~ .G .. t ' Q ~ f' ~ . ... .. ..... .... .

1- t -"~ it. ".:1 " j ~ . " I s ' 1 " S ' I : S Ii 0.' ~t " 1 ' . . . . . . . ; ; ' ~ ' I ~ " ' a . :s:".'.':.:~......-.'.... :... :1', ..'. .;.. ::.,....... .~ 8 i~~'. I ir . ~.-".".:~ :&I" . .: .'. ': ' . ." : .' , .> ..,:. '..,.. .' ',., ";' ...I I I fa 1- ..' I't' 'I '. .... t< .., .. . . .: ..... . . . . .. " . '.' . .: '. . .~f .1i ' . : 1 '1 1 < : , : . . . : . . . . . . . . . . " ~ > , : : , ; : ~ , . ' : < ~ . :r ,. i~Ild,. .... '.. .... . .... '.'. .'., ..f a., .. . . " ... " . . " . " .,' ",',','.", . " , ' ; ' . ,': , ' . . ':


11/15

I . - .. . '. ,.iZ7-U' . . .' ~ MaDRehabiJlIaIioDStaDcIaftII . . 'Si7-u .

. (6) bop"'_and~af. __ ""'_i'i.a.r.ot~-'.i..:.vacult.tructare ex' YaICNd .porticID of a .trucbu'e pravtIlan d o e a not apply to'a'macimy wall ~ the :.' . ..'aeauely~ tOp~-~utborized enIIf . wall ~ - . '. . ~. . : ... ,.C .

(b)5tmctupJ...," Ancnmerahlll: .'. {Il~'m~~.P.rOPeatJ; ...... ' ."..;.:.. . . ......~:. -".. ". '(1). p io* t the .iedor .~ o f . . . . ..tructure that are tubJ*:t to decay by appUcatiC!llof '. . :'(in. 'a ~ :o r . c I 1 i p ) I i X > ' : , . ' :paint or other c~tidc . . : property where. the w~.ia .Dot~wf!h. ~.~ '.' .. . . .... . PavpedJi. .. .:- ": '..' -: (2) fOI h~, lDUomy suppo. : .' '. _ . :- ..-.~::.:.",pieD; if UMd,with conaele.aNi ~ the piela' to , . ..' (B) .~ GI' -.iep.-. ~ fIie .'. .COIIICIelelootinp with a 5/8 fndl steel doweJ; . ~ClI'~ woodin'" ~auppWr;a.. '. .: .(3) .~ aNt matn~ ramn lor : . .tC): ~~~'~';.~~:'~. ':atain,'''', balc:onlel, ~and 'eJiewhent . meta l posII a iD d tom.a&~beat, ClI'.ripped lendrw.pedWfn.theDdM-IluDdiftS~ .: '. ma~md


12/15

"r-------~.brIUlftud..Rehum tIoa~ . ..' ':;: '.. 1:17-~t... .' .. . . . . . ' . ; : : . > . : ' : ' . ' . . . ' . .

(_).:bfip~.IA""';'.'~~::'fiaID inIecII,:radeaIII, _ ~..,. '..ID SectkIn .21 -12 .(b).' : .' . " . ... . . . :',. ',,, . .. .1, ~ . ~ ..:. .' . :" . : .~., .... ". '. /' .,..... .

. (e). SccWtii." A n ~ o : i 0paaIaK;" .01 m~tfIamIIy,...ty~:-other h1i'GniI exempt .....from rept;rallCID:':~ SI! .c tka ~-3Q(b)(2) ~ ddI. ~ ' a h a I k ::~ i : ' \ / '~:~ : . ' . .: : r ' ~ ' ; ' ~< : '; / ; . ,~ ,. . . ., " . . . '. '.' (1).. p~d.e. --.~~ ~Iy.' . '..'. . '(1)'.:.:,proVIde and maintain heatins devica in eM:h'dweUmi unIt . :~.'by Sect IaaI ' '..

eq~ lit 01'.ull"8 c:ondltlaa110IMttt I8'CapabIe 92.153, 92.l.5I, mil:~aI:ih!rTecM ~:c)pelt,. Code,:' .::-;=l==~ro!~~~::;,.>,"":, .::,. " ' : i : ; . : r : , ~ , , L ' , .s I n I d a n t . . . fNi i Ided. ~ i m i n a . . oc:t.paI1.9 '; .' . ., . ,'.; (2 ) .if . . ~u1dfa1id1y pope t , . .2 0 . .. armare~~~~ftsIdInI_ ..... . '. . . ; : . ( 8 ) . ' if.~:~ .~. provided" ' adequ.tely,'J1l~.~!aIl p~r". , r . a . ~ . 1> '.JeqUiNclIn~.(d)(2),~_mal:n tft w~~ .. ., ~ .,..::~ ~..: ..opedtlr.la.~..:., fromApdll'thrOush N~ ,toraie . IO.:~t. penou ~." Or U c n a 1 ! i l . :; . . .~ rehIgerati!id mequlpD..nt ca ohnaln~a... can,.lI!Ui11...... ' .. ?:':. '" .:','.::':a JIWdiD\IID.iN1d8 teaapeaaturw that. 20 d.sa- .' '.',' . r .~: '-( ',;. : .. " ,": .". ::: :.'I~.'" tJae"outafde temperatunt' ~ ~"., (fl. It,,,, .:d~ ..o P tIoa. uftder-::.-which; . wenn., fa eMIt aOCBD of lfticbne . Sub~-


13/15

~:.: !t ":. f a ~ ' 6 1 1 ! ' 1 ' 1 U ) ' :a ' r l 1 ' f l j ' I " : ' ' R ' l .a Q. S '.I < . 1 0 i t : I!.tn ....j... . fa -'. - '.-. .' .~ ~p..1, .J - .... .If! .' f . " Iz 'i I . . '. .! ~ lrif~Jhd U ,e p .~ 5 IU : . lia . I U S . ~i 1.1.g - I a;~.' Ilfdt,;nlr I!. J : . ~ 1 8 . I t ' t : I~.i., (8. .;-~ . .l a.!r C I i' 2. .' ft' '. 2 . !f" . IIJ . . ilf~ .. " . n . ~ h h:UJI I , JniIJf!~i ' ,. : : ' " : ; : / , . : ' , / ( ,


14/15

\ . )

"EXHIBIT B"


15/15

, .AFFIDAVIT OF STACY WELK

STATE OF TEXASCOUNTY OF DALLASBEFORE ME, the undersigned Notary Public, this day personally appeared Stacy Welk whoafter being by me duly sworn, on oath deposes and says:

1. My name is Stacy Welk, Executive Director of Jubilee Park & Community Centerlocated at 907 Bank Street, Dallas, Texas 75223. The community center located directlyacross the street from 910 Bank Street.2. I am over the age of 18 and am a resident of the State of Texas. I have personalknowledge of the facts herein, and, if called as a witness, could testify competentlythereto.3. I have observed at 910 Bank Street, Dallas, Texas 75223, located across the street fromJubilee Park & Community Center, homeless individuals and persons who use the housefor opportunities to engage in the use of illegal drugs and activities. These activities haveincluded but not limited to prostitution, drug sales, and under age drinking.4. I am additionally concerned about the children in our programs, which is located acrossthe street, who have open access and the unsafe condition of the building.5. This dwelling also harbors stray dogs and cats and due the absentee owner these animalsare dangerous to our community.6. The staff at Jubilee Park & Community Center are also concerned about their ownpersonal welfare due to the use of the dwelling specifically after hours.

I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

~ Stacy Welk

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me by Stacy Welk on June 23, 2010, to certify whichwitness my hand and official seal.

&?d~Notary Public in and for ~The State of TexasMy Commission Expires: ~

Documents

City of Dallas v. Yvette Laster