Johnson City provided little new information Monday about why it attempted to shut off power at the Haven of Mercy homeless shelter last Friday.
The city did provide a copy of an order issued by Chief Building Official Jeff Canon, which repeats a section of city code that states the chief building official has the authority to disconnect power and other utilities if they pose a danger to inhabitants.
The order asks that service be disconnected from the property, located at 123 W. Millard St., until itâs cleared by a city inspector.
Reached Monday afternoon, Canon directed a Johnson City Press reporter to the cityâs media relations department.
Johnson City attempted to shut off power at the Haven of Mercy homeless shelter Friday evening, but BrightRidge employees were denied access, a BrightRidge spokesman said.
Tim Whaley, BrightRidgeâs director of public and governmental affairs, said the power company received a request from the cityâs building department to shut off electricity to the Haven of Mercy due to code violations.
Whaley said BrightRidge officials attempted to gain access to the building to shut off power, but they were denied access. As of Friday evening, power remained on at the Haven of Mercy, according to Whaley.
A Press reporter on the scene reported seeing a BrightRidge truck, along with several Johnson City police officers, but the officers and the truck left shortly after.
As city staff review sealed drawings from an architect outlining repairs, the Haven of Mercy homeless shelter will continue to operate at a reduced capacity of at most 35 residents.
Members of the Johnson City Board of Dwelling Standards voted 3-1 Thursday to continue consideration of the building at 123 W. Millard St. to their May meeting. Member Dave Jenny voted in opposition, and Jennifer Hyder abstained.
âThere is work going on on the plans as requested,â said Vice Chair Gwen Hunter, explaining her motion to continue. âThatâs been progress, and weâve really not been given any new information.â
In January, the board found that conditions exist at the shelter that increase the risk of fire and injury and ordered the building repaired.
David Floyd
Hunter said that itâs important the Haven gets the proper permits to conduct the work, because âI would hate to see the owner put a lot of expense into doing work that ultimately does not meet the code.â
Haven of Mercy attorney Devon Muse said the shelter has contracted several companies to conduct the work, namely Newman Heating and Air, Blaser Engineering and GTL Construction, among others.
âThis also goes to show that steps have been taken, and are being taken,â Muse said after providing members of the board with documents showing the shelter has received quotes for the work needed from the aforementioned companies. Muse later added âweâve submitted these (documents) so that the board can see these and see that, even from the licensed professionals involved, that steps have been taken â theyâre being taken.â