Water shutoff delayed again at Manitou complex

For the second time in a week Tuesday, residents of a troubled apartment complex got extra time before being forced to move because of the owner’s overdue water bill.

A week ago, the city delayed shutting off water at the 22-unit Becker’s Lane Lodge after police chief Joe Ribeiro got involved in the situation. The water was rescheduled for shutoff Tuesday but was delayed again — this time, for a day — after Councilman Sarge MacDonald worked behind the scenes.

MacDonald said he only recently became aware of the situation and feared for neighbors who are poor, have health needs or have nowhere else to go.

“We just can’t put fellow citizens out on the street and leave them by themselves,” he said. “I’m not making any promises but I’m going to ask the question. The question needs to be asked. Can we help these people?”

MacDonald said he’ll renew efforts to find other housing for the neediest residents.

“This isn’t my district,” he said. “This is Coreen Toll’s district. But she is aware of the situation. We’ve been working together to address homeless issues in the community.”

Ribeiro and several officers went to the complex to soothe tension between some residents. The apparent failure of a few tenants to pay rent is reportedly what led to the overdue water bill because utility bills are paid with rent money.

Ribeiro denied ever telling a resident to withhold rent payment because the complex’s owner doesn’t have a business license.

“That was a misunderstanding,” Ribeiro said. “I certainly never told them that and I doubt anyone in city administration did, either. We only learned about the license fairly recently. There was a concern that continuing to pay rent contributed to the business continuing to operate without a license.”

Ribeiro said residents were made aware of the license issue several months ago and should have know the shutoff of utilities was a possibility.

Residents said their electricity also will be turned off between Wednesday and Saturday. Several said they plan to stay even without utilities, but Ribeiro said he won’t allow it.

“Without utilities, this place becomes unsafe and unsanitary,” he said. “We ask that people leave. If they don’t, they’ll be evicted but I hope it doesn’t come to that.”

Resident Ella Gankiewicz has a brain tumor and diabetes, and uses an oxygen tank. She said she has no family or friends who can take her in.

Resident Samantha Salsgiver said she’s worried about her pit bull because many apartments don’t allow the pets.

“I don’t know what we’re going to do,” she said.

Jason Reiten, a friend of Salsgiver’s husband, was at the complex ready to help the couple if needed.

“I may need to give them a place to stay for a little while,” Reiten said. “I just don’t want them to be out on the street.”

Bill Shirley, a spokesman for the owners of the property, declined an interview but said via phone that he blames the city for the situation. He said the owners eventually will pay the overdue utility bills.