Code enforcement and the demolition of dilapidated properties occupied most of Tamaqua Borough council's agenda on Tuesday.

There was much discussion about the demolition of the property at 13 S. Lehigh St.The property was damaged in a fire in 2011, and the borough's code enforcement officers have determined that at this point, the property is beyond rehabilitation.However, the property is part of a duplex and the structure attached to it at 15 S. Lehigh St. is currently occupied. The property is also in the historic district in the downtown.Borough manager Kevin Steigerwalt said HARC has approved the demolition, however, the borough is currently waiting for a mitigation agreement from the state that will require follow-up.The borough is also attempting to use block grant funds to help pay for the demolition.The county, which is now administering the grant program, will require an engineering study and plan for the shoring up of the adjacent property to be completed before approving the funding.Steigerwalt said council could expedite the project by paying for its own engineer, however, several members of council questioned how much more evidence and research is needed.Councilman Brian Connely said the borough's own engineers have already reviewed the project and outlined what needs to be done. Councilman Dan Evans asked if the cost of shoring up the adjacent property might actually exceed the current property value.Later in the meeting, Connely said he has been getting many complaints about code enforcement, delays in returning phone calls, or not returning phone calls at all, and delays in processing of paperwork."I'm not saying they're not doing their job," he said, "I'm saying are they overwhelmed?"Steigerwalt said the borough's current contracted code enforcement company, Barry Isett and Associates, holds public office hours three days a week and is then working on other items like inspections during the rest of the week."They are trying to address the complaints, without going over budget," he said.Connely said that in one report, it looked like 50 re-inspections of properties were required. "That's an entire month of work. They don't have time to do the other things. I appreciate that they're budget conscious, but maybe we should look at opening that up," he suggested.Steigerwalt said the company had been asked for a clerical or administrative person who could handle some of the more day-to-day work to free up more time for the officers to work on enforcing ordinances.Councilman Micah Gursky said that all communities are struggling with code enforcement and finding qualified people to conduct the work.Council recommended that Gursky, Connely, and Councilman Tom Cara meet with the officers and Barry Isett.