2024 Public Works spending and financing budget in the Sewer Fund (which
includes an indemnification clause).
Councilmember Yang moved approval.
Adopted
7 -
Yea:
Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,
Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and
Councilmember Johnson
0
Nay:
LEGISLATIVE HEARING DISCUSSION ITEM
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 790
38
GERANIUM AVENUE EAST. (File No. CG2304A2, Assessment No. 230115)
Assessment ratified.
Also in attendance: Francisco Ochoa, appellant (remote attendance, translated
through in-person interpreter)
Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer: This is an assessment for garbage
hauling from July 1 to September 30, 2023. When the garbage bill went unpaid, the
unpaid bill was sent to the City as an assessment. The amount is $119.89. In
Legislative Hearing, Ochoa said he was appealing due to a lack of income, not
because of an allegation that services were not provided.
Francisco Ochoa: That is correct.
Moermond: Ochoa said he also had medical difficulties and was waiting for his green
card, further complicating things.
Ochoa: That is correct. I am unable to work due to disability and have been unable to
do so for the last 3 years.
Council President Jalali: Are you finished with your staff report, Moermond? I'd like to
know if you have any additional points to make so that we can let Ochoa know we will
hear from him after you're finished.
Moermond: I just have two more things. First is that he stated in Legislative Hearing
that he was previously getting financial assistance in paying his bills, including his
property taxes (which are up to date). Secondly, if there is difficulty in paying property
taxes, Ramsey County has mechanisms to help like payment programs. He has a long
period of time to catch up on property taxes.
Ochoa: I have a medical disability. I'm waiting for my green card. I've been receiving
financial assistance but that is not enough. I've been trying to pay all my taxes, but
when the pandemic started I got sick, a brother died, and I've had 9 surgeries since
then. I have a brain tumor, my feet are numb, and I just had hip surgery. With these
limitations, can't work and have no income. I'm retired. I have social security, but that
has been on hold because I started my process to obtain a green card for permanent
residency. All my assets are now frozen, including my social security. My lawyer has
been asking for an extension with immigration, but I don't have insurance and am
having trouble getting medications. I've also been having difficulty eating. I've been
working here since 1986 after arriving in 1970. I'm not a new immigrant. All my money
was put into social security but now it's all frozen. I've been paying a lot of taxes for a