Title
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 311 RYAN AVENUE. (File No. CG2401A1, Assessment No. 240111)
Hearing Date(s)
Date of LH: 04/04/2024
Time of LH:9:00AM
Date of CPH: 05/15/2024
Tax Assessment Worksheet
Postcard Returned by: Christina Gibbons
Cost: $205.83
Hauling Service(s) Provided: Unpaid Garbage Bill; October 1 - December 31
Type of Order/Fee: Trash Hauling
Hauler: Waste Management
Billing Time Period: Quarter 4 (October - December) 2023
Invoice Date(s): October 1 - December 31
Returned Mail/Notice Concerns?:
Stated Reason for Appeal (if given): PO originally believed that she paid this invoice. However, she later agreed that it had not been paid. She believes that the assessment should be reduced because she attempted to pay over the phone, but was unable to get through to a person at Waste Management, despite calling on numerous occasions.
Staff Comments: PO purchased home in Dec 2022 and did not set up garbage service at that time. PO states that she was not receiving bills. Note: WM now has the correct address, so PO received Q4 bill. PO states that she called WM in 9-2023 to change service levels and only then realized an account had not been set up. PO states that, at that time, she attempted to pay over the phone. Neither WM nor PO were able to provide record of that payment. PO states that she has attempted to call WM multiple times to remedy the situation, but she cannot get through the automated system to speak to a person to resolve the issue.
WM bill for Q4 2023 included service for Q2 and Q3 of 2023. Haulers are not allowed to back-bill more than one quarter, so I am recommending assessment be reduced to only include Q3 & Q4 charges with no late fees. There was a service level change in Q3 that was also adjusted for. That is a total reduction of $71.74 for a new assessment total of $134.09.
Body
WHEREAS, the Office of Financial Services Assessment Section has attached to this Council File both a report of completion outlining the costs and fees associated with Collection of Delinquent Garbage Bills for services during October to December 2023. (File No. CG2401A1, Assessment No. 240111) and the assessment roll including all properties for which these assessments are proposed for Council ratification; and
WHEREAS, the City Council’s Legislative Hearing Officer has reviewed an appeal of this assessment and developed a recommendation for the City Council with respect to this assessment; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing having been conducted for the above improvement, and said assessment having been further considered by the Council and having been considered financially satisfactory; Now, Therefore, Be It
RESOLVED, that pursuant to Chapter 14 of the Saint Paul City Charter, said assessment is hereby ratified and reduced from $205.83 to $62.48.