Title
Appeal of Special Tax Assessment for 1189 NORTON STREET for Project #:J1108A, Assessment #: 118015 in Ward 5
Body
Legislative Hearing Officer Recommendation
Approve.
Tax Assessment Worksheet
Cost: $316.00
Service Charge: $140.00
Total Assessment: $456.00
Gold Card Returned by: Txerlee Moua
Type of Order/Fee: SA
Nuisance: failure to maintain exterior property ( yard waste, rubbish in yard)
Date of Orders: November 9, 2010
Compliance Date: November 16, 2010
Re-Check Date: November 23, 2010
Date Work Done: November 29, 2010
Work Order #: 10-926395
Returned Mail?: No
Comments:
History of Orders on Property: November 9, 2009 orders on a vehicle
Legislative Hearing Notes
Txerlee Moua and the tenant appeared.
Inspector Essling reported that 1189 Norton Street is a Summary Abatement Notice that was mailed November 9, 2010 with a compliance date of November 16, 2010. It was re-inspected November 23, 2010 and found to be in non-compliance. The work was done November 29, 2010 at a cost of $316 plus a service charge of $140 for a total of $456. Notes: bags of yard waste and debris scattered in yard.
The video was viewed showing numerous bags in front of house and then removed.
Mr. Moua explained that when he got the Notice, he asked the tenant to clean up the debris and leaves. They cleaned it up and put it into bags and put it in front of the house. His sister was going to pick them up. Then, one morning they were gone. He said that the Notice states that they needed to clean the back yard, which the tenant did, and they put all of the bags in the front so that his sister could come and pick them up and use them for the soil. The clean-up was done. It takes only a few minutes to put those bags into a truck and the cost is $456? Outrageous! Ms. Moermond commented that it's always cheaper to do it yourself. The City charges as much as they possibly can. It is supposed to be an incentive to take care of it on your own.
Ms. Moermond checked on the Notice. She found that the Notice went to Mr. Moua as well as the occupant. Specifically, it says, "Bags of yard waste and debris scattered in yard." The Orders were issued on November 9 giving Mr. Moua a week to do the work (Nov 16). The City stopped by the house on November 23 (an extra few days), and then they didn't actually do the clean-up until November 29, 2010; that's almost three (3) weeks to get it done. Mr. Moua re-stated that the clean-up was done; the leaves were in the bags. Ms. Moermond responded that the clean-up is not done if the bags are still in the yard. Mr. Moua added that he was waiting for the bags to be picked up.
Mr. Essling reiterated the costs (above). The service charge is for adding the cost onto the taxes. The cost includes the inspectors that went out there and the other people involved including this hearing. Ms. Moermond added that the minimum charge is for one (1) hour, regardless, which is to capture all of the expenses relating to that particular run.
Ms. Moermond will recommend approval.