Title
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1541 WEST MINNEHAHA AVENUE. (File No. CG2101A4, Assessment No. 210103)
Hearing Date(s)
Date of LH: 4/15/2021; 4/22/2021
Time of LH: 9:00 AM
Date of CPH: 5/26/2021
Tax Assessment Worksheet
Postcard Returned by: Stafford Berryhill
Cost: $321.07
Hauling Service(s) Provided: Q42020 Delinquent Garbage Bill; service period Oct-December
Type of Order/Fee: Trash Hauling
Billing Time Period: 4th Quarter of 2020 (Oct 1 - Dec 31)
Invoice Date(s): Oct 1 - Dec 31
Garbage Hauler: Aspen
Returned Mail/Notice Concerns?:
Stated Reason for Appeal (if given): Aspen Waste billed me for the use of three (3) 65 gallon trash bins when there was only one (1) bin at the property, as had been the case for over a year. As the bill was being paid by someone else while I stayed with my long term companion at her house during the last year of her life, I did not realize I was paying for services I was not receiving until I resumed my full time residence at the property. When I realized the problem I contacted the City of St Paul and a very helpful representative named Alicia helped me correct the number of bins in the charges going forward and told me I should contest the bill for services I did not use.
Staff Comments: Hauler records show that there were no changes made to account service level until they received an unoccupied dwelling registration form from the city on 12/29/2020 for two of the three units. This was applied on 01/01/2021. Staff records show that there was a complaint made by the property owner on 12/14/2020 regarding this issue. An Aspen representative responded to the complaint by confirming that there were at least two visible carts at the property. This confirms that there was at least two carts at the property at the time. As there has been no record of cart removal during Quarter 4 2020, staff recommends approving the assessment at this time.
Body
WHEREAS, the Office of Financial Services Real Estate 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 2020. (File No. CG2101A4, Assessment No. 210103) 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 $321.07 to $211.91.