Title
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1125 HAGUE AVENUE. (File No. CG2401A1, Assessment No. 240111)
Hearing Date(s)
Date of LH: 4-4-2024
Time of LH: 9:00 AM
Date of CPH: 5-15-2024
Tax Assessment Worksheet
Postcard Returned by: Tim Johnson-Grass
Cost: $208.52
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): Waste Management has made an error and PO is confused about what is actually owed.
Staff Comments: In 12-2021, WM accidentally closed billing account at 1125 Hague Ave while attempting to close a different account. PO continued to send automatic payments to WM quarterly, but did not notice that they were being returned to the account. In 7-2023, PO called WM about missed collections and the error was then realized. Once the account was reinstated, WM invoiced PO for $725.62 in Q4 - 2023. This bill included service from 11-7-2021 thru 12-31-2023. Per contract, it is not permissible that haulers back-bill residents more than one quarter. For this reason, the bill was reduced by City staff before being sent to assessment in 1-2024. This original reduction was to $208.52. That total was calculated to only include service charges from 7-1-2023 thru 12-31-2023 with no late fees.
PO has now provided proof of payment to WM for $96.08 on 10-11-2023. Payment was received without return and applied toward the Q4 -2023 bill. I therefore recommend that this assessment be reduced by the amount of that payment for a total of $112.44.
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 $208.52 to $8.18.