Title
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 658-660 THOMAS AVENUE. (File No. CG1904E3-1, Assessment No. 200170)
Hearing Date(s)
Date of LH: 02/6/20, 4/2/20; 4/23/20
Time of LH: 9:00 AM
Date of CPH: 3/25/20; 6/3/2020
Tax Assessment Worksheet
Postcard Returned by: Vivian Kang
Cost: $ 57.95
Hauling Service(s) Provided: Garbage Service July 1 - Sept 30, 2019
Garbage Hauler: Republic Services
Type of Order/Fee: Garbage Hauling
Billing Time Period: 3rd Quarter 2019 (July 1 - September 30, 2019)
Invoice Date(s): July 1 - September 30, 2019
Returned Mail/Notice Concerns?:
Stated Reason for Appeal (if given): We have had 2 x 32gal container, pickup every 2 weeks service for 660 Thomas Ave for a long time. This service was around $91 every 3months. The Republic services changed our service to 2 x 32gal container, pickup every week without our request and significantly increased price to $141.68. I spoked to a customer representative and she referred me to their consultant. The consultant confirmed that they never received my request to increase service and $91 should be the correct price. She advised me to pay the regular pricing I used to pay and said she will credit the difference to our account. So, I made the same full amount of $91.29 by the due date, 7/25 (the payment got reflected as 7/26 after the certain time on 7/25). Please help dispute this incorrect charge of $57.95
Staff Comments: Staff confirmed that the property owner had been receiving service for two 35-gallon carts with weekly pick up since Quarter 1 2018. Therefore, their level of service had not changed when the invoice was sent out for Quarter 3 2019. The Quarter 3 2019 invoice of $140.68 for two 32-gallon carts with every week pick up was correct. The resident had simply been undercharged for their level of service during Quarter 1 2019 and Quarter 2 2019. When the resident paid their Q3 2019 bill, they only paid $91.29. Therefore, the assessment of $57.95 represents the amount still owed for the total invoice ($49.39) plus additional late fees of $8.56. It is important to note that staff received confirmation from the hauler that the property did call on 07/26/2019 to request that the level of service be reduced from two 32-gallon carts with every week pick up to two 35-gallon carts with every other week pick up. The hauler did issue a credit of $19.00 to account for the difference in in pricing between two 35-gallon containers with every week pick up and two 35-gallon containers with every other week pick up. Therefore, staff recommends approving the assessment.
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 July to September 2019. (File No. CG1904E3-1, Assessment No. 200170) 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 to $30.