Title
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 803 MONTANA AVENUE EAST. (File No. CG2004A2, Assessment No. 200164)
Hearing Date(s)
Date of LH: 1/7/2021
Time of LH: 10:00 AM
Date of CPH: 3/3/2021
Tax Assessment Worksheet
Postcard Returned by: Marina Povlitzki
Cost: $3.36
Hauling Service(s) Provided: Delinquent Garbage Bill Q3 2020; Service July to September 2020
Type of Order/Fee: Trash Hauling
Billing Time Period: 3rd Quarter of 2020 (July 1 - Sept 30)
Invoice Date(s): July 1 - Sept 30
Garbage Hauler: Genes
Returned Mail/Notice Concerns?:
Stated Reason for Appeal (if given): I have already paid the amount in question directly to the trash company. The check was issued to Gene's Disposal on 10/14/20, and the check cleared and money was removed from my account on 10/20/20. Also, I had already paid my bill in full back on August 6th, so the fact that they even assessed a late fee in October is irritating. This is not the first time I have had issues with billing for Gene's Disposal since the city has adopted the new trash program. Genes sends out initial bills late, or at times does not send an initial bill at all. They do not provide a reasonable amount of time between mailing bills and bill due dates, yet they assess late fees immediately. I never had a single billing problem with my old trash company prior to the citywide change. It is an absolutely ridiculous waste of taxpayer dollars for the city to issue court dates for a measly $3.36 late fee, especially considering the fact that I have already fully paid the amount in question. The city being involved in billing and late fees as a third party is an unnecessary added cost, and simply adds confusion to what should be a relatively simple process between the homeowner and the trash company.
Staff Comments: Hauler records show that they did receive a payment on 10/17/2020 for $3.36. However, since the Quarter 3 2020 delinquent bill had already been sent to the city to be assessed on 10/05/2020, any payments for the Quarter 3 2020 delinquent bill should have been paid to the city. Staff was able to confirm that the payment made on 10/17/2020 was applied to the Quarter 4 2020 invoice. 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 2020. (File No. CG2004A2, Assessment No. 200164) 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 payable in one installment.