Title
Appeal of Special Tax Assessment for 1891 SEVENTH STREET EAST for Project #: J1110A, Assessment #: 118034 in Ward 7
Property Address
Body
Legislative Hearing Officer Recommendation
Delete the assessment.
Tax Assessment Worksheet
Cost: $240.00
Service Charge: $140.00
Total Assessment: $380.00
Gold Card Returned by: Robert King
Type of Order/Fee: Snow letter
Nuisance: Snow walk
Date of Orders: 12.28.10
Compliance Date: 12.31.10
Re-Check Date: 1.04.11
Date Work Done: 1.06.11
Work Order #: 11-002504
Returned Mail?: No
Comments:
History of Orders on Property:
Legislative Hearing Notes (if any)
Delete the assessment.
Robert King, owner appeared.
Inspector Essling reported that the assessment for 1891 Seventh Street East, an apartment building, is for failure to remove/ice from the public sidewalk. The letter was mailed December 28, 2010 with a compliance date of December 31, 2010. It was re-inspected on January 4, 2011 and found to be in noncompliance. A Work Order was sent to Parks and the work was done January 6, 2011 at a cost of $240 plus a service charge of $140 for a total of $380. The letter was mailed to Twin Empire Investments, Burwick Knoll, Minneapolis; Occupant; and Twin Empire Investments/Robert King, Burwick Knoll, Brooklyn Park.
Mr. King stated that he didn't receive a Notice. The property is on a corner lot and he has had trouble with neighbors in the large apartment building across the way putting furniture, etc., onto his property next to the garbage. He thinks that the record will show that he has snow-blowed every time there was a snow storm. He thought that the complaint may have been intended for 1894 East Seventh Street because as of yesterday, he took a photo of that property that still hasn't been cleared and hasn't been plowed for months. He has tenants who walk down that way and have complained and also asked him to snowblow that sidewalk. Also, each time he has taken care of others' trash that has been put onto his property. If he had received the letter, he would have taken care of the snow. He doesn't understand why the City cleared his sidewalk and not that of the neighboring property when they haven't cleared the snow at all. Ms. Moermond responded that someone complained about his but not about theirs. It is the obligation of the City to give Notice after a complaint has been received in order to allow them to address the problem. If it hasn't been addressed at the time of re-inspection, the City will do the work.
They viewed the video; the path was not plowed full width.
Ms. Moermond asked about the history on this property. Mr. Essling responded that there was a Summary Abatement issued January 24, 2011 for garbage. Another Summary Abatement was issued December 26, 2010 for garbage, which was done by the owner. This snow Work Order is the only Work Order that has been issued since 2008. There is quite a history on Certificate of Occupancy - three (3) search warrants. Ms. Moermond stated that she is seeing a mixed bag of things going on. Mr. King responded that the entry to the steps is always clean; salt is always put there. He explained that he has talked with the police about the neighbors putting their garbage onto his property; he has a very large dumpster. Yesterday, he noticed a chair and carpeting lying in the dumpster, which doesn't belong to him or his tenants. He continually has problems with people in the neighborhood taking advantage of his large dumpster. He has always taken care of it (refrigerators, freezers, furniture, etc.). Being on the busline also has its drawbacks. People at the bus stop drop their drink boxes, bottles, wrappers, etc. He suggested that the City place a garbage can at the bus stops.
Ms. Moermond stated that she is struggling about the search warrants executed at the property. Mr. King explained that the neighborhood is probably one of the biggest drug areas in the city. He has been working with Police Officer Mike Demansky to set up stings. He screens each tenant with a background check but it is not the tenant who causes the problem; usually, it's the boyfriend, an X, a brother, or a friend. He can't control each person who comes into the building. Ms. Moermond stated that she will check with the police officer.
Ms. Moermond will recommend deleting the assessment.