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Item 2.
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| City Council Regular | |
| Date: | 02/24/2025 |
| Title: | Public Hearing & Resolution for Nuisance Property Abatement Assessments |
| Presented by: | Andy Zoeller, Finance Director |
| Department: | Finance |
| Presentation: | Yes |
| Legal Review: | No |
| Project Number: | N/A |
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council conduct a public hearing and pass the attached assessment resolution authorizing staff to alter list if the assessments are paid prior to submitting to the County Treasurer.
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
A nuisance property abatement assessment resolution has been completed, and the assessment is ready to be placed on the taxes for the following properties.
(A01587) For the property located at 607 S 32nd St in Billings, MT. A case for open storage and obstruction of a public right of way. The case was opened on 12/18/23 with the first notice being sent out on 12/23/23. On 03/25/24 a Notice to Appear was issued with no results from the previous notices and visits. 5/8/24 Property owner Joel Stone failed to appear for his Court date. I presented my case to Judge Kolar and she ruled in favor of the City for an Abatement. On 9/17/24, 9/24/2024 and 10/2/2024 City of Billings Code Enforcement/Solid Waste and Labor Detail removed open storage in the yards, alley and boulevard of this address. The invoice was mailed on 11/08/2024. Total charges $3,763.17.
(A04984) For the property located at 2012 Virginia Lane in Billings, MT. A case for open storage and living in RV. The case was opened on 12/21/2023 with the first notice being sent out. After multiple notices and phone calls to get this property cleaned up, the property remained out of compliance. On 4/16/24 owner Laverne Bass was cited into court for 05/08/24. After gaining the abatement, I worked with Mr. Bass on the property on what needed to be cleaned up and things progressed but got worse over time. After working for months, an abatement needed to be done. Abatement was scheduled for 10/22/24 and completed in a couple hours. The invoice was mailed on 11/08/2024. Total charges $337.39.
(A01587) For the property located at 607 S 32nd St in Billings, MT. A case for open storage and obstruction of a public right of way. The case was opened on 12/18/23 with the first notice being sent out on 12/23/23. On 03/25/24 a Notice to Appear was issued with no results from the previous notices and visits. 5/8/24 Property owner Joel Stone failed to appear for his Court date. I presented my case to Judge Kolar and she ruled in favor of the City for an Abatement. On 9/17/24, 9/24/2024 and 10/2/2024 City of Billings Code Enforcement/Solid Waste and Labor Detail removed open storage in the yards, alley and boulevard of this address. The invoice was mailed on 11/08/2024. Total charges $3,763.17.
(A04984) For the property located at 2012 Virginia Lane in Billings, MT. A case for open storage and living in RV. The case was opened on 12/21/2023 with the first notice being sent out. After multiple notices and phone calls to get this property cleaned up, the property remained out of compliance. On 4/16/24 owner Laverne Bass was cited into court for 05/08/24. After gaining the abatement, I worked with Mr. Bass on the property on what needed to be cleaned up and things progressed but got worse over time. After working for months, an abatement needed to be done. Abatement was scheduled for 10/22/24 and completed in a couple hours. The invoice was mailed on 11/08/2024. Total charges $337.39.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may:
- Approve; or,
- Not Approve, in which case the property owners will not be assessed, and the General Fund will be responsible for paying for the abatement.
FISCAL EFFECTS
The assessments total $4,100.56 and will reimburse the General Fund.