Regular 3.
Regular City Council Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 02/26/2018
- TITLE
- Public Hearing and Resolution for Abatement Assessments
- PRESENTED BY:
- Andy Zoeller
- Department:
- City Hall Administration
Presentation:
No
PROBLEM/ISSUE STATEMENT
A nuisance abatement assessment resolution has been completed by the Finance Department and the assessment is ready to be spread on the tax rolls. The Code Enforcement Division, at the request and permission of the recognized property owner, Tasha Riojas, completed a property abatement at 709 Winemiller Lane. The dwelling on the property has been unoccupied since at least 2013. The property has been subject to vandalism, trespassing by transients and Ms. Riojas has not been able to take care of the property. The City’s abatement on July 11 and 12, 2017, included hiring laborers, arranging for solid waste dumpsters, overseeing the removal of junk and debris, and removal of dead trees, cutting and removing brush and weeds. The City sent Ms. Riojas a bill for the total charges of $1,315.99. This bill includes $475.20 paid to Labor Ready and $473.25 paid to the Solid Waste Division for provision of roll off dumpsters and tipping fees at the landfill. Other charges include about $319 paid to Parks for removal of trees, nuisance weeds and other brush as well as miscellaneous supplies purchased by Code Enforcement staff for the 2-day abatement including hornet spray, water, and ice. The bill has not been paid. The invoice was sent in August 2017. Ms. Riojas was notified of this public hearing and sent a final bill on January 31, 2018.
On April 22, 2015, the rear house on property located at 114 South 29th Street exploded due to hazardous fumes from a hash oil cooking operation. The Fire Marshal and the Building Official, working with the City Attorney, went to Municipal Court to have the house declared unsafe and a nuisance. After this declaration by Municipal Court Judge Sheila Kolar, the City Attorney’s office attempted to work with the property owner and his attorney to demolish the unsafe structure. Despite these attempts, the structure was not demolished at the end of 2016, as the property owner had promised. The city requested bids from contractors in 2017 and received a low bid from Yochum Contracting of Hardin, MT for $28,500. The work was complete on time and in a satisfactory manner on August 9, 2017. The property owner, Mr. Richard D. Wick, was sent an invoice for the demolition work in September 2017, and November 2017. The bill remains unpaid. Mr. Wick was sent a notice of this public hearing and a final invoice on January 31, 2018.
On April 22, 2015, the rear house on property located at 114 South 29th Street exploded due to hazardous fumes from a hash oil cooking operation. The Fire Marshal and the Building Official, working with the City Attorney, went to Municipal Court to have the house declared unsafe and a nuisance. After this declaration by Municipal Court Judge Sheila Kolar, the City Attorney’s office attempted to work with the property owner and his attorney to demolish the unsafe structure. Despite these attempts, the structure was not demolished at the end of 2016, as the property owner had promised. The city requested bids from contractors in 2017 and received a low bid from Yochum Contracting of Hardin, MT for $28,500. The work was complete on time and in a satisfactory manner on August 9, 2017. The property owner, Mr. Richard D. Wick, was sent an invoice for the demolition work in September 2017, and November 2017. The bill remains unpaid. Mr. Wick was sent a notice of this public hearing and a final invoice on January 31, 2018.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYZED
The Council must hold a public hearing and then may:
- Approve the resolution; or
- Not approve the resolution, in which case the property owners will not be assessed, and the General Fund will be responsible for paying for the abatement.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The assessments total $29,815.99 and will reimburse the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council conduct a public hearing and pass the attached assessment resolution.