Regular 9.
Regular City Council Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 02/24/2020
- TITLE
- Public Hearing & Resolution for Weed Assessments
- PRESENTED BY:
- Andy Zoeller
- Department:
- Finance
Presentation:
Yes
PROBLEM/ISSUE STATEMENT
The annual weed assessments have been completed by the Finance Department and are ready to be spread on the tax rolls by the attached resolution.
Pursuant to the Billings, Montana City Code (BMCC), Section 25-304, property owners are notified in writing and given ten (10) days from the date of the notice of noncompliance to exterminate weeds or tall grass from their property. If owners fail to cut the vegetation, the City may cut it and assess the costs to the real property, together with an additional administrative fee of 25% of the cost of removal, plus a $25 penalty. If the charges are not paid within a given time, the costs and penalties constitute a lien on the property and special assessments may be levied. The General Fund initially pays the costs, so the collected assessments reimburse those expenses.
The properties on the attached list had weeds removed from them during the growing season, the owners did not pay the charges and the properties may be assessed to recover the costs, penalty and fee.
Pursuant to the Billings, Montana City Code (BMCC), Section 25-304, property owners are notified in writing and given ten (10) days from the date of the notice of noncompliance to exterminate weeds or tall grass from their property. If owners fail to cut the vegetation, the City may cut it and assess the costs to the real property, together with an additional administrative fee of 25% of the cost of removal, plus a $25 penalty. If the charges are not paid within a given time, the costs and penalties constitute a lien on the property and special assessments may be levied. The General Fund initially pays the costs, so the collected assessments reimburse those expenses.
The properties on the attached list had weeds removed from them during the growing season, the owners did not pay the charges and the properties may be assessed to recover the costs, penalty and fee.
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 weed removal.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The assessments total $6,091.25 and the payments will reimburse the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council conduct a public hearing and pass the attached assessment resolution.