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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/07/2013 Special Assessment/deliquent accounts OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS SPECIAL ASSESSMENT LEVY HEARING MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2013 6:45 P.M. Roll Call/Pledge of Allegiance Present: Mayor Peterson, Council Member Nawrocki, Council Member Williams, and Council Member Schmitt. Staff Present: Finance Director Joseph Kloiber, Assistant Finance Director Jackie Senko, City Attorney Jim Hoeft, Assistant City Engineer Kathy Young and City Clerk Tori Leonhardt. Absent: Council member Diehm Public Hearing on Proposed Special Assessment Roll and Special Assessment Levy for Delinquent Accounts Identified with the Following Project Numbers: P.I.R.2013-MS-30-001 P.I.R.2013-MS-30-002 P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-003 P.I.R.2013-MS-30-004 P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-005 P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-006 P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-007 P.I.R.2013-MS-30-008 P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-009 P.I.R.2013-MS-30-010 P.I.R.2013-MS-30-011 P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-012 P.I.R.2013-MS-30-013 P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-014 a. Presentation by City Staff providing background information. Joseph Kloiber, Finance Director, most of the information was completed by the Assistant Finance Director Jackie Senko and any individual questions can be answered by her. Kloiber stated annually staff recommends that the City Council adopt a special levy to collect miscellaneous charges on customer accounts that have reached the delinquent state within the past year. These services include water, sewer, refuse, weed cutting, tree removal, stop box repair/replacement, nuisance/hazard abatement, etc. In prior years, the Council has always adopted a one-year payment period for these types of assessments. Kloiber stated that the proposed assessment is payable over one year at 6% interest. The principal amount of$198,015.02 in the proposed resolution and assessment roll is less than the initial amount published in the hearing notice, as a result of payment on delinquent accounts received between the publishing of the notice and the date of this meeting. Kloiber also stated that eleven of these delinquent amounts were initially invoiced to the customer at one or more points prior to July 31, 2013. With this taken into consideration, the effective interest rate is lower than 6%, depending on the date(s) service was provided to each property. b. Questions/Comments from City Council and the Public. Nawrocki also asked what the late fee was. Kloiber stated it is 5% penalty after the due date. Nawrocki asked if the penalty is a one-time penalty and how far these assessments go back. Senko stated they go back from July 2013 to June 2013. Kloiber clarified unless they are in a payment arrangement. Alioune Thiam, 3957 Polk Street, stated all the bills were paid and the charges reflect late fees from a previous tenant not paying. Kloiber indicated that it was $44.50. The owner stated he paid the original past due amount and what is left are late fees. Kloiber stated there are certain times when we waive late fees and he stated he will look into this address and make a determination on the late charges and will provide him with a response this week. Thiam submitted a letter of request to the City Clerk. Williams asked if some of these were vacant houses or foreclosed properties. Kloiber stated some banks do wait for this process. Motion by Williams, second by Schmitt, to close the Public Hearing and waive reading of Resolution 2013-77 there being ample copies available to the public. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion carried. Kloiber stated that it would be more consistent to stay with the proposed 4% interest rate as it would be easier to consolidate when submitted to the county. Motion by Williams, second by Schmitt, to adopt Resolution 2013-77, to include a 4% interest rate, being a resolution to adopt an assessment roll and levy a special assessment for delinquent accounts. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion carried Mayor Peterson adjourned the meeting at 7:18 PM. Tori e` rdt, City Cleric RESOLUTION NO.2013-77 ADOPT AN ASSESSMENT ROLL AND LEVY A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT FOR DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS WHEREAS, one or more services required by city ordinance, including water, sewer, refuse, weed cutting, tree removal, stop box repair/replacement and abatement of nuisance/hazardous, and numbered as Projects P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-001 P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-002 P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-003 P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-004 P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-005 P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-006 P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-007 P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-008 P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-009 P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-010 P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-011 P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-012 P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-013 P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-014 have been provided to and benefited the properties listed in the assessment roll below; and, Vti'HEREAS, the charges to said properties for said services are unpaid and delinquent; and, WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota, met at 6:45 p.m. on the 7th day of October 2013 in the City Council Chamber 590 40th Avenue N.E. Columbia Heights, Minnesota, being the time and place set when and where all persons interested could appear and be heard by the Council with respect to the benefits and cost of providing the services described below, a notice of such hearing having been heretofore duly published as required by law, and a notice mailed to each property owner of record, stating the proposed amount of the assessment; therefore, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HEREBY RESOLVES: Section 1. That this Council does hereby adopt the assessment roll below known and described as "Assessment Roll for 2013 Delinquent Accounts", numbered as PIR. 2013-1\1S-30-001 P.I.R. 2013-NIS-30-002 P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-003 P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-004 P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-005 P.I.R. 2013-NIS-30-006 P.LR. 2013-MS-30-007 P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-008 P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-009 P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-010 P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-011 P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-012 P.I.R. 2013-MS-30-013 P.I.R. 2013-1\IS-30-014 Section 2. That this Council hereby finds and determines that each of the parcels of land enumerated in the assessment roll was and is especially benefited by the services provided. The Council further finds and determines that the proper cost of these services to be especially assessed against each parcel of land is the amount of unpaid delinquent charges for said services. Section 3. That said assessments may be paid in part or in full without interest on or before November 6, 2013. Section 4. Payments will be accepted at Columbia Heights City Hall, 590 40th Avenue N.E. Columbia Heights, Minnesota, on or before November 15, 2013. Any amount unpaid after November 15, 2013, will be certified to the Anoka County Auditor for collection with the real estate taxes as a special assessment beginning with the taxes payable in the year 2014. The annual principal installments, together with 6% interest are due and payable with the real estate taxes for a period of one year or less. Section 5. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon passage.