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Home My WebLink About2014-09-03 PACKET 04.H. REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA MEETING ITEM # � DATE 9/3/2014 � . PREPARED BY Finance Department Robin Roland ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT STAFF AUTHOR �**********�***********�*�*�******************** COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST 1. Consider declaring costs to be assessed and ordering the preparation of the proposed assessment roll for the removal of noxious weeds and plants from private property. 2. Consider calling a hearing for October 1, 2014, on the proposed assessment for the removal of noxious weeds and plants from private property. STAFF RECOMMENDATION 1. Adopt the resolution declaring costs to be assessed and ordering the preparation of the proposed assessment roll for the removal of noxious weeds and plants from private property. 2. Adopt the resolution calling a hearing for October 1, 2014, on the proposed assessment for the removal of noxious weeds and plants from private property. BUDGET IMPLICATION: $ $ BUDGETED AMOUNT ACTUAL AMOUNT FUNDING SOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION ACTION DATE REVIEWED APPROVED DENIED ❑ PLANNING ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ PUBLIC SAFETY ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ PUBLIC WORKS ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ PARKS AND RECREATION ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ HUMAN SERVICES/RIGHTS ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ECONOMIC DEV. AUTHORITY ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS � MEMO/LETTER: � RESOLUTION: ❑ ORDINANCE: ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS ; � � a- � �I �( � City Administrator Date *�****�***************************�***�**�****�* COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: ❑ APPROVED ❑ DENIED ❑ OTHER City of Cottage Grove Memo � Finance and Community Development Departments TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator FROM: Robin Roland, Finance Director � Lauren Nacar, Assessment Clerk - Emily Schmitz, Code Enforcement Officer . DATE: September 3, 2014 RE: Assessment of Removal of Weeds on Private Property Introduction City Ordinance 4-3-1 (Noxious Weeds and Plants; height restrictions) states that it is unlawful to allow or permit any growth of weeds, grass, brush, or other rank vegetation to a height greater than eight inches, or any accumulation of dead weeds, grass or brush. The City was required to contract for the removal of these conditions on several properties and Minnesota State Statute 429.101 provides cities the ability to assess the costs associated with the removal or elimination of weeds from these private properties. Discussion In 2014, the Code Enforcement Officer issued 77 letters to property owners for violations of the City's Noxious Weeds and Plants; height restrictions ordinance. The property owner was given ten days to abate the conditions or the City would do so and assess the property owner for the cost of the mowing and an abatement fee. In 14 instances, the property owners did not abate the conditions. An increase in grass and weed abated properties in 2014 has been noted as compared to 2013. The increase is due largely in part to the number of foreclosed properties which were left abandoned prior to the conclusion of the redemption period. Properties left abandoned during this period are not maintained by the bank or mortgage company as they require the previous property owner to maintain through the redemption period whether occupied or not. To be sure these properties are maintained on a regular basis and to avoid the attraction of vermin and other nuisances to these properties, the grass and weeds are maintained immediately upon violation of City Ordinances. Currently, all but one of these properties are vacant. The City contracted with a vendor to have these properties mowed. This assessment is for the actual cost of �.�� the mowing and a tall weed abatement fee whicl��is charged as follows: «; o$50.00 for first violation in 24-months o$100.00 for second violation in 24-months commencing within first violation o$200.00 for third and subsequent violations in 24-months commencing within first violation , The assessment notice for these weed violations will be published on September 17, 2014, and an individual notice will be sent to the property owners. The assessment hearing will be held on October 1, 2014. Once these costs are assessed it becomes a lien on the property that will be collected along with property taxes over a one-year period. Recommendation Adopt the resolutions as presented to declare the costs and call the assessment hearing. RESOLUTION NO. 14-XXX RESOLUTION DECLARING COSTS TO BE ASSESSED AND ORDERING PREPARATION OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR REMOVAL OF NOXIOUS WEEDS AND PLANTS FROM PRIVATE PROPERTY � WHEREAS, contracts were let for the removal of noxious weeds and plants from private property and the costs incurred for such removal were $3,240.50, with administrative costs incurred amounting to $1,400.00 for a total cost of $4,640.50. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, County of Washington, State of Minnesota, as follows: 1. The net cost of such removal to be assessed is declared to be $4,640.50. 2. The Finance Director will calculate the proper amount to be assessed for such improvements against the benefiting property without regard to cash valuation as provided by law and shall file a copy of proposed assessment roll in the City Clerk's office for public inspection. 3. The City Clerk shall, upon completion of such assessment roll, notify the City Council therefor Passed this 3�d day of September 2014. Myron Bailey, Mayor Attest: Caron M. Stransky, City Clerk � i I'= 4',t; RESOLUTION NO. 14-XXX RESOLUTION CAL'LING FOR HEARING ON PROPOSED ASSESSMENTS FOR THE REMOVAL OF NOXIOUS WEEDS AND PLANTS FROM PRIVATE PROPERTY WHEREAS, by Resolution 14-XXX, passed by the City Council on September 3, 2014, the Council directed the Finance Director to prepare the proposed assessment roll for removal of noxious weeds and plants from private property and WHEREAS, the City Clerk has notified the Council that such assessment roll is com- plete and filed in her office for public inspection. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, County of Washington, State of Minnesota, as follows: 1. A hearing shall be held on the 1St day of October, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. to pass upon such proposed assessment roll. 2. The Finance Director is hereby directed to cause a Notice of Hearing on the pro- posed assessments to be published in the Washington County Bulletin, the offi- cial newspaper of the City, at least two (2) weeks prior to the hearing and shall state in the notice the total cost of the improvement and the proposed interest rate of 7 percent. The Finance Director shall cause mailed notices to be giv.en to the owner of each parcel described in the assessment roll. Passed this 3�d day of September, 2014. Myron Bailey, Mayor Attest: ,. f�.-: ,�� Caron M. Stransky, City Clerk CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE ASSESSMENT ROLL Page 1 of 1