HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-09-17 PACKET 04.C. REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA
MEETING ITEM # �
DATE 9/17/2014 e e
PREPARED BY: Finance Department Robin Roland
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT STAFF AUTHOR
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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
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City Administrator Date
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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 17, 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
Recently, the Code Enforcement Officer issued three 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.
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
which 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.
RESOL.UTION 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 $326.25, with administrative
costs incurred amounting to $350.00 for a total cost of $676.25.
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 $676.25.
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 17t" day of September 2014.
Myron Bailey, Mayor
Attest:
Caron M. Stransky, City Clerk
RESOLUTION NO. 14-XXX
RESOLUTION CALLING 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 17, 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 given to
the owner of each parcel described in the assessment roll.
Passed this 17th day of September, 2014.
Myron Bailey, Mayor
Attest:
Caron M. Stransky, City Clerk
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