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WS – Item 3 WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT Work Session Item No. 3 Date: May 2, 2016 To: City Council From: Michael Grochala, Community Development Director Re: 550 Lilac Street Background Mr. Morteza Salehi, owner of the Apollo Business Center located at 550 Lilac Street, appeared before the City Council on April 25, 2016. Mr. Salehi was present to request council consideration to abate a delinquent utility charge that was levied against his property as a special assessment. The City Council requested that the item be placed on the work session agenda for discussion. In March of 2010 a building permit for interior remodel was obtained by the former owner of the Apollo Business Center. The addition of showers, after the fact, resulted in a Met Council Sewer Availability Charge (SAC) redetermination. Based on the change in use three units of (SAC), totaling $6,300 became due. No SAC was collected. Mr. Salehi, acquired the property in September of 2010. Based on his statements he was not aware of any outstanding fees when he purchased the property. In 2012, following a SAC review by Met Council Environmental Services, the City informed the owners that SAC, in the amount of $6,300 was owed. A second notice was sent in February of 2013. In October of 2013 the City Council approved an assessment of the property for the unpaid SAC. The assessment should have been certified against the property for taxes payable in 2014. However, in October of 2014 the City was informed that the assessment had been erroneously applied against the wrong property. The SAC was reassessed as an “Add as Omitted” special assessment in for taxes payable in 2015. Mr. Salehi disputed the validity of the SAC since it was charged prior to his acquisition of the property. He subsequently filed an Objection to Notice of Delinquent Taxes with the District Court. Neither the City or Mr. Salehi received any status update to the objection. Mr. Salehi followed up on his objection in April of 2016 and found that no action had been taken. A hearing has now been scheduled for May 10, 2016.