09-09-24 - City Council Agenda Packet

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1 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING STAFF REPORT AGENDA ITEM 1L STAFF ORIGINATOR: Michael Grochala, Community Development Director MEETING DATE: September 9, 2024 TOPIC: Consider Resolution No. 24-118, Declaring Cost to Be Assessed, Ordering Preparation of Assessment Role, and Calling for Hearing on Proposed Assessment, 2024 Weed Abatement Charges VOTE REQUIRED: Simple Majority ______________________________________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION Staff is requesting City Council consideration to declare the cost to be assessed for delinquent weed abatement charges and call for a hearing on proposed assessments. BACKGROUND City Code section 904 establishes weeds or grass growing in excess of eight inches in height to be a public nuisance. Property owners in violation of this requirement are notified and provided an opportunity to cure the nuisance. If the violation is not addressed within a specified period of time, City staff and/or private contractors are directed to abate the nuisance. The cost of abatement is charged to the property owner. In the event that the property owner fails to pay the costs incurred, the City may certify the charges against the property for collection with property taxes as a special assessment. Minnesota Statues § 429.101 provides for the special assessment of certain service including weed elimination from properties. Special Assessments levied under this statute are subject to the procedural requirements of M.S. § 429.061 which requires the determination of the costs to be assessed and a public hearing to adopt the assessments. There are three properties proposed to be assessed. The total amount to be assessed is $615.00. The amount charged is based on staff time for completing the work and administrative costs. Staff is proposing a public hearing date be set for October 14, 2024. Property owners who pay any outstanding fees prior to the hearing will be removed from the assessment role.