Minutes - Council - 09/28/2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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6.02: Public Hearing and Levy of Assessments for Past -Due Charges on Municipal Utility Bills and Current Services Rendered Finance Officer Lund stated that the City provides varying services that are billed directly to residents through the municipal utility bill and through City invoices. This is the twelfth year that the City will be certifying delinquent payments as assessments to be collected with property taxes payable in 2011. The total of delinquent payments is a little over $387,000, which includes penalties and interest. Payments will be accepted until November 5, and after that, it is sent to the County to be certified on the taxes. She presented a trend analysis, which shows there were $197,000 in delinquent charges in 2009 and the City has collected $119,000 of that. She talked about the calls her department gets regarding utility services — streetlights, storm water, etc. She speculated residents didn't realize these fees were being charged before when it came out with their electric bill from Connexus. She added the delinquent amount stays with the property — not the owner. She stated this is a public hearing. Motion by Councilmember Elvig and seconded by Councilmember Wise to close the regular portion of the City Council meeting to hold a public hearing. Motion carried. The regular portion of the meeting was closed at 7:10 p.m. Public Hearing Mayor Ramsey opened the public hearing at 7:10 p.m. Charles DeLaney, 8404 — 161 Avenue NW, stated that because of the structure of the assessment to his property, he is being charged for 17 acres of business and two residential. He has talked with Mr. Linton on City staff and they have laid out his property and come up with 1.25 acres of commercial. Finance Officer Lund clarified that he is talking about the storm drainage fee. Director of Public Works Olson stated that staff has talked to Mr Delaney in the past and he doesn't know why his property came up with a delinquency at the public hearing but a credit has been approved for Armstrong Kennels. He talked about the process for appealing the charges. Mr. Delaney stated he was told he had to appear before the Council. City Administrator Ulrich suggested that staff could take this under advisement, meet with Mr. Delaney and then come back to the City Council. This amount can be certified tonight but Mr. Delaney would have until November 5 to pay it off; that gives staff time to meet with him. Councilmember Dehen stated this is the first Council has heard about this and he felt Council would not be ready to address these issues. City Attorney Goodrich stated that Mr. Delaney's rights are preserved. City Council / September 28, 2010 Page 4 of 16