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Supervisors approve blight abatement assessments after property owners raise concerns about double victimization
Summary
The board approved a resolution May 24 to add unpaid blight-abatement costs to the property tax roll after a public hearing; property owners and supervisors urged better targeting and assistance for owners repeatedly hit by graffiti.
The Board of Supervisors voted May 24 to approve a list of properties with unpaid costs for graffiti and other blight abatement and to add those assessments to the property tax roll.
Alicia Witt of the Department of Public Works's Graffiti Unit described the department's process: inspectors post notices, the unit mails notices (regular and certified) with date-stamped photos, and the department attempts courtesy calls to identified owners. If owners do not abate violations in the allowed time, the city performs the work and seeks cost recovery by placing assessments on the tax roll.
Several property owners spoke at the hearing in person, saying repeated vandalism in particular neighborhoods—corner commercial properties and mixed-use sites—makes compliance difficult and creates what one speaker called a "double victimization": victims of vandalism who then face fines and liens. Owner Giovanna Hervatin said she had paid an earlier $320 fee and presented proof of online payment; the clerk directed her to meet DPW staff in the hallway to resolve the discrepancy.
Supervisor Ronan and Supervisor Safaie acknowledged the problem in hard-hit neighborhoods, praised owners who maintain properties despite repeated vandalism, and said the city should explore assistance or targeted resources for heavily impacted properties.
DPW reported one property owner on the board's list had already paid and that the amended report would remove that account before confirming assessments. The resolution with the amended report passed on a unanimous vote recorded as 11 ayes.
Why it matters: Graffiti abatement and blight removal are routine public-works functions, but repeated vandalism can impose recurring costs on small property owners. Several supervisors signaled interest in exploring budget or program options to support owners in high-incidence areas.
Next steps: DPW staff will meet with property owners who flagged payment or address problems and finalize the assessment list for placement on the tax roll as amended; supervisors said they will continue to discuss potential targeted assistance for properties repeatedly vandalized.
