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Board approves amended blight-assessment list after public objections and DPW revisions
Summary
After a public hearing, the Board approved a revised report of assessment costs for blighted properties following Department of Public Works revisions prompted by owner testimony and documentation.
The Board of Supervisors held a public hearing and approved a revised list of assessments for blighted properties after the Department of Public Works (DPW) revised its submission to remove properties that had met remediation obligations.
Tim Hines of DPW's graffiti unit presented the report and explained that Chapter 80 of the Administrative Code requires property owners to maintain properties free of graffiti and blight; DPW inspects and notifies owners and may perform corrections and assess costs when owners fail to act. "It is the obligation of the property owner to maintain the property free of graffiti and blight," Hines said as he requested approval of the assessment list and that unpaid balances be added to property tax rolls.
Multiple property owners and representatives spoke during the hearing to contest assessments or to present receipts and dated photographs showing they had removed graffiti or hired painters. Commenters described repeated vandalism on corner properties and efforts to repaint or power wash facades. DPW staff met with several speakers after testimony and later submitted an amended list removing owners who had satisfied obligations.
The board voted to adopt the resolution approving the amended report of assessment costs; the clerk recorded 10 ayes and one absence (Ellsberg absent). DPW said the revised list would be re-submitted to the clerk for approval for placement on the tax roll.
Owners who objected during the hearing were invited to work with DPW staff in the hallway after testimony; several owners said they had invoices and photographs documenting remediation and asked for charges to be waived. DPW confirmed those revisions and removed properties from the submitted assessment list prior to adoption.
