Board adopts DPW report on sidewalk and curb repairs; 63 unpaid invoices to be placed as property assessments

The Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution approving the Department of Public Works’ (DPW) report of assessment costs for sidewalk and curb repairs spanning April 2010 through April 2011, including a list of 63 properties with outstanding invoices to be placed as assessments on property tax rolls.

DPW representative Robert Kwan told the board the period covered inspections and repairs across multiple neighborhoods, totaling $1,097,938 in city-repaired sidewalk work for that fiscal period and $440,250 recovered from property-owner payments. Kwan said the city inspected and issued 1,703 notices to repair sidewalks and issued 1,219 notifications to city agencies and private utilities; the city repaired 849 properties at a reported cost of $521,340 for owner-noticed repairs and $576,598 for city-notice repairs to agencies and utilities.

Kwan said the department issued 639 invoices to property owners; 576 property owners have paid, and DPW is submitting 63 properties with outstanding invoices totaling $81,089 to be placed as assessments on the tax rolls.

Several property owners and residents spoke at the public hearing, raising concerns about notice, billing accuracy and the timing of invoices. Susan Concepcion, owner of property on Alemany Boulevard, said she repaired a crack after receiving a notice but did not pay the invoice as a protest and asked DPW to consider project timing and costs in cases where larger redevelopment or rebuilding was planned. Eugene Chan said prior invoices and notices had been sent to a previous owner at a different address, limiting his opportunity to respond.

DPW staff met with property owners after the hearing and provided a revised list of assessments to the clerk; the department said it excluded certain properties after follow-up and will continue working to resolve outstanding disputes. The board adopted the amended report and authorized the assessments without recorded roll-call opposition.

The action concludes the annual DPW assessment cycle for the covered period and moves outstanding unpaid amounts into the property taxation process for collection, while DPW said it would continue direct outreach to affected owners to resolve remaining disputes.

Key numbers reported by DPW at the hearing: - Notices to repair sidewalks issued: 1,703 - Notifications to city agencies/private utilities: 1,219 - City-repaired properties: 849 - Cost of owner-notice repairs paid by city: $521,340 - Cost of repairs to agencies/utilities: $576,598 - Total city-repair cost reported: $1,097,938 - Invoices sent to property owners: 639 - Invoices paid by owners: 576 (recoveries of $440,250) - Properties submitted for assessment to tax roll: 63 - Total outstanding to be assessed: $81,089