Board upholds dozens of code-enforcement liens; several cases removed after settlement

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Aug. 8 heard public testimony and confirmed multiple reports of delinquent charges and liens related to code enforcement, nuisance abatement and refuse collection, while accepting deletions for dozens of addresses that had been settled before the meeting.

Department of Public Health representative Scott Nakamura told the board the department had run hearings earlier in the day to adjudicate objections to the refuse-assessment list and was "confident that the list is complete." The board adopted the resolution confirming the report of delinquent refuse-service charges and special assessments (item 11) after staff noted a number of settled addresses would be removed from the list.

Department of Building Inspection (DBI) staff reported that the department requested imposition of special liens on properties where owners failed to reimburse city costs for compelling code compliance. DBI said it had submitted an updated deletions list before the meeting removing 48 cases from the previously filed report and described outreach efforts, including in-house hearings for property owners.

Public testimony included disputed cases. One property owner, Miss Argueta, who does not live at the property but owns rental units at 757 Treat Street, told the board she had been working with inspectors and with a neighborhood program and that she believed the matter would be resolved. DBI staff said the certified mail to the recorded owner had been returned unclaimed and that the inspector had posted notices at the property; DBI staff and the board asked the parties to confer and said they would consider removing that address if the notice issues and compliance could be verified.

Another property owner representing 1220 and 1222 Church Street said the owners, elderly and living outside San Francisco, had responded and attempted to comply but were confused about a permit issuance and whether a permit fee had been paid; the board asked staff and the owner to follow up so an inspector could be assigned and a clearance issued.

Action and votes: On item 11 (refuse-assessment liens as modified by settled deletions) the board adopted the resolution by roll call (11 ayes). On items 14 and 15 (DBI code-enforcement liens and confirmation), the board accepted staff—s amendments and deletions and approved item 15 as amended in a roll-call vote; the clerk recorded the item as approved by the board.

Ending: Board members urged affected property owners to work with DBI and the Department of Public Health to resolve outstanding notices and to claim certified mailings when required. Several cases were removed from the reports after staff confirmed settlement or additional paperwork; other cases remain scheduled for further administrative or city-attorney enforcement.