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Board amends sidewalk assessment report after public objections, strikes three properties from assessment list
Summary
At a public hearing, the board heard objections to assessments for sidewalk and curb repairs; Department of Public Works and property owners agreed to resolve three contested cases and the board amended the assessment report to remove those properties from the roll before adopting the revised assessment resolution.
The Board held a public hearing on a report from the Department of Public Works listing sidewalk and curb repair invoices and proposed assessments where property owners had not paid city repair costs. Robert Kwan of DPW presented the report, saying the department inspected 159 blocks, issued 2,439 notices and completed city repairs for 984 properties at a cost of about $633,000; 817 property owners had paid and DPW sought to place 145 properties with outstanding invoices totaling approximately $125,501 onto the property tax rolls.
Several members of the public testified. Michael Skinner, whose property was assessed for about $2,000 despite his having pulled a permit and beginning repairs, asked the board not to place an assessment on his property until he could resolve the discrepancy with DPW. Another property owner, whose sidewalk damage he attributed to construction equipment used during a transit project, asked for consideration because the street-scape plan would later replace the sidewalk. A business owner reported sewer and public-health problems during nearby construction that he said were harming his customers and business.
After the public comments, DPW representatives reported they had met with the residents and brokered agreements: the department would strike the assessments for 1649 LaSalle Avenue and 1505 Quezada Avenue and work with the affected owners to pursue payments from previous owners or allow payment arrangements. The board voted to amend the assessment list to remove 2246 Francisco Street, 1649 LaSalle Avenue and 1505 Quezada Avenue and then adopted the revised assessment report by roll call.
Supervisor Maxwell asked for and obtained a continuance on at least one property to allow staff to work with a homeowner who does not speak English and had recently purchased the property. DPW said staff will contact the homeowner to explain invoices and next steps.
The board adopted the resolution as amended; DPW will proceed to place the remaining unpaid assessments on the tax roll and will work with property owners on payment arrangements where appropriate.
