Public raises objections after abatement item withdrawn from consent agenda

During the board's consent-agenda period, staff withdrew item 6y to allow for a revised fiscal impact ($241,773) and to give Public Works time to work with affected property owners.

Several residents came forward to object. One speaker said the county billed two properties despite there being a single APN and told the board the owner faced roughly $4,000 in charges. Another commenter said the family is under stress, has limited transportation and that the matter has already required multiple trips to the administrative center.

Public Works Director Josh Champlin said staff had asked property owners to notify the department and that the item was pulled so the department and the clerk could "retool" the process. Champlin committed to working with county offices to find a solution so residents would not have to repeatedly appear before the board.

Mike Guillen, who identified himself and asked the board to closely examine the case, raised specific complaints about notice, the county's standards for boarding and alleged destructive methods in the abatement (he said bolts and framing resulted in additional property damage). He also said county records indicated occupants were living in vehicles that staff had classified as abandoned and asked that the board delay confirming abatement costs pending further review.

A supervisor suggested the commenter follow up with Public Works or file a county claim, and the board approved the remainder of the consent agenda on a single motion (clerk recorded the vote as "All ayes").