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Commission closes special‑assessments hearing; residents raise complaints about notices and flood damage liability
Summary
The commission convened as a board of review on special assessments for unpaid charges stemming from code violations and closed the hearing after an assessor reported six appeals; public commenters also pressed the city about a $1,138.90 secondary‑residence charge and urged attention to stormwater damage claims.
The Grand Rapids City Commission convened a public hearing on Sept. 9 to sit as a board of review and hear appeals to the special assessment roll covering unpaid charges and code violations issued Jan.–June 2025.
The assessor told the commission the assessment roll had been created following an order in late July, that notices were mailed Aug. 8 and that six appeals had been received. The assessor said the assessment roll had been posted on the city's website and invited any additional appellants to meet in Room 921; when no further appeals were brought at the meeting the hearing was closed.
During the public‑comment portion, a resident identifying himself as Aaron said he had missed the assessment hearing and asked why he was assessed $1,138.90 for a secondary‑residence violation, questioning whether a second residence must be registered as a rental when he lives there himself.
In separate public comment, attorney Pete Walsh urged the commission to consider settlement of claims arising from a water‑main break and related drainage issues near Silver Creek. Walsh said governmental immunity is an affirmative defense and does not categorically bar payment, citing prior litigation and offering to file a written statement for the record.
What happens next: the assessor noted additional appeals could be submitted in person at Room 921; staff will continue appeals processing. The commission did not take further action on individual assessment appeals at the meeting.
