TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution directing Los Angeles County Auditor-Controller to include on the 2019-2020 Secured Tax Roll certain levies made pursuant to the provisions of the Long Beach Municipal Code, for weed and debris removal, administrative citations, securing of buildings and vacant buildings, in the amount of $329,244. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The attached Resolution authorizes the City to collect delinquent weed removal charges, delinquent building abatement charges, vacant building monitoring fees, incidental enforcement costs, interest, and lien transfer charges from the responsible owners through their property tax bills for properties cleaned, abated and/or monitored from July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019. Interest accrues at an annual rate of 12 percent from the delinquency date through June 30, 2019.
The City is authorized to undertake enforcement activities, assess levies for delinquent charges and accrue interest by Long Beach Municipal Code (LBMC) Chapters 8.56, 9.65, 18.20, and 18.21, following the specified notification and appeal process. The interest rate charged is cited in LBMC Sections 8.56.130, 9.65.140, 18.21.040, and 18.20.210.
Upon approval by the City Council, the Financial Management Department will forward the authorizing Resolution, and the prescribed reporting forms, to the Los Angeles County Auditor-Controller, Tax Division, for incorporation into the 2019-2020 County Secured Tax Roll.
Total code enforcement delinquency charges to be placed on the 2019-2020 tax roll are $329,244, inclusive of interest, representing 128 properties. Unless noted, all delinquent charges relate to the Code Enforcement Division of the Neighborhood Services Bureau in the Development Services Department. These are comprised of:
a) Weed removal and cleaning charges including interest in the amount of $4,714 levied against the two listed properties (see Resolution Exhibit A);
b) Administrative citation charges including interest in the amount of $301,144 levied against the 116 listed properties (see Resolution Exhibit B);
c) Secure building and demolition charges including interest in the amount of $2,163 levied against the one listed property (see Resolution Exhibit C); and,
d) Vacant building charges including interest in the amount of $21,223 levied against the nine listed properties (see Resolution Exhibit D).
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Sarah E. Green on June 11, 2019 and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on June 26, 2019.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on July 16, 2019, as the Los Angeles County Auditor-Controller requires receipt of the authorized lien assessment by July 31, 2019.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Los Angeles County Auditor-Controller will be requested to collect $329,244 with the annual property taxes. Depending on the revenue actually collected by Los Angeles County, the recovered amount will be deposited in the General Fund Group in the Development Services Department. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
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Respectfully Submitted,
JOHN GROSS
DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
LINDA F. TATUM, FAICP
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER