TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution directing the Los Angeles County Auditor-Controller to include on the 2017-2018 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 $176,224. (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, 2016 through June 30, 2017. Interest accrues at the rate of 12 percent from the delinquency date through June 30, 2017.
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 Department of Financial Management will forward the authorizing Resolution, and the prescribed reporting forms, to the Los Angeles County Auditor-Controller, Tax Division, for incorporation into the 2017-2018 County Secured Tax Roll.
Total code enforcement delinquency charges to be placed on the 2017-2018 tax roll are $176,223, representing 66 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 $25,575 levied against the six listed properties (see Resolution Exhibit A);
b) Administrative citation charges, including interest, in the amount of $116,809 levied against the 51 listed properties (see Resolution Exhibit B);
c) Secure building and demolition charges, including interest, in the amount of $4,448 levied against the one listed property (see Resolution Exhibit C); and,
d) Vacant building charges, including interest, in the amount of $29,392 levied against the eight listed properties (see Resolution Exhibit D).
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Arturo D. Sanchez on June 21, 2017 and by Assistant Finance Director Lea Eriksen on June 20, 2017.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on July 11, 2017, as the Los Angeles County Auditor-Controller requires receipt of the authorized lien assessment by July 31, 2017.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Los Angeles County Auditor-Controller will be requested to collect $176,224 with the annual property taxes for deposit into the General Fund (GF) in the Development Services Department (DV). There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH DIRECTING THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY AUDITOR-CONTROLLER TO INCLUDE ON THE 2017-2018 SECURED TAX ROLL CERTAIN ASSESSMENTS MADE PURSUANT TO PROVISIONS OF THE LONG BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE FOR WEED ABATEMENT, ADMINISTRATIVE CITATIONS AND PENALTIES, DEMOLITION AND SECURING OF BUILDINGS, AND MONITORING OF VACANT BUILDINGS
Respectfully Submitted,
JOHN GROSS
DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
AMY J. BODEK
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER